Alfa GTs - Where are they?
Discussion
Either Alfa have some incredible stealth-cloaking technology in these GTs, they're all hiding from me or no one's bought one.
Why aren't I seeing ANY Alfa GTs on the roads? I cover a fair few motorway miles, regularly covering the London to Brum trip, yet in the 6 months since GT launched, I've seen 4! 1 of those was in Monaco so doesn't count.
I'm confused by this cos I test drove one yesterday and thought it was an absolutely stunning car, both inside and out. It was a 2.0 JTS, probably the weakest of the 3 engines, yet it still felt great. So, I'm left wondering why there aren't any on the road.
All you GT owners, where are you?? Is there something wrong with the GT that I'm just missing? Have they all broken down or are you all off driving around the world because the UK roads are so anti-driver these days.
Or have Alfa just been drip-feeding the UK market with GTs like Nissan have with the 350Z?
Cheers
DC
Why aren't I seeing ANY Alfa GTs on the roads? I cover a fair few motorway miles, regularly covering the London to Brum trip, yet in the 6 months since GT launched, I've seen 4! 1 of those was in Monaco so doesn't count.
I'm confused by this cos I test drove one yesterday and thought it was an absolutely stunning car, both inside and out. It was a 2.0 JTS, probably the weakest of the 3 engines, yet it still felt great. So, I'm left wondering why there aren't any on the road.
All you GT owners, where are you?? Is there something wrong with the GT that I'm just missing? Have they all broken down or are you all off driving around the world because the UK roads are so anti-driver these days.
Or have Alfa just been drip-feeding the UK market with GTs like Nissan have with the 350Z?
Cheers
DC
That importer wouldn't be Smart Alfa would it?
On the FWD vs RWD point, it's one of the only things putting me off the GT, but I'm not going to but a 3-series coupe! They're everywhere!!!!!
If I go for a 2+2 coupe it's gonna be the GT.
Those of you who have a GT, have you got any tips on options? Are the 18"s to be avoided and is the Connect Nav+ worth nearly £2000?? What else does it do other than sat-nav?
Cheers,
DC
On the FWD vs RWD point, it's one of the only things putting me off the GT, but I'm not going to but a 3-series coupe! They're everywhere!!!!!
If I go for a 2+2 coupe it's gonna be the GT.
Those of you who have a GT, have you got any tips on options? Are the 18"s to be avoided and is the Connect Nav+ worth nearly £2000?? What else does it do other than sat-nav?
Cheers,
DC
Those of you who have bought a GT, has it gone back to any warranty work yet? If so, what?
I really want a GT, but the old Alfa reputation is putting me off. The other cars I'm considering are likey to suffer far less from depreciation or unreliability (S2000 and M Coupe).
Opinions please?
DC
I really want a GT, but the old Alfa reputation is putting me off. The other cars I'm considering are likey to suffer far less from depreciation or unreliability (S2000 and M Coupe).
Opinions please?
DC
It's more the effect that the 'old' reputation still has on residual values that holding me back. With a 3 year warranty and 3 years AA cover, I'm not worried about breakdowns (much).
I'm sure all cars on sale today are mechanically sound, mainly because they all effectively use the same components from the same suppliers - just look how many cars have the ZF Auto box for example.
But the majority of the car buying public simply don't know this and probably still think that every part of every car is made by the company whose name is on the badge. Therefore Alfa residuals put me off, but not much
I'm gonna have a look at a couple of dealer demos that are up for sale this weekend. I'm also tempted by a Euro import.
Has anyone got any experience of 3rd party warranty companies? If I get an import I probably won't be able to renew the original Alfa warranty.
Cheers
DC
ps: www.autodelta.co.uk now has hi(ish)-res pics of the GT Super. Tis looking sweeeeet.
I'm sure all cars on sale today are mechanically sound, mainly because they all effectively use the same components from the same suppliers - just look how many cars have the ZF Auto box for example.
But the majority of the car buying public simply don't know this and probably still think that every part of every car is made by the company whose name is on the badge. Therefore Alfa residuals put me off, but not much
I'm gonna have a look at a couple of dealer demos that are up for sale this weekend. I'm also tempted by a Euro import.
Has anyone got any experience of 3rd party warranty companies? If I get an import I probably won't be able to renew the original Alfa warranty.
Cheers
DC
ps: www.autodelta.co.uk now has hi(ish)-res pics of the GT Super. Tis looking sweeeeet.
