Alfa GTV 3.0 V6

[Snails]

Hello there,

I am considering getting rid of my RS Clio 172 and getting something a bit more 'grown up' as it's replacement. Is there anything I should watch out for with the 3.0 V6 GTV? Also, beside a body kit, what additional extras did the GTV Cups benefit from and are they worth the ~£2500 additional outlay?

[robsco]

They had the bodykit, half leather seats instead of full leather, and a little plaque to signify their rarity (only 500). Mechanically identical to the normal 3 litre. Not worth the outlay IMO.

[crostonian]

I agree with Robsco, never have seen the added value of the Cup especially as they are all Alfa Red which admittedly looks good but is a constant battle to stop from fading - the bonnet, spoiler, bumpers, skirts, front wings and fuel cap are all different materials and seem to fade at differing rates.

I would look for a 3 litre 6 Speed with the Aerokit (not just the rear wing but front splitter also) and 17" Teledials. Make sure belt has been changed recently, if not allow around £450 to replace inc water pump, otherwise buy on general condition and history as you would when buying any other 10 year old car that cost £30k when new!

[OperationAlfa]

crostonian said:

I agree with Robsco, never have seen the added value of the Cup especially as they are all Alfa Red which admittedly looks good but is a constant battle to stop from fading - the bonnet, spoiler, bumpers, skirts, front wings and fuel cap are all different materials and seem to fade at differing rates.

I would look for a 3 litre 6 Speed with the Aerokit (not just the rear wing but front splitter also) and 17" Teledials. Make sure belt has been changed recently, if not allow around £450 to replace inc water pump, otherwise buy on general condition and history as you would when buying any other 10 year old car that cost £30k when new!

what he said, make sure you get the 6 speed variant. If it has a Q2 fitted then even better!

[robsco]

I'd suggest to budget another 50% on the £450 crostonian mentioned for a belt change and service. If you're going to change the idlers/pulleys/tensioners and the water pump, as you should do, you're looking at more than £450.

[Pat H]

robsco said:

I'd suggest to budget another 50% on the £450 crostonian mentioned for a belt change and service. If you're going to change the idlers/pulleys/tensioners and the water pump, as you should do, you're looking at more than £450.

Yep.

I seem to recall that I spent about £750 for an oil service, air filter, belt, tensioners, water pump etc etc.

Fortunately, the belt/waterpump is something that only rears its head every five years, but you need to make sure that it has been done.

Big GTVs also seem to chew up discs and pads at absurdly low mileages, along with drop links and other sundry suspension components. Brakes are unimpressive in any event.

Also, listen out for the front of the exhaust blowing when starting from cold. I think that every FWD V6 Alfa that I have come across has suffered with this.

You need to have a go in one and see whether the ridiculous ground clearance and crap turning circle are an issue.

Look our for wrinkly flanks, as these cars are very vulnerable to car parking dings.

Interiors look lovely, but the leather seats are devoid of lumbar support and are hopeless if you like going round bends quickly.

GTVs also have a tantrum if you put the wrong tyres on them. I fitted a set of Falkens and the road noise was awful. Sounded just like the wheel bearings were shot.

Check the oil level. My first 3.2 GTV guzzled oil. It needed topping up every couple of weeks. Curiously, my 2.5 V6 156 doesn't use a drop.

Unless you are particularly drawn to them, the Cup is an expensive novelty. Curiously unattractice half leather interior and no mechanical improvements.

Be warned that the GTV is much more of a Grand Tourer than a balls out sportscar. You will find that brakes, steering and handling are nothing like as sharp as a sporting Renault hatch.

Otherwise, I think they are great cars. Best V6 ever fitted to a road car and fantastic value at the moment.

[exgtt]

As above good advice, just to add the clutch should not be too heavy and should bite in the middle. £500 to replace, and worth considering above 80k miles. The temp should stay at 90 on the dial, may creep to 93 in traffic before the fans kick in. If it rises past 90 when thrashing the rad is shot. Should imagine a replacement these days fitted is £250. MAF probs easy to spot, when i had my 156 a reluctance to rev over 4.5k gave it away.


Oh and listen for blows from the front flexi pipe @ 4k plus at a standstill (full throttle needed) Its an alfa spares or dealer only part. £260 i paid 4 years ago for the part!!

Edited by exgtt on Wednesday 14th September 22:51

[Snails]

Thank you for the advice. The cost of redoing the belts/waterpump is very similar to a cambelt + auxiliary belts change on my current car, so unfortunately not really surprised at the cost.

