Alfa GTV 2.0 TS....Any good?

[alex b]

I'm in a real dilema as to what car to buy next and the 2.0 GTV has appeared on my radar.

What I want to know though is are they any good?

I have driven a 3.0 for a weekend and the power from that was pretty good, if not too much for the fwd, is there a vast gap between the V6 & 2.0 in power?

Now I would love the V6, but I don't think I could get over the mpg.

Will a lowly 2.0 satisfy, my last car was a 944 S2.

Thanks

Alex

[wadgebeast]

While on paper there's a significant gap in terms of bhp and torque, you'll find that the twin spark puts the power down better and is better balanced since it's a lighter engine. Otherwise, it's the same interior and pretty much the same spec, although with more resilient rear suspension. The engine likes to be revved.

You might as well test drive one; there's plenty around. Recommend post 98 one with silver dash - it's a nicer place to be.

[patmahe]

I'm not alfa bashing here, I'm actually very tempted by alfa's myself, just thought I'd share something I read recently from a reputable website. In a reliability survey of all the major manufacturers Alfa finished last and the GTV was the worst car overall. 97% of them had had a warranty claim at some point. Thats not to say they'll break down its just they do have issues and you would need to be very patient to find a good one.

I love them so I really hope you find one - whatever you decide - the best of luck

[_Batty_]

alex b said:

I'm in a real dilema as to what car to buy next and the 2.0 GTV has appeared on my radar.

What I want to know though is are they any good?

I have driven a 3.0 for a weekend and the power from that was pretty good, if not too much for the fwd, is there a vast gap between the V6 & 2.0 in power?

Now I would love the V6, but I don't think I could get over the mpg.

Will a lowly 2.0 satisfy, my last car was a 944 S2.

Thanks

Alex

every second you spend driving a twinspark, you'll be longing for a V6.
you know it makes sense

[jamieboy]

alex b said:

is there a vast gap between the V6 & 2.0 in power?

Yes.

alex b said:

Will a lowly 2.0 satisfy, my last car was a 944 S2.

No.

Probably depends more on your driving style - for me, the 2.0 handled marginally better but the extra power of the 3.0 more than compensates. That is, the difference in handling is relatively tiny in comparison to the difference in power.

patmahe said:

just thought I'd share something I read recently from a reputable website. In a reliability survey of all the major manufacturers Alfa finished last and the GTV was the worst car overall.

This is the same survey that last year had the Porsche Boxster down as the least reliable car in the country. I'm not saying the results are worthless - I'm sure it accurately reflects the findings of the single warranty company involved based on whatever criteria and weightings they use, but I'd treat it with caution.

[Wombat Rick]

jamieboy said:

but I'd treat it with caution.

Or buy a Corolla.

Wow! That'd be something to tell the grandkids one day!

[judas]

I've had both: a V6 a couple of years ago and now a TS.

The TS is much more chuckable and better balanced than the V6. It also makes a very nice noise for a four-pot. It's a bit less thirsty - I get 22-25 mpg depending on how much fun I'm having.

Having said that I'd have a V6 over a TS any day of the week and twice on Sundays The V6 is a glorious engine - one of the greats - and it is much quicker. The only reason I didn't buy another was that I needed a 'sensible' car to balance out the silliness of the rest of the fleet

[wadgebeast]

judas said:

I've had both: a V6 a couple of years ago and now a TS.

The TS is much more chuckable and better balanced than the V6. It also makes a very nice noise for a four-pot. It's a bit less thirsty - I get 22-25 mpg depending on how much fun I'm having.

Having said that I'd have a V6 over a TS any day of the week and twice on Sundays The V6 is a glorious engine - one of the greats - and it is much quicker. The only reason I didn't buy another was that I needed a 'sensible' car to balance out the silliness of the rest of the fleet

22-25 mpg is pretty poor - are you driving in traffic? I thrash my TS on B roads, A roads, a few miles through town and 15 miles on the motorway and get 29 mpg. 70 miles a day is the reason I bought a TS instead of a 20 mpg V6. A V6 would be a toy, the TS I can justify.

