Viewing a used alfa GT what qns should i be asking?

Cyrus

I am taking my fiancee to view this over the weekend

http://www.cbg.ie/Car_Detail.aspx?ID=3253692#

she is very interested in it. i realise the 1.8ts engine is the runt of the litter so to speak but she doesnt really care and coming from a 1.1 pug 206 it will be plenty fast.

so, i have been out of the alfa scene for a long time, what kinda things should i be checking.

Obviously the usual stuff applies:
ownership history
service history (is the TB interval still 36,000 on these)
condition of the bodywork and wheels etc

but what is the specific stuff to look at,

all help appreciate

thanks all

bazz26

I think the suspension is very vulnerable on these so make sure there is no knocking from it. Also make sure all the electrics work.

In fact I would try and get the seller's permission to have an Alfa specialist like Gerry Campbell in Ti Auto to give it the once over.

smash

check and ask about...

Wishbones
Oil
Belts
Air-bag light

Cyrus

steve06 wrote: »

check and ask about...

Wishbones
Oil
Belts
Air-bag light

why the airbag steve?

alias no.9

The main items are pretty much as you were for the 156. Timing belt is still recommended at 36k miles, tensioner and idlers too, listen for a noisey variator (diesel like clatter).

Thermostat - usually fails open, i.e. temp gauge sits at ~70° rather than 90°, so no risk of overheating.

Front Wishbones - both top and bottom wishbones at the front are prone to excess wear on our roads. Telltale sign is a squeaking/creaking at low speeds over bumps/speed bumps, try and get a speed bump in on the test drive.

Rear suspension bushings - listen for any knocking sounds from the back of the car, again over bumps/speed bumps.

smash

It was a problem with my GTV, and other Alfas. The pre tensioner under the passenger seat has a fit when the seat is adjusted and the light comes on. It's a recurring problem so some people bypass it completely by soldering the wires together.

I was just saying to check if the light is on or not.

Another thing is the water pump with the plastic impeller can fail, if it's had the pump done, ask if it's a standard or does it have a metal impeller.

voxpop

Do these have a tendency to bottom out and crack the sump like the 156 especially with heavier engines.

bladespin

Great cars

Check the belts are done as per schedule (36k miles or 3years) - by far the most important thing.

Top Wishbones and rear bushings wear (should be ok up to about 60k miles), squeaking over bumps and uneven tyre wear are give aways. It's a cheap fix so don't be put off by it, try to haggle a couple of hundred to fix.

Lusso suspension is soft but I haven't heard of any (156 either) cracking sumps, there's a bash plate that you can see under the sump, check it to be safe.

Check rear door/window seals for signs of leaks, some do, some dont.

I'd suggest looking at the diesel GT, brilliant engines and a lot more reliable.

Cyrus

bladespin wrote: »

Great cars

Check the belts are done as per schedule (36k miles or 3years) - by far the most important thing.

Top Wishbones and rear bushings wear (should be ok up to about 60k miles), squeaking over bumps and uneven tyre wear are give aways. It's a cheap fix so don't be put off by it, try to haggle a couple of hundred to fix.

Lusso suspension is soft but I haven't heard of any (156 either) cracking sumps, there's a bash plate that you can see under the sump, check it to be safe.

Check rear door seals for signs of leaks, some do, some dont.

rear door ??

bladespin

Cyrus wrote: »

rear door ??

Sorry was thinking of the 159 , window seals I should have said.

TheColl

give this thread a thorough read and you'll be well equipped with questions... very helpful stuff here.

Alfa 156/147/GT Buyers' Guide

unkel

Nice car, but are those pics recent? No mention of NCT, which was due last year (could be out more than a year). Tax out by nearly a year. Has this been off the road / for sale for a long time?

Ask some questions on the phone first, before you go out to see it, Cyrus

bladespin

Found these guys great, plenty of info and guides.

They're great for parts too: Jamie Porter Alfa workshop.

Cyrus

unkel wrote: »

Nice car, but are those pics recent? No mention of NCT, which was due last year (could be out more than a year). Tax out by nearly a year. Has this been off the road / for sale for a long time?

Ask some questions on the phone first, before you go out to see it, Cyrus

looks like an old advert renewed to me, ill be calling the lad today and grilling him about all that tho

Nonoperational

The 1.8 isn't a bad engine at all. Thirsty, but the twinsparks are really excellent lumps.

