GTV - 2.0 vs 3.0 - Alfaholics please.
Discussion
I'm still looking to update the Cloverleaf, since August in fact, but still can't find a decent replacement. The 3 cars that I search for each day are:
* Volvo C70 2.4T
* Astra Bertone Coupe 2.2
* 2.0 GTV
As I'm now a house owner, I wanted to get away from the running costs of an Alfa, but I keep getting drawn back.
Anyhoo, completely ignoring my own advice, I am now looking at the 3.0 GTV. So I need your HONEST opinions please, against the 2.0, and the others listed above, taking in to account my new mortgage situation.
Compared to the 2.0, how wildly will MPG, insurance, servicing etc compare? I'm well familiar with the 2.0's belt/oil issues, so is the 3.0 a stronger lump all in all? And are GTVs actually strong in the first place? Will I be having more hassle than my 145 for example, which has actually been very reliable.
Basically, my brief is to have something a little different, very reliable, cheap'ish to run (i know i know), and fun. The Astra is the safest option, but the spec has to be right. The Volvo - I love the shape, and the engine is a cracker. And a bargain. But rare. Your thoughts?
* Volvo C70 2.4T
* Astra Bertone Coupe 2.2
* 2.0 GTV
As I'm now a house owner, I wanted to get away from the running costs of an Alfa, but I keep getting drawn back.
Anyhoo, completely ignoring my own advice, I am now looking at the 3.0 GTV. So I need your HONEST opinions please, against the 2.0, and the others listed above, taking in to account my new mortgage situation.
Compared to the 2.0, how wildly will MPG, insurance, servicing etc compare? I'm well familiar with the 2.0's belt/oil issues, so is the 3.0 a stronger lump all in all? And are GTVs actually strong in the first place? Will I be having more hassle than my 145 for example, which has actually been very reliable.
Basically, my brief is to have something a little different, very reliable, cheap'ish to run (i know i know), and fun. The Astra is the safest option, but the spec has to be right. The Volvo - I love the shape, and the engine is a cracker. And a bargain. But rare. Your thoughts?
Wombat Rick said:
What I do know is that if you buy a 2 door Vauxhall saloon or an Ovlov you will always wish you'd bought an Alfa, so it will actually be cheaper in the long run to buy one first.
The Astra maybe, but I really like the Volvo. It won't be a fling'able as an Alfa, but the waft-value would be worth it. I see your point though. So, 2.0 vs 3.0?
The 2.0 is a cracking little motor and the handling is arguably slightly better than the 3.0 due to less weight over the nose.
However, one test drive in a 3.0 and you'll forget all about the 2.0!
The 3.0 is pretty unburstable and needs less looking after than the 2.0.
The 2.0's suspension is more fragile as well.
Economy-wise, the 3.0 is pretty dire. You can get mid- to high-20's on the motorway depending on how light your right foot is but will struggle to better 18/19mpg around town.
See my blog for everything my 3.0's cost me over the past 6 years (excluding insurance and VED)
However, one test drive in a 3.0 and you'll forget all about the 2.0!
The 3.0 is pretty unburstable and needs less looking after than the 2.0.
The 2.0's suspension is more fragile as well.
Economy-wise, the 3.0 is pretty dire. You can get mid- to high-20's on the motorway depending on how light your right foot is but will struggle to better 18/19mpg around town.
See my blog for everything my 3.0's cost me over the past 6 years (excluding insurance and VED)
3.0
The V6 has a very good reliability record, is smooth, free reving, powerful and sounds lovely.
From a cost point of view it will cost a bit more in fuel and insurance but there is little in it regarding servicing.
If you buy the 2.0 there is a good chance that you will find yourself wishing you had the V6.
The V6 has a very good reliability record, is smooth, free reving, powerful and sounds lovely.
From a cost point of view it will cost a bit more in fuel and insurance but there is little in it regarding servicing.
If you buy the 2.0 there is a good chance that you will find yourself wishing you had the V6.
pooh said:
3.0
The V6 has a very good reliability record, is smooth, free reving, powerful and sounds lovely.
From a cost point of view it will cost a bit more in fuel and insurance but there is little in it regarding servicing.
If you buy the 2.0 there is a good chance that you will find yourself wishing you had the V6.
The V6 has a very good reliability record, is smooth, free reving, powerful and sounds lovely.
From a cost point of view it will cost a bit more in fuel and insurance but there is little in it regarding servicing.
If you buy the 2.0 there is a good chance that you will find yourself wishing you had the V6.
I'm already wishing I had gone for the V6.
I wonder if I could put a 3.0 V6 in my 2.0l?
phil1979 said:
Is having the belts changed on the V6 much more costly than on the already-painful 2.0? I think I had quite a bargain at £300 all-in on the 145.
It is a bit more...
www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_timing_belts.shtml
You've got two less spark plugs to buy though!!
Wombat Rick said:
phil1979 said:
Is having the belts changed on the V6 much more costly than on the already-painful 2.0? I think I had quite a bargain at £300 all-in on the 145.
It is a bit more...
www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_romeo_timing_belts.shtml
You've got two less spark plugs to buy though!!
Not too bad then. It would be something I would have done immediately, regardless of when it was last done.
go for the 3.0.everything about it is great.i was £345 for the belt and tensioners work and £80 for an oil and filter change at c.p. garage but thats it done.as far as m.p.g. goes,we went from dundee to edinburgh and back(around 150/160 miles)and used £15 of petrol.£420 a year for insurance.i just took mine around to the chippy for my tea,a 2 minute journey and loved it.and i always look at it before i go into the house.i couldn't see me doing that with a volvo or anything else for that matter.and if you ever question buying it just lift the bonnet and look at those lovely chrome pipes.
_Batty_ said:
3.0 V6.
i need to see a fellow ph'er to comment on my exhaut note.
to say exotic is an understatment!!!!
i need to see a fellow ph'er to comment on my exhaut note.
to say exotic is an understatment!!!!
Coooee!
Awesome doesnt even begin to cover it - it sounds like a Ferrari on acid!
Might be a bit loud for some though....
(and it doesnt sound as good as my Rover either)
1. reason to buy a v6.
crap vid does not do the noise justice
www.sportsalfa.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13925
crap vid does not do the noise justice
www.sportsalfa.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13925
Apparently the thing to do is get the 3.0 V6 and an Alfaholics full exhaust system for £1200 fitted.
They race alfas and use their GTV's as daily drivers and developed the exhaust to sound good but still be useable every day without annoying you too much...
I'm currently trying to decide between the Integra Type-R and a V6 GTV.
Seriously tough choice!!!
They race alfas and use their GTV's as daily drivers and developed the exhaust to sound good but still be useable every day without annoying you too much...
I'm currently trying to decide between the Integra Type-R and a V6 GTV.
Seriously tough choice!!!
I was out in my 2.0TS Spider yesterday plodding along at about 65 and pulling up a long hill on a D/C sun shining, roof down and decided to go around the slower traffic and before I knew it the old speedo was reading 105 and I had to knock the old speed down again. I've found it a lot quicker than it feels.
The TS engine is not the fastest from a standing start but when you're rolling it is pretty nippy and the fuel economy is very good too.
The TS engine is not the fastest from a standing start but when you're rolling it is pretty nippy and the fuel economy is very good too.
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