another alfa GT thread (considering buying)

mjquinno

Hi going to see an alfa GT 1.9 diesel this week its an 06.

what should i keep an eye out for?

anyone got any experience with them?

thanks for looking

testicle

I don't like them for the simple reason that the interior is lifted straight from the 147, and I used to own a 147. The interior is a 10 year old design at this stage.

mooman

Head to the alfaowner forum those guys knoe their stuff http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/

Twin-go

testicle wrote: »

I don't like them for the simple reason that the interior is lifted straight from the 147, and I used to own a 147. The interior is a 10 year old design at this stage.

Yea but the Alfa 147 interior is still a very nice place to be. Can you name one car in the class with a better interior?

CountingCrows

I owned a '06 GT Diesel for a year. Firstly, its a fantastic engine. I did have a few problems with mine (clutch cylinder, drive shaft) but from the mechanics I dealt with and what I've read in the various forums I seem to have just been unlucky.

Things to look out for;

The passenger seat release latch - tends to get very tight and hence breaks when forced.
Alignment and balancing, alloys are soft and have a tendency to buckle easily
The timing belt & water pump should have been replaced

mjquinno

thanks counting crows - ill make sure to check. i asked about its service history and it doesnt have a full service history.

The garage will run it throught the nct and get the belt done. never asked about the pump. and will give 3 months warranty parts.

Thanks for the help any other one got something to add please fire away!

RobertM

It seems that a few GT's have problems with the clutch so look out on that.
Check for strange knocking noise from the back, the boot, exhaust and rear bushes tend to be noisy.
And as said above, service history and timing belt + waterpump is a must.

Mr.David

Twin-go wrote: »

Yea but the Alfa 147 interior is still a very nice place to be. Can you name one car in the class with a better interior?

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2007/2007-Alfa-Romeo-Alfa-Murphy-And-Nye-Interior-1280x960.jpg

I think the interior is a bit shyte to be honest....it does look nice but the materials are downright nasty. Lots of scratchy plastics and exposed screw heads. Would put me off it. Real pity.

voojeq

=True

and btw this pic is tuned in photoshop :P

Twin-go

Mr.David wrote: »

I think the interior is a bit shyte to be honest....it does look nice but the materials are downright nasty. Lots of scratchy plastics and exposed screw heads. Would put me off it. Real pity.

But what car in this class is better. BTW I had a 147 and don't recall the nasty materials. I would even say it was every bit as nice a place to be as my current E46 3er.

Mr.David

Twin-go wrote: »

But what car in this class is better. BTW I had a 147 and don't recall the nasty materials. I would even say it was every bit as nice a place to be as my current E46 3er.

I think a mk5 Golf or mk2 focus both have higher quality feel in the cabin (although very dull and uninspiring compared to the Alfa).

I suppose its subjective, I just find the fake leather trim around the gear lever, the gear lever itself, the door handles and the centre console to feel a bit nasty.

Always wanted an Alfa and I'm sure I will someday, but they do have a lot of work to do to rival the Germans for interior quality.

Having said all that I have a lot of respect Alfa drivers - proper enthusiasts! I suppose if Alfas were class leading they would be the norm not the enthusiasts choice!

Eoin

I'm considering one as well, and test drove one a few weeks ago.

It felt nippier than I expected coming from my own car, though there did seem to be a bit of turbo lag. The steering was much lighter than I expected and made me feel a bit disconnected.

The interior didn't look quite as nice in real life, though the one I saw wasn't in great condition. Cruise control was a bit fiddly compared to the wheel mounted buttons I currently have.

The sport seats are very comfortable. The one I had had the Alfatex(sp) which is a sort of suede like material, but I think I would go for leather upholstery (not the grey/silver one though)

The rear visibility is very poor. I'd want parking sensors I think.

Apparently the Bose stereo isn't actually a must-have, as it's not that hard or expensive to upgrade the stock system (which also sounded OK to me).

murphyebass

ah guys I really can not recommend this car highly enough.

I bought one at xmas gone and wouldnt change it for the world.

I have driven god knows how many different cars at this stage and I have to say I think I'll find it very hard to move away from alfa after this.

First off they are one of the most stunning cars on the road today. I still look at mine out the window in the mornin and smile.

Interior as well imo is still magnificent. Make sure its leather seats obviously there are a few out there without the leather which is horrible.

Ok things to look out for...

my clutch went unfortunately and it does cost a few quid to fix so would be nice if you had a fsh with that done depends on milage obviously and how it was treated.

ERG valve clogs up and can cause the engine to give up power. Its not a big deal just needs to be cleaned generally and if not a new one isnt expensive. I got mine changed when I bought it and not a problem since.

Things like the water pump and timing belt as others said are a must. I've just done mine at 80k miles.

Honestly I dont think theres a lot else to watch out for.

Make sure you buy diesel. JTD is a great engine.

Petrol one eats the fuel seemingly.

I get 500 miles on a full tank and I have an itchy accelerator pedal shall we say.

Anyway any questions feel free to ask and I'll help as best I can.

I had any fix's needed done by an alfa dealer in Finglas.
Fantastic lads to deal with Automaintanence is the company http://www.finglasfiat.com/
Ciaran and Lee are good lads.

Also I had any dents I had on the car taken out by a guy for 150euro odd which was great. Not a panel beater does some other technique but fantastic work. Well worth getting done if theres a few dinks in the car which mine had.

I also put new badges on front and back as they fade. Yeah I know vain or what.

I've attached a few pics of mine. This was before I had the bit of work done to it.

I'll take a few more in a few days time and post them up. I've been meaning to do that for ages now.

