This wasn't supposed to happen

[CHN]

I've decided to sell the GTV Cup and keep the 996 C4 as the Alfa hasn't been getting use since the Porsche came along. It makes no sense to now keep both with the rising costs of motoring, so the GTV's had an oil change and I've spent the last couple of days running it about to take some photo's and make sure that there are no issues.

I've fallen back in love with it and find it so much more fun to drive than the 996 and now I'm not sure I'm making the right decision. I'd forgotten how sublime the engine is, so smooth and eager, its deceptively quick (slow by todays super quick car standards) but enough to hurtle you up to illegal speeds before you know it, and the sound...

Maybe it was the combination of novelty and rare sunshine, maybe it was the sound drivng through the narrow Usk street with the V6 burble echoing off the shops, but I loved every minute of it. I just know that what was fun in the GTV would've been a different experience in the Porsche where stupid speeds are needed to feel like you're pushing it.

Edited by CHN on Tuesday 4th June 12:08

[98elise]

The GTV cup is a lovely car. One of the cars I should have owned by now

[CHN]

98elise said:

The GTV cup is a lovely car. One of the cars I should have owned by now

It certainly is, it has a few quirks but it is a damn fine car. If it was rear wheel drive, it would be perfect. I'm really stuck on how to proceed now.

[Krikkit]

CHN said:

98elise said:

The GTV cup is a lovely car. One of the cars I should have owned by now

It certainly is, it has a few quirks but it is a damn fine car. If it was rear wheel drive, it would be perfect. I'm really stuck on how to proceed now.

Keep it! You'll get serious sale-remorse next time you see one on the road.

[valverguy]

sell the porka, and go on holiday. My 2ps worth

[Speed_Demon]

Sorry OP, but that looks fantastic.

[CHN]

You're not making this any easier...

Is there an image restriction on here for posts? I was going to add a few more photo's but they're not appearing on my Ipad, which is just show a small box on the post where the image should be.

Edited by CHN on Tuesday 4th June 12:28

[richb77]

If you can afford to keep it, keep it.

The GTV is a future classic (IMO) and it looks in great nick.

Echoing the other comments. Its a car i have always desired but lack of funds then a family meant i have never gotten round to it. And your right. RWD would have made the GTV a world beater.

[podwin]

I did really like these, but think they have become dated now, especially at the back.

Same with the 406 coupe.

[BorkFactor]

I have never even heard of a GTV Cup, but that is one of the few Alfas that I really like the look of.

Lovely

[J4CKO]

That is lovely, always had a soft spot for the GTV in general, they can be had for pennies (not the cup though).


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALFA-ROMEO-GTV-VERY-GOOD...

No bids yet, ok its a Twin Spark but its a pretty special car for shed money, not sure why they are so cheap, is it the reliability reputation that puts people off, the age or the fact it runs on petrol ?

I know they are FWD which might have a bearing but I dont think I am actually all that bothered, I can enjoy either.

[SturdyHSV]

I don't think I could sell mine either. The poor thing doesn't get as much use as it deserves as the Monaro gets so much of my fun time, but when the sun's out and that engine sings, it puts the biggest smile on my face, and I love it.

[MKnight702]

CHN said:

I just know that what was fun in the GTV would've been a different experience in the Porsche where stupid speeds are needed to feel like you're pushing it.

I think this would apply to most modern sports/super cars, and it's why I can't get fired up about the Porsche 997, BMW M whatever, EVO etc etc My Westfield Eleven is far slower than any of the above, but by God it is fun and I don't have to reach licence losing speeds to enjoy it.

[paranoid airbag]

Think you have your answer OP. If you have funds to run one fun car, and two fun cars, you should keep the one that you find more fun, not the one that magazines/whatever tell you is more fun.

You should, of course, take the porsche out on a hoon just to check

[Blue Oval84]

Sell it and you'll regret it forever if you're getting remorseful already!

[Otispunkmeyer]

Sell the Porsche.

If you miss it in sure a nice 996 will be easy to find again.

[carinaman]

valverguy said:

sell the porka, and go on holiday. My 2ps worth

There's your holiday:

'Another Pininfarina tribute is scheduled for later this year, with a rally of Pininfarina cars driving from London to Monaco.'

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...


Treat yourself to the drive to Monaco and back and getting the Catalysed exhaust manifolds replaced if that's not already done, though then it wouldn't be original as it left the factory.

Perhaps it'll sound as good reverberating off of the walls of Monaco as it does in Usk? Does Usk have a tunnel?

Just remember to record the sounds for us here.

[CHN]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm still troubling over the decision though, mostly because I've wanted a 911 since I was a kid I suppose. Its definitely opened my eyes though, the Porsche is a great point to point car, but its not really great fun to drive.

I've been looking at quite a few cars lately, from an Nissan R32 GTR to something new and more sensible, but having driven the car for the first time in a long while just for the sake of driving, I now find myself hankering for something more organic and romantic, maybe a restored classic Alfa which I've always loved. Something race prepped and 200bhp max!

Time to hit the roads again...

[carinaman]

A Q2 and a trip to Alfaholics?

[soad]

It sounds even better than it looks.