Calling GTV owners
Discussion
Sorry, but the GTV is a very very special little car, the interior alone is reason to buy one.
Only negative:- The rack isn't as quick in the GTV as the 147/156 series cars.
PS: Worth adding a title, so that people can click through to the thread more easily - only those that know to press the folder icon will be seeing your thread
Only negative:- The rack isn't as quick in the GTV as the 147/156 series cars.
PS: Worth adding a title, so that people can click through to the thread more easily - only those that know to press the folder icon will be seeing your thread
V6Alfisti said:
Sorry, but the GTV is a very very special little car, the interior alone is reason to buy one.
As is the exterior. I went from a 2.0TS 147 to a GTV, albeit a V6. The 147 did the modern stuff better: had a better aircon system and the rain sensitive wipers were nice. The GTV is a lot more special from standing out in the car park to encouraging you to take the long way home.JR said:
V6Alfisti said:
Sorry, but the GTV is a very very special little car, the interior alone is reason to buy one.
As is the exterior. I went from a 2.0TS 147 to a GTV, albeit a V6. The 147 did the modern stuff better: had a better aircon system and the rain sensitive wipers were nice. The GTV is a lot more special from standing out in the car park to encouraging you to take the long way home.I still remember the lines of my old GTV....mmmmm, even the rather large bonnet with the 4 cut outs for the headlights.
Very special cars.
I remember when the 147 first came out - the local dealership gave me one as a loaner whilst the GTV was in for a service.
When I dropped it back, the service manager was all enthusiastic and asking me how much I liked the new car, to which my reply was along the lines of "meh". He looked really crestfallen until he checked his screen to see which mine was, then brightened up and said "Oh, fair enough then!".
When I dropped it back, the service manager was all enthusiastic and asking me how much I liked the new car, to which my reply was along the lines of "meh". He looked really crestfallen until he checked his screen to see which mine was, then brightened up and said "Oh, fair enough then!".
I went from a 1.6 147 to a V6 GTV, it was ace. Just do it. The only thing is the fuel bills. And also the time it takes to get anywhere doubles, as you tend to take the long way round more.
I'm not sure that I would go for the 2.0 GTV from a 147 though. Perhaps just not a big enough jump in power between the two. Shrug.
But just buy one, we only regret the things we didn't do
I'm not sure that I would go for the 2.0 GTV from a 147 though. Perhaps just not a big enough jump in power between the two. Shrug.
But just buy one, we only regret the things we didn't do
Yes, GTVs are really special. They are the best most capable car in the world, but every time you descend into the driver's seat, slam the excessively thick door to cosset you in, and look out the letter-box opening that passes for a front windscreen you know that it is better to travel than to arrive. Especially with a V6 engine in front and a slightly cheeky exhaust it is all the better.
I'm on my third GTV. Despite my second (a TS) being a complete disaster (after which the missus made me promise not to get another 
) I just couldn't resist and bought another V6 a couple of months ago. I love this car so much, probably as much as the Ferrari I had until recently - so if that doesn't convince you I don't know what will 
) I just couldn't resist and bought another V6 a couple of months ago. I love this car so much, probably as much as the Ferrari I had until recently - so if that doesn't convince you I don't know what will Letterbox front windscreen as mentioned - I find it fine, even with my head scraping the roof; just means I never need to use the sun visors
Tiny boot - Fair call, although you can squeeze a surprising amount in there as long as its fairly squashy!
Expensive insurance for what it is - Might be age dependent; I've just renewed at well under £400 fc
Terrible turning circle - yep
Back seats unusable - For adults, yes. Okay for small kids though (and as boot overflow space!)
Long doors - difficult for parking - True but not all that bad in practice.
Tiny boot - Fair call, although you can squeeze a surprising amount in there as long as its fairly squashy!
Expensive insurance for what it is - Might be age dependent; I've just renewed at well under £400 fc
Terrible turning circle - yep
Back seats unusable - For adults, yes. Okay for small kids though (and as boot overflow space!)
Long doors - difficult for parking - True but not all that bad in practice.
pdV6 said:
Letterbox front windscreen as mentioned - I find it fine, even with my head scraping the roof; just means I never need to use the sun visors
Tiny boot - Fair call, although you can squeeze a surprising amount in there as long as its fairly squashy!
Expensive insurance for what it is - Might be age dependent; I've just renewed at well under £400 fc
Terrible turning circle - yep
Back seats unusable - For adults, yes. Okay for small kids though (and as boot overflow space!)
Long doors - difficult for parking - True but not all that bad in practice.
i had 4 in mine at the weekend.. was a squeeze but for short journeys its fine!Tiny boot - Fair call, although you can squeeze a surprising amount in there as long as its fairly squashy!
Expensive insurance for what it is - Might be age dependent; I've just renewed at well under £400 fc
Terrible turning circle - yep
Back seats unusable - For adults, yes. Okay for small kids though (and as boot overflow space!)
Long doors - difficult for parking - True but not all that bad in practice.
Shameless it may be.. but mine will be going up for sale early may as i need a more practical car!
Its 97, Red, TS, Half leather, 99k with lots of history (With Service-MOT in Jan), 3 sets of wheels. Been faultless for my 15,000 miles all for a Bargain £1300
I've got a GTV V6 and love it. It's a phase 2 in black with red leather. Never had a car that has a such a positive reaction. Everyone loves it. The downside is that they are pretty expensive to run (and that's even after some of the other cars I've owned!).
