New Alfa Owner
Author
Discussion

IndyAndy777

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
quotequote all
I put a deposit on a very nice Alfa GT Blackline yesterday, I pick it up next Saturday. Very much looking forward to finally being a true petrolhead. biggrin

robsco

7,875 posts

198 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
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Congratulations. Once you've caught the Alfa bug, there's never a cure.

wrinx

680 posts

262 months

Sunday 11th September 2011
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Very nice those Blacklines...you're doomed now!

wrinx

IndyAndy777

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Monday 12th September 2011
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Cheers guys. I will post some photos up next week.


OperationAlfa

2,014 posts

219 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
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nice! smile which engine?

IndyAndy777

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
quotequote all
2 litre petrol. I was tempted by the 3.2v6 but the car is for the daily commute. I don't want a diesel, it is the fuel of the devil, so the 2 litre it was.

trashbat

6,215 posts

175 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
quotequote all
Welcome to the club!

I suggest you check out alfaowner.com for technical help - really good and not sure you get the same with any other non-specialist marque.

Must-dos with this car/engine are (1) check the cambelt has been done before 3 years/36k miles are up, and (2) regularly - perhaps weekly - check the oil level. The recommended 10W60 helps.

As a faintly beleaguered JTS owner, albeit in a 156, I also suggest you consider using injector cleaner every few thousand miles as preventative maintenance. Mine are in for a £700 repair at the moment!

1878

824 posts

185 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
quotequote all
Good choice!

As tb says above, be aware of the cambelt requirement on 3yrs.

Does the petrol benefit from waterpump chance at the same time or is that more of a diesel thing?

Keep on top of the maintenance and you've got a cracking car - gorgeous to look at, good to drive, and much more accommodating that might seem from the outside.

You'll soon overlook the comedy mirrors, rubbish view out the rear window, the airbag sensor under the passenger seat that will suffer from a broken connection, the bootlid that dumps water down an unsuspecting arm and the invisible corners. They're all part of the fun and I've no regrets 2.5 years into ownership of mine.

trashbat

6,215 posts

175 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
1878 said:
Good choice!

As tb says above, be aware of the cambelt requirement on 3yrs.

Does the petrol benefit from waterpump chance at the same time or is that more of a diesel thing?
The diesels' waterpumps are cambelt driven, and prone to seizing, so when they go they take the belt with them. I think the TS/JTS pumps are also cambelt driven, but they're certainly more robust and it's not a common failure like it is on diesels.

IndyAndy777

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
trashbat said:
Welcome to the club!

I suggest you check out alfaowner.com for technical help - really good and not sure you get the same with any other non-specialist marque.

Must-dos with this car/engine are (1) check the cambelt has been done before 3 years/36k miles are up, and (2) regularly - perhaps weekly - check the oil level. The recommended 10W60 helps.

As a faintly beleaguered JTS owner, albeit in a 156, I also suggest you consider using injector cleaner every few thousand miles as preventative maintenance. Mine are in for a £700 repair at the moment!
I will have a look at that site, thanks. The car has recently had the belt service done, which is a bit of luck. I'm used to checking oil after Evo ownership so that's a good habit to keep. Good point with the injectors,. Was that a main stealer of specialist price?

IndyAndy777

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
1878 said:
Good choice!

As tb says above, be aware of the cambelt requirement on 3yrs.

Does the petrol benefit from waterpump chance at the same time or is that more of a diesel thing?

Keep on top of the maintenance and you've got a cracking car - gorgeous to look at, good to drive, and much more accommodating that might seem from the outside.

You'll soon overlook the comedy mirrors, rubbish view out the rear window, the airbag sensor under the passenger seat that will suffer from a broken connection, the bootlid that dumps water down an unsuspecting arm and the invisible corners. They're all part of the fun and I've no regrets 2.5 years into ownership of mine.
I hadn't noticed the comedy mirrors, but I probably will now. biggrin

As for the rear view, it can't be any worse than the Evo with the massive wing in the way. I really can't wait to pick my new car up on Sat.

trashbat

6,215 posts

175 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
IndyAndy777 said:
I will have a look at that site, thanks. The car has recently had the belt service done, which is a bit of luck. I'm used to checking oil after Evo ownership so that's a good habit to keep. Good point with the injectors,. Was that a main stealer of specialist price?
Specialist (Autolusso Bournemouth), who's saved me quite a lot of money recently. My view is that Alfa specialists are not only better long term value than generalist garages, but cheaper on the day too - because without them you get that 'ooooh an Alfa' as they suck air through their teeth. Having this job done at a main dealer would probably have written off the car to be honest.

1878

824 posts

185 months

Sunday 18th September 2011
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So Andy, how is it? Or are you still out driving?

Stuck In A Lift

Original Poster:

2,948 posts

193 months

Monday 19th September 2011
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Sorry for the delay, I didn't want to post on Saturday when I got the car as I wasn't sure if I had made the right choice or not...

However, I am pleased to report that I'm one very happy Alfa Romeo GT owner. biggrin

I love all the cars features, although I do feel it would benefit from a rear wash wipe, and the comedy mirrors are just that- maybe left is right in Italy!

Edit to add- New car, new job, new PH login name. spin

Edited by Stuck In A Lift on Monday 19th September 19:59