Alfa GTV or Fiat Coupe
Discussion
So, whih one would you go for? 
I know the Fiat has a very practical boot and is said to handle well. The GTV perhaps slightly quicker in a straight line and has a V6 I could listen to all day. But I've heard they suffer from commedy understeer as a result of that big engine over the front wheels and drink oil!
Of course, they both have the problem of being FWD, but try finding anything thats sub 7k, insurable and capable of living outside that isn't!
I know the Fiat has a very practical boot and is said to handle well. The GTV perhaps slightly quicker in a straight line and has a V6 I could listen to all day. But I've heard they suffer from commedy understeer as a result of that big engine over the front wheels and drink oil!
Of course, they both have the problem of being FWD, but try finding anything thats sub 7k, insurable and capable of living outside that isn't!
Interesting conundrum.
They're both gorgeous (IMO the Fiat looks like a Ferrari design for the Maranello that got lost in the post, whilst the Alfa could have a £500,000 price tag if it was sitting on top of supercar mechanicals and you wouldn't question it). They both have great interiors, they're both sporty things to drive and they're both fairly practical as GTs.
There are two 'plus points' that might divide your decision:
-The Fiat accommodates like a family saloon.
-The Alfa sounds like a supercar.
Which is more important to you?
They're both gorgeous (IMO the Fiat looks like a Ferrari design for the Maranello that got lost in the post, whilst the Alfa could have a £500,000 price tag if it was sitting on top of supercar mechanicals and you wouldn't question it). They both have great interiors, they're both sporty things to drive and they're both fairly practical as GTs.
There are two 'plus points' that might divide your decision:
-The Fiat accommodates like a family saloon.
-The Alfa sounds like a supercar.
Which is more important to you?
The 5 pot Fiats do sound good especially with a decent exhaust, the alfa does probably sound better though.
While the Fiat is more practical it really isn't that practical. The boot is good but there is a terrible hinge system that intrudes into the space. The back does seat 2 in acceptable comfort but it isn't somewhere you want to be for a long journey. Don't fool yourself it will rival a mondeo or something.
When I was making this choice a couple of years ago I drove a Fiat and a Corrado, I thought they were both equally good but bought a Fiat because I struggled to find a Corrado at a good price. I should have driven a GTV as well in hindsight but I'm not really a huge fan of the looks. It's a silly thing but I really hate the way the headlights look out through circular holes that look like they have been cut out as an afterthought.
Sorry alfa fans.
Edit because I was sounding negative:
My Coop was easily the best car I've ever owned (not saying much, *cough* Saxo VTR *cough*). Everytime I started it up, or floored it in second it put a smile on my face. Everyone had a really good reaction to it and the owners comunity is very friendly. The reliability of mine was fine and the servicing cost are nothing like as bad as the scare stories make out. Parts prices are bad from Fiat but there is a very good specialist that will do everything cheaper (Alternative Autos). I miss mine every time I see one on the road and go to flash my lights at it then realise I am in a golf diesel and they will think I'm mental. Bloody drunk driver.
>> Edited by DieselJohn on Friday 24th February 14:00
>> Edited by DieselJohn on Friday 24th February 14:05
While the Fiat is more practical it really isn't that practical. The boot is good but there is a terrible hinge system that intrudes into the space. The back does seat 2 in acceptable comfort but it isn't somewhere you want to be for a long journey. Don't fool yourself it will rival a mondeo or something.
When I was making this choice a couple of years ago I drove a Fiat and a Corrado, I thought they were both equally good but bought a Fiat because I struggled to find a Corrado at a good price. I should have driven a GTV as well in hindsight but I'm not really a huge fan of the looks. It's a silly thing but I really hate the way the headlights look out through circular holes that look like they have been cut out as an afterthought.
Sorry alfa fans. Edit because I was sounding negative:
My Coop was easily the best car I've ever owned (not saying much, *cough* Saxo VTR *cough*). Everytime I started it up, or floored it in second it put a smile on my face. Everyone had a really good reaction to it and the owners comunity is very friendly. The reliability of mine was fine and the servicing cost are nothing like as bad as the scare stories make out. Parts prices are bad from Fiat but there is a very good specialist that will do everything cheaper (Alternative Autos). I miss mine every time I see one on the road and go to flash my lights at it then realise I am in a golf diesel and they will think I'm mental. Bloody drunk driver.
>> Edited by DieselJohn on Friday 24th February 14:00
>> Edited by DieselJohn on Friday 24th February 14:05
ooh ooh, thats a tough one!!
makes a frickin change TBH!
