GTV, Fiat Coupe or Integra?
Discussion
Hi all just looking at getting some thoughts on my next car, have my 3rd year of no claims coming at the end of august so can insure something interesting more reasonably soon. I have narrowed it down to these 3 cars.
My first instict was to stick with Alfas as ive enjoyed my 146 and seems a logical step up, but the GTV would have to be the Twin Spark as the V6 is rediculous to insure and a bit too thirsty for me. I just wonder if there will be much of a performance increase than what I have now although I do like the Twinnies depsite their niggles.
The Coupe is interesting as the insurance is not too bad considering the performance, and do seem a bit of a bargain although there is a worry on running costs.
Have always like the Teg but presumed insurance will be a no go but it is surprising cheap only about 100 more than the GTV. But they cost a bit more to buy and there are alot of high milers from what ive seen, dont know whether to stretch my budget to get one.
So what would PH do?
My first instict was to stick with Alfas as ive enjoyed my 146 and seems a logical step up, but the GTV would have to be the Twin Spark as the V6 is rediculous to insure and a bit too thirsty for me. I just wonder if there will be much of a performance increase than what I have now although I do like the Twinnies depsite their niggles.
The Coupe is interesting as the insurance is not too bad considering the performance, and do seem a bit of a bargain although there is a worry on running costs.
Have always like the Teg but presumed insurance will be a no go but it is surprising cheap only about 100 more than the GTV. But they cost a bit more to buy and there are alot of high milers from what ive seen, dont know whether to stretch my budget to get one.
So what would PH do?
are you looking at post facelift GTV... if so... nice black with black lusso trim... a nice place to be. The TS is a sweet smooth revving engine, V6 heavy in front and even more pronbe bottom out, if you've smooth roads Ok but otherwise...if TS then, cambelts every 36K and ask owner how frequent they top up oil....
physprof said:
are you looking at post facelift GTV... if so... nice black with black lusso trim... a nice place to be. The TS is a sweet smooth revving engine, V6 heavy in front and even more pronbe bottom out, if you've smooth roads Ok but otherwise...if TS then, cambelts every 36K and ask owner how frequent they top up oil....
Yep phase 2 facelift by far the best one, black with red leather would be my choice with the 17" wheels. Have sat in a phase one before and liked how cosy it felt, especially with the really small windscreen!get a quote on an MR2 Turbo - you may well be surprised. Usually they come out about the same as a Fiat Coupe Turbo, despite being an import...probably because most of the bits swap with UK car parts.
(im assuming you are trying Admiral / Elephant type insurers if your are young with not much NCB?). Then you get a turbo, and some RWD
of the three you mention, i would go Fiat - it has bags of character, and they are much cheaper than a decent Integra. Alfa TS would be a bit slow imho.
(im assuming you are trying Admiral / Elephant type insurers if your are young with not much NCB?). Then you get a turbo, and some RWD
of the three you mention, i would go Fiat - it has bags of character, and they are much cheaper than a decent Integra. Alfa TS would be a bit slow imho.
The Integra chassis is more nimble than the GTV, but I simply found the Integra too slow and the vtec engine winds me up. All down to personal preferences.
The GTV is probably one of the most special Alfa's of recent times, it simply feels so special in every circumstance, the wide arches with the embossed Alfa Logo's, the Ferrari'esq vents, the pod speedo binacles, the seats (whilst useless for support, look fantastic), the letterbox windscreen, the jets integrated onto the washer arm. Driving wise, the grip levels are very high, it can be pushed to oversteer, steering isnt as quick as the 156/147 and has more a muscle car feel than a nimble little racer (imo). However it feels like it is worth considerably more than the asking price, I would have another V6 in a flash.
The Fiat Coupe is also one of my fav's, they are very tunable but I found finding a decent 20v Turbo near impossible. Interior is a little low rent, but a very enjoyable car.
