Alfa GT 3.2. Why shouldn't I buy this?!

[FeelingLucky]

Don't agree, dynamically the GT is better in every way, and MUCH more practical.

[Warnie]

FeelingLucky said:

Don't agree, dynamically the GT is better in every way, and MUCH more practical.

True.

But the GTV being the older design gives an impression of being much quicker than it is. It was my 1st choice, but it's just too much of a compromise with its non existent boot and useless rear seats.

[Warnie]

Chris Type R said:

Gratuitous photo opportunity:

Edited by Chris Type R on Tuesday 31st March 11:33

That is stunning. Mine is gabbiano azzurro blue? Spelling is awful! Which I love but I wanted the tan leather like yours...

[Warnie]

Pat H said:

Yep.

I certainly wasn't suggesting that the 2.5 can be compared to the 3.2 in terms of performance. The 3.2 is definitely in a different league, as you would expect with almost an extra litre and another 50 horses.

I've owned a couple of 3.2 GTVs and a 2.5 156. I reckon that the smaller motor is sweeter.

I used to own a 3.2 GTV with equal length exhaust manifolds and the Q2 diff. It sounded incredible, was properly fast and felt like a truly exotic Italian sports car. It was just a pain to live with compared to a 156.

I guess that the 3.2 GT makes a great compromise. I'll have a red one with tan leather, please. Or maybe black with red leather....

pat after reading many of your posts your a true alfa convert!

I did love my 156 v6 but it was compromised by the Lusso 'sofa' suspension. The engine though being 'just' 192bhp allowed me to really ring it's neck on more occasions than I can get away with regarding the 3.2.

But I always wanted the 3.2 when I had the 2.5, thinking if the 2.5 sounds this good then how good will the bigger engine sound?

The answer is not better at all. If anything as mine is standard the exhaust note seems more muted. But importantly you can still hear that busso up front which with some exhaust setups you lose.

To the op. Get one and experience it 1st hand and with the 3.2gt being fairly rare I doubt you'll lose much money if any in depreciation.

[DamienB]

Pat H said:

I've had this 2.5 Veloce under a sheet in my Mum's garage for the last two years. 60,000 miles, split mint and book price of less than a grand. It just isn't worth selling.

Give it away to somebody who'll drive it then... like me

[Ali_T]

Lovely car, just budget for the usual Alfa wishbone eating habits....

[Pat H]

wiv1728 said:

Despite looking better than anything in their segments, poor build quality and the fact the the cars - including this one - were based on increasingly shonky platforms, understandably compelled people to steer clear.

Yep.

I've got a lot of time for this generation of Alfa, but I am not blind to their faults.

Lovely styling, wonderful interiors and fabulous engines, badly let down by crashy ride and wonky handling.

I could almost forgive the constant fettling that the front suspension demands if it was any good. But it isn't.

A Ford Focus of any description has far better ride, handling and brakes. And the Ford suspension won't be completely shagged by 60,000 miles.

I had a 1.6 TS 147, which wasn't too bad. My 2.5 156 Veloce was just about tolerable, but the 2.4 JTD 156 Lusso is absolutely awful.

The suspension crashes over any sort of imperfection, the ride is woeful and yet it rolls and wallows around bends. The brakes are also poor.

But if you buy a Busso V6 Alfa, then you are getting an engine which sounds far nicer than any Ferrari V8, and for that you can overlook the limitations of the chassis.

Just listen to this....

[Ian_UK1]

Pat H said:

But if you buy a Busso V6 Alfa, then you are getting an engine which sounds far nicer than any Ferrari V8,

Just listen to this....

Or maybe not - just listen to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQFKgvA9AU

[jamies30]

FeelingLucky said:

Don't agree, dynamically the GT is better in every way, and MUCH more practical.

It's definitely more practical, I'd agree with that. Don't agree that it's a better drive, but I guess we all like different things.

[SWH]

So... have you got it yet?!

Do it, do it, do it

[MattHall91]

SWH said:

So... have you got it yet?!

Do it, do it, do it

Waiting on the job! Need it to hurry up

[SWH]

MattHall91 said:

SWH said:

So... have you got it yet?!

Do it, do it, do it

Waiting on the job! Need it to hurry up

Fingers crossed

(Sometimes I do that when I turn the key on our GTV.... but you know, don't let that sort of thing put you off!)

[J4CKO]

I want to love these but they dont look that great really, for an Alfa, sort of looks like a Fiat Stilo/Bravo Coupe.

And the Brera, I cant understand why Alfa had two very similar, slightly dumpy (that looked of from some angles) looking coupes at more or less the same time ?

[43034]

SWH said:

(Sometimes I do that when I turn the key on our GTV.... but you know, don't let that sort of thing put you off!)

Damn right. Worth it everytime hearing that busso start!

[Warnie]

Ian_UK1 said:

Or maybe not - just listen to this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQFKgvA9AU

you win.

Bloody hell

[Ali_T]

J4CKO said:

I want to love these but they dont look that great really, for an Alfa, sort of looks like a Fiat Stilo/Bravo Coupe.

And the Brera, I cant understand why Alfa had two very similar, slightly dumpy (that looked of from some angles) looking coupes at more or less the same time ?

The GT was developed as a hard topped folding convertible to compete with the 3 series and and Volvo C70, but Alfa ran out of money, hence why it has a massive boot.

[ecs0set]

Ian_UK1 said:

Pat H said:

But if you buy a Busso V6 Alfa, then you are getting an engine which sounds far nicer than any Ferrari V8,

Just listen to this....

Or maybe not - just listen to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOQFKgvA9AU

Meh. Busso sound better than the Ferrari IMO. Not a fan of flat-plane Ferrari V8.

V12 on the other hand...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4hMvo71p4M

[Pat H]

ecs0set said:

Meh. Busso sound better than the Ferrari IMO. Not a fan of flat-plane Ferrari V8.

Glad it's not just me.

The Alfa sounds musical, the Ferrari shrieks at you.

I used to own a F328 and it was a great car, but that was despite it's engine and not because of it.

:-)

[cliorob]

So I wonder if he took the plunge?

I enjoyed reading this thread, lots of comments I agree with, some I don't, but most importantly I've had this on my driveway for around 2 1/2 years.....



Plenty money invested into her, as I like my cars to drive as they should. With 90K on her when purchased, plenty bushes etc were ready for replacement. Tired suspension always leads me to Bilsten / EIbach for upgrades. Add the Q2 diff and it gets more and more reminiscent of my Accord Type R every day - just with a bucket-load more character!

My first Alfa - and she is wonderful!

[dufusmuppet]

DamienB said:

Give it away to somebody who'll drive it then... like me

I agree,i use my 156v6 as often as poss even though i have the use of 3 more vehicles.The 156 isnt worth mothballing as its never going to be worth much unless its a gta..


btw that GT looks good and worth the asking price imho..

Cliorob your gt looks a stunner

Edited by dufusmuppet on Saturday 9th January 18:16