Alfa GTV 6 coupe/spider

[davey68]

Friend i work with is interested in a GTV6, looking to spend c.£7-8k. I have read mixed reviews of these including that spiders shake and twist like mad. Are they good enough cars or should they be avoided. he is quite a fan of italian cars but never owned an alfa.. i know how nice the V6 is but whats the rest of the car like to drive/own? any comments appreciated

[pdV6]

Lots of info around:

My GTV
Buyer's Guide

Bottom line is, the GTV is more the driver's car than the Spider. £8k should get you a fairly decent one if he does his homework properly and doesn't rush in & buy the 1st one he sees.

>> Edited by pdV6 on Wednesday 31st August 11:33

[mr_tony]

Should be able to get a very decent gtv6 for that cash.
Really is ferrari style inside. However couple of points to note (my bro has had one for the last 5 years)...

1. If you're tall 6'+ - it's a bugger to fit in the drivers seat.

2. It's a short legs long arms type of car.

3. Good grip.

4. Lots of niggles - he's replaced driveshaft, various clutch bits (not due to wear and tear) a gearbox and various other wear and tear items. Not been cheap to run basically! Alfa dealer was rubbish - in fact main reason he wants rid now is the bloody dealers drive him nuts!!!

5. Rust - be careful they do go rusty.

6. Bits fall off - but thats mostly cos my bro can't park!!!

It's fun to drive, I love it, but I don't fit so after 20 minutes I'm in total agony and my knees are about to pop out....

Don't bother with the convertible it really is flex city IMHO...

There is at least one special edition (sport?) all in red with air ducts in the front wings - looks cool - probably a premium of 1k for that....

[richb]

My wife has an Alfa Spider V6 and loves it, and so do I on the occasions I take it to the office. Try posting a message here www.gtvv6.com there's loads of info to be had on that forum. Rich...

[judas]

mr_tony said:

Should be able to get a very decent gtv6 for that cash. Really is ferrari style inside. However couple of points to note (my bro has had one for the last 5 years)... 1. If you're tall 6'+ - it's a bugger to fit in the drivers seat.

Think it depends on your proportions. I'm just under 6' and there's plenty of room for both legs and head.

mr_tony said:

2. It's a short legs long arms type of car.

Classic Italian cockpit

mr_tony said:

3. Good grip.

Definitely Can chuck it around corners at normally inadvisable speeds.

mr_tony said:

4. Lots of niggles - he's replaced driveshaft, various clutch bits (not due to wear and tear) a gearbox and various other wear and tear items. Not been cheap to run basically! Alfa dealer was rubbish - in fact main reason he wants rid now is the bloody dealers drive him nuts!!!

Careful! Don't rattle Pwiggy's cage!

Find a good independent and you'll get great service at sensible prices. I use Peak Alfa - heartilt recommended. And yes - they do have some interesting niggles no matter how much we'd like to believe otherwise - but for such a great car they are (mostly) forgivable.

mr_tony said:

5. Rust - be careful they do go rusty. 6. Bits fall off - but thats mostly cos my bro can't park!!!

mr_tony said:

It's fun to drive, I love it, but I don't fit so after 20 minutes I'm in total agony and my knees are about to pop out.... Don't bother with the convertible it really is flex city IMHO... There is at least one special edition (sport?) all in red with air ducts in the front wings - looks cool - probably a premium of 1k for that....

That will be the Cup special edition. Very nice, but they can go for silly money for what are essentially just cosmetic mods over a standard V6 Lusso spec. Also - only available in red.

I was washing my GTV at the weekend after neglecting it for a while and I just turned to the missus and said 'I love this car!' - that's the kind of effect it has on you!

[mr_tony]

agreed they are fantastic, and stable up to 150mph no worries

When my bro bought his I was in the middle of buing a fezza 348. The cockpit of the GTV craps all over the Ferrari - it really does feel special in there compared to just about anything!

[pdV6]

mr_tony said:

1. If you're tall 6'+ - it's a bugger to fit in the drivers seat.

It does depend. I'm 6'2" and not a "slight" build and fit just fine. My brother in law has a GTV with a sunroof and that really robs headroom; don't think I could drive a SR-equipped one for more than a few miles...

mr_tony said:

2. It's a short legs long arms type of car.

Although the steering wheel does adjust for reach and rake, the reach adjustment is of the order of 1", so not a lot of use!

mr_tony said:

3. Good grip.

Especially on the right tyres!

mr_tony said:

4. Lots of niggles - he's replaced driveshaft, various clutch bits (not due to wear and tear) a gearbox and various other wear and tear items. Not been cheap to run basically! Alfa dealer was rubbish - in fact main reason he wants rid now is the bloody dealers drive him nuts!!!

They're not all like that, though! I've replaced virtually nothing on mine (other than consumables) in the 4½ years I've had it. I'm even on the original clutch and exhaust still.

mr_tony said:

5. Rust - be careful they do go rusty.

I've yet to see a rusty one. Are you sure there wasn't some badly repaired accident damage on your bro's one?

mr_tony said:

6. Bits fall off - but thats mostly cos my bro can't park!!!

Again, I've had nothing fall off mine yet, except a small plastic clip!

[mr_tony]

pdV6 said:

don't think I could drive a SR-equipped one for more than a few miles...

That'd be why I'm cramped! Don't get a sunroof tin top obviously better for headroom...

mr_tony said:

4. Lots of niggles -

They're not all like that, though! I've replaced virtually nothing on mine (other than consumables) in the 4½ years I've had it. I'm even on the original clutch and exhaust still.

mr_tony said:

5. Rust

I've yet to see a rusty one. Are you sure there wasn't some badly repaired accident damage on your bro's one?

Again, I've had nothing fall off mine yet, except a small plastic clip![/quote]

Sounds like maybe bro hasn't been so lucky (he did have major gearbox issue on it however which I think has caused other issues. Rust wise I think maybe he could ahve looked after it a bit better! Still a belting car though...

[davey68]

cheers for the info guys. So GTV handles pretty well? my 147GTA wasnt bad but you knew you had a big V6 lump over the front wheels. Is the GTV set up pretty good?

[pdV6]

Its pretty good. Arguably the 2.0TS has slightly sharper turn-in as the lump's a bit lighter.

I've not driven a 147GTA, but subjectively my GTV handles a lot better than the various 'cooking' 147s I've driven.

[ParkyV6TB]

Nothing to be feared with the 916 model GTV, it's a pretty sorted car and gives a variety of performances depending on engine - T-Spark is a hoot and handles pretty well, despite only (!) 150bhp - then there's a 3.0V6 which is excellent fun, reliable, apart from the AFM's which keep breaking (thanks Bosch!) and of course if you're after something special with huge potential in tuning, there's a 2.0V6 Turbo which given a decent chipping is even faster than the 3.0V6.

No rusting...ever.
Decent electrics (apart from airbag warning light problem and AFM)
Don't go for sunroof if you're 6-0+ -(I'm 6-4 and can fit in my car easily...and it's comfy, too!)
Make sure aircon is working...
Get Master key

and check out www.gtvv6.com, too - all the info you'll need is on there.

[pdV6]

Hi Martin!

>> Edited by pdV6 on Tuesday 6th September 10:15