Suggested buying an Alfa at a party, didn't expect answers

[stuart-b]

To set the scene, last night at the OH's birthday party I mentioned I was going to replace the Astra for something a bit more fun, as I have a BMW E92 I use for day to day.

There isn't much fun to be had for 5k if you are looking for a thrilling drive, more than 4 pots, that won't cost the earth to maintain, so I set my sights on a decent Alfa GTV V6, which would be fully sorted for that money. Everyone has to have an Alfa at least once in their life, right? Or so I thought.

Cue being ribbed by everyone - including the OH, who thought it was a much better idea to get a Cooper S (why couldn't I see that one coming a mile away ... )

"The engine will be great, but everything else will break around it", "I'd rather drive a Skoda", etc etc !

This wasn't in the UK, the party was international expats from France, Slovakia, Bosnia, Germany and more - all of them, took the piss.

Where has the love for Alfa gone?

I'm thinking sod the lot of 'em - a GTV (or perhaps Cup), sports exhaust, etc.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFNcpnCNFE

[AudiWurst]

stuart-b said:

Cue being ribbed by everyone - including the OH

Harsh, but I'd imagine most people who have bought an old/cheap Alfa have taken the approach that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and have only announced their purchase to their other half when the car has already been bought and is sat on the driveway.

[AngryPartsBloke]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

It's hard to look at that and not want it.

[V8forweekends]

Ex wife had a 4 pot GTV from new in Y2K. Faultless except for wear and tear items for at least 80k (from memory) she was one of the least mechanically sympathetic drivers I have ever met and thrashed the flip out of it. It was a fabulous car, loved it and would have another (even and old 1k one) in an instant. Hugely underrated IMHO.

ETA In other advice, don't ask tts at parties to critique car choices :-)

[Jurgen]

Most people I know that aren't really into cars just want an Audi, for some reason that's the highest status level you can achieve.

The GTV will probably annoy you at times with small defects and you'll develop a strong love/hate relationship. I've had a very well sorted Fiat Coupe 20vt and always had a small to-do list. But it was very enjoyable and never bonded so much with a car, you'll probably love the Alfa most of the time! So don't listen to those boring people and just buy one

[stuart-b]

AudiWurst said:

Harsh, but I'd imagine most people who have bought an old/cheap Alfa have taken the approach that it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and have only announced their purchase to their other half when the car has already been bought and is sat on the driveway.

True, and considering the bland boxes being driven around, it does make a change from the norm. Actually I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks, I will always buy the car that suits me, as I'm paying for it, and driving it I was just surprised at the reactions. I thought old sporty Alfa's were loved by all... I saw the Top Gear episode where they pitted the GTV against the MK1 Focus RS and Golf R32. All said the Golf was technically better, but everyone took the Alfa.

That cup is great, very strong money though - a bit like the 968 CS, huge money, better value to be had else where. A normal GTV 3.0 with 2k spent on sorting bits is a better idea (at least, for me).

[stuart-b]

V8forweekends said:

Ex wife had a 4 pot GTV from new in Y2K. Faultless except for wear and tear items for at least 80k (from memory) she was one of the least mechanically sympathetic drivers I have ever met and thrashed the flip out of it. It was a fabulous car, loved it and would have another (even and old 1k one) in an instant. Hugely underrated IMHO.

ETA In other advice, don't ask tts at parties to critique car choices :-)

Good to know.

Actually, it started with a friend from Germany stating he wanted to sell his 2nd car (Corsa), and I said me too (Astra). He wants to buy a Mazda 4x4 (says it all..) I mentioned Alfa, cue laughs at my expense I was all taken as fun, I wasn't upset or offended whatsoever, I was just surprised t'is all.

[stuart-b]

Jurgen said:

Most people I know that aren't really into cars just want an Audi, for some reason that's the highest status level you can achieve.

The GTV will probably annoy you at times with small defects and you'll develop a strong love/hate relationship. I've had a very well sorted Fiat Coupe 20vt and always had a small to-do list. But it was very enjoyable and never bonded so much with a car, you'll probably love the Alfa most of the time! So don't listen to those boring people and just buy one

You get that a lot here. I tried an A5 before I bought my E92 - the quality of plastics was very bad, wasn't impressed at all with the interior (personal preference). I also wanted RWD. Yet, all I hear is, buy an Audi, reach car perfection. I had that love hate relationship with Porsche 924/944S2- and I loved those cars. I should mention my ideal car is a Sebring V8 MG - but can't justify 25k on a weekend car yet

[DeltonaS]

Audi interiors of the past decade do not seem to age well, shiny scruffy leather, tired plastics.

But why not buy a 147 or 156 gta ??

[anonymous-user]

The days of Alfa being anything than just another FWD platform shared car with a prettier than average body are so far behind us as to be irrelevant. Despite the best efforts of Top Gear I think most people must realise this now.

[ArsE92]

stuart-b said:

I saw the Top Gear episode where they pitted the GTV against the MK1 Focus RS and Golf R32. All said the Golf was technically better, but everyone took the Alfa.