The GTV is probably one of the most special Alfa's of recent times, it simply feels so special in every circumstance, the wide arches with the embossed Alfa Logo's, the Ferrari'esq vents, the pod speedo binacles, the seats (whilst useless for support, look fantastic), the letterbox windscreen, the jets integrated onto the washer arm. Driving wise, the grip levels are very high, it can be pushed to oversteer, steering isnt as quick as the 156/147 and has more a muscle car feel than a nimble little racer (imo). However it feels like it is worth considerably more than the asking price, I would have another V6 in a flash.
The Fiat Coupe is also one of my fav's, they are very tunable but I found finding a decent 20v Turbo near impossible. Interior is a little low rent, but a very enjoyable car.
Thanks for the replies everyone, if im honest im not exactly sure what I want from the next car although living on the Isle of Wight its all about handling down the B roads so refinement for the motorway is not much of an issue. The two Italian cars are on there because I do love the looks and sense of occasion, plus they are pretty cheap to buy, especially in comparison to the Teg. Think I will have to have a go in them all to make my mind up!
TomS146 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone, if im honest im not exactly sure what I want from the next car although living on the Isle of Wight its all about handling down the B roads so refinement for the motorway is not much of an issue. The two Italian cars are on there because I do love the looks and sense of occasion, plus they are pretty cheap to buy, especially in comparison to the Teg. Think I will have to have a go in them all to make my mind up!
Report back and let us know how you got on The integra is not slow, mine was 197 bhp and 1090 kg. A comparable power to weight ratio to all but the most powerful modern hot hatches, and driven right it demolishes twisty roads, but yes you do have to keep on the boil but that's half the fun.
I won't say which you should go for though as I ain't driven the others. The alfa is better looking and has a wonderful engine but I imagine quite poor handling compared with the itr, possibly unreliable too and certainly more expensive to run, the coupe has raw pace on it's side, but it's looks are an acquired taste and I imagine potentially even mord unreliable / expensive to run as the alfa. I can see plus sides to them all but I'd be inclined to think the itr was the drivers car out of this trio.
I won't say which you should go for though as I ain't driven the others. The alfa is better looking and has a wonderful engine but I imagine quite poor handling compared with the itr, possibly unreliable too and certainly more expensive to run, the coupe has raw pace on it's side, but it's looks are an acquired taste and I imagine potentially even mord unreliable / expensive to run as the alfa. I can see plus sides to them all but I'd be inclined to think the itr was the drivers car out of this trio.
Don't be worried about high miles in the Teg, I know of plenty over the 100000 miles mark (mine included) and they all seem to be pretty bomb proof.
The inerior won't be on par with an Alfa, and they aren't great on motorways because of the lack of sound insulation and no 6th gear. Show it a twisty b road and I defy you to find a car that is more fun though, no problem keeping up with my mates Noble and Tuscan on the twisty stuff and the feedback you get from the car is sublime.
The inerior won't be on par with an Alfa, and they aren't great on motorways because of the lack of sound insulation and no 6th gear. Show it a twisty b road and I defy you to find a car that is more fun though, no problem keeping up with my mates Noble and Tuscan on the twisty stuff and the feedback you get from the car is sublime.
The only cars which I've driven that are more fun on the twisties are lightweight, dedicated rwd sports cars. It's amazing for a front driver it really is, and it can keep with stuff it has no right to!
As for there not being many standard ones, I don't find that to be the case, plenty out there if you look hard enough, and they can easily cope with hard driving - they were designed to be driven that way!
As for there not being many standard ones, I don't find that to be the case, plenty out there if you look hard enough, and they can easily cope with hard driving - they were designed to be driven that way!
Not sure why people are saying the Coupe will be quicker than the GTV - the n/a 2.0 is only nearly as fast as 2.0 GTV.
The Coupe Turbo is marginally quicker than the 3.0 GTV, but if the 3.0 is out for insurance reasons then I guess the Turbo would be too?
If you're after the sharpest handling, probably the Honda; if you're after practicality, the Fiat; if you're after something a bit special, the Alfa.
The Coupe Turbo is marginally quicker than the 3.0 GTV, but if the 3.0 is out for insurance reasons then I guess the Turbo would be too?
If you're after the sharpest handling, probably the Honda; if you're after practicality, the Fiat; if you're after something a bit special, the Alfa.
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