I've looked at both before, it'd have to be the alfa in v6 form with the full momo leather if it came down to the top spec shoot out vs the Turbo, just doesn't have that special edge.
If you were comparing the two on a lower basis, say the 2ltr versions it'd be the Fiat.
Not a bad choice to be having to make.
makes a frickin change TBH!
I've looked at both before, it'd have to be the alfa in v6 form with the full momo leather if it came down to the top spec shoot out vs the Turbo, just doesn't have that special edge.
If you were comparing the two on a lower basis, say the 2ltr versions it'd be the Fiat.
Not a bad choice to be having to make.
Faced with just that conundrum, I chose Alfa.
I love the F-Coupé and its certainly more practical and more tuneable but ultimately my heart got the better of my head.
I would dispute the "comedy" understeer tag; the trick suspension (which accounts for the lack of rear seat and boot space) does make it quite chuckable. The 2 litre versions have slightly sharper turn-in due to less nose weight, but then you miss out on Alfa's gorgeous V6.
Check my profile for the ('suprisingly' easy) ownership experience.
I love the F-Coupé and its certainly more practical and more tuneable but ultimately my heart got the better of my head.
I would dispute the "comedy" understeer tag; the trick suspension (which accounts for the lack of rear seat and boot space) does make it quite chuckable. The 2 litre versions have slightly sharper turn-in due to less nose weight, but then you miss out on Alfa's gorgeous V6.
Check my profile for the ('suprisingly' easy) ownership experience.
Well, I'm currently saving up for an MA, but if I decide against this or get refused I might treat myself with a new toy. Gotta get rid of the Quantum and 205 GTi first!!
I accept a certain ammount of expense with the insurance, but anything much over, say £1100 a year would be a problem (and a distinct likelihood - I'm 22!) Budget is 7 grand and although I'm not interested in lugging people round in the rear seats a certain ammout of luggage capacity would be good, as would a decent chance of it starting in the morning and not having a puddle in the footwell if its rained!
* Quite tempted by an MX5, but think its 'bag of sugar' storage capacity might be just too little, plus I'd never be able to lug my beloved mountain bike round with it!!
* Fiat coupe looks awesome, goes well and is supposed to handle
* Subjectively its hard to believe the alfa is as good, let alone better, but I am weak and THAT noise and THAT pedigree is undeniably appealing
* Could I live with owning a 3 series? I think I'd lose friends. Hmmm, wonder if I could use a 'its an Alpina' excuse???? Still, offers addeaute performance and RWD fun
* AC 3000 - mid engined, V6? Ok, I don't care if my feet get wet!
* Porsche 944, would almost be a no-brainer if it wasn't for utterly ridiculous insurance premiums
* Corrado VR6, very tempting. Surprisingly insurable, golf parts bin and good fun
* TVR S or wedge - would cost me twice as much to insure as to buy, so sadly no. Plus it would fall apart left in the rain.
* Lotus Excel, again, couldn't bring myself to leave it outside.
I accept a certain ammount of expense with the insurance, but anything much over, say £1100 a year would be a problem (and a distinct likelihood - I'm 22!) Budget is 7 grand and although I'm not interested in lugging people round in the rear seats a certain ammout of luggage capacity would be good, as would a decent chance of it starting in the morning and not having a puddle in the footwell if its rained!
* Quite tempted by an MX5, but think its 'bag of sugar' storage capacity might be just too little, plus I'd never be able to lug my beloved mountain bike round with it!!
* Fiat coupe looks awesome, goes well and is supposed to handle
* Subjectively its hard to believe the alfa is as good, let alone better, but I am weak and THAT noise and THAT pedigree is undeniably appealing
* Could I live with owning a 3 series? I think I'd lose friends. Hmmm, wonder if I could use a 'its an Alpina' excuse???? Still, offers addeaute performance and RWD fun
* AC 3000 - mid engined, V6? Ok, I don't care if my feet get wet!
* Porsche 944, would almost be a no-brainer if it wasn't for utterly ridiculous insurance premiums
* Corrado VR6, very tempting. Surprisingly insurable, golf parts bin and good fun
* TVR S or wedge - would cost me twice as much to insure as to buy, so sadly no. Plus it would fall apart left in the rain.
* Lotus Excel, again, couldn't bring myself to leave it outside.
Chris71 said:You'd need to be careful at that price, but you could get an integrale. Mine lived outside was none the worse for it, never let me down. It was also cheaper to insure than my GTV.
try finding anything thats sub 7k, insurable and capable of living outside that isn't FWD
The GTV vs Coupe discussion could run forever - for my money the Fiat looks racier, the Alfa looks classier, but they both look great, and they both go well. The Coupe is roomier, but the GTV is cosier. I think you'd struggle to say one was 'better' than the other, try them both.
