alfa gt coupe 1.9 jtd
Discussion
due to employment im having to get rid of my current monaro.
im after a nice looking, quickish, cheap to run diesel.
ive slimmed it down to either a leon cupra tdi 150 (old shape) or the alfa.
the alfa hands down wins for looks, stunning car.
what are they like to live with? performance? reliablity? i understand the 1.9 is a shared gm-fiat unit? anything to look out for?
any information would be very helpful
cheers
im after a nice looking, quickish, cheap to run diesel.
ive slimmed it down to either a leon cupra tdi 150 (old shape) or the alfa.
the alfa hands down wins for looks, stunning car.
what are they like to live with? performance? reliablity? i understand the 1.9 is a shared gm-fiat unit? anything to look out for?
any information would be very helpful
cheers
I might be of some help, I've owned a 159 with the same engine since the end of January and could not be happier with it. Not let me down once, and I enjoy it vastly over the mark 3 Mondeo V6 I owned previously. Mine lives on the motorway and I get on average 50MPG out of it which drops to 47MPG for country roads / town driving.
Cambelt is the only thing i've been warned about and to get it changed before the recommended 90K interval Alfa set. I'm looking to get mine done soon (engine has covered 74k) and it looks like around £250 including VAT to get it changed. A remap can be done to take power from 150 --> 195 for £295 which is highly recommended on Alfa forums, looking also to get this done myself soon!
Cambelt is the only thing i've been warned about and to get it changed before the recommended 90K interval Alfa set. I'm looking to get mine done soon (engine has covered 74k) and it looks like around £250 including VAT to get it changed. A remap can be done to take power from 150 --> 195 for £295 which is highly recommended on Alfa forums, looking also to get this done myself soon!
Edited by alfaben on Monday 2nd May 18:02
I am also in the market for a GT jtdm. Having driven a few on test drives I have found nothing I can really criticise but would make the following observations:
Cambelt - If the car has done more than 45,000mls or is over 5 years old get the cambelt AND waterpump done or have this done as part of the deal. A 147 I had the waterpump seize and the belt slipped....£big bill later and all is ok!
Wheels - 18's look better but give a much harder ride. 17s are probably the best compromise but I wouldn't be too picky.
Clutch - All alfa clutches are heavy put if one is heavier than the other its more than likely more worn.
Stonechips are common on the front as is wear on the drivers seat but you can find mint interiors even on 60,000+ml cars.
Good choice by the way, have fun
Cambelt - If the car has done more than 45,000mls or is over 5 years old get the cambelt AND waterpump done or have this done as part of the deal. A 147 I had the waterpump seize and the belt slipped....£big bill later and all is ok!
Wheels - 18's look better but give a much harder ride. 17s are probably the best compromise but I wouldn't be too picky.
Clutch - All alfa clutches are heavy put if one is heavier than the other its more than likely more worn.
Stonechips are common on the front as is wear on the drivers seat but you can find mint interiors even on 60,000+ml cars.
Good choice by the way, have fun
cheers for the info guys, i think with the current prices these are a hidden jem! lets hope it says like that i will definalty enjoy the exclusivity!
im a little bit confused as to why the alfa can only manages 42 combined as appose to other cars with the same engine?
not complainin though, i only average 21 now anyway!!
im a little bit confused as to why the alfa can only manages 42 combined as appose to other cars with the same engine?
not complainin though, i only average 21 now anyway!!
I have a GT JTDm Q2 and I absolutely love it.
It's great fun to drive and even though it has a heavy old diesel lump up front. It sounds like a tractor on idle, but it doesn't mind being revved and doesn't sound all that bad when you're giving it some stick
Clutches can get stiff, but sometimes this can be an easy fix, an OEM clutch can be had for £150 if it comes to it. Door handles break, which cost £70 each, EGR valves soot up, but this can be rectified in half an hour and some carburetor cleaner and you may get some annoying rattles, but again nothing that can't be resolved.
This car replaced a V8 BMW and TBH if I had to choose between the two I'd take the Alfa
50 mpg is nice too
It's great fun to drive and even though it has a heavy old diesel lump up front. It sounds like a tractor on idle, but it doesn't mind being revved and doesn't sound all that bad when you're giving it some stick
Clutches can get stiff, but sometimes this can be an easy fix, an OEM clutch can be had for £150 if it comes to it. Door handles break, which cost £70 each, EGR valves soot up, but this can be rectified in half an hour and some carburetor cleaner and you may get some annoying rattles, but again nothing that can't be resolved.
This car replaced a V8 BMW and TBH if I had to choose between the two I'd take the Alfa
50 mpg is nice too
Its a superb motor the GT, perhaps not the most economical diesel on the planet but its a nice revvy motor, responds well to a remap with minimal impact on mpg.
Can be happily spanked around on a trackday, engine seems pretty much bombproof, not much goes wrong, but you will likely want to ensure that the belts/tensioners/waterpump have been done by 4yrs/60k as a precautionary measure as there was a spate of failures reported on Alfa owner. I had mine from new and sold it at 3yrs after doing 60k in it to fund the purchase of a family bus
those 60k were pretty much faultless and I did ~4 trackdays a year in it.
Only issues in that time, Hole in boost pipe from rubbing, power steering pipe leak and an exhaust split ( after a driver limits day on a very rough air field, was like off roading, well felt like it on 18s and rockhard coilovers I fitted
)
Can be economical when you drive it so (50+ mpg) and enjoyable, part of me thinks I should of bought another as its as quick as what I'm currently driving, more economical, more class and just as much fun (once tuned to my taste) does sound like a tractor at idle though, not as quiet as some.
I've spent so much time behind that dashboard having had a 147GTA prior I didn't want to do it again, definitely try and hold out for the factory Q2/Cloverleaf Q2 models as these have the LSD and uprated ARBs etc. 147 Q2 or 147 170bhp Ducati Q2 worth a look too.
Can be happily spanked around on a trackday, engine seems pretty much bombproof, not much goes wrong, but you will likely want to ensure that the belts/tensioners/waterpump have been done by 4yrs/60k as a precautionary measure as there was a spate of failures reported on Alfa owner. I had mine from new and sold it at 3yrs after doing 60k in it to fund the purchase of a family bus
those 60k were pretty much faultless and I did ~4 trackdays a year in it.Only issues in that time, Hole in boost pipe from rubbing, power steering pipe leak and an exhaust split ( after a driver limits day on a very rough air field, was like off roading, well felt like it on 18s and rockhard coilovers I fitted
)Can be economical when you drive it so (50+ mpg) and enjoyable, part of me thinks I should of bought another as its as quick as what I'm currently driving, more economical, more class and just as much fun (once tuned to my taste) does sound like a tractor at idle though, not as quiet as some.
I've spent so much time behind that dashboard having had a 147GTA prior I didn't want to do it again, definitely try and hold out for the factory Q2/Cloverleaf Q2 models as these have the LSD and uprated ARBs etc. 147 Q2 or 147 170bhp Ducati Q2 worth a look too.
Edited by sandys on Saturday 7th May 09:19
My dad bought one at the beginning of the year, apart from and engine management light and incompetent main dealers, the car has been a total delight. I have hammered it on country roads and it feels planted and very eager, especially for a diesel.
the car is currently doing 700 miles a week and it eating them up with glee. I think it is the best all rounder. There are very few beautifully styled, fun, immensely comfortable and economical cars out there.
one added note, people always smile at me when I am in it.
the car is currently doing 700 miles a week and it eating them up with glee. I think it is the best all rounder. There are very few beautifully styled, fun, immensely comfortable and economical cars out there.
one added note, people always smile at me when I am in it.
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