Since buying it, I've had the oil cooler and pipes replaced. Next week the belts, water pump, etc are being changed due to the previous owner having them done last year at a normal garage. The issue is that they didn't use an Alfa cam lock tool so the timing is slightly out making the car run rough/rich. On top of that I need to get the AC sorted as it has a leak somewhere. I don't mind spending the money as this one's a keeper
Since buying it, I've had the oil cooler and pipes replaced. Next week the belts, water pump, etc are being changed due to the previous owner having them done last year at a normal garage. The issue is that they didn't use an Alfa cam lock tool so the timing is slightly out making the car run rough/rich. On top of that I need to get the AC sorted as it has a leak somewhere. I don't mind spending the money as this one's a keeper
Uhh, they are a bit heavy (considering how effing small they actually are), you will find yourself giving it backwards glances as you walk away, be carefull not to crick your neck..
If you do crick your neck doing this you will have problems craning your neck to see traffic lights out of the tiny low windscreen..
If you buy one in the only proper colour (alfa rosso) you will spend every sunny weekend thinking,, ooh, looks a little dirty, I`ll just give it a quick clean/polish/wax..
It has plenty of "quaint" eccentricities,, like no rain rail on the roof, and a windscreen thats flush to the A pillars.. this means if it has rained the roof will be covered in water (nicely beaded due to constant waxing
) and if the windows are open you will end up with a wet lap when you stop/start/turn the car..
The washer jets have a similar effect, partly because it seems to be designed for a bus with a huge acrage of windscreen, partly because style contraints meant the jets are on the wiper blades, and partly cos the the washer jet control system needs just a quick jab to go into "please flood the windscreen with copious amounts of water, and dont stop for a good 3 or 4 cycles of the wipers" to get it to not do this requires slightly longer pull on the stalk, which still chucks far too much water onto the screen.. I reckon thats a good 4 bottles of chianti based descision..
Oh, and remember the jets are on the wiper blades? So when the drivers side wiper is at 12'oclock the jets point towards the edge of the windscreen.. and remember the flush windscreen, so the water just rolls right off the edge and into the open drivers window! 'Fanculo!
If you do crick your neck doing this you will have problems craning your neck to see traffic lights out of the tiny low windscreen..
If you buy one in the only proper colour (alfa rosso) you will spend every sunny weekend thinking,, ooh, looks a little dirty, I`ll just give it a quick clean/polish/wax..
It has plenty of "quaint" eccentricities,, like no rain rail on the roof, and a windscreen thats flush to the A pillars.. this means if it has rained the roof will be covered in water (nicely beaded due to constant waxing
) and if the windows are open you will end up with a wet lap when you stop/start/turn the car.. The washer jets have a similar effect, partly because it seems to be designed for a bus with a huge acrage of windscreen, partly because style contraints meant the jets are on the wiper blades, and partly cos the the washer jet control system needs just a quick jab to go into "please flood the windscreen with copious amounts of water, and dont stop for a good 3 or 4 cycles of the wipers" to get it to not do this requires slightly longer pull on the stalk, which still chucks far too much water onto the screen.. I reckon thats a good 4 bottles of chianti based descision..
Oh, and remember the jets are on the wiper blades? So when the drivers side wiper is at 12'oclock the jets point towards the edge of the windscreen.. and remember the flush windscreen, so the water just rolls right off the edge and into the open drivers window! 'Fanculo!
My 156 20V Diesel is in for a service & MOT at the moment (don't ask...f
ing potholes) and I have a 16V GTV as a courtesy car.
What a fantastic car it is, I had one a few years back and this has reminded me of how much I regret selling it. In fact, I'm having unworthy thoughts about getting hold of an old one just for weekend fun.
Sorry, but I think that you should just go out and buy one, you know you want to.
ing potholes) and I have a 16V GTV as a courtesy car.What a fantastic car it is, I had one a few years back and this has reminded me of how much I regret selling it. In fact, I'm having unworthy thoughts about getting hold of an old one just for weekend fun.
Sorry, but I think that you should just go out and buy one, you know you want to.
alfaeagle said:
My 156 20V Diesel is in for a service & MOT at the moment (don't ask...fing potholes) and I have a 16V GTV as a courtesy car.
What a fantastic car it is, I had one a few years back and this has reminded me of how much I regret selling it. In fact, I'm having unworthy thoughts about getting hold of an old one just for weekend fun.
Sorry, but I think that you should just go out and buy one, you know you want to.
let me know if your thoughts become actions with regard to getting an old one.ing potholes) and I have a 16V GTV as a courtesy car.What a fantastic car it is, I had one a few years back and this has reminded me of how much I regret selling it. In fact, I'm having unworthy thoughts about getting hold of an old one just for weekend fun.
Sorry, but I think that you should just go out and buy one, you know you want to.
S3_Graham said:
let me know if your thoughts become actions with regard to getting an old one.
Sadly, I think that my thoughts are going to have to stay thoughts, for the moment at least.I'm looking at new upper wishbones, rollbar, front tyres, rear discs/pads, EGR valve and some other bits and pieces, all on top of the service/MOT costs.
That should give rise to a fairly non-trivial bill* later today, but hopefully will fix a few things that won't need attention for a while.
Thanks for the thought though, appreciated.
- Edited to add, £1148.99, ouch !!
Edited by alfaeagle on Wednesday 21st April 14:25
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