3.0 GTV's - Any experiences?
Discussion
Hi, just wondering if anyone on here has owned or driven a 3.0 GTV?
I have read a few articles which all state that it's a great drivers car, but I would rather the opinions of the PH massive.
Now that newer ones are approaching £10K they look a serious contender for my next car. I love the look and rarity of them, just wonder why they never really sold.
So - What are they like to drive and own?
Thanks in advance, DD
I have read a few articles which all state that it's a great drivers car, but I would rather the opinions of the PH massive.
Now that newer ones are approaching £10K they look a serious contender for my next car. I love the look and rarity of them, just wonder why they never really sold.
So - What are they like to drive and own?
Thanks in advance, DD
PDV6 has got one of these. He's also filled the history in on his profile.
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=2981
DAZ
Hey PETE, if you read this any chance of shrinking the piccy. My monitor would need to be 3 feet to cope.
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 9th September 19:26
www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=2981
DAZ
Hey PETE, if you read this any chance of shrinking the piccy. My monitor would need to be 3 feet to cope.
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 9th September 19:26
To address Dick's query:
The ownership experience is not as painful as rumour would suggest. I've had mine for 2.5 years from new and have done relatively high milage in it. As you can see from my profile, I had a few niggles early on that were sorted under warranty and everything else has been accidental/self-inflicted.
As a driver's car, its pretty good. Its no rear wheel drive, 450bhp monster but its quick enough (0-60 6.5s ish, 155mph all out) and handles pretty well (passive rear wheel steering), if a little nose heavy.
DougT also has one, but the best resource is probably www.gtvv6.com
Don't ever buy one as a practical car - rear seats are for small kiddies only and the boot is a joke! If you're 6ft or over, avoid sunroofs (don't need one anyway; the climate control is pretty powerful).
Bottom line is that its a lot of car for the money. Its an old design but still turns heads and is a reltively rare sight. For the fully paid up petrol head, the engine is a work of art and the V6 soundtrack always raises a smile.
I'll be happy to answer any specific questions.
The ownership experience is not as painful as rumour would suggest. I've had mine for 2.5 years from new and have done relatively high milage in it. As you can see from my profile, I had a few niggles early on that were sorted under warranty and everything else has been accidental/self-inflicted.
As a driver's car, its pretty good. Its no rear wheel drive, 450bhp monster but its quick enough (0-60 6.5s ish, 155mph all out) and handles pretty well (passive rear wheel steering), if a little nose heavy.
DougT also has one, but the best resource is probably www.gtvv6.com
Don't ever buy one as a practical car - rear seats are for small kiddies only and the boot is a joke! If you're 6ft or over, avoid sunroofs (don't need one anyway; the climate control is pretty powerful).
Bottom line is that its a lot of car for the money. Its an old design but still turns heads and is a reltively rare sight. For the fully paid up petrol head, the engine is a work of art and the V6 soundtrack always raises a smile.
I'll be happy to answer any specific questions.
I had a two litre one (not the same I know) before my boxsters and I absolutely loved it.
Importantly, and relevantly, it was a pretty solid beast and I never had anything go wrong with it in over 50,000 miles.
I think the V6 currently represents very good value for a car that looks better than a TT and sounds better than pretty much anything else...
Importantly, and relevantly, it was a pretty solid beast and I never had anything go wrong with it in over 50,000 miles.
I think the V6 currently represents very good value for a car that looks better than a TT and sounds better than pretty much anything else...
I've had one of these too, fantasic car. I didnt have one problem with mine that was the fault of the car. Some little hooligans had a go at it for me and thats when I found out how expencive the parts are.
When your buying used, make sure it's full Alfa history, or better still a reputable specialist
When your buying used, make sure it's full Alfa history, or better still a reputable specialist
Hi
Had a 2 litre one for 2 yrs and a 3 litre for 2.5 years, both fine on relaibility.
First one had a squeeky steering wheel and a small rain leak into passenger footwell, dealer sorted it, and zilcho apart for one £120 service and one £170 service.