Redsoxfan

If it's mostly town driving, the 1.8 will be fine. The JTD is too sluggish at low revs to enjoy around town IMHO.

At the same time, the suspension tends to be very crashy on the GT-driving around Dublin can be a jarring experience on standard components.

Check that the cruise control functions-the pin under the clutch pedal is the main reason why it wouldn't. Of course you'll need to be cruising above 35/40 mph for the cc to function.

Other than a full service history, including the timing belt replacement and oil changes within the specified periods, I really don't think there should be much wrong with a car like this unless it's been driven hard.

steve06 wrote:

Another thing is the water pump with the plastic impeller can fail, if it's had the pump done, ask if it's a standard or does it have a metal impeller.

I thought this plastic impellor was only an issue on V6 engines? On the JTD, it would be the bearings that would fail and seize the water pump. I'm not aware that it's an issue in TS/JTS engines.

smash

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I thought this plastic impellor was only an issue on V6 engines? On the JTD, it would be the bearings that would fail and seize the water pump. I'm not aware that it's an issue in TS/JTS engines.

Maybe, I had a V6.

The Recliner

I bought a 1.8 Monza last week

I took it to Mayo and back at the weekend, there are some really bad roads on that journey and it didn't miss a beat

The engine is more than capable, overtaking wasn't an issue and the car was really comfortable and coped with the crap roads no problem and that is on the 18" wheels which supposedly give a harsher ride

Very happy with my purchase

Watch out also for a rattly boot lid, some needed extra screws put in to prevent this and check the electric windows, some have a mind of their own and need constant resetting

Cyrus

thanks all

we are gonna wait on another i think, spoke to the seller seemed like a nice genuine guy but the car needs a service, nct etc

wouldnt bother me by mrs cyrus cant be doing with the hassle im told:D

unkel

Cyrus wrote: »

thanks all

we are gonna wait on another i think, spoke to the seller seemed like a nice genuine guy but the car needs a service, nct etc

wouldnt bother me by mrs cyrus cant be doing with the hassle im told:D

Did the seller concede the car has been for sale for a long time?

Redsoxfan

The Recliner wrote: »

I took it to Mayo and back at the weekend, there are some really bad roads on that journey and it didn't miss a beat

The engine is more than capable, overtaking wasn't an issue and the car was really comfortable and coped with the crap roads no problem and that is on the 18" wheels which supposedly give a harsher ride

When you say 'crap roads' are you referring to bumpy roads or potholed roads? Having had my GT for 2 years, if you hit a pothole at any kind of speed (with 17" wheels), you would certainly know about it. My suspension was in ok nick as far as I know, but I've now swapped out the shocks and springs for Koni FSDs and Eibach springs. So far, so good.

The Recliner wrote:

Watch out also for a rattly boot lid, some needed extra screws put in to prevent this and check the electric windows, some have a mind of their own and need constant resetting

Silicone spray around the seals is also a good idea. I've had to reset my e/w the odd time, but it's not a huge issue for me.

The Recliner

Redsoxfan wrote: »

When you say 'crap roads' are you referring to bumpy roads or potholed roads? Having had my GT for 2 years, if you hit a pothole at any kind of speed (with 17" wheels), you would certainly know about it. My suspension was in ok nick as far as I know, but I've now swapped out the shocks and springs for Koni FSDs and Eibach springs. So far, so good.

Both, bumpy and pot holed

The only pot hole that caused me any major panic was somewhere in Roscommon, I was surprised the tyre didn't explode I went into it with such force (although I think it would have been the same in any car), it was night time and I missed it otherwise I would have tried to avoid it

But there are plenty of bumpy and pot holed roads on the side roads to the arse end of nowhere where my parents live and the car was excellent on it

I certainly found the car to be far more comfortable and smooth than the RX-8 I had previous

Cyrus

unkel wrote: »

Did the seller concede the car has been for sale for a long time?

i actually didnt ask him

he lost me at no nct needs a service etc

bazz26

Cyrus wrote: »

i actually didnt ask him

he lost me at no nct needs a service etc

And rightly so.

It's just plain stupid and pointless trying to sell a car these days with neither. It would also give me a clear indication that the current owner had very little interest in the car or it's upkeeping.