Heart over head?
Discussion
I have always been considerably boring when choosing cars, I tend to go for cars that have a good reputation for reliability etc.
But...a car has come up for sale that I have always lusted for its a 1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6, its low mileage, fsh etc. It would have to be my daily driver, although I do only do around 8k a year.
Reading online it shows all the signs of turning into a money pit but does anyone have any real world experience on owning one either positive or negative.
Also I would like to hear peoples heart over head car ownership tales in general and whether they regret the decision.
But...a car has come up for sale that I have always lusted for its a 1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6, its low mileage, fsh etc. It would have to be my daily driver, although I do only do around 8k a year.
Reading online it shows all the signs of turning into a money pit but does anyone have any real world experience on owning one either positive or negative.
Also I would like to hear peoples heart over head car ownership tales in general and whether they regret the decision.
I endulged in the heart over head concept a couple of years ago when I bought my DS5. Two years later I have no regrets, sure I could have played it safe and boring and bought a Golf or some other boring generic car, but I am really glad I didn't.
With the exception of a front end respray after a dick in a Q5 did a hit-and-run, it's provided totally fault-free motoring, contrary to what most people love to spout about Gallic cars. It's a bugger to work on but that's all part of the charm, someone once said that a car can't have personality if it doesn't have little quirks and oddities. DS5 has plenty of quirks, for me it made that heart over head decision totally worth while. You may aswell buy a car you can enjoy owning, as opposed to buying a car you can enjoy selling.
With the exception of a front end respray after a dick in a Q5 did a hit-and-run, it's provided totally fault-free motoring, contrary to what most people love to spout about Gallic cars. It's a bugger to work on but that's all part of the charm, someone once said that a car can't have personality if it doesn't have little quirks and oddities. DS5 has plenty of quirks, for me it made that heart over head decision totally worth while. You may aswell buy a car you can enjoy owning, as opposed to buying a car you can enjoy selling.
A couple of years ago I bought a car I had also lusted after for many years, a 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA. One thing that is in no doubt is that the 3.0 / 3.2 Busso v6 is an engine you should have at some point. It sounds great and the power delivery is spot on.
I had to sell it last year to top up a deposit on a first house but I miss it all the time. You will not regret buying it I am certain of that. It will be parting with it that will be the problem!
I had to sell it last year to top up a deposit on a first house but I miss it all the time. You will not regret buying it I am certain of that. It will be parting with it that will be the problem!
Firstly, on the subject of Alfa - I bought a 2007 Spider about 4 weeks ago, and so far am really impressed with it. Seems well put together, everything works and I've no regrets.
Heart over head :
About 12 years ago, I owned a 911 (1989 one) and I was seriously considering replacing it with a Ferrari 348. I did a lot of research - and found lots of threads that literally said things like : OK, it's not as reliable as a Porsche. They gave me the impression that although it might be a great car to drive, it will literally disintegrate each time I wanted to use it. I shelved the idea.
About 6 years ago, I was able to buy a 348 without having to sell anything. So I did - still fully expecting it to break every 5 minutes.
It didn't. It had minor issues which needed sorting every month or so, all well within the average home mechanic abilities for little or no cost - and considering it was 20+ years old, that's not bad. In fact, it convinced me that the cars were really not as fragile as people made out - I sold it after about 18 months, and a year after that bought a 360 which I've now owned 3.5 years and which seems to be a very well made car. But my main feeling about the 348 was : I wished I'd ignored the negative reviews I found and that I'd done it sooner.
As somebody has said - you only live once, if you can afford it then do it. My attitude is that if I'm hit by a bus next week I don't want the regret of not doing things I wanted to and could have. Life is too short.
Heart over head :
About 12 years ago, I owned a 911 (1989 one) and I was seriously considering replacing it with a Ferrari 348. I did a lot of research - and found lots of threads that literally said things like : OK, it's not as reliable as a Porsche. They gave me the impression that although it might be a great car to drive, it will literally disintegrate each time I wanted to use it. I shelved the idea.
About 6 years ago, I was able to buy a 348 without having to sell anything. So I did - still fully expecting it to break every 5 minutes.
It didn't. It had minor issues which needed sorting every month or so, all well within the average home mechanic abilities for little or no cost - and considering it was 20+ years old, that's not bad. In fact, it convinced me that the cars were really not as fragile as people made out - I sold it after about 18 months, and a year after that bought a 360 which I've now owned 3.5 years and which seems to be a very well made car. But my main feeling about the 348 was : I wished I'd ignored the negative reviews I found and that I'd done it sooner.
As somebody has said - you only live once, if you can afford it then do it. My attitude is that if I'm hit by a bus next week I don't want the regret of not doing things I wanted to and could have. Life is too short.
GTV V6 owner here, I can recommend it! I drive mine daily, and do about 6000m a year.
They have a few expensive parts, fuel, I get 22-25mpg, tyres seem to need changing reasonably often, and maybe suspension parts.
I have been on a low loader once... the MAF failed, it was a £60 fix.
Check out the Alfa Owner site for a buyers guide.
Do it, post pics!
They have a few expensive parts, fuel, I get 22-25mpg, tyres seem to need changing reasonably often, and maybe suspension parts.
I have been on a low loader once... the MAF failed, it was a £60 fix.
Check out the Alfa Owner site for a buyers guide.
Do it, post pics!
M.J.S said:
Check out the Alfa Owner site for a buyers guide.
This.Then, armed with a printout of said guide, take it with you when viewing cars, and see how many of the "usual suspects" have been dealt with in the service history/stack of invoices/seller's answers (depending on your appetite for risk).
As a bare minimum on the Busso V6, check that it's had a recent-ish cambelt service (which should include a new water pump, too).
Thanks for the advice guys.
Out of interest what would you value one of these?
The car is a
1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6,
4 owners,
FSH (not all specialist etc),
81K,
cambelt etc changed in 2015 less than 10k ago,
New Brembo brakes and Powerflow quad exhaust (never heard of this exhaust before),
Sargassi Green with light cream leather and teledial alloys,
Comes with private plate with GTV at the end,
From the pictures it looks in very good condition.
Out of interest what would you value one of these?
The car is a
1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6,
4 owners,
FSH (not all specialist etc),
81K,
cambelt etc changed in 2015 less than 10k ago,
New Brembo brakes and Powerflow quad exhaust (never heard of this exhaust before),
Sargassi Green with light cream leather and teledial alloys,
Comes with private plate with GTV at the end,
From the pictures it looks in very good condition.
Edited by Baz2000 on Monday 3rd April 15:28
Baz2000 said:
Thanks for the advice guys.
Out of interest what would you value one of these?
The car is a
1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6,
4 owners,
FSH (not all specialist etc),
81K,
cambelt etc changed in 2015 less than 10k ago,
Sargassi Green with light cream leather,
Comes with private plate with GTV at the end,
From the pictures it looks in very good condition.
Old Alfas are VERY condition-sensitive. If the car's a total minter, it could be worth the thick end of £4k. If it's a rough old dog, £800.Out of interest what would you value one of these?
The car is a
1999 Alfa Romeo GTV V6,
4 owners,
FSH (not all specialist etc),
81K,
cambelt etc changed in 2015 less than 10k ago,
Sargassi Green with light cream leather,
Comes with private plate with GTV at the end,
From the pictures it looks in very good condition.
I'm guessing the motor you're looking at is somewhere in between, so I'm going to say £2,500.
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