The 3 litre the same pretty much, except it was a squeeky clutch pedal and defective glove box, fixed by dealer, and the services were £140 and £280, can't complain at all.
Incidentaly, dealer servicing done by Fish Brothers in Swindon, as with current Sportwagon, and seem pretty good in my experience.
The 3 litre is a great car, enjoyed it hugely, a lot of car for the money and the engine leaves a TT sounding very dull. Had a great trip in rural France with it, inspiring drive.
Downsides, tiny boot, BUT the back seats shouldn't be called seats as they provide more than enough space for extra luggage(came back with 6 cases of wine and stuff on one trip) It's a 2 seater.
Also, front seats lateral support is pretty poor. When nailing it round bends with the window down as per, tend to find you are hanging on to the steering wheel..
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 13:18
Had a 2 litre one for 2 yrs and a 3 litre for 2.5 years, both fine on relaibility.
First one had a squeeky steering wheel and a small rain leak into passenger footwell, dealer sorted it, and zilcho apart for one £120 service and one £170 service.
The 3 litre the same pretty much, except it was a squeeky clutch pedal and defective glove box, fixed by dealer, and the services were £140 and £280, can't complain at all.
Incidentaly, dealer servicing done by Fish Brothers in Swindon, as with current Sportwagon, and seem pretty good in my experience.
The 3 litre is a great car, enjoyed it hugely, a lot of car for the money and the engine leaves a TT sounding very dull. Had a great trip in rural France with it, inspiring drive.
Downsides, tiny boot, BUT the back seats shouldn't be called seats as they provide more than enough space for extra luggage(came back with 6 cases of wine and stuff on one trip) It's a 2 seater.
Also, front seats lateral support is pretty poor. When nailing it round bends with the window down as per, tend to find you are hanging on to the steering wheel..
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 13:18
Cheers mate, you got any pics of your cars?
Unfortunately I have just taken a pretty low paid job (good for the career, bad for the toy fund!) so am having to put the car plans on hold for a bit.
DD
p.s. I went to sit in a new one at the local Alfa dealer and found that the seats were rock-hard. Have you found this, if so do they soften a bit?
Unfortunately I have just taken a pretty low paid job (good for the career, bad for the toy fund!) so am having to put the car plans on hold for a bit.
DD
p.s. I went to sit in a new one at the local Alfa dealer and found that the seats were rock-hard. Have you found this, if so do they soften a bit?
The seats in the phase-III GTV (147-style grill) have been lowered slightly but are oherwise almost exactly the same as the phase-II ones. According to the Alfa dealers, the phase-II seats are as low as they can go, so one might conclude that the phase-III's have lost some cushioning...
As Peter mentions above, lateral support is terrible. I slide around less in the 'shopping' Focus!
Actually, the seats in the phase-II Cup model are supposed to be a bit better, but I guess that's only because they are 1/2 leather. Other than that, they are identical. I imagine the cloth backs grip your shirt that bit better...
As Peter mentions above, lateral support is terrible. I slide around less in the 'shopping' Focus!
Actually, the seats in the phase-II Cup model are supposed to be a bit better, but I guess that's only because they are 1/2 leather. Other than that, they are identical. I imagine the cloth backs grip your shirt that bit better...
I've been quite pleased with mine. Had it 20 months or so and done around 16k miles (currently on 33k). It's never broken down (I'm tempting fate a bit there) and only suffered the usual GTV niggles (clunking suspension due to worn bushes, slightly erratic wipers, airbag light coming on), non of which have been excessively expensive to get fixed using an independant (+ a couple of punctures).
As a drivers roadcar I'd rate it as a good / very good. Performance is good, not up to M3's but fast enough for most things. Handling is also good although it rolls a bit too much and gets slightly front heavy if you really press it. The chassis seems to suit the sort or rolling but bumpy A/B roads I use in Derbyshire, just enough compliance to deal with the bumps without becoming too soggy or getting excessively uncomfortable.