Lastly http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/republic-of-ireland/

These guys are a very helpful bunch. I havent been on one of their get togethers but they seem to do them now and then and get loads of Alfa's together for it which looks cool to say the least.

later.

mjquinno

wow thanks for the post murph, ya im thinking the leather seat trim is a must. what mileage are you currently at with yours?

Looking forward to the photos!

Eoin

As I said, I would go for leather - but the fabric sports seats are far from horrible. In fact, I'd probably prefer them over the grey leather option.

Hotwheels

I have driven god knows how many different cars at this stage and I have to say I think I'll find it very hard to move away from alfa after this.

Couldn't agree more, on my third 159 JTDm, wouldn't drive anything else

Get a diesel GT for yourself, and you'll get a excellent car, to get a pristine GT you may have to import......

best of luck...

mooman

If you're going down the importing route you should get yourself a BlackLine. I'd say there's only a couple of them in Ireland, I've only ever seen one anyway.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201015356777078/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/gt/make/alfa_romeo/postcode/ch615yg/radius/1501/page/1/keywords/blackline?logcode=p

voojeq

uh.. she looks amazing

Redsoxfan

mooman wrote: »

If you're going down the importing route you should get yourself a BlackLine. I'd say there's only a couple of them in Ireland, I've only ever seen one anyway.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201015356777078/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/gt/make/alfa_romeo/postcode/ch615yg/radius/1501/page/1/keywords/blackline?logcode=p

Blackline wasn't sold as a Blackline in Ireland-was the 'Monza'

Here's a nice one for sale at the moment-pretty rare colour and looks in vgc

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1413440

Redsoxfan

CountingCrows wrote: »

.

Things to look out for;

The passenger seat release latch - tends to get very tight and hence breaks when forced.
Alignment and balancing, alloys are soft and have a tendency to buckle easily
The timing belt & water pump should have been replaced

Pretty much on the money there-the passenger seat release is very tight in my car as well, but I've failed to break it as yet.

Suspension might not be to everyones liking.

Can be a few rattles from the back as well, nothing serious, but annoying all the same.

NewApproach

I have a 147, and while I love the car I dont think the interior is anything special to be honest.

mooman

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Blackline wasn't sold as a Blackline in Ireland-was the 'Monza'

Here's a nice one for sale at the moment-pretty rare colour and looks in vgc

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1413440

I don't know how I never made the connection between them before:D Either way there isn't many around, and BlackLine sound better:pac:

mjquinno

well today i pick up my 05 alfa GT sportivo 1.9jtd, 44k miles with full service history.

thanks for all the help!!!

Veloce

mjquinno wrote: »

well today i pick up my 05 alfa GT sportivo 1.9jtd, 44k miles with full service history.

thanks for all the help!!!

Congrats man I'm also looking to buy one too. What colour exterior is it? Happy GT driving!

Hotwheels

mjquinno wrote: »

well today i pick up my 05 alfa GT sportivo 1.9jtd, 44k miles with full service history.

thanks for all the help!!!

Happy motoring

Eoin

mjquinno wrote: »

well today i pick up my 05 alfa GT sportivo 1.9jtd, 44k miles with full service history.

thanks for all the help!!!

Get pictures up please!

DirkVoodoo

Mr.David wrote: »

I think a mk5 Golf or mk2 focus both have higher quality feel in the cabin (although very dull and uninspiring compared to the Alfa).

Can't agree with that at all. My sister has an 07 mark 5 golf 1.6 FSI and the cabin is nearly as cheap as my old Punto Sporting. Very plastic feeling and cheap looking, oh and the sunglass dropdown case refuses to shut and it's done that since new. Crappy plastic latch.

In comparison, she was given a 10-W reg'd Polo as a courtesy car when her Golf decided it had had enough and the engine started cutting out. I was pleasantly surprised by the cabin, it felt much better than the Golf. My friend has also purchased a Mk 6 golf and again, the cabin is much better.

Granted I just picked up my new Alfa yesterday and certain things reminded me of my punto, the suspension squeaks a little, it has very poor sound damping, and it has the exact same Blaukpunt stereo from the punto with that annoying fascia plate, but overall I would put it higher up than the mk. 5 Golf.

It's a 10 year old design, sure, not sure what this means though. Would you turn away a Ferrari Daytona because the dash is an old design? I've spent a lot of timing driving a W221 S-class and sometimes a nice and simple cabin is a good place to be (btw, I'm not comparing the Alfa to a Daytona) and you don't need sat nav or infra red cameras to make something feel nice.

Actually, if you want cheap plastics and horrid switches, sit in a W220 cabin. That'll learn ya!

Lex Luthor

mjquinno wrote: »

well today i pick up my 05 alfa GT sportivo 1.9jtd, 44k miles with full service history.

thanks for all the help!!!

very nice...well done. Best of luck with it

The Blackline badge on the UK models is huge...I'd have it off if I had one.

AFAIK, if you bought a MONZA here it came with a Blackline badge. The Blackline was a special edition in the UK, in Black only. Monza was identical spec here but available in all colours

mjquinno

just back from the garage.
Really happy with it. heading down the country the weekend and will give it a good spin then.

Its very similar to this one same year same color same seats same milage

http://www.autotrader.ie/search/Alfa-Romeo/GT/DIESEL-C/201041199851279/advert?channel=CARS

Eoin

Very nice - the gold colour is quite different. Best of luck with it, and be sure to post back here to let us know how you get on with it.

mjquinno

eoin wrote: »

Very nice - the gold colour is quite different. Best of luck with it, and be sure to post back here to let us know how you get on with it.

ya i wasnt sure about gold till i seen it in the flesh, and it looks nice - might not be everyones cup of tea.

will post back in a few months let you know how im getting on!