GTV Cup

[rainmasterb]

Morning all, having sold my 944 Turbo I have to say I am very tempted with a GTV Cup - they seem like a lot of car for the money, with great looks and a beautiful engine and exhaust note.

I would be interested to hear peoples experiences of this car, and specifically, as I am 6'5", will I fit in it?

Thanks!

[PJ3074]

Personally don't think the cup is worth the premium over a decent GTV-6, especially if you get one with the aero pack. This will be at least £2k cheaper. GTV half leather seats are a bit naff (IMO) compared to full leather. If you have CUP money to spend, then look at the final edition GTV's - full drop nose design (offset number plate) as it's got the larger capacity 3.2L V6 "Busso" engine that would have been in GTA 'spec models. Also, ensure you have some cash spare for suspension related tweaks and poly bushes, if not already sorted. TBH, most quality GTV's in the 6 Cylinder camp would have been sorted by their owner. Worth signing up to the forum on AlfaOwner.com, as you'll get loads more advice and other related threads for information. If you also logon to www.alfaworkshop.co.uk there is a buyers guide (GTV in general), online parts store to gauge pricing etc.

Good luck - post a pic of what you decide to buy.
PS. If you buy an Alfa, they do become somewhat addictive

[rainmasterb]

Thanks for the advice. It's really the exclusivity of the cup which is drawing me to it, hoping that it will hold it's value better.

My plan would be to put a tan momo leather interior in it TBH

I read that the later 3.2 litre engine was not so characterful? What is the difference in performance?

[Chris Type R]

The GTV leather seats are nice to look at, but not very comfortable or supportive.

Useful buying guide here - http://www.alfalegend.com/buying_guide.htm

[Chris Type R]

rainmasterb said:

I read that the later 3.2 litre engine was not so characterful? What is the difference in performance?

The 3.2 in my GT feels "seat of pants" faster than my GTV 3.0. This also has a Q2 diff, which I think is a worthwhile upgrade.

Personally I'd also be looking at a phase 3 if one can be found. You may also want to try one on, as the roof is a little low.

[rainmasterb]

Was the q2 an option on the cup? Or the later 3.2?

[Chris Type R]

rainmasterb said:

Was the q2 an option on the cup? Or the later 3.2?

It's available as a retro-fit - http://www.autolusso.co.uk/performance/q2-differen... or http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/156-147-GT-Q2%20Diff...

[Luke.]

Chris Type R said:

It's available as a retro-fit - http://www.autolusso.co.uk/performance/q2-differen...

Seems pricey. Didn't it used to be £250 to buy and £500 to fit?

[Chris Type R]

Luke. said:

Seems pricey. Didn't it used to be £250 to buy and £500 to fit?

No idea - it was already fitted to my GT when I bought it.

[PJ3074]

OP...Don't know if you have looked on the PH classifieds, but Veloces of London have a 3.2 for sale!! - probably the only one for sale in the UK as not seen one up for ages. This is pushing £7K, but CUP's are in this bracket or £5K for one that's done 90K+ miles. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2568801.htm

I'd personally go for something like this....cheaper, lower miles and looks great in the blue. The aerokit gives it a CUP-esque feel to it and you'll have change for the Q2 Diff, which makes a big improvement.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2908594.htm

You'll also be able to afford-in either a Raggazon or SuperSprint exhaust system, which makes your GTV6 sound as near as damn it to a Fezza. The trouble with Red in general is you'll get fade, particulary where the plastic elements meet the metal ones, you get that grading in colour.

Don't get me wrong, the Cup is a lovely car..If you are buying to store it as a future classic, then I am sure it will make more money. But, to me its all about driving your Alfa. With the alternative option, you can cost in some nice goodies and have change.

[rainmasterb]

Thanks for the advice and I appreciate what you're saying

However, as the car will be a weekend toy, the aesthetics and nomenclature are just as important as ride and handling etc, and I'm afraid I can't get passed the red paintwork and 'cup' monicker, daft as that may seem

Just need to try one on for size now, as I you-tubed a car with the exhaust you mentioned and have fallen in love!

Sounds more like a v8!

[PJ3074]

If that's what you want, then who am I to tell you otherwise - Go For It!!

There are plenty of CUP editions on PH classifieds...But the Ragggggaaazzzooooooooon is a nice BIG BOOOOOM...this is a must have option to any V6 Busso engine'd Alfa...if you You Tube the sound of an F355, its pretty close mate.

Just make sure you set aside some coin for some bits and pieces that will need doing. Enjoy !

[rainmasterb]

Is there much room in the back? Enough for a couple of small skids?

[Luke.]

rainmasterb said:

Is there much room in the back? Enough for a couple of small skids?

And baby seats..

[crostonian]

I've never seen the value in the Cup. Red is a nightmare on GTVs due to variable fade, the half leather seats are OK but not as good as the rare full electric recaros and the bodykit looks a bit OTT compared to the Aerokit. Not sure about the later 3.2s, I feel that its not as sweet as the 3 litre and I still think the design is ruined as the front doesn't match the back!

[Chris Type R]

PJ3074 said:

OP...Don't know if you have looked on the PH classifieds, but Veloces of London have a 3.2 for sale!! - probably the only one for sale in the UK as not seen one up for ages. This is pushing £7K, but CUP's are in this bracket or £5K for one that's done 90K+ miles. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2568801.htm

That engine bay looks unloved. For the money and mileage a 3.2GT seems a better proposition.

[PJ3074]

Chris Type R said:

That engine bay looks unloved. For the money and mileage a 3.2GT seems a better proposition.

Yeah..doesn't look too great does it.
Just noticed a 3.2 was on the ads. The GT would provide better practicality as the GTV is basically a 2 seater and non-existent boot, but you wouldn't care if its a GTV6 you want? If looking at a GT, might as well throw in the 147 & 156 GTA's ... at this rate the OP will never make a decision

[crostonian]

Don't get the engine bay obsession, the alloy castings on the V6s of this age do oxidise, its nothing that a mornings elbow grease wouldn't sort. I'd rather buy one like this than one that's been tarted up, not everyone is so anal.

[alfa pint]

Luke. said:

rainmasterb said:

Is there much room in the back? Enough for a couple of small skids?

And baby seats..

But not much room for a pram unless you have no other luggage. You certainly want to remove the space saver and buy a can of tyreweld instead. It's certainly no family hatch and if you want a big boot, you'd be better off with a fiat coupe. However, it's a lovely place to be despite the lack of lateral support in the seats - the standard lusso leather momo seats are far nicer than the cup seats btw.

[Chris Type R]

crostonian said:

Don't get the engine bay obsession, the alloy castings on the V6s of this age do oxidise, its nothing that a mornings elbow grease wouldn't sort. I'd rather buy one like this than one that's been tarted up, not everyone is so anal.

True. But I find that it's an indication of how well the owner looks after the rest of the car.