Wombat Rick said:
Alfa residuals are not great, but they are not as bad as they look because residuals are worked out on new list price and no one ever pays that for an Alfa....
What level of discount are people usually able to get with an Alfa dealer? I've been offered a reasonable part ex price for my Pug, but if there's more money to come off, I'm all ears
DC
And how do the dealers treat customers who bring in imported cars to have warranty work done?
Basically, Melbury are offering an excellent spec on their GT JTDs for £20350, a whopping £4000 less than Alfas price, it may even be cheaper cos there are some options on the Melbury cars that I haven't costed yet.
Can you really get nearly £4k off list price from a main dealer? If so, I'm there !!!
DC
Basically, Melbury are offering an excellent spec on their GT JTDs for £20350, a whopping £4000 less than Alfas price, it may even be cheaper cos there are some options on the Melbury cars that I haven't costed yet.
Can you really get nearly £4k off list price from a main dealer? If so, I'm there !!!
DC
That seems to contradict the information on Smart Alfa's website. They state:
"All vehicles come with 3 Years manufacturer's warranty 3 Years AA cover " on www.smartalfa.co.uk/car_spec.php?carCode=gt01
I can potentially imagine that SmartAlfa supply the AA cover, but surely the manufacturer warranty has to come direct from Alfa in Italy?
DC
"All vehicles come with 3 Years manufacturer's warranty 3 Years AA cover " on www.smartalfa.co.uk/car_spec.php?carCode=gt01
I can potentially imagine that SmartAlfa supply the AA cover, but surely the manufacturer warranty has to come direct from Alfa in Italy?
DC
pwig, does that mean that the 3rd year of warranty is provided by Alfa UK rather than Alfa It/Fiat Auto?
I've just seen this statement on the Alfaromeo.co.uk site : "Your Alfa Romeo has the backing of a 3 Year Dealer Warranty"
So, who provides the 3 year warranty on cars bought from franchsied dealers???? I getting confused now
DC
I've just seen this statement on the Alfaromeo.co.uk site : "Your Alfa Romeo has the backing of a 3 Year Dealer Warranty"
So, who provides the 3 year warranty on cars bought from franchsied dealers???? I getting confused now
DC
If SA looks like the best source then I'll ask them those questions. There are a couple of dealer demo cars that have grabbed my attention at the moment, as well as a handful of 1 year old 147 GTAs at dealers for the same money.
Hmmm, a stunning, cheap-to-run GT JTD or a ballistic £££s sapping 147 GTA?
Hmmm, a stunning, cheap-to-run GT JTD or a ballistic £££s sapping 147 GTA?
Not surprising really.
147 facelift is due easter 2005 (already revealed), 157 is coming pretty soon (spy shots are all over the place), GTV is aincient and about to be killed off and the 166 has the worst residuals of any car ever made (allegedly
)
The lack of GTs on the road is confusing me though. I can't see any reason not to buy one if you're in the market for a nice coupe. 350Zs are that little bit more expensive, RX8s will be out of fashion very soon, SLKs are far more expensive and the 3-series will be replaced next year.
Hmmmmm......
147 facelift is due easter 2005 (already revealed), 157 is coming pretty soon (spy shots are all over the place), GTV is aincient and about to be killed off and the 166 has the worst residuals of any car ever made (allegedly
) The lack of GTs on the road is confusing me though. I can't see any reason not to buy one if you're in the market for a nice coupe. 350Zs are that little bit more expensive, RX8s will be out of fashion very soon, SLKs are far more expensive and the 3-series will be replaced next year.
Hmmmmm......
Apparently the BMW is a "driver's" car. I wouldn't know cos I've never driven a 3 series.
I have driven the new 645 Coupe though and I thought it was sh17e. That may have been more to do with the really really bad SMG gearbox (anyone who buys one with that g/box should be taken out the back of the dealership and shot!). I cannot even begin to describe how awful that gearbox is - it completely cripples the car. A proper manual may be much much better but I actually have no desire to find out. The interior is horrible too and the nose is fugly (but I actually don't have a problem with the rear).
I actually really like the Nissan but it's just that little bit too expensive for me. The RX8 is just plain odd though.
