S4 Spider or 3.0 GTV??
Discussion
Chaps
As a life-long Alfa owner, I am debating on what my next toy should be. Basically, I've narrowed it down to either a Series 4 Spider(last of the classic shape) or a more recent 3.0V6 GTV. The car will only be used in the summer as I am also in the process of buying a 156 Sportwagon for kid/dog/shopping detail so practicality is not an issue here.
Basically, I'm torn between the two and am unable to decide what to go for. I realise the V6 GTV is a hell of a car and hugely quick - it would be great for the track days I often attend. The Sppider also has its merits as a summer car and looks fantastic. I'm sure the running costs would be lower than the V6 too.
Does anyone have any experience of these two cars that would help me decide once and for all. I have tracked down two cracking examples of each car so am now ready to buy. Please HELP!!!
As a life-long Alfa owner, I am debating on what my next toy should be. Basically, I've narrowed it down to either a Series 4 Spider(last of the classic shape) or a more recent 3.0V6 GTV. The car will only be used in the summer as I am also in the process of buying a 156 Sportwagon for kid/dog/shopping detail so practicality is not an issue here.
Basically, I'm torn between the two and am unable to decide what to go for. I realise the V6 GTV is a hell of a car and hugely quick - it would be great for the track days I often attend. The Sppider also has its merits as a summer car and looks fantastic. I'm sure the running costs would be lower than the V6 too.
Does anyone have any experience of these two cars that would help me decide once and for all. I have tracked down two cracking examples of each car so am now ready to buy. Please HELP!!!
abarth130 said:
The car will only be used in the summer as I am also in the process of buying a 156 Sportwagon for kid/dog/shopping detail so practicality is not an issue here.
Basically, I'm torn between the two and am unable to decide what to go for. I realise the V6 GTV is a hell of a car and hugely quick - it would be great for the track days I often attend. The Sppider also has its merits as a summer car and looks fantastic. I'm sure the running costs would be lower than the V6 too.
I think if you were to use the GTV V6 for trackdays, you might be a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I really like mine and it's plenty quick enough, but I think tracking it would expose it's only real weakness, which is a tendency to understeer a bit. Not massively, not as badly as some would have you believe, but still.Basically, I'm torn between the two and am unable to decide what to go for. I realise the V6 GTV is a hell of a car and hugely quick - it would be great for the track days I often attend. The Sppider also has its merits as a summer car and looks fantastic. I'm sure the running costs would be lower than the V6 too.
If you've got a sportwagon for practical, I'd get an S4 spider - it'll be slower but more fun.
The spider will rot, but if you're garaging it and only using it on dry and fun days then it'll be good rwd fun.
Any reason why you're not looking at the more modern V6 spider or, since speed obviously isn't the issue, a twin spark one? Cheaper to run than the V6 and if you spend time looking for a decent one, it won't break your heart either. Marginally better handling than the V6 as it's less front heavy.
Any reason why you're not looking at the more modern V6 spider or, since speed obviously isn't the issue, a twin spark one? Cheaper to run than the V6 and if you spend time looking for a decent one, it won't break your heart either. Marginally better handling than the V6 as it's less front heavy.
I've ruled out the V6 Spider, first on grounds of cost(my budget is about £6k) and because even the TS version is famed for its scuttle shake. I think it'd be a waste of a good engine in a body that can't handle it. The TS Spider is a nice enough motor but I do intend to hang on to the car for some years and want to avoid depreciation as much as possible.
The S4 Spiders seem to have levelled out(apart from seasonal fluctuations) and I reckon the 3.0 GTV is set for future stardom.
Another concern I have is leaving the 3.0 GTV in the garage for 6 months with no activity. I think the simpler S4 would be better at being left to hibernate(as older cars generally are) over the winter.
The S4 is winning at the moment. I like the looks and the style and the fact that no-one else has one up here. But something tells me if I drove the 3.0 and S4 back to back, my choice might go the other way!!
The quandry continues....
The S4 Spiders seem to have levelled out(apart from seasonal fluctuations) and I reckon the 3.0 GTV is set for future stardom.
Another concern I have is leaving the 3.0 GTV in the garage for 6 months with no activity. I think the simpler S4 would be better at being left to hibernate(as older cars generally are) over the winter.
The S4 is winning at the moment. I like the looks and the style and the fact that no-one else has one up here. But something tells me if I drove the 3.0 and S4 back to back, my choice might go the other way!!
The quandry continues....
As it's a toy your after I'd go for the s4. The gtv is an everyday car and I doubt
it would apreciate being locked up for six months. The s4 is very styish and I would
imagine the sense of occasion would be greater than the everyday gtv, when the time
came to take it out. I really like the gtv, but is it special enough to justifie having one as
a toy? Not a toy for me I'm afraid. Plus the s4 will not lose money when the time comes
to sell.
it would apreciate being locked up for six months. The s4 is very styish and I would
imagine the sense of occasion would be greater than the everyday gtv, when the time
came to take it out. I really like the gtv, but is it special enough to justifie having one as
a toy? Not a toy for me I'm afraid. Plus the s4 will not lose money when the time comes
to sell.
S4 Spider all day long, but I am a little biased!
They do rot, even if they were supposedly galvanised, I haven't met anyone with one who hasn't had some rotting, my jacking points have just crumbled recently. Mine responds well to being garaged all winter and always starts on the button. They are very simple to work on and the parts network is excellent and not too pricey either. Electrics are a nightmare, they didn't make any RHD so 2 companies did most of the conversions over here (Seaking and bell & Collvill) and generally the quality was ok but some were a little better than others.
Prices seem to be quite low at the moment, certainly you can get a good one for £4k+.
They're not quick but they are great fun, I especially like getting the back out at any opportunity.
And of course.......they are beautiful!
Do it!
They do rot, even if they were supposedly galvanised, I haven't met anyone with one who hasn't had some rotting, my jacking points have just crumbled recently. Mine responds well to being garaged all winter and always starts on the button. They are very simple to work on and the parts network is excellent and not too pricey either. Electrics are a nightmare, they didn't make any RHD so 2 companies did most of the conversions over here (Seaking and bell & Collvill) and generally the quality was ok but some were a little better than others.
Prices seem to be quite low at the moment, certainly you can get a good one for £4k+.
They're not quick but they are great fun, I especially like getting the back out at any opportunity.
And of course.......they are beautiful!
Do it!
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff