Alfa GTV as a daily driver?
Discussion
My 145 QV/146 Ti search might be broadening again! Just realised that Twin Spark GTVs are in the same sort of price range as good examples of the hatches. The lack of boot space would start to become quite a major issue for me I fear, but they are gorgeous looking cars, so I'm wondering if I could live with that.
So, what are they like to live with day-to-day? I'm particularly interested to hear from anyone who's also run a 145 or 146 for comparison. I'm assuming the servicing requirements are running costs will be more or less the same as the equivalent TS engined hatchback?
A few questions:
Can you get a decent bike rack for the non-spoiler GTV?
What sort of MPG could I expect?
Are there any issues they're more susceptible to than the hatchbacks of the same era? (They're not more prone to rust or anything like that?)
To be honest, I don't think I can justify the (lack of) practicality as a daily runaround, but it'd be a shame to dimiss them without looking into it...
So, what are they like to live with day-to-day? I'm particularly interested to hear from anyone who's also run a 145 or 146 for comparison. I'm assuming the servicing requirements are running costs will be more or less the same as the equivalent TS engined hatchback?
A few questions:
Can you get a decent bike rack for the non-spoiler GTV?
What sort of MPG could I expect?
Are there any issues they're more susceptible to than the hatchbacks of the same era? (They're not more prone to rust or anything like that?)
To be honest, I don't think I can justify the (lack of) practicality as a daily runaround, but it'd be a shame to dimiss them without looking into it...
So long as you can live with the lack of practicality compared to the 145/146 then I would go for a GTV. They seem less prone to floorpan corrosion than 145/146s but many of them suffer from ripply flanks due to the panels being soft and the design susceptible to car park dings. They handle better in my opinion and as you say they are still a lovely looking car. I would try and find a nice early 1996/97 GTV with the metal cam covers, these earlier engines sound fantastic and seem a bit quicker than the later cars even though the quoted horsepower was 5bhp down.
Be careful to check the rear suspension on the GTV, if it sits with the wheels splayed and knocks over bumps then you could be into some expensive repairs, oh and don't buy a red one as they fade badly.
Be careful to check the rear suspension on the GTV, if it sits with the wheels splayed and knocks over bumps then you could be into some expensive repairs, oh and don't buy a red one as they fade badly.
I`m currently doing 60 mile round trip commute in my TS GTV, about 50/50 motorway and a/b/country roads. I dont hang about and get about 34MPG. I dare say if I stuck to 70 or less it would get 35-37.
Reliability wise its been fine for the last 2.5yrs/20,000 miles. In that time its had a new radiator + stat, new exhaust, rear arms polyflexed, new brake servo. Half the exhaust and the rad were the original parts as far as I can see, so fair enough for a car of its age.
Needs cambelt service asap, and could do with the aux belts/tensioners/idlers too.
Front end needs a little attention next, new wishbones and drop links and will probably treat it to new shocks and springs all round at some point.
Price wise they are in the doldrums ATM so you should be able to get a decent looked after example for £1k or less. Have a look at the 916 lounge on alfaowner.com
Reliability wise its been fine for the last 2.5yrs/20,000 miles. In that time its had a new radiator + stat, new exhaust, rear arms polyflexed, new brake servo. Half the exhaust and the rad were the original parts as far as I can see, so fair enough for a car of its age.
Needs cambelt service asap, and could do with the aux belts/tensioners/idlers too.
Front end needs a little attention next, new wishbones and drop links and will probably treat it to new shocks and springs all round at some point.
Price wise they are in the doldrums ATM so you should be able to get a decent looked after example for £1k or less. Have a look at the 916 lounge on alfaowner.com
Robbo101 said:
OP, whats your budget by the way ?
Flexible really. The driving experience and reliability are the important things so I'm not looking to pay a premium for show car cosmetics, but I thought I should be able to pick up something pretty decent for under £1500? The boot size is a real concern. If the seats folded it'd be fine, but even if we could get a bike rack for my requirements we'd probably struggle to fit my girlfriend's saxophone in the boot. Don't suppose anyone has a brochure or anything with the boot dimensions?
The main attraction of the GTV - aside from the looks - is that good examples seem to be more plentiful than decent 145 QVs or 146 TIs.
Quite like the look of this one: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3134918.htm
Chris, the boot is pathetic - really bad. If you get yourself a puncture repair kit and remove the spare wheel, that buys you a little more space, but if practicality is on your radar I wouldn't even consider a GTV. The rear seats offer a little more luggage space as shelves (they certainly aren't much good as seats). One thing I can say though is that mine was unfailingly reliable and completely rust free. The GTVs were galvanised to within an inch of their lives, so if you see rust then there's a good chance it could be a poor accident repair. They're also great fun - good engines, decent chassis, lovely exhaust notes. The only disappointment are the seats, which were seemingly developed for morbidly obese people.
