2.0 GTV cambelt...
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Discussion

Brian Fantana

Original Poster:

241 posts

207 months

Sunday 25th April 2010
quotequote all
I looked at a nice V plate GTV today. I've read the various bits of buying advive on here, and they came in very handy. This particular one is imminently having 4 new tyres & middle exhaust fitted. However - when i took it for a test drive there was ared warning light on the dash which didn't go out - i figured it was either a seatbelt warning or airbag...both fairly essential for, y'know, continuing to live. Is this likely to be a costly fix?

Also, the current owners havent changed the cambelt. They haven't had it long as the seats are doing her back in. I've searched through here and can't see anything other than I know it's 36k/3 years - would anyone be able to give me a rough idea of cost?

I had a look through the receipts, and couldn't see anything about a belt change. It's on 64k, so if it hasn't been done it'll definitely need it!!

thanks for your help. If I can keep costs down, it'll endear it to the GF more smile

wrinx

680 posts

262 months

Sunday 25th April 2010
quotequote all
Cambelt and balancer belts, plus associated bits will be around £300-350 fitted. Whereabouts are you, might be able to recommend somewhere?

Can't really advise on the light until you confirm which one it is wink

wrinx

S3_Graham

12,835 posts

221 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
what did the light look like? if it looked like the injector one, it could well just be the air/fuel one. Mine plays up every now and then, but goes out pretty much instantly. The sensor gets cleaned and it wont do it again for 6months.

Brian Fantana

Original Poster:

241 posts

207 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
After having a look, it's the airbag light. However, the seller is replacing the mid exhaust, the cambelt, 4 new tyres and sorting out the warning light if I want it....just getting on to the credit card company about the 0% deal they have on at the moment! It'll all be paid off when I sell the clio I'm currently running around in.

All it'd need is some new wheels or a refurb! HOPEFULLY this all pans out and I'll have a nice blue GTV to play with soon. I'm trying not to get too excited until I get a green light from Mr Branson & his money...

V6Alfisti

3,313 posts

249 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
Brian Fantana said:
After having a look, it's the airbag light. However, the seller is replacing the mid exhaust, the cambelt, 4 new tyres and sorting out the warning light if I want it....just getting on to the credit card company about the 0% deal they have on at the moment! It'll all be paid off when I sell the clio I'm currently running around in.

All it'd need is some new wheels or a refurb! HOPEFULLY this all pans out and I'll have a nice blue GTV to play with soon. I'm trying not to get too excited until I get a green light from Mr Branson & his money...
Worth taking it to a specialist and seeing if they can just reset the light, if there is no underlying fault then it will turn off .

alfa pint

3,856 posts

233 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
That light's a common one to go wrong - something to do with the sensor being too close to the seat runners or something rather than anything actually wrong with the airbag itself.

S3_Graham

12,835 posts

221 months

Tuesday 27th April 2010
quotequote all
out of interest, how much is that car up for??

Im trying to price my car up and would be nice to see some comparisons. obviously that one is newer with less miles though.

Brian Fantana

Original Poster:

241 posts

207 months

Tuesday 27th April 2010
quotequote all
It's up for £2495.00

I've made an offer to the seller which has been accepted. I just told my GF that it's mine if I want it and she has hit the bloody roof! I fail to see how the GTV is any less practical than a clio...we don't share costs of the car - I pay for EVERYTHING, but I know I'm in for a VERY long evening today fellas, wish me luck frown


Brian Fantana

Original Poster:

241 posts

207 months

Tuesday 27th April 2010
quotequote all
well, I've had "sense" talked in to me, so I've had to pull out of the sale. No money or promises were made so it's all good. To be honest, I'm absolutely gutted. I know that paying bits and pieces off should take priority, and the GF wants to learn to drive in something less intimidating. My argument of selling the clio for more than the alfa and getting to have the car I actually want fell very flat.I guess I'll have to save some money and try again at a later date.

week = ruined.

RicksAlfas

14,283 posts

266 months

Wednesday 28th April 2010
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Brian Fantana said:
week = ruined.
Ah well. Bad luck. Some you win, some you lose. Best tell the GF that she's got to be on top form this weekend to make up for it!!
biggrin

S3_Graham

12,835 posts

221 months

Wednesday 28th April 2010
quotequote all
Brian Fantana said:
well, I've had "sense" talked in to me, so I've had to pull out of the sale. No money or promises were made so it's all good. To be honest, I'm absolutely gutted. I know that paying bits and pieces off should take priority, and the GF wants to learn to drive in something less intimidating. My argument of selling the clio for more than the alfa and getting to have the car I actually want fell very flat.I guess I'll have to save some money and try again at a later date.

week = ruined.
can you get a cheaper one?

however in all seriousness GTV is quick alot more unpractical than a clio. Boot is ni-on un useable.

llewop

3,882 posts

233 months

Wednesday 28th April 2010
quotequote all
S3_Graham said:
Brian Fantana said:
well, I've had "sense" talked in to me, so I've had to pull out of the sale. No money or promises were made so it's all good. To be honest, I'm absolutely gutted. I know that paying bits and pieces off should take priority, and the GF wants to learn to drive in something less intimidating. My argument of selling the clio for more than the alfa and getting to have the car I actually want fell very flat.I guess I'll have to save some money and try again at a later date.

week = ruined.
can you get a cheaper one?

however in all seriousness GTV is quick alot more unpractical than a clio. Boot is ni-on un useable.
I used to cram a remarkable amount of stuff in the boot when I took mine on holidays to France with the Mrs or to Le Mans. (not helping the OP I know!) But do agree that it would be difficult to describe it as similar to practicality to a Clio!

Would have some sympathy for your GF too if the idea is for her to learn in the car: the visibility, turning circle and driving position of the GTV are far from ideal for a learner!

V6Alfisti

3,313 posts

249 months

Wednesday 28th April 2010
quotequote all
llewop said:
S3_Graham said:
Brian Fantana said:
well, I've had "sense" talked in to me, so I've had to pull out of the sale. No money or promises were made so it's all good. To be honest, I'm absolutely gutted. I know that paying bits and pieces off should take priority, and the GF wants to learn to drive in something less intimidating. My argument of selling the clio for more than the alfa and getting to have the car I actually want fell very flat.I guess I'll have to save some money and try again at a later date.

week = ruined.
can you get a cheaper one?

however in all seriousness GTV is quick alot more unpractical than a clio. Boot is ni-on un useable.
I used to cram a remarkable amount of stuff in the boot when I took mine on holidays to France with the Mrs or to Le Mans. (not helping the OP I know!) But do agree that it would be difficult to describe it as similar to practicality to a Clio!

Would have some sympathy for your GF too if the idea is for her to learn in the car: the visibility, turning circle and driving position of the GTV are far from ideal for a learner!
I found it was deep but not particularly usable. I remember picking up a black bucket so that I could wash the car, only to discover it was too wide to fit in the boot opening. Made me laugh. laugh

llewop

3,882 posts

233 months

Wednesday 28th April 2010
quotequote all
V6Alfisti said:
I found it was deep but not particularly usable. I remember picking up a black bucket so that I could wash the car, only to discover it was too wide to fit in the boot opening. Made me laugh. laugh
I know what you mean... secret was ditch the spare wheel for trips that needed the luggage space and soft bags that you could squidge in through the boot opening hehe We did at least a couple of 2 week trips round France, only resorting to stuff on the back seat once we'd started buying wine to bring back.

Brian Fantana

Original Poster:

241 posts

207 months

Thursday 29th July 2010
quotequote all
Right - so i've done the only obvious thing I could....broke up with the girlfriend (step one), and test drove a 3 litre V6 GTV this evening (step 2). My friend was kind enough to let me take his for a spin.....bit different to the TS! christ.

The next few months are going to see some serious saving and I'll be pretty much glued to the classifieds! I figure if a V6 proves too expensive (I'll only be using it weekends) then I can always sell it. Only live once!

Definitely back on the GTV mission!!

robsco

7,875 posts

198 months

Thursday 29th July 2010
quotequote all
Brian Fantana said:
Right - so i've done the only obvious thing I could....broke up with the girlfriend (step one), and test drove a 3 litre V6 GTV this evening (step 2). My friend was kind enough to let me take his for a spin.....bit different to the TS! christ.

The next few months are going to see some serious saving and I'll be pretty much glued to the classifieds! I figure if a V6 proves too expensive (I'll only be using it weekends) then I can always sell it. Only live once!

Definitely back on the GTV mission!!
You've done the right thing hehe hopefully this time it will work out for you. The V6 should be a little stronger and more reliable than the Twin Spark, longer intervals between belts etc also, so if you need any rationalisation, there's a little bit!

xyyman

1,096 posts

247 months

Friday 30th July 2010
quotequote all
Brian Fantana said:
Right - so i've done the only obvious thing I could....broke up with the girlfriend (step one), and test drove a 3 litre V6 GTV this evening (step 2). My friend was kind enough to let me take his for a spin.....bit different to the TS! christ.

The next few months are going to see some serious saving and I'll be pretty much glued to the classifieds! I figure if a V6 proves too expensive (I'll only be using it weekends) then I can always sell it. Only live once!

Definitely back on the GTV mission!!
Good man, I like your style! cool

The Snail

195 posts

202 months

Sunday 1st August 2010
quotequote all
wrinx said:
Cambelt and balancer belts, plus associated bits will be around £300-350 fitted. Whereabouts are you, might be able to recommend somewhere?

Can't really advise on the light until you confirm which one it is wink

wrinx
Cheapest I can find in the North East is £450 including the variator. Not cheap, especially as we are preparing the car for a charity rally. We are trying to get a "charitable" dealer to offer a discount in exchange for some on car advertising.