Alfa GTV 3.0 - what do I need to know

[Bargenosenti]

Having a moment of weakness looking at GTV again this afternoon, missed out on a cracker late last year due to delay on house sale.

Looking for an interesting car to tackle a couple of European trips this summer. Couple of examples in classifieds:

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use... - Teledials, but not a great ad to inspire confidence

Any pointers (or soon to be sellers) welcome

[DazzyGTV]

Great cars,
I'm currently saving to get another one.
Apart from general second hand car checks I would also check rear suspension and bushes all round (on test drive listen for any knocks) plus check power delivery is smooth and she pulls strong all through the rev range as there can be issues with the Airflow Meter. Also check everything electrical works.
If I think of anything else I'll let you know, good luck and enjoy if you get one, so cheap now, just got to find the right one.
ps. www.alfaowner.com could be a good site for you to check out.

[Ice White Socks]

If you are thinking European Travel then make sure the seats suit you. Personally I found the Momo leather looked fantastic but was unbelievably unsupportive- in fact I can't recall a more uncomfortable seat and is the reason I sold mine. The engine however...was a gem!

[Andy665]

The 3.0 suffers less than suspension problems due to different spec rear end, engine is bulletproof as long as its been maintained

I'd look for recent cambelt / water pump change or at least budget for it to be done, decent history

Buy on price / history / condition rather than age / mileage

I'm on my second, never really got on with my first but the second is a keeper - last of the Ph2's with only 62k on the clock

[waynedear]

What is your budget, my mate is selling a beauty..£2400 I think, silver, red leather and all the belts done, has teledials as well..

link to advert, fyi Alfatune are bloody awesome, he will take less than advert price.
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/classifieds/showpro...

Edited by waynedear on Saturday 12th January 14:46

[Bargenosenti]

Whoa that's a coincidence im from st helens originally!

take it the car is fairly local in North West? looks great

[waynedear]

Yup, my mate Andy is selling it so his wife can get a Fiat 500, he still has a GT and a 155.
really is a great car and in fabulous condition, he live in Newton le Willows.
Gus at Alfatune is as good as they get in the Alfa world he has tuned 3 of my cars and worked on all of them.

[clarkmagpie]

I will shortly be putting my black 3.0 gtv with teledials up for sale and tan leather.
Looking around the £1750 mark
Water pump and belts done a couple of years ago.
Based in Carlisle.

[SWH]

As others have said, evidence of recent (or to schedule anyway) cambelt and idlers having been done - most other things that go are fixable without a lie down in a dark room after discovering the cost

[JACK6284]

I had one but had to sell it. Also check for the oil cooler leaking, this is an expensive repair. Even if you are good with a spanner it's a PITA job. Rear spring pans need to checked as these are not cheap.

[TA14]

SWH said:

As others have said, evidence of recent (or to schedule anyway) cambelt and idlers having been done - most other things that go are fixable without a lie down in a dark room after discovering the cost

After reading this I was about to post this:

JACK6284 said:

I had one but had to sell it. Also check for the oil cooler leaking, this is an expensive repair. Even if you are good with a spanner it's a PITA job.

[george123]

TA14 said:

SWH said:

As others have said, evidence of recent (or to schedule anyway) cambelt and idlers having been done - most other things that go are fixable without a lie down in a dark room after discovering the cost

After reading this I was about to post this:

JACK6284 said:

I had one but had to sell it. Also check for the oil cooler leaking, this is an expensive repair. Even if you are good with a spanner it's a PITA job.

Autolusso now sell the oil cooler as a kit with the pipes which Alfa no longer carry £220 all in
http://autolusso.co.uk/new_alfa_parts/344-gtv30-32...

my list of things to check would be:
- as above, recent cambelt, idlers etc change
- history of regular oil changes to show the previous owner have looked after it
- front wishbones in good nick with no play, not an expensive fix though
- as above, rear spring pans in good condition. They're designed to catch as much muck as possible, dig it out & check they're not corroded through. Around £200 each side for parts alone.
- front bumper lines up with edge of bonnet, if not could be the bumper irons are on their way out if its sagging. Re-con irons from Autolusso are £35 each
- no parking digs in the rear 3/4 panels. This can't be removed by Dentmaster etc so would be a more expensive fix at a body shop so factor in if so.

A well sorted one is a great little car. I'd look privately at ones from enthusiast owners (as the silver one mentioned above) like any niche car. The ones for sale from dealers all look over priced at the moment

[AndrewHolmes]

Double check the rear suspension for a powerflex bushes as once the OEM ones go it can mess up the sub frame.

As mentioned Auto Lusso are good for spares. I've recently bought a set of rear dog legs and spring pans to refurb. (New spring pans are £££'s).

Other bits:
- wipers: they do some strange things at times.
- rear heated screen fix.
- cambelt changes: alfa's recently reduced the changeover dates to 3yrs.
- buying from an club member (AROC / AlfaOwner) is a great idea. We're all suckers for these cars alfaowner.com forum is full of helpful posts.