Although the new Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are jolly exciting cars for those of who like fast Alfas, there's no escaping the fact that they will cost a lot of money. Not bad value, because £70k or so is what it costs to have more than 500hp in a new car, but still a quite large amount of cash. Great for those that can afford a new one; not so great for those lusting after a V6 Alfa Romeo with a bank balance that's more fashion outlet than fashion week.
Typically, first thought would be to look at the 156 and 147 GTA. Nowhere near the new stuff dynamically, but beautiful to behold, easily improvable with some simple tweaks and blessed with God's own V6. Trouble is the market has begun to cotton on to the appeal of the GTAs; where once upon a time £5k might have snuck you into one, now at least twice that will be required.
So what about a Brera? Well, they're nice and all, especially with the Prodrive improvements, but it used the JTS V6 (i.e. the GM engine with an Alfa head) rather than the Busso. A deal-breaker for some, maybe not for others. What's needed, really, is a classic Alfa blessed with that V6 and which is a little under the radar...
Step forward the GT. Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2003 ahead of sales in 2004, it was everything you would have expected from a 21st century, pre-Giulia Alfa: supremely pretty, one or two nice engines, quite ordinary to drive. Using 147 and 156 bits meant the GT wasn't bad, but neither was it quite befitting of sports car status, particularly against what was, let's not forget, a competitive market back then: the Mazda RX-8, BMW Z4 Coupe and Nissan 350Z were all available, just for starters.
That said, time under the bridge means we look on flaws less critically - that an entire car comes around this engine will be enough for some, wonderful as it remains. This GT benefits from a crucial upgrade, however, in the form of a Quaife limited-slip differential. Bizarrely, Alfa only chose to fit its Q2 system to certain diesel GTs in period, meaning many buyers had to fit it (or something similar) themselves. The fact that so many GTAs and GTs are now for sale with it proves the differential's worth; this seller reckons that this one "puts the power down better on wet roads than the standard car does on dry ones", for example.
In addition, this GT has seemingly lived a very pampered life. While now through 100,000 miles, it was treated to more than £6k of work at 97,000, where the diff was fitted alongside a top end rebuild, new suspension arms, a new radiator and more. It's always run on super unleaded, the rust has been seen to and there are matching Continental tyres at each corner - always a good sign. That this GT is latest in a long line of Alfas owned by the seller - including a 164, a 166, a 75 and a GTV - only adds to the encouragement. Try reading the whole advert and then resisting an enquiry. It's harder than it seems.
So while £8,000 will also buy a comparable TT, Z4 Coupe or 350Z opting for the Alfa wouldn't be a hard decision to justify. Yes, it should have been a rear-drive model, but let's celebrate the GT for what it is rather than what it is not: a stylish, fast, rare, interesting Alfa sports car, blessed with a fine engine and apparently cared for regardless of expense. Put like that, £8,000 really doesn't seem very much at all.
SPECIFICATION | ALFA ROMEO GT V6
Engine: 3,179cc, V6
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 243@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 295g/km
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 112,000
Price new: £27,300
Price now: £7,995
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