Alfa GTV V6 Questions

[Lewis's Friend]

I am very taken with these cars, and think they look to be a real bargain at the moment. I'm contemplating getting one as a second car in about 6 months time (sadly I could never afford to run one as an only car!).

However, I am put off by the running costs. I would not be looking to do huge miles, and would happily search around for the right car. But in reality I could not really justify buying a car that would need £1000 a year spending on it as a matter of course.

I seem to hear very different reports of these cars. Some say they are terrible, while others would have it that a properly serviced car is no worse than any other. What is the general concensus?

Also, what are the weak points to be aware of?

Any help and points of view would be most appreciated.

[Andy665]

I'm on my second so can give you some real life experience

Things to look out for - recent cambelt change - its generally acknowledged that 36 months / 36k is the best / safest intervals - if not done budget for £500

Lots of people bang on about a Powerflexed rear end - my current V6 is on 62k and still has original rear bushes that were given a completely clean bill of health by a well know Alfa specialist 1000 miles ago

Nice to find one with a Quaife or Q2 diff but not the end of the world if its not been retrofitted

Basically look for a good history, condition and history are more important than mileage, they are robust cars if well maintained

Lots of cars being broken so secondhand parts are pretty widely available

Buy a good one and you'll be fine - buy a poorly maintained one and you'll hate it

[Lewis's Friend]

Thanks for that.

I would look to spend a little more at purchase time to attempt to save money later on. I don't mind spannering either to a certain degree, but the engine bay looks a little cramped...

I ran a Jag XJ8 for a while, and to be honest I would probably be expecting similar mpg, and general costs - which is to say fuel was best not thought about but spares were not too bad. As long as the car was bought with the known weak points already addressed.

I would be looking to go into this with a similar approach if that sounds reasonable?

[SturdyHSV]

Just to chime in too, I've had a GTV V6 for just under 2 years.

It's done about 5,000 miles whilst I've had it, as it was, for a while, a third car, and is now technically my first car but still doesn't get used much as I walk to work.

The first service was ~£600, although this is only thanks to Jamie & co at Alfa Workshop, the time they spent with it they could have had me over a barrel... Turned out the connection on the ECU from the throttle was a poor link, which was diagnosed after completely re-wiring it, swapping most of the parts with his V6 and so on... It's now soldered on and won't be a problem again. New ECU would have been VERY expensive...

Second service was cambelt time, and turned out it needed a new radiator, bringing the total up to around ~£800, which, for the mileage it had done in the time, was a bit of a shame, but the cambelt was frankly a little overdue based on the rule of halving what Alfa say to do...

It has done 79,000 miles, and the bushes are still apparently in perfectly acceptable condition, so have no need to powerflex it.

It's only let me down once, which was last Tuesday when the MAF failed. AA man & I failed to diagnose it at the roadside, so it was a 1 mile tow home. Pieced it together the next day, unplug the MAF and it runs fine. Bought replacement MAF (trying out cheap alternative first @ £40, as Bosch original is ~£160) and attempted to fit it tonight, but due to some impressive corrosion around the lip that holds it in place, going to need to attack it with a dremel or some such, which I've just lent to a mate.

Anyway, moving on, they aren't a cheap car to run compared to the purchase price, but as Andy hinted at, lots are being broken up, so there are lots of spares, and there's a wealth of knowledge on AlfaOwner. Mechanically, they are a sound car, electrically they are an Italian car, both of my problems have been electrical, but neither were enough to stop that epic V6 heart from beating.

Also, budget in some money for an exhaust. It would be a crime not to

[Darren156]

What's been said to you already really. I've owned 4 GTV's, 2 V6's and 2 Twinny's, all BRILLIANT!!!

Try and find one that's been cared for and had MONEY spent. Cambelt, tensioners, polly bushes, recent clutch etc. They are terrific cars if looked after but alot of them get neglected and eventually stuff goes wrong and the owner will just blame it on 'being an alfa' rather than the real fact that they just havent looked after it.

I picked up a real gem about 2 years ago. Bright red she was, with all the work mentioned above, plus a GTV plate. Bought it for £1500. Got made redundant so had to sell it but got £1800 for it. My other one was Sargrasi Green (Think that's right???) with tan leather. Also a V6. Bought that one for £2000 and drove it for a year without any issues.

Gorgeous cars that go like stink! Makes me wonder why people buy the Alfa 156 GTA for £5000 when these bad boys are bargains of the century!!!

[Esseesse]

I've had a GTV TS for 2 years, and then a V6 for 3 years.

It's very easy to spend £1000 in a year if you want to keep it in good shape.

[Lewis's Friend]

Hi Guys

Thanks again for the input. From the sound of it, I think I would have to budget similar money that I did when running my Jag. I do like them, so may look to get a nice one with lots of remedial work done and only look to keep it 6 months or so (and hope the bug doesn't bite me too bad)...!

I think they may be too rich for my taste for much longer than that at the moment. Sadly my first house has relagated me towards the cheaper end of the car market for a while...

[Allandwf]

Superb cars, loved mine. Ran it for two years, budget on around £500 everytime it went near the garage to keep on top of it. Clutch usually needs the flywheel done at same time, ate front tyres. Would I have another... yes.

[Darren156]

Just to be a photo slag, here is my old GTV V6:

Edited by Darren156 on Saturday 18th May 20:02

[paul makin]

is it 36k belt changes on the V6?, i've had several in different Alfa's and always used the 70k schedule with no problems at all - oops!.

i know some specialists will state that "in their opinion" the 72k interval is "too long" and would be interested in other's experiences with this as i'm going back to a V6 GTV once i find the right colour combo

regards, paul

[Esseesse]

paul makin said:

is it 36k belt changes on the V6?, i've had several in different Alfa's and always used the 70k schedule with no problems at all - oops!.

i know some specialists will state that "in their opinion" the 72k interval is "too long" and would be interested in other's experiences with this as i'm going back to a V6 GTV once i find the right colour combo

regards, paul

V6 is fine on 60k (and probably 72, but I'd go with 60).

TS is not fine on 60k let alone 72. Must be 36k.

[Lewis's Friend]

Again, thanks for all the input.

Sadly, I think I may have to hold off until maybe a year hence, when hopefully the majority of the house stuff I have coming up is complete. Much as I'd like one, they do seem to be fairly pricey to run compared to the purchase price.

I will have one though, but I think getting one now would be unwise. Not even creative man maths has been able to sway me...!

[robsco]

paul makin said:

is it 36k belt changes on the V6?, i've had several in different Alfa's and always used the 70k schedule with no problems at all - oops!

I worked on 48k/4yrs on my V6s, off recommendation from specialists. The Twin Sparks are the most notoriously fickle for late belt changes.

[RichardParker90]

How are the 1982-87 gtv-6's? I've been looking around for a first car. Have heard a lot about these. Pretty handy with a spanner. Reliable enough for a first car choice? Cheap enough to maintain for with uni and all?