thoughts on this gta please

[ukwill]

Alfa GTA owners - your thoughts on this would be much appreciated

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1452220.htm

[jezb]

Looks very nice and probably about the right price for a low mileage one. Should have had belts done but you probably know that.

[ukwill]

Crikey, the pics dont do it justice. It's mine now. I'll put some better pics up soon.

[jezb]

Happy days

[MattyB_]

From "What this like?" to "It's mine" in 4 hours? Good work. Looks a good 'un. If you don't mind me asking, what did you get it for in the end?

[chim500nj]

Did he throw in the "moody looking girlfriend" in picture one to seal the deal?

She has perfected that classic female folded arms/not interested stance that my wife has when any type of car is being either sold or purchased!

Lovely looking car by the way.

Edited by chim500nj on Sunday 24th January 00:57

[ukwill]

MattyB_ said:

From "What this like?" to "It's mine" in 4 hours? Good work. Looks a good 'un. If you don't mind me asking, what did you get it for in the end?

I know. Am I mad or what - 24hrs earlier I hadn't even thought about a GTA. I tend to stick to German cars. Generally steering clear of Italian blood. Have always loved the looks, but too scared to think about ownership

I was the one buying it, not selling it - I paid £9k for it. I'm going to join the AO forum and get my geek on. I know nothing about these cars, but have always liked them. I'm going into Alfa ownership with an open-mind. If I can get on with this car for a year or two, I might jump for an F430. If it doesn't go so well, I will probably go back to Pork.

I am very interested in the Rotrex SC option. Do you know anyone with this kit? I'm seriously considering it and I haven't even picked the car up yet

[ukwill]

chim500nj said:

Did he throw in the "moody looking girlfriend" in picture one to seal the deal?

She has perfected that classic female folded arms/not interested stance that my wife has when any type of car is being either sold or purchased!

Lovely looking car by the way.

Edited by chim500nj on Sunday 24th January 00:57

LOL! I didn't notice that at first. Good attention to detail!

Cheers - first thing Im going to do is get it professionally valeted as those pics really do not do it justice. I didnt realise that the black on these cars isn't really "black" its like a charcoal/midnight grey/black metallic. Lovely. I'm itching to get started. Just wish it were spring.

[MattyB_]

ukwill said:

I know. Am I mad or what - 24hrs earlier I hadn't even thought about a GTA. I tend to stick to German cars. Generally steering clear of Italian blood. Have always loved the looks, but too scared to think about ownership

I was the one buying it, not selling it - I paid £9k for it. I'm going to join the AO forum and get my geek on. I know nothing about these cars, but have always liked them. I'm going into Alfa ownership with an open-mind. If I can get on with this car for a year or two, I might jump for an F430. If it doesn't go so well, I will probably go back to Pork.

I am very interested in the Rotrex SC option. Do you know anyone with this kit? I'm seriously considering it and I haven't even picked the car up yet

You'll have a bit of reading up to do then TBH, the only real/major problem with GTA's is the exploding diff, and as your's has the Q2, thats no longer an issue. Other than that, its checking the top engine mount (easy & cheap, so no big problem) and getting the belts done if they haven't been (about £500). Seems like a well looked after example, so its probably sorted.

As for the S/C, I don't know of anyone with that alone - I know of one guy, but he had the 3.7 underneath it shortly afterwards. There's a couple of us with 3.7's, and another couple with both 3.7 + chargers that I know of - don't expect people to be forthcoming about it on AO, for some odd reason (theft worries? Endless hassle?) the convertees stay pretty quiet.

IMO, I'd take the 3.7 over the S/C. Slightly more money, and a bit less power, but you keep with the ethos of the car, and you don't have the S/C whine getting in the way of the V6 noise. Although saying that, I'd probably investigate AHM's 3.8 conversion first...

[ukwill]

MattyB_ said:

ukwill said:

I know. Am I mad or what - 24hrs earlier I hadn't even thought about a GTA. I tend to stick to German cars. Generally steering clear of Italian blood. Have always loved the looks, but too scared to think about ownership

I was the one buying it, not selling it - I paid £9k for it. I'm going to join the AO forum and get my geek on. I know nothing about these cars, but have always liked them. I'm going into Alfa ownership with an open-mind. If I can get on with this car for a year or two, I might jump for an F430. If it doesn't go so well, I will probably go back to Pork.