Torque steer isn't too much of an issue as long as tyre pressures are correct. Traction can be a bit limited in the wet, especially from a standstill and over crests coming off roundabouts. Generally though, it's surprisingly civilised, more so than I expected.
Best thing is the engine noise, even though it's a bit quiet as standard.
I'm meant to be selling mine for a house move but I'm hoping no one will notice if I don't.
As a drivers roadcar I'd rate it as a good / very good. Performance is good, not up to M3's but fast enough for most things. Handling is also good although it rolls a bit too much and gets slightly front heavy if you really press it. The chassis seems to suit the sort or rolling but bumpy A/B roads I use in Derbyshire, just enough compliance to deal with the bumps without becoming too soggy or getting excessively uncomfortable.
Torque steer isn't too much of an issue as long as tyre pressures are correct. Traction can be a bit limited in the wet, especially from a standstill and over crests coming off roundabouts. Generally though, it's surprisingly civilised, more so than I expected.
Best thing is the engine noise, even though it's a bit quiet as standard.
I'm meant to be selling mine for a house move but I'm hoping no one will notice if I don't.
Dougt - just park it down the road and claim you've sold it to someone locally.
DD - dunno how to post pics on this site, got a pic of the silver 3 litre.
Edited
Oh yes, the other great point about the GTV is the steering - the small mechanical rear wheel steer make it a joy to drive through bends - the turn in is outstanding, and roundabouts don't involve getting your hands crossed up. When I first got the 2 litre (prior car GTV6), I was turning in way to early for corners initially.
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 14:26
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 16:37
DD - dunno how to post pics on this site, got a pic of the silver 3 litre.
Edited
Oh yes, the other great point about the GTV is the steering - the small mechanical rear wheel steer make it a joy to drive through bends - the turn in is outstanding, and roundabouts don't involve getting your hands crossed up. When I first got the 2 litre (prior car GTV6), I was turning in way to early for corners initially.
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 14:26
>> Edited by shoee on Thursday 2nd October 16:37
GTV's are great handling. You can take real liberties on roundabouts and get it a touch sideways if you carry a fair amount of speed into the bends - always entertaining, plus it's a pretty fool proof setup.
The only thing I've had with them is you need to get the door hinges tightened up every service. Make sure they do it as you won't get a solid seal with the window frame otherwise. We're only talking a fraction of a millimeter, but it's enough to cause wind noise if neglected. Also, check oil usage EVERY week!
The looks, interior, sound and individuality makes alternatives like my girlfriends TT seem as inspiring as a washing machine.
I'd say the only other downer could be slightly harsh suspension. Almost the same as the TT's in fact. This is one area the new GTA has massively improved upon - the handling is even better whilst being much more forgiving.
The only thing I've had with them is you need to get the door hinges tightened up every service. Make sure they do it as you won't get a solid seal with the window frame otherwise. We're only talking a fraction of a millimeter, but it's enough to cause wind noise if neglected. Also, check oil usage EVERY week!
The looks, interior, sound and individuality makes alternatives like my girlfriends TT seem as inspiring as a washing machine.
I'd say the only other downer could be slightly harsh suspension. Almost the same as the TT's in fact. This is one area the new GTA has massively improved upon - the handling is even better whilst being much more forgiving.
GTA said:
The only thing I've had with them is you need to get the door hinges tightened up every service. Make sure they do it as you won't get a solid seal with the window frame otherwise. We're only talking a fraction of a millimeter, but it's enough to cause wind noise if neglected.
This is a well known problem on the GTV, but if your dealer is blaming the door hinges, find another dealer!
As the doors are frameless, its a bit of a bugger keeping the glass in alignment (especially when passengers slam the door by pushing the glass
). There are a number of stops & limiters within the door that control where the window goes. Adjusting these is the usual cure and should be fairly straightforward*. *My local dealership seems to be incapable of doing this without breaking something else, but Autoglass got it spot on 1st time!
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