.:ian:. said:
Do you want the rough dimensions of the boot?
That'd be great if you could - although perhaps the rear seat area is more likely to work.As for the bike, I realise that would have to go on a bike rack (not something I've done before, but sure I could live with it). The concern is the saxophone case and to a lesser extent a suitcase (not at the same time, fortuantely!) I suspect there'd be a half decent chance of getting them on the rear seat, but the boot is likely to be out.
If anyone on here is in the Herts or North London area and would allow me to come and try their GTV's luggage space for size briefly I'd be very much obliged!
.:ian:. said:
The boot is (roughly) 44" wide and 16" deep (front-back) height varies from about 16" to 24". The main constraint is the opening which is 10" across.
Thanks Ian.Hmmm, probably wouldn't quite go in through the gap.
The bari case is a weird shape, but it's basically 44 x 11 x (up to) 15". The tenor should fit, though, and that's what she plays most of the time.
Do you reckon you could get a full size suitcase across the back seats?
Had mixed fortunes on my first day of Alfa buying.
I went round the local dealers to see a GTV. It was a Phase 3 3.2 V6, but I was quite open about the fact I was mostly trying it for size and they let me have a good poke around.
The sax didn't quite go in the boot with the spare, but with a bit of a squeeze and a can of tyre weld in place of the space saver I reckon it might. It definitely fits on the rear seat and I reckon a full size suitcase would do too.
Coincidentally, the V6 drove beautifully. Is there much difference between the two? I drove an early Twin Spark a few years back that wasn't anything like as sharp or as composed, but I'm starting to suspect that one was just a bit tired. I can't deny the V6 was a big part of the appeal, though.
Oh, another random question. Can anyone hazard a guess at what the origins of an early Twin Spark GTV RHD import might be?
Wish I could afford to run one of those V6s. Lovely engine.
I went round the local dealers to see a GTV. It was a Phase 3 3.2 V6, but I was quite open about the fact I was mostly trying it for size and they let me have a good poke around.
The sax didn't quite go in the boot with the spare, but with a bit of a squeeze and a can of tyre weld in place of the space saver I reckon it might. It definitely fits on the rear seat and I reckon a full size suitcase would do too.
Coincidentally, the V6 drove beautifully. Is there much difference between the two? I drove an early Twin Spark a few years back that wasn't anything like as sharp or as composed, but I'm starting to suspect that one was just a bit tired. I can't deny the V6 was a big part of the appeal, though.
Oh, another random question. Can anyone hazard a guess at what the origins of an early Twin Spark GTV RHD import might be?
Wish I could afford to run one of those V6s. Lovely engine.
.:ian:. said:
RHD import will be Japan, only difference will be the overheat sensor on the cat.
Thanks. The reason I ask is I phoned up about on with its service history (perhaps its odometer still...) in km. It was known to be imported from somewhere, but the owner wasn't sure where.The owner sounded pretty clued up and very honest about its condition (which sounds to be pretty good). I probably can't make it over, so if anyone else is looking the one linked above sounds like quite a good prospect.
As for the V6 ... Well, I loved that engine (and I'm told the earlier 3-litre V6 is even better?) but I simply can't afford to buy a good V6, let alone run one. My other car does sub-20 mpg (when it's running) so I need vaguely acceptable running costs from the weekday one! Obviously that's a relative thing. I could get a diesel Clio or something but I'd die of boredom pretty soon. Alfa it is, then...
otolith said:
Chris71 said:
The bari case is a weird shape, but it's basically 44 x 11 x (up to) 15". The tenor should fit, though, and that's what she plays most of the time.
Buy her such a good sop that she only ever wants to play that?
I think she's already got a soprano somewhere. Anyway, judging by the cost of the Yanagasawa alto good saxophones cost more than Alfas...
robsco said:
What's your budget Chris?
Don't have a firm limit, but I wasn't planning to spend much more than about £1,500 - preferably less. It's the running costs that concern me with the V6 as well. I know the TS isn't hugely economical for a light-ish car with a four cylinder, but I reckon it's just about manageable.To be honest, I am leaning more towards a 145 QV, but still keeping an eye out for a good GTV.
Chris71 said:
Don't have a firm limit, but I wasn't planning to spend much more than about £1,500 - preferably less. It's the running costs that concern me with the V6 as well. I know the TS isn't hugely economical for a light-ish car with a four cylinder, but I reckon it's just about manageable.
To be honest, I am leaning more towards a 145 QV, but still keeping an eye out for a good GTV.
The V6 is such a sublime engine and the running/maintenance costs aren't a million miles away from the TS. They burn less oil, have stronger and longer lasting belt assemblies and servicing is barely any dearer. £1500 could just about squeeze you into a V6 too. Anyway, don't let me influence you. To be honest, I am leaning more towards a 145 QV, but still keeping an eye out for a good GTV.
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