Alfa GT...

emurphy

So I'm thinkin of buyin an alfa GT.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/GT/Sportivo/200931194761577/advert?channel=CARS

First off I think they are a great looking car. This one appeared clean although it wasnt exactly bright when I looked at it.

I viewed this one this evening. Took it for a test spin.

Before we got going it didnt start first time he had to take out a booster to get it going and then the engine warning light came up and stayed up during the test spin.
Now I understand it had been sitting there not started for a few weeks as the guy said but I would have thought the battery light would have come up not the engine light.
It didnt feel right either I've owned diesels before but this felt rougher now that could just be the type of car I dont know it just didnt feel right to me but again I could be wrong.

He was offering it to me for 4500 plus my 2ltr Mazda 6 which has 87k miles on the clock, 04 clean car. Top spec as well air con, cruise control etc..

I dont know how good the offer is.

So with all that said what would you advise? Does it sound like I should walk away or is there anyone that can look at these for you like rent a mechanic?

Anyone own one want to give me an idea of what to watch for?

Thanks a mil for any input.

unkel

Engine light on = run like hell

If it's something minor, they would have fixed it.

waraf

unkel wrote: »

Engine light on = run like hell

If it's something minor, they would have fixed it.

Yes but it's a second hand alfa so the electrics are probably a bit wonky and the car is just trying to tell you it needs washer fluid. When the washer fluid light comes on is when you should really panic :D

Seriously though, walk away. There are plenty of second hand alfas around so wait until you find one you're happy with.

EPM

unkel wrote: »

Engine light on = run like hell

If it's something minor, they would have fixed it.

+1

Seriously not worth the risk. And you have your own doubts about it too so that should be enough

emurphy

ok thats that then so. 3 replies and 3 walk aways. Cheers lads. I'll keep looking. In fairness it was the first one I looked at.
I think i'll wait till the new year for the prices to drop as well and hopefully there'll be a couple more online.

vengeance52

Run away, esp of they put the pic online with the engine warning light.

There are lots of better GTs out there, and if you spend another 2k, you can get an 06 model thats a bit fresher.

bazz26

This one looks good value, 2 years younger, lower mileage and a nicer colour:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200946195866343

Might be worth in the long run to stretch your budget.

mondeo

Always fancied the Alfa Gt, need a bang up to date service history though, not sure if the elecs are a worry on these or not. Owned a 156 and it was a smashing car except the elec work.

vengeance52

Prob sold on, but Lex Luthor on boards here had a stunning GT for sale awhile ago, you should check it out.

techie

Op, I used to have a 147 , same inside as a GT, I can't see the engine light on in the pics above, the seat belt light is on and the Bulb light is telling you there is a light gone somewhere, I bet its the back license plate bulb too!

vengeance52

techie wrote: »

Op, I used to have a 147 , same inside as a GT, I can't see the engine light on in the pics above, the seat belt light is on and the Bulb light is telling you there is a light gone somewhere, I bet its the back license plate bulb too!

Sorry, my mistake. :rolleyes:

L1011

techie wrote: »

Op, I used to have a 147 , same inside as a GT, I can't see the engine light on in the pics above, the seat belt light is on and the Bulb light is telling you there is a light gone somewhere, I bet its the back license plate bulb too!

He said it came on after it was started from a jumper pack, it wasn't on in the pics.

The engine light on a Fiat diesel more often than not means the EGR valve is bolloxed, but obviously theres a whole range of other stuff it can mean.

grudgebringer

Lets face it, any Alfa is a 'risk'. People who own them do not go out to buy a reliable car but to own a little piece of driving magic.

I had an Alfa 147 2.0 Selespeed for all of 2 months, of that at least 1 of those months were spent at the garage on various diagnostic machines and with several Alfa mechanics scratching their heads asking questions like 'How were you driving it at the time?' .... Umm .... with my foot on the pedal and hands on the steering wheel ... it's an automatic, what else is there to do :P

Anywho, going off subject there, the GT is a Beautiful machine, but the one you looked at sounds really 'sick'. I would steer clear unless you are willing to pump mucho schillings and probably at least 1 meaningful relationship into it :pac:

With that said, you should really keep looking as you will find a great car out there and at a bargain price, the Alfa's depreciate so badly they are a draem for anyone looking for one second hand, maybe the 159's and newer models will not go down so fast as they have not quite got the same gremlins as their older brothers.

Personally, I can't wait to own and drive another one, makes my Saab 9-3 really feel like a bucket, I would really love to spring for the Brera, those babies are stunning , you raelly can't appreciate how nice they are until one leaves you for dust on the Motorway :cool:

Redsoxfan

Plenty of advice on the GT in this recent thread.

The car in the ad is near enough to Ti Autos (Gerry Campbell)-who might take a look at it for you.

Those are not 'upgraded' alloys-16s were the base in that car, and don't do it justice IMHO.

At 72k miles, look for evidence that the timing belt and water pump have been done-if not, walk away, or knock around €600 off the price and get it done ASAP.

NLane

grudgebringer wrote: »

the GT is a Beautiful machine...

I would really love to spring for the Brera, those babies are stunning

+1 and +1!! my 147 will have to suffice for the next few years!

NewApproach

Walk. Its only a warning that a bulb is gone in the photo, but if your not 100% happy when buying any car, let alone an Alfa, you're best to walk away. Its a buyers market, no need to settle for anything substandard.

If you end up buying it and something where to go wrong, you would only end up kicking yourself for buying when you had a doubt originally.

Lex Luthor

vengeance52 wrote: »

Prob sold on, but Lex Luthor on boards here had a stunning GT for sale awhile ago, you should check it out.

ya I sold it back in July for a snip.

Just getting back to the OP's post about the engine sounding a bit rough...thats the nature of them...they sound like dogs when started especially if they have been sitting for a while. Its only when they get going you find out how good they are

vengeance52

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1393643.htm

tempted to go north or Uk??

Redsoxfan

vengeance52 wrote: »

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1393643.htm

tempted to go north or Uk??

That's a nice looking car, but not worth anywhere near the advertised price.

emurphy

ok thanks for all the replies. I think this ones out but I will keep lookin. The north thing might be a good option. How do you work out the VRT and is that the only expense in bringin a car down?

Atomic Pineapple

emurphy wrote: »

ok thanks for all the replies. I think this ones out but I will keep lookin. The north thing might be a good option. How do you work out the VRT and is that the only expense in bringin a car down?

Let me know you get on, the more I read up the more interested I am in a GT.

VRT is the only cost apart from travel costs etc...

To calculate it use the VRT Calculator

Redsoxfan

You won't find many GTs up north. Better off looking in the UK.

Nonoperational

There is chance the warning light is only because the battery is low. Often a low battery casues electrical gremlins in the GT.