Typo maybe, but that was the 147 GTA.

I watched that video several times on Youtube before I bought mine

[ORD]

I've never understood the Alfa thing - relatively pretty but flawed cars. I find it hard to get my head around the idea that a car being flawed (i.e. a bit bad) gives it "character". If an Alfa is worse than a Golf, it is a pretty average car. We romanticise poor engineering and build quality!

[anonymous-user]

ORD said:

I've never understood the Alfa thing - relatively pretty but flawed cars. I find it hard to get my head around the idea that a car being flawed (i.e. a bit bad) gives it "character". If an Alfa is worse than a Golf, it is a pretty average car. We romanticise poor engineering and build quality!

This is why you don't understand it - because you've assumed they are poorly engineered and poorly built. Ever driven or owned one?

I had a similar era 6-pot 156, one of the really "fiat-y" ones. It started every single time at temps of up to (down to?) -14. Nothing fell off. Ever. For a 2.5 24v V6, average tanks of 27mpg were great. It was more reliable than the Mondeo I had before the 156, and the (7 year younger) Saab that I have now. It gave me 60,000 miles of joyous, trouble free motoring, and it was no garage queen. It lived outside, drove on and off building sites all day long, and cost me £2000 to buy. It regularly had boats on the roof and back seats full of tools, toys, kids or general st.

This repeated ste that Alfas are poorly screwed together is a Top Gear-ism that needs to die. Or, keep it up, carry on driving Golfs, A3s and french ste, and leave the under-reputationed cars to those in the know.

OP buy one, they're great, the engine is a peach, and it's not a VAG, a TDi, or any form of "economybluelinegreenfin" special.

[ArsE92]

<off to Classifieds to look at 147 GTAs>

[V8forweekends]

OpulentBob said:

This is why you don't understand it - because you've assumed they are poorly engineered and poorly built. Ever driven or owned one?

I had a similar era 6-pot 156, one of the really "fiat-y" ones. It started every single time at temps of up to (down to?) -14. Nothing fell off. Ever. For a 2.5 24v V6, average tanks of 27mpg were great. It was more reliable than the Mondeo I had before the 156, and the (7 year younger) Saab that I have now. It gave me 60,000 miles of joyous, trouble free motoring, and it was no garage queen. It lived outside, drove on and off building sites all day long, and cost me £2000 to buy. It regularly had boats on the roof and back seats full of tools, toys, kids or general st.

This repeated ste that Alfas are poorly screwed together is a Top Gear-ism that needs to die. Or, keep it up, carry on driving Golfs, A3s and french ste, and leave the under-reputationed cars to those in the know.

OP buy one, they're great, the engine is a peach, and it's not a VAG, a TDi, or any form of "economybluelinegreenfin" special.

^^ This. Had an Audi, had an Alfa. Alfa was streets ahead. Build quality and mechanical design - no real difference. Soul and thought into producing something nice looking (Alfa)- huge. Reliability - Alfa better by a country mile.

[LeoZwalf]

A V6 GTV with a loud exhaust drove past me yesterday. It sounded brilliant

Despite being car mad, I very very rarely bother speaking about cars with people who don't get them like we all do. They don't understand why I drive a €500 Golf. They try to tell me that their new Eurobox is great and fast. They look confused when I tell them I can't get excited about the Eurobox because it isn't my kinda thing. And so it goes on. I've got PH to read about interesting cars and car mad friends who understand me, as do I them

It really really does not matter a jot what other people think about your choice of car. Buy what YOU like. Go in with your eyes open and prepare to spend some money if things go wrong. Remember - pretty much whatever decision you make will be YOUR decision and will cost you a damn sight less than a lease on a brand new [whatever-guy-at-the-party-suggested].

(Ok, I am aware of the irony that I'm slating Euroboxes whilst owning a Golf)

[Ali_T]

Most people get their car opinions from lifestyle magazines and Top Gear repeats. They know very little beyond that. Hence the OH wanting a Mini which continually rates near the bottom of all reliability surveys. People also assume that everything Japanese is well built and seem shocked when I tell them how thoroughly crap my current Evo X or previous STI were for reliability.

[stuart-b]

ArsE92 said:

Typo maybe, but that was the 147 GTA.

I watched that video several times on Youtube before I bought mine

You're right, that wasn't the video I meant, there was another one with the GTV. Pitted against all the other Coupes of the era.

Edited by stuart-b on Wednesday 23 April 18:24

[stuart-b]

ORD said:

I've never understood the Alfa thing - relatively pretty but flawed cars. I find it hard to get my head around the idea that a car being flawed (i.e. a bit bad) gives it "character". If an Alfa is worse than a Golf, it is a pretty average car. We romanticise poor engineering and build quality!

This is what everyone else with a German car at the party was telling me. I have an E92, if you want a car with flaws, this is one. I can give you a list as long as my arm of problems... don't even get me started on the interior with bits breaking and wearing out (not even 40k miles). They aren't E30's that's for sure.

[Axionknight]

Those pictures.