RE: Alfa Romeo GTV V6: Catch It While You Can
Thursday 8th May 2014
Three weeks and three Italians. I can't help it - clearly there's something in the air right now that has had me feeling all irrational about ropey Maseratis, and chest wig De Tomasos. This week, I'm on the hunt for Alfa Romeo GTV V6s, a car that typically for its maker was brilliant in so many areas, and just as frustrating in others.
It's got the engine, the looks, the badge...I know there have been a number of stories about the GTV V6 in PH over the years, and judging by my recent ramblings about the 156 GTA there are a fair few of you who love Alfas. I know I do. I've had loads, and still have a mouldering Alfasud in the garage that will have its day in the sun. But the Alfas that really pull my emotional rip cord are those with Busso V6s under the bonnet - especially if they're a) affordable; and b) look bloody amazing. And right now, the GTV V6 ticks both of those boxes.
Feelgood vibe from in here as wellAnd it's a strange one, really. There's clearly something 'extra' about the Alfa GTV V6 that most other 1990s coupes just don't have. Calibras and Probes are still picked up for sold-as-seen trade-in money from bomb sites, while others such as the Mazda MX-6, Fiat Coupe, Rover Tomcat (both certifiably quick in turbo form) and Toyota Celica struggle to reach four figure sums. Only the Volkswagen Corrado (itself a fantastic drive, and worthy of the hype - damn it) commands stronger prices. And the Alfa is truly rare for a 1990s coupe in that it looks right drawing up outside a Michelin star restaurant, gorgeous companion in tow.
£2,500 for this smart looking black one...Performance is more than useful, with a maximum speed of between 155 and 160mph depending on whether you go for the 220hp 3.0-litre or the 240hp 3.2, and 0-60 is in the low sixes. Many have now been played with, and more than a few will be sporting Q2 diffs for even better turn-in. But the best part of the GTV V6 experience is aural - the noise that deep-chested, tuneful, soul-laden V6 is sensational. It's cliched to say, perhaps, but this really is one of the finest sounding, most tractable engines ever made. And it's for these reasons that the GTV V6 is inspirational, and if you've hankered after trying one - you really should make the effort to do it now.
...or closer to £9K for a 'restored' Cup versionOf the 525 remaining registered examples in the UK, there appears to be a mere five GTV V6s of all types on offer on the PH classifieds, ranging from a lovely looking 107K example - in black - with a private seller in Lancashire for £2,500 to a low mileage £8,995 GTV Cup that really does look good, but has me wondering at being 'restored' - it's a 2002 car for goodness sake. But with a few around, and with the non-specialist trade still treating these with caution, there's still the possibility of finding a good one at run-of-the-mill money. And if you do, grab it with both hands. Because if you don't, there's a space in my barn alongside a certain mouldering Alfasud earmarked for one...
Alfa Romeo GTV V6: Catch It While You Can
Keith's fixation with lusty Italians shows no sign of abating
It's got the engine, the looks, the badge...
And whereas the GTA I highlighted recently seems to be bumping along the bottom of its market right now, GTV V6s are already on the rise - and markedly so. Yes, I know our friend Shed highlighted a high mileage example in seemingly rude health as recently as October last year, and there are still plenty of cheap, knackered Twin Sparks around that will probably continue to pass their MoTs for years to come - but if you want a really nice V6 that you don't want to treat as a rolling project, you'll already need to pay a premium. And rightly so.
Feelgood vibe from in here as well
I've driven a few and lusted after many, but have never been in the right place at the right time. They look amazing, aside perhaps from the quad headlights being too small. The interior is special enough that in the right colour and trim combo, you can start living out some Ferrari fantasies. Forget any notions about it being at a disadvantage for being front-wheel drive - as long as they are in tip-top condition, these cars turn-in crisply, thanks to their quick-rack steering. And when you really hoon, they track well, don't misbehave too much, and give you cheeky amounts of easily caught lift-off oversteer, should you choose. Little surprise to learn that Alfa Romeo benchmarked the Elan M100 during its development.
£2,500 for this smart looking black one...
Owning one - as a cherished weekender - needn't be too onerous, as long as you're sensible. The Busso V6 is strong and reliable, and provided you change the belts at 60K, feed it good quality oil every 3,000 miles or so (I am conservative when it comes to such matters) and budget for an annual service with an Alfa specialist, then you'll be surprised at how dependable these cars can be as they head into the parking area labelled 'classic'. They weren't reliable when new, and electrics can be fickle, but you know that already, don't you?
...or closer to £9K for a 'restored' Cup version
Discussion
Such a pretty car.
On the subject of cam belts, 60k is the absolute maximum I would go to on a Busso. It runs one massive belt that drives all four cams, plus the water pump, and three separate idlers all of which are potential failure points. Our 2.5 V6 Busso engined 156 had done 70k on the same belt when we bought it (technically not overdue according to Alfa), and this was what we found on inspection:
Needless to say it had a new belt, tensioners and water pump immediately.
On the subject of cam belts, 60k is the absolute maximum I would go to on a Busso. It runs one massive belt that drives all four cams, plus the water pump, and three separate idlers all of which are potential failure points. Our 2.5 V6 Busso engined 156 had done 70k on the same belt when we bought it (technically not overdue according to Alfa), and this was what we found on inspection:
Needless to say it had a new belt, tensioners and water pump immediately.