[Rusty Moskvitch]

I have had a GTV TS for 10 years now, almost to the day. Reliebility over the 78,000 miles has been fine - only a few niggles which you would get with most cars. I have been getting about 33mpg on long runs and not hanging about either. The running costs are lower than a V6 - servicing, insurance and fuel. I also had a V6 for a while and can say the engine power was very enjoyable but 24mpg was achived over the same run where I get 33mpg with the TS. My TS is still running smoothly and really is a joy. I can't think of another car I want to own for the use I give it (long runs) except for a V6! Although not the most modern car around, the GTV is a wonderful looker and is (for me anyway) a joy to own. I really don't understand the reliability results. Just make sure it is properly serviced on time, by a good Alfa specialist and it should be OK. It will put a smile on your face every time you drive it.

[judas]

wadgebeast said:

22-25 mpg is pretty poor - are you driving in traffic?

It's mostly commuting, which consists of mostly stop-start traffic with a small amount of high speed hooning. Not exactly conducive to good fuel economy

[pdV6]

judas said:

wadgebeast said:

22-25 mpg is pretty poor - are you driving in traffic?

It's mostly commuting, which consists of mostly stop-start traffic with a small amount of high speed hooning. Not exactly conducive to good fuel economy

I get ~18mpg from my V6 for the same kind of usage profile.

[alex b]

Thanks for the info guys.

As I say I have driven the V6 over a weekend before as I used to work for Fiat/Alfa HQ.

The mpg is a biggy for me, so the TS is probably the better bet.

[AstonV12]

Guys

I am officially tempted by a 2.0TS or a V6, in a couple months, the specialist maintenance doesn'y bother me I'll take pride in it...

BUT...

How does it treat taller drivers? I'm 6'4...is the driving position adjustable enough?

Thanks in advance, and some great advice and experiences here...

[wadgebeast]

Dunno, I'm only 5'8"! Never heard any complaints, but then, mine's a soft top and the roof won't hurt their heads!

[_Batty_]

AstonV12 said:

Guys

I am officially tempted by a 2.0TS or a V6, in a couple months, the specialist maintenance doesn'y bother me I'll take pride in it...

BUT...

How does it treat taller drivers? I'm 6'4...is the driving position adjustable enough?

Thanks in advance, and some great advice and experiences here...

oooh, you might be pushing it alittle, im 6' and have the chair right back.....
test drive one

[pdV6]

I'm 6'2" and get on okay. The driving position is "Italian", so it can be a bit tricky to set it up exactly how you like.

Having said that, I run the seat all the way back and fairly reclined in order to be able to see out of the letterbox windscreen, which has the effect of shifting your head down from the roof.

Just be sure you get one without a sunroof, as I've driven one and found it ribbed an inch or so of headroom; just enough to be uncomfortable. Saying that, my brother in law is 6'4" and has a GTV with sunroof, so I guess it depends on your leg:body ratio as to how much effect it will have on you.

[Killer2005]

AstonV12 said:

I am officially tempted by a 2.0TS or a V6, in a couple months, the specialist maintenance doesn'y bother me I'll take pride in it...

How much "serious maintenance" is involved, and what sort of prices would I be looking at.

Going to spend 4k ish and the GTV is one of the cars I've been looking at, along with an Alfa 147, an FTO, and a Skyline

[Dr Bob]

wadgebeast said:

70 miles a day is the reason I bought a TS instead of a 20 mpg V6.

Hi Wadgebeast, How do you find the running / maintenance costs for that sort of mileage (what's that, about 20k p/a?)... I have a 70 mile commute (although I car share some days so my mileage is nearer 15k), and would dearly love a GTV - I test drove a v6 years ago and found the power overwhelmed the front end a bit (though that could have been this particular car), but for practicality could only justify the 2.0TS.

CH

[rustybin]

I am 6,4" and more body than legs as it were. I can find a way of fitting but I am not overly comfortable for long distances. The dwarf in the back has to sit on the near side if I'm driving and the O/S if Mrs rusty is driving. Strangely I have more problem getting comfy in the passengers' than the driver's seat (though there could be other reeasons for that ).

[wadgebeast]

I get pretty much bang on 30 mpg doing 70 miles a day. The car seems to go through about half a litre of oil every fortnight, say every 700 miles. The front tyres didn't last too long (7000 miles since I bought it), but they were on the car when I got it so I don't know the overall mileage that they achieved. I've had the tracking (front and rear) done so hopefully the new tyres will last a long time.

Only fault to date = broken thermostat. Cost £35 and about 2 hours to sort out.

Buy a good one with service history and an enthusiastic owner! I saw about 4 spiders over 3 months before settling on this one - the paintwork could be better, but the overall car was the best I could find.