Twincam16 said:
and they're both fairly practical as GTs.
Ah the twincam shite sprouting machine strikes again!
There is nothing practicle about the GTV. Tiny boot and hardly any rear seats at all. you could fit ya pet hamster in there but even then he would complain of the leg room.
Unusual as it is for me to agree with TC, "as a GT" the GTV is relatively practical. Treat the back seat as a parcel shelf (you're not taking the kids on a classic GT-type trip, now, are you?) and luggage space is okay. As long as you're not thinking of trying to squeeze large, hard suitcases in, the boot will take a suprising amount of kit (I once had a complete PC system plus overnight luggage AND a pram in the boot without needing to ditch the spare wheel)
Chris71 said:I've had 3 Alfa V6's over the years. The 164's did drink oil (1ltr/1000 miles) but Alfa seem to have fixed that with the newer multi-valve engines. My 3.0 V6 Spider hardly uses any. As for the noise, it has been well commented that the Alfa V6 sounds like a mini Ferrari and it's true, it really does invite you to use the rev range when accelerating -gorgeous! personally I agree about the tan Momo leather interior, really nice and I prefer the looks of the GTV to the Fiat which always looks a bit odd to me? I'd go for the Alfa over the Fiat myself. As for the 'comedy' oversteer, have you driven a V6 GTV or the Fiat and what are you comaring them to?
I know the Fiat has a very practical boot and is said to handle well. The GTV perhaps slightly quicker in a straight line and has a V6 I could listen to all day. But I've heard they suffer from comedy understeer as a result of that big engine over the front wheels and drink oil!
Rich... Aah, good thread. I'm thinking about buying one of these exact two cars at the moment too. The GT is hardly getting used and seems a somewhat silly car to own when I'm not doing the milage. A Coupe 20VT Plus or GTV Phase II 3.0 V6 are at the top of my list, assuming I don't get tempted over to the darkside 
The difficulty seems to be locating good low milage 20VT Coupes at the moment. I think there are 2, tops, on autotrader at the moment. The choice of GTVs seems a bit better though. I definitely prefer the GTV's looks, although in some darker colours the Coupes with the LE body kits look stunning. The coupes are quite a bit cheaper than the GTVs too. I'd avoid the 2.0 TS GTVs from what I've read elsewhere. The suspension bushes are weaker than the V6s and the TS engine seems more prone to problems than the Arese V6......any excuse to get a V6 alfa
Once the GT's sold, I'll let you know what I go for......
The difficulty seems to be locating good low milage 20VT Coupes at the moment. I think there are 2, tops, on autotrader at the moment. The choice of GTVs seems a bit better though. I definitely prefer the GTV's looks, although in some darker colours the Coupes with the LE body kits look stunning. The coupes are quite a bit cheaper than the GTVs too. I'd avoid the 2.0 TS GTVs from what I've read elsewhere. The suspension bushes are weaker than the V6s and the TS engine seems more prone to problems than the Arese V6......any excuse to get a V6 alfa
Once the GT's sold, I'll let you know what I go for......
pdV6 said:
Check my profile for the ('suprisingly' easy) ownership experience.
check mine for the diametrically opposed view
it all depends if you get a goodun or not though, i didn't, mine was made on a friday just after guiseppe discovered that his missus had been sleeping with the boss that had just fired him!!!!!
greg_D said:
check mine for the diametrically opposed view
In all seriousness, I know of only one other V6 GTV owner who's needed a new engine (and that car spent years being thrashed in Dubai before making its way to the UK). They're pretty much unburstable; the fact that they can be (and are) bored out to 3.7l says a lot.
I had to make this exact choice about 8 years ago.......Drove both at Fish bros, Swindon. The GTV was the 4 pot 2.0L (most of them are and the V6 wasnt out then). Nice drive but not quick and the boot is useless along with the rear seats (only 2 seats if its a ragtop).
The Fiat (20vT) was V quick and had a great looking interior and exterior. Boot a handy size too.
In sprint blue, kept it 3 years, great second car.
Oh and I should have said the 5 cyl engine was the smoothest ever......
>> Edited by sjp63 on Friday 24th February 17:31
The Fiat (20vT) was V quick and had a great looking interior and exterior. Boot a handy size too.
In sprint blue, kept it 3 years, great second car.
Oh and I should have said the 5 cyl engine was the smoothest ever......
>> Edited by sjp63 on Friday 24th February 17:31
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