Help for alpha newbie 3.0V6 GTV

[Speedracer329]

Evenin' all.
I am seriously considering an Alfa V6 GTV as a replacement for my current car, which is a modified RX-7, running 335 bhp. It is health related, & I know the Alpha cannot offer the same sort of pace as I currently enjoy, but really, what is it like to drive/own? I am looking at one from a company called Buzz Alpha, who advertise in the classified here, & their cars all look nice.
Will I love it?
What do I have to be aware of & look out for?

Many thanks,
Brook.

Edited by Speedracer329 on Wednesday 2nd December 18:39

[PhilipAlfa]

Hi Speedracer,

First thing to look out for is spelling - it's Alfa and getting wrong is a serious sin around here

I had a GTV V6 for a while - generally a pretty reliable car and they have been around for long enough now that the Alfa specialists know all the issues with them.

Make sure the car has a full history and that the cambelt has been changed - Alfa recommend on the V6 every 5 years or 72,000 miles, but I think all specialists will change them earlier than this. If there is no record of this being done, either walk away or budget to have it done. Rear suspensiom bushes can wear and the front suspension arms can suffer from wear also(didn't have mine long enough for this to be an issue).

The V6 gearboxes can suffer from exploding differentials but this can be cured by fitting an LSD called a "Q2". If you see a car with one of these fitted it's probably worth serious consideration. Otherwise it's about £700 to have one fitted I think.

Good luck with the search - if you find the right car you will love it....

Philip

Edited by PhilipAlfa on Wednesday 2nd December 18:32

[Rollcage]

Cant speak for the car, but Buzz Alfa are top guys who are full of enthusiasm and really do know their stuff on Alfas - they have a special affection for the V6 - rightly so!

[xyyman]

Agree with all of the above, evidence of cambelt change and rear suspension bushes being attended to recently is a must. Engines are bullet proof unlike the diff but, as has been said, a Q2 diff is a must and the most cost effective mod ever, budget on around £500 fitted. That is what i was charged at Alfa Aid in Maidenhead recently all in.

Great cars and, having owned two V6 Spiders, reliable too if looked after properly. I have no experience of Buzz Alfa although they regularly advertise in AROC magazines and often have a stand at AROC events for what that's worth. Never heard anything bad about them.

[anonymous-user]

If you go for a 3.2 V6 and pop along to Autodelta you may find it becomes very quick indeed!

[Howell811]

MonkeyMatt said:

If you go for a 3.2 V6 and pop along to Autodelta you may find it becomes very quick indeed!

.....and your pockets very empty as it can get addictive.