Another Alfa GT thread

Eoin

So I'm thinking of changing to one of these (1.9 diesel), but I'm wondering if I would be mad to do so. My current car (BMW e39 525) is quicker and is an auto - probably better suited for my commute, which is mostly motorway and national roads. On the other hand, I do tend to change every 2 years anyway, and I just love the look of the GT.

Admittedly, I haven't actually had a chance to drive one yet. I know that will make my decision a lot more informed, but it's hard for me to take time out to test drive one at the moment.

Has anyone driven the two cars for any length of time to be able to compare them? Do you reckon it wouldn't be worth changing?

unkel

You'll need to be in one and drive it, Eoin. Only a real love / passion* would be powerful enough to conquer your mighty E39

*I suspect this might not happen

drunkmonkey

I only test drove one but I liked it, for a diesel, i'm more than likely going to buy one, 04 - 05 ish, they seem to have gone thin on the ground again, there was a good few available at reasonable money a few weeks back, now there all gone up in price:( Don't want to spend more than 10k and don't want a larger than 2.0L engine, it seem like one of the best all round cars out there for a petrol head who needs a diesel..:o

Lex Luthor

I've owned a E39 523 and the GT diesel. Both great cars in their own right.

I loved the GT but if I had to choose between the 2 for longer commutes, I would go for the E39. I do a bit of miles for work and remember stepping out of the E39 and it was like I never even made the trip. My GT had the 18" rims so after about 100 miles it started to get tiring and the cruise control is not the friendliest to operate and used to really pi$$ me off at times.

Drive it and see...best of luck

Eoin

Thanks for the replies. I know it's stupid to be starting this thread without having driven one yet, but it's a real pain for me to take time off to test cars, so I thought I'd do some research first.

@Lex Luthor I don't actually have a long commute - it's only about 40 miles or so a day, but it is on motorways and national roads. Also, I've gotten the itch to change so it's probably a case of getting a GT or something else. The e39 has served me very well, I'm just too fickle for my own good!

@drunkmonkey - I think CBG have a couple that aren't on carzone. There's a lovely one in dark grey with red leather, which is probably my favourite combo.

The Recliner

eoin wrote: »

@drunkmonkey - I think CBG have a couple that aren't on carzone. There's a lovely one in dark grey with red leather, which is probably my favourite combo.

I think it is a pretty nice looking car in any combination of colour and trim

I have a black one with a black and red leather trim and it looks fantastic

It is petrol but as far as I know the 1.9jtdm in the Alfa is supposed to be a great engine

I ahve the 18" wheels too and don't find the car in anyway uncomfortable, actually it is one of the most comfortable cars I have driven, the seats are brilliant in it

But all the reviews do recommend the 17" wheels for the best ride

Cyrus

eoin wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I know it's stupid to be starting this thread without having driven one yet, but it's a real pain for me to take time off to test cars, so I thought I'd do some research first.

@Lex Luthor I don't actually have a long commute - it's only about 40 miles or so a day, but it is on motorways and national roads. Also, I've gotten the itch to change so it's probably a case of getting a GT or something else. The e39 has served me very well, I'm just too fickle for my own good!

@drunkmonkey - I think CBG have a couple that aren't on carzone. There's a lovely one in dark grey with red leather, which is probably my favourite combo.

that one on cbg has been there ages eoin id say its long gone, i emailed about it a while back heard nothing

ive been keeping an eye out for a few months now, very few good ones going

Eoin

The Recliner wrote: »

I think it is a pretty nice looking car in any combination of colour and trim

I have a black one with a black and red leather trim and it looks fantastic

It is petrol but as far as I know the 1.9jtdm in the Alfa is supposed to be a great engine

Black with red leather would definitely be very high up on my list! I've had 3 silver cars at this stage, so would like something different.

Cyrus wrote: »

that one on cbg has been there ages eoin id say its long gone, i emailed about it a while back heard nothing

ive been keeping an eye out for a few months now, very few good ones going

Well, that's another issue - they do seem very thin on the ground. Because I have no public transport links to work, it would be a major pain to sell my car and begin a search for a replacement (not that I would sell my car that easily). Mrs Cyrus had the same issue, didn't she? They seem to have strong resale prices in the UK as well, so that might not even be worth my while.

Atomic Pineapple

Theres a couple of Irish sections on the alfa owners forums, might be worth checking out?

Google Search

The Recliner

eoin wrote: »

Black with red leather would definitely be very high up on my list! I've had 3 silver cars at this stage, so would like something different.

It is a nice place to be

Eoin

draffodx wrote: »

Theres a couple of Irish sections on the alfa owners forums, might be worth checking out?

Google Search

Thanks for that - I will check those out if I get more serious about getting one; for the time being I'm trying to get more of an impartial view!

I'm trying to think with my head, and not my heart and weigh up what I would be getting out of it.

Eoin

The Recliner wrote: »

It is a nice place to be

That's gorgeous.

What's the minimum spec I should be looking for? Leather and Bose sound system would be high up on my list, but not sure what else I should be looking for. Large alloys wouldn't be a must have for me.

The Recliner

eoin wrote: »

That's gorgeous.

What's the minimum spec I should be looking for? Leather and Bose sound system would be high up on my list, but not sure what else I should be looking for. Large alloys wouldn't be a must have for me.

What you have mentioned there is a colour you like and nice looking wheels is pretty much all you need, it is a well specced car from standard

Eoin

Cheers. Do you have the same problem Lex Luthor mentioned with the cruise control?

The Recliner

eoin wrote: »

Cheers. Do you have the same problem Lex Luthor mentioned with the cruise control?

I have never used the cruise control, this is the first car I ahve had with it so it is not a habit I have

Having read the instructions it seems straight forward enough but I would go with the advice from someone who has used it above

Lex Luthor

The Recliner wrote: »

It is a nice place to be

same interior as my old GT. It's one of the best out there. If you're a big lad across the back, you'll find the seats very tight

eoin wrote: »

Cheers. Do you have the same problem Lex Luthor mentioned with the cruise control?

its not that I had a problem with it....I just thought it was so badly set up, it made it difficult to use.

One thing to check for is if the clutch pedal pin had been recalled to be replaced...mine went in heavy traffic and had to get a tow to the nearest open space to get it fixed....

Eoin

Lex Luthor wrote: »

If you're a big lad across the back, you'll find the seats very tight.

Crap, that might rule it out after 30 seconds of me trying to squeeze into the car so

I just have to take the time to check one out now; not much else I can do online...

Thank for the comments all.

grudgebringer

Wow, beautiful GT, I love Alfa's but the one I had broke my heart and wallet. They are a labour of love but they are well worth it, never driven a better car.

The Recliner

eoin wrote: »

Crap, that might rule it out after 30 seconds of me trying to squeeze into the car so

I just have to take the time to check one out now; not much else I can do online...

Thank for the comments all.

Go look at one and decide for yourself

but although I am not tall I am fairly broad across the shoulders and don't find it a problem, hopefully you are grand cos they are a lovely car

Eoin

The Recliner wrote: »

Go look at one and decide for yourself

Yep, I've done as much as I can online at this stage

Lex Luthor

The Recliner wrote: »

Go look at one and decide for yourself

but although I am not tall I am fairly broad across the shoulders and don't find it a problem, hopefully you are grand cos they are a lovely car

don't think its the shoulders are a problem, more the middle back

the seats wrap around really well so you will really notice how snug they are when you sit into them