I am very interested in the Rotrex SC option. Do you know anyone with this kit? I'm seriously considering it and I haven't even picked the car up yet

You'll have a bit of reading up to do then TBH, the only real/major problem with GTA's is the exploding diff, and as your's has the Q2, thats no longer an issue. Other than that, its checking the top engine mount (easy & cheap, so no big problem) and getting the belts done if they haven't been (about £500). Seems like a well looked after example, so its probably sorted.

As for the S/C, I don't know of anyone with that alone - I know of one guy, but he had the 3.7 underneath it shortly afterwards. There's a couple of us with 3.7's, and another couple with both 3.7 + chargers that I know of - don't expect people to be forthcoming about it on AO, for some odd reason (theft worries? Endless hassle?) the convertees stay pretty quiet.

IMO, I'd take the 3.7 over the S/C. Slightly more money, and a bit less power, but you keep with the ethos of the car, and you don't have the S/C whine getting in the way of the V6 noise. Although saying that, I'd probably investigate AHM's 3.8 conversion first...

Indeed, I've been on there most of this afternoon Thanks for the info re: the top engine mount, I will ask when I put it into the garage (I think I'm going to use either Ruspers or Bianco as they appear to be the better regarded specialists closest to me). As for "the belts", the seller took his to AutoDelta for the Q2 and several other "bits" and was told his belts didn't need doing yet (at 38k). Whilst that might be the case, I'm still going to have them done, along with the water pump/tensioners etc. (be interested to see if its the metal impellor or not). I guess it is low mileage to have this work done, but I know I will feel much happier in my own mind having this work carried out early in my ownership.

The car also has the ali sump guard and billstein coilovers, although the billys were put on by the original owner (not the current one), so I have asked him to find out the exact version. It felt a touch crashy/a bit too stiff on the rebound, but then I havent driven a "hot hatch" for a fair few years, nor have I driven any other GTA so I don't really know what to expect. I think a play with the settings will be in order along perhaps, with a geo session.

Do you guys do any Track Days? I was hopefully looking forward to get back into them again as I haven't done any for about 8yrs or so. I think it will be the quickest way for me to learn more about how this car handles - especially with the Q2 diff.

Strange to hear that the SC/Upgraded owners on AO are quite secretive. Coming from the Pork world, where even on this forum, there are innumerous threads related to tuning etc. on far, far more expensive machinery, I find that a bit odd. I will have to learn the secret handshake!

Edited by ukwill on Sunday 24th January 18:00

[MattyB_]

Interesting that you mention Jano didn't recommend new belts at 38k - while its true they don't need doing then, as 60k is the dealer recommendation, for the cost vs potential damage (especially as you can't get these engines anymore, its about £2.5k plus fitting for a recon) I wouldn't like to go much further over 40k. And yes, get the metal pump if you can.

In terms of trackdays, not many, although they organise the occasional one through the forum.

Not heard much about Bilsteins, the Koni/Eibach combo, KW's or Autodelta stuff seems to be the preferred choices, but that's probably due to cost...the Bilstein's are a quality item so it'll probably just need some tweaking to suit your style.

Enjoy though

[V6Alfisti]

Yep the belts are definitely due now, they are officially 5 years or 72k (whichever comes first), most change at 60k though. Metal pump will save you lots of grief, many specialists won't fit anything else.

[Chimune]

Looks like a very nice car.

What MattyB said.

WOuldnt wait till 60k !!!!

[JR]

ukwill said:

I am very interested in the Rotrex SC option. Do you know anyone with this kit? I'm seriously considering it and I haven't even picked the car up yet

Don't forget Matt's earlier post:

MattyB_ said:

First things first - I wouldn't expect to walk away from that well known specialist with much change from £10k. My reciept came to more than that, mainly because while the engine is out, its a good time to get anything done - service work (alternator, rad etc) which are difficult/expensive to do later. Then you have the options, which are tempting - Ferrari TB, manifolds, cams, etc...