=================================
Back on topic, I just spoke to Melbury. They order the cars through a Southern Ireland dealer and the price at the currrent exchange rate is £21200 for a 1.9 JTD with leather, 17" spoked alloys, Bose, MP3, CD Changer and Parking Sensors - My perfect spec
I'm gonna test drive a JTD and a 147 GTA on Saturday, from which point I believe I shall be addicted to Alfas.
DC
>> Edited by DavidCane on Wednesday 24th November 17:30
I have driven the new 645 Coupe though and I thought it was sh17e. That may have been more to do with the really really bad SMG gearbox (anyone who buys one with that g/box should be taken out the back of the dealership and shot!). I cannot even begin to describe how awful that gearbox is - it completely cripples the car. A proper manual may be much much better but I actually have no desire to find out. The interior is horrible too and the nose is fugly (but I actually don't have a problem with the rear).
I actually really like the Nissan but it's just that little bit too expensive for me. The RX8 is just plain odd though.
=================================
Back on topic, I just spoke to Melbury. They order the cars through a Southern Ireland dealer and the price at the currrent exchange rate is £21200 for a 1.9 JTD with leather, 17" spoked alloys, Bose, MP3, CD Changer and Parking Sensors - My perfect spec
I'm gonna test drive a JTD and a 147 GTA on Saturday, from which point I believe I shall be addicted to Alfas.
DC
>> Edited by DavidCane on Wednesday 24th November 17:30
After a little bit of searching, I found this 6 month old GT for a good price.
It's been owned by the delear principle since July and has all the options apart from Connect Nav+. Collected on Friday, covered 350miles this weekend and am very happy with it.
There are a couple of small niggles, such as the dealer giving me a 147 owners manual instead of a GT one.
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<IMG src="http://www.apqa74.dsl.pipex.com/gt6.jpg">
DC
>> Edited by DavidCane on Monday 17th January 12:09
It's been owned by the delear principle since July and has all the options apart from Connect Nav+. Collected on Friday, covered 350miles this weekend and am very happy with it.
There are a couple of small niggles, such as the dealer giving me a 147 owners manual instead of a GT one.
Photo 1
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Photo 3
Photo 4
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Photo 6
<IMG src="http://www.apqa74.dsl.pipex.com/gt6.jpg">
DC
>> Edited by DavidCane on Monday 17th January 12:09
Stromboli Grey, Black Leather, 17" Spoked Wheels, Xenons, PDC, Bose, 10-cd changer and heated seats.
It's a sweeeeeeet toy and I'm loving every minute of it
And, Alfa have added £500 to the list price of the JTD and JTS this week. V6 has gone up £300 too. Looks good for future residuals.
DC
It's a sweeeeeeet toy and I'm loving every minute of it
And, Alfa have added £500 to the list price of the JTD and JTS this week. V6 has gone up £300 too. Looks good for future residuals.
DC
Have you got any tips for treating stone chips? I've got 2 which has really wound me up. One on the bonnet and one on the front bumper. The one on the bumper has left a small impact crater in the paint. The one on the bonnet looks like it's chipped the lacquer plain off, but has not distorted the paint around it.
The Stromboli grey really does look awesome one this car. The dealer had 2 red ones and a blue one there as well. The grey defintitely looked best.
What's the fit like of the electric window switch panels in your doors. Mine aren't exactly a 'quality' fit to say the least.
DC
The Stromboli grey really does look awesome one this car. The dealer had 2 red ones and a blue one there as well. The grey defintitely looked best.
What's the fit like of the electric window switch panels in your doors. Mine aren't exactly a 'quality' fit to say the least.
DC
The high level light issue was one of the 1st things I noticed on my drive home from the dealer, but I'll get used to that quite quickly.
At the moment I think I've got 2 things to be seen to under warranty - the fit of the window switch on the passenger door, and the window seal on the rear hatch is a bit poor. It was detatched from the glass when I test drove the car, and was re-fitted before I picked the car up. It's not perfect though so I'll get it done at the next service.....unless it lets water in, then it'll be at the dealer straight away.
It's a cracking car though, I'd love to try a V6 but I'm more than happy with the JTD.
DC
At the moment I think I've got 2 things to be seen to under warranty - the fit of the window switch on the passenger door, and the window seal on the rear hatch is a bit poor. It was detatched from the glass when I test drove the car, and was re-fitted before I picked the car up. It's not perfect though so I'll get it done at the next service.....unless it lets water in, then it'll be at the dealer straight away.
It's a cracking car though, I'd love to try a V6 but I'm more than happy with the JTD.
DC
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