Is there anything that can be done with regards to the brakes? Are they particularly expensive to replace in comparison to other cars? The list of known issues isn't as bad as I'd imagined. I guess as with buying any second car that it is important to make sure you know what you are buying.

The rubbish ground clearance and turning circle shouldn't be any issue. I think I need to go out and have a drive in one. I'm particularly draw to an Alfa as my next car. Does anybody have any experience with the 147 GTA or the 156 GTA? As they too are both on the shortlist as the replacement. I've decided I've grown out of the Clio!

[Pat H]

Snails said:

Has anybody have any experience with the 147 GTA or the 156 GTA?

I can't comment on the GTAs, but I still have my 156 2.5 V6.

The interior of the 156 is a little nicer than the GTV, the driving position is a bit better and the 156 is a lot brighter and less claustrophobic. The low screen on the GTV makes it feel quite opressive.

The 156, unsurprisingly, is much more practical. It is also better built. Switchgear is a bit nicer. Silly little things: The ignition key on the 156 folds and has an integral plipper. The GTV has an old fashioned key and a cheap nasty aftermarket alarm fob.

156 is nothing like as susceptible to parking dings or stone chips. Paint seems harder and better finished.

But the 156 also suffers from a lack of ground clearance and poor turning circle.

Mechanically there isn't anything to choose between them.

I know that I keep banging on about ground clearance, but my GTV struggles with sleeping policemen and won't clear my car lift, problems that my Esprit simply doesn't have.

Of the two cars, my 156 is a little more pleasant to own and to drive. It is a better car. But it just doesn't feel as special or as exotic as the GTV.

Finally, the GTAs have the bigger 3.2 engine. GTVs are all 3.0, with the exception of the Phase 3 GTV, which has the facelifted snout.

There were fewer than 60 3.2 GTVs officially imported, so they are pretty rare things.

As far as the engines go, the 3.2 is obviously a pretty grunty lump. I can only compare it to the 2.5 V6, which is far less powerful and far less torquey, but revs more enthusiastically, sounds sweeter, is a bit smoother and has a bit more character. Presumably the 3.0 GTV is somewhere in the middle.

[exgtt]

Coming from the fast Clio, i'd be suprised if a drive in the 3.0 GTV would impress you. Certainly if you can go the GTA route then do. GTA with a Q2. The Clio being so bloody accomplished at most things.

[bruciebonuz]

I have owned 2 3.0 GTVs. Great cars, engine note to die for and lovely to look at. I fitted a Q2 diff and GTA flywheel which improved the handling and power delivery. There are a number of niggles - airbag lights stay on, windows don't seal well as they are frameless, the doorlocks freeze solid in winter ( and the windscreen freezes badly inside), the door skins are paper thin and are horribly prone to car park dings and the seats look great but offer no support and so you use the steering wheel to brace yourself round corners.......but would I have another one.....oh yes. But I would buy the best one I could that's had belts done with ancillary jobs, a Q2 diff recent disks and tyres and that doesn't look like it's got cellulite down the flanks. Loads for sale so shop around and drive a few. Grey and silver look good and show the lines off well. Good luck!

[OperationAlfa]

Snails said:

Does anybody have any experience with the 147 GTA or the 156 GTA? As they too are both on the shortlist as the replacement. I've decided I've grown out of the Clio!

Yes, I've owned both the 156 and 147 GTA. Fantastic cars, a little more modern than the GTV, the 147 being the best built.

The 156 handles better, the 147 is a hooligan.. But incredible fun. 330mm brakes fitted to both cars from 2004 onwards (some offered as an upgrade under warranty).

There is a good buyers guide on alfaowner.com in the GTA section. Very special cars only 260 156 GTA's and 413 146 GTA's were sold in the UK.

I'm just about to buy my 3rd one.

[alfa pint]

Nothing new to add to the above; they're all fair and accurate points.

I've not driven a V6 GTV, only a TS, but they have lovely quick and accurate steering and phenomonal grip. The V6 makes it a bit heavier at the nose apparently.

Viz brakes - the pedal is very long and very progressive. It'll certainly be a change from your current car! I've got used to them, but you certainly need a hell of an effort to make the ABS activate. Apparently the thing to do is upgrade the pads to ferodo ds 2600 or something like that. When the pads wear out on the front of mine next time, that's what I'll do.