Secondly - I just don't think its worth it. Ignoring all the other bits which you'll no doubt get carried away with (like I did) and assuming you stick with the £6k base 3.7 (stage1, 315bhp, its another £2k for Stage2, 328bhp) you could buy second fun/track car like a VX220, something you'll get far more enjoyment out of rather than 60bhp on a car which in all honesty doesn't really lack power.

On the upside - its fantastic, it really is. Massive, linear power, gorgeous noise, and they did a great job on the install. Mines been perfectly reliable. I suppose the other upside is that you'll be a member of an extremely elite club, owning something very special and extremely rare. It does make me feel warm and fuzzy inside Mines the only white one in the UK! Got mine converted 18months ago, and I still can't ever see myself selling.


But TBH, if I bought another GTA, all I'd do is suspension, Q2 diff, induction and exhaust, followed by a custom remap. It'll still be blindingly quick, you'll probably RR at about 260-270bhp and you'll have a fat wodge of cash in your back pocket to spend on trackdays/tyres/whatever. I'm also pretty confident that you'll enjoy it just as much.

Oh, and you won't get bum-raped by insurance companies like I just have :/

Don't buy the cheaper one of their suspension, I had it previously and I've just swapped out to KW V2's, much better, although Jano did offer to give me better springs and better valving on the suspension. Get the fully adjustable stuff they do, its not much more.

If you're looking at their 348mm (?) brakes, they are bloody fanastic, expensive though and total overkill, the 330's off latter GTA's with good pads (like the Performance Friction stuff) are plenty good enough. Jano did take me out in a blue one with them, and I was seriously impressed.

LSD - their Quaife one is stupendously expensive. Unless your planning on major trackday work and big (and I mean big, 400bhp+), the Q2 is more than good enough for road/light track work, and its a 1/4 of the price.

Despite their hefty price, AD do good work, he was always very accomodating. Any questions though, fire away.

[P17_GTA]

ukwill said:

Cheers - first thing Im going to do is get it professionally valeted as those pics really do not do it justice. I didnt realise that the black on these cars isn't really "black" its like a charcoal/midnight grey/black metallic. Lovely. I'm itching to get started. Just wish it were spring.

Congrats, looks great.
Same colour as mine I've just sold at the weekend too.
You do actually get a proper flat black paint and a lighter metallic grey paint also, this colour is a nice inbetween though!

[ukwill]

Thanks for the comments guys. Much appreciated. Looking forward to having a bit of fun with this car - just hope I've bought a good one (fingers crossed).

Had a chat with Auto Lusso (they've done a fair bit of work on it for the guy I've bought it from), and am going to book it in for the following:

cambelt, idlers, tensioners, water pump, spark plugs & gaskets, rocker cover gaskets

Then I'll feel more secure

Also had a chat with AD re: the SC kit (as I'm really only interested in the SC Stage2 kit). Will be going up there to see "one they did earlier". Not too sure I should take my wallet with me though

Edited by ukwill on Monday 25th January 15:14

[MattyB_]

Well thats done it then

Get him to take you out in the 3.7 too, before you put your money down (which I'm sure you will!).

[Robert060379]

Good buy there chap. I did email to see if they'd take two rusty 33's in part exchange but haven't heard back as yet.

[ukwill]

Absolutely gutted.

I put the deposit down last Saturday, with the intentions of picking it up this Saturday. The owner had previously had an HPI check done when he purchased the car, but for peace of mind, I carried mine own check out using mycarcheck.com.

It turns out that mycarcheck.com has this vehicle listed as stolen/recovered. HPI do not.

I phoned mycarcheck to find out what was going on. Apparently they list data that HPI & Experian choose not to. I'm left with a car that, according to HPI is ok, but according to another carcheck provider, has been stolen/recovered in the past.

My gut tells me to walk. Which I am really, really gutted about.

[MattyB_]

ukwill said:

My gut tells me to walk. Which I am really, really gutted about.

This sounds odd to me. "Lists information that HPI chose not to?". Can they provide any information about this?

HPI offer a guarantee service that will refund you for any losses due to gaps in their info. And you say the current owner HPI'd it and it was clear - is there a possibility that it was stolen/recovered in his ownership and he's just not being 100% honest??

But if you've any doubts, walk away...