Edited by Limpet on Thursday 8th May 11:38
Judging by the condition of my 2001 BMW, which could really do with a proper rebuild including a full respray, it's no surprise to me that a semi-exotic Alfa of the same era may have needed a lot of work. The GTV is quite a pretty thing, especially from the front three-quarters, less so from the rear. That V6 is a peach of an engine, but could I live with it being slung far forwards on a front-drive chassis? Not sure... on the other hand, I wonder how hard it'd be to turn the engine round 90 degrees and make it RWD? I know it HAS been done...
I've had both a 2ltr and a v6 with q2, ragazzon etc. epic car. However the phase 2 v6 was the most uncomfortable. Car I've ever owned. I'm not usually picky about comfort, but those seats definitely look better than they feel.
If they made these rear wheel drive, there is no way they'd be as cheap to buy now, as I think they'd be more collectible.
If they made these rear wheel drive, there is no way they'd be as cheap to buy now, as I think they'd be more collectible.
Benj1984 said:
I'm not usually picky about comfort, but those seats definitely look better than they feel.
LOL, agree. If there's ever been a bigger gulf between expectation fuelled by appearance and then actual experience I'd like to experience it in a car! They're so hard and unsupportive. Maybe English bums are built different to Italian ones.
Escy said:
I know I keep whoring the photos on every GTV thread on PH but I bought this for £1000. If there is a better car available for that money, I haven't seen it. It was lovely to drive and sounded fantastic. It felt special to be in (in a way the Corrado VR6 can never match)
The Alfa GTV V6 has always been on my bucket list.. I love how they look. But.. I just have to say, regarding the point you make in the above quote, that my Corrado VR6 feels pretty special to me every time I get in it, and I've owned it for four years now! I can't tell you how many former owners in the owners club / forum come back to Corrado ownership too, even after many years driving other far more sporty / expensive cars.
Chicane-UK said:
The Alfa GTV V6 has always been on my bucket list.. I love how they look.
But.. I just have to say, regarding the point you make in the above quote, that my Corrado VR6 feels pretty special to me every time I get in it, and I've owned it for four years now! I can't tell you how many former owners in the owners club / forum come back to Corrado ownership too, even after many years driving other far more sporty / expensive cars.
They don't do much for me, hence my comment. The VR6 lump sounds nice but it doesn't trump the V6 Busso for me. The GTV has more power, better brakes, better looks (IMO) and a far nicer interior. The Corrado looks like a Mk2 Golf inside, all black plastic and bland. You could probably argue the Corrado has better handling. But.. I just have to say, regarding the point you make in the above quote, that my Corrado VR6 feels pretty special to me every time I get in it, and I've owned it for four years now! I can't tell you how many former owners in the owners club / forum come back to Corrado ownership too, even after many years driving other far more sporty / expensive cars.
When i'm saying there is something special about the Alfa, it's hard to put my finger on what exactly but it left an impression on everyone who went in mine or drove it. The red interior set it apart, made you feel like you were in something fancy. The Ragazzon exhaust sounded amazing, gave the car some presence, it felt good to drive, plenty of shove. It felt like I was driving some exotica. The fact I paid 1k for it made it better. I've had a 2.0 GTV and it just felt like any other car, the V6 was special.
I've had plenty of cars that are technically superior in every way to the GTV V6 but there is something that set it apart for me.
My sister had a TwinSpark Lusso at the same time I had Fiat Coupe 16v Turbo. The Alfa looked the better car alongside mine for definite. But when I drove the Alfa it lacked a certain oomph... But maybe that was me dialed into my Coupe. An unfair comparison maybe, I know. But I like cars to go as they look.
A few years ago having long been curious about all this Alfa 'soul' and 'passion' stuff, I defected from Ze Germans and ran a series of modern Alfa diesels - a GT, a 159 Ti and a Spider. They were quirky and characterful, but didn't exactly get under my skin, although admitedly the Spider was a real neck snapper with the top down.
Ah but drive the petrols they said! So I tried a couple of 2.0 JTS petrols (156, GTV and GT) and found them pretty crap to be honest. Flat power delivery, dull sounding and thirsty.
So whilst I had developed an affection for the brand, none of the cars I had driven justified the hyperbole that surrounds the Alfa name.
Then I drove a Busso V6 and suddenly 'got' the whole Alfa thing. No car I have ever driven gives me as much pleasure as my 156 V6. Whether I am pottering about or barrelling down a B road, it has me grinning from ear to ear. The interior is special, the power delivery excites and the noise is borderline exotica (helped by a Supersprint exhaust!). They are quite simply magical cars. And I know how lame that sounds.
I would encourage any car lover to at least test drive one as it really gives you perspective on the marque.
Its just a shame it has been so many years since Alfa made anything so special.
Ah but drive the petrols they said! So I tried a couple of 2.0 JTS petrols (156, GTV and GT) and found them pretty crap to be honest. Flat power delivery, dull sounding and thirsty.
So whilst I had developed an affection for the brand, none of the cars I had driven justified the hyperbole that surrounds the Alfa name.
Then I drove a Busso V6 and suddenly 'got' the whole Alfa thing. No car I have ever driven gives me as much pleasure as my 156 V6. Whether I am pottering about or barrelling down a B road, it has me grinning from ear to ear. The interior is special, the power delivery excites and the noise is borderline exotica (helped by a Supersprint exhaust!). They are quite simply magical cars. And I know how lame that sounds.
I would encourage any car lover to at least test drive one as it really gives you perspective on the marque.
Its just a shame it has been so many years since Alfa made anything so special.
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