Alfa GT V6 | Spotted
Buy a Busso V6 for £4,000, receive free car with purchase
We all know by now that old engines appeal more than ever. These days interesting engines are notable by their scarcity; while forced induction and hybridisation is getting better seemingly by the month, it’s hard to properly replicate the joy of natural aspiration. And in 2025 there really aren’t many of those left at less than six figures, if at all.
Which means those of us without big budgets can look on a bit despairingly. Because as well as expensive new engines, the classics are being priced out of reach because of their old school appeal. That joy of a fizzing four, soulful six or thunderous eight is becoming harder and harder to get hold of. The simple pleasures afforded by a great engine - the cold start grumble, the growl under load, the rush to the redline - feel difficult to come by when everything more than 20 years old with more than 2.0-litres seems to be at least £10k.
But there is some hope, in the very handsome form of the Alfa GT. It hails from that amazing time of two decades ago when Alfa Romeo could sell a pair of two-door coupes at the same time (this and the Brera) while offering a pair of a different 3.2 V6s - the GT had the Busso, the Brera the later JTS. Sometimes the mid 2000s doesn’t feel so much a different time as a different planet altogether. And while neither were the best sports cars in the world, they looked great and, in the case of the GT, came with the iconic Busso V6 engine. Which is sort of worth the price of admission alone, especially when that price is just four thousand pounds.
Perhaps because the GT never received Alfa’s GTA badge, and maybe since we’re more fond of hot hatches and sports saloons than front-drive coupes, this car with this engine hasn’t appreciated like the 147 and 156 with the same powertrain. The very best GTAs can now nudge £20k, while even the best GTs only tend to muster five figures. Then there’s this one, in seemingly decent condition, for £3,995.
It’s not perfect at this money, of course. While the last two MOTs aren’t too scary, the GT has endured a fair few advisories over the years, which is never the best sign. The paint looks a little tired, though likely nothing a weekend with a machine polisher couldn’t sort. The interior, for 21 years and 120k, seems really good indeed.
It’ll always be wise to approach an interesting old car with a contingency fund, because stuff inevitably just wears out and makes important bits feel sloppy. There's the reality of running costs to consider as well - this Alfa is rated at almost 300g/km and little more than 20mpg. Which is sort of why we can’t have incredible motors in affordable new cars any more. But here’s the proof that they’re alive and well in attainable modern classics. The mileage of this GT means it’ll probably never be worth a great deal; all the more reason, then, to forget about that aspect of old car ownership and enjoy the best bit: an engine to die for.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO GT V6
Engine: 3,179cc, V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 243@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 295g/km
First registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 120,000
Price new: £27,300
Price now: £3,995
I only drove the 2 litre version of the GT and it was ok but not inspiring. My GTA had a 1.7 lock to lock rack on it and upgraded brakes and handled superbly with the Q2 diff. I don't think (someone correct me!) that the V6 GT has any of these things.
It's such an evocative engine though and I prefer it out of all the cars I've ever had (including TVR V8 and my current Jag V8) and it revs superbly - maybe just buy this for £4k and don't spend too much cash keeping it alive?
I think these are great looking things, they drive very well (few 1000 miles spent in the 2lt diesel version) and with that v6 engine will make all sorts of wonderful noises.....
If I thought I could buy it and get 5k miles without things breaking on a regular basis I would be very tempted.
I found the preceding GTV far more compelling.
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It was very much a stopgap model being essentially a rebodied 156 launched I presume because the Brera wasn't yet ready but curiously sold well after the Brera and 159 were launched on the new platform, though sales in the latter years were dire.
That said, it had its fans precisely because it was built on the older lighter platform and with the Busso engine. Pretty interesting car and good value in the absence of the GTA tax
I want a busso just to see what all the fuss is about, the paper figures are pretty average, it must have a lot of character to make up for that.
For reference in terms of 6 cylinders I had a vr6 which I didn't rate an an s54 which was amazing. Just a busso left to try now, but I'm not sure it will be worth it.
I found the preceding GTV far more compelling.
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Agreed, I drove a V6 GT and didn't think it better than the diesel Passat I went to the garage in.
Much preferred the V6 GTV I bought later.
I only drove the 2 litre version of the GT and it was ok but not inspiring. My GTA had a 1.7 lock to lock rack on it and upgraded brakes and handled superbly with the Q2 diff. I don't think (someone correct me!) that the V6 GT has any of these things.
It's such an evocative engine though and I prefer it out of all the cars I've ever had (including TVR V8 and my current Jag V8) and it revs superbly - maybe just buy this for £4k and don't spend too much cash keeping it alive?
Steering identical. Turning circle of a super tanker but really direct.
We also owned a Mk1 TT V6 after our Alfas. The VW V6 was great in fairness.
Don't get me wrong, it's a really enjoyable engine, but if you have any experience of a DOHC V6 from the 90s onwards, or a BMW straight six then don't expect to get your socks blown off, it absolutely doesn't live up to the hype.
I think, like people thinking the Rover V8 is wonderful, that it comes from a time where your point of reference was some utterly woeful wheezing four pot in a Ford or if you were lucky one of their equally dreadful V6 engines, or maybe the E6 in your dads Austin Princess. Against those it was fabulous, but by the time everyone (even Ford) was making decent V6s in the 90s it was a great engine but there wasn't really any clear water between it and the competition.
Don't get me wrong, it's a really enjoyable engine, but if you have any experience of a DOHC V6 from the 90s onwards, or a BMW straight six then don't expect to get your socks blown off, it absolutely doesn't live up to the hype.
I think, like people thinking the Rover V8 is wonderful, that it comes from a time where your point of reference was some utterly woeful wheezing four pot in a Ford or if you were lucky one of their equally dreadful V6 engines, or maybe the E6 in your dads Austin Princess. Against those it was fabulous, but by the time everyone (even Ford) was making decent V6s in the 90s it was a great engine but there wasn't really any clear water between it and the competition.
Don't get me wrong, it's a really enjoyable engine, but if you have any experience of a DOHC V6 from the 90s onwards, or a BMW straight six then don't expect to get your socks blown off, it absolutely doesn't live up to the hype.
I think, like people thinking the Rover V8 is wonderful, that it comes from a time where your point of reference was some utterly woeful wheezing four pot in a Ford or if you were lucky one of their equally dreadful V6 engines, or maybe the E6 in your dads Austin Princess. Against those it was fabulous, but by the time everyone (even Ford) was making decent V6s in the 90s it was a great engine but there wasn't really any clear water between it and the competition.
I don't want to piss on the engine, in the 70s and 80s it was a great engine at a time when almost all mainstream engines were awful to mediocre, but going into one in 2025 you need to manage your expectations.
250bhp from 3.2 NASP litres with no variable valve control and port injection is very good!!
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