Anyone owned an Alfa GTV?

Stheno

Hey guys

My 156 gave up the ghost when the steering rack died recently and it simply wasn't an economical repair.

I'm not in a rush for a "new" car, and am looking at another alfa. I've always loved the look of the gtv, a gt is another option too.

With the 156, the suspension, making sure the timing belt/variator was changed on schedule and that it had a decent service history were the main things to look for, along with any creaks/knocking when driving.

Anyone on here had a gtv? Experiences good or bad?

Thanks guys!

ottostreet

Get in touch with a member called georgefalls, he has a GTV Spyder and knows his Alfas.

Stheno

Thanks ottostreet

My mechanic, who has a few alfa customers considers gtv's the most problematic of the older alfas, and nearly died on the spot when I told him they were one of my dream cars

Is the spyder the gtv with a soft top?

Hotwheels

A good source of info here too, a few GTV owners on it

Stheno

Hotwheels wrote: »

A good source of info here too, a few GTV owners on it

Just posted over there too thanks

RandomAccess

159 ? some very nice ones

Stheno

RandomAccess wrote: »

159 ? some very nice ones

There are, and for great prices too, but I've always hankered after a spyder for years, and having seen a few gtvs they became my "want"

The 159 is fierce "sensible" in comparison, the OH has a citroen C5 and that's our sensible car, our second car is a fun car so to speak.

Between the two of us we'd do maybe 15k miles a year, most in the citroen, and by god I'd love to own a sporty car like the gtv.

And I've got the alfa bug, I love the quirkiness of the likes of the 156/gtv/gt and how you know it's an alfa, I'm not as convinced about the 159

unkel

Stheno wrote: »

Anyone on here had a gtv? Experiences good or bad?

Best mate has a 3l V6. Stunning car, lovely engine and we don't need to tell you it needs TLC and a bit more budget to maintain than a 1.4l Honda Civic

I would carefully buy from an Alfa enthusiast and I'd say that would be half the battle won.

Stheno

unkel wrote: »

I would carefully buy from an Alfa enthusiast and I'd say that would be half the battle won.

100% agree with you, I bought my alfa from a housewife who abused it with three kids, and it showed.

BUT, over three years and 60k miles, it cost me less than 6k in terms of what I paid and the servicing/nct/maintenance etc

I went into my mechanic the other day and he said to me "at least you know what you are dealing with"

Given my yearly mileage is gone down from 25K plus to about 5-6 k a year, I reckon the time is right to have that sporty gorgeous to drive car, and I've no urgent need so I can save/wait for the right car.

I'm terribly suspicious about the electrics on them tho? Any thoughts?

Stheno

Stheno wrote: »

..........

I'm terribly suspicious about the electrics on them tho? Any thoughts?

Not much to worry about there really.

unkel

Stheno wrote: »

Given my yearly mileage is gone down from 25K plus to about 5-6 k a year, I reckon the time is right to have that sporty gorgeous to drive car

Sure thing! And make sure your GTV has the beautiful Busso engine!

The Recliner

I was seriously considering one last year, love the GTV but had to go with something a bit more practical, deffo one I will be getting in the future

Having had a 156 I don't think there is anything about the GTV that will put you off, just have a read up on them on Alfaowners or other such forums and you will get the gist of the general things that will need looking after

Personally I would stay away from the Spider but that is just personal preference, I prefer the shape of the hard top

But as the lads mentioned get the V6 if you can, you wont regret it, sounds fantastic

I had a GT before and had no issues with it, it is a lovely car and I am sure you would be happy with it if you went for it

murphyebass

The Recliner wrote: »

I was seriously considering one last year, love the GTV but had to go with something a bit more practical, deffo one I will be getting in the future

Having had a 156 I don't think there is anything about the GTV that will put you off, just have a read up on them on Alfaowners or other such forums and you will get the gist of the general things that will need looking after

Personally I would stay away from the Spider but that is just personal preference, I prefer the shape of the hard top

But as the lads mentioned get the V6 if you can, you wont regret it, sounds fantastic

I had a GT before and had no issues with it, it is a lovely car and I am sure you would be happy with it if you went for it

I currently own and am selling my trusty GT and agree with recliner. No issues and a great drive. Plenty of power and lots of luxury.

Love the GTV's looks as well though. Would love one of them with a 3ltr V6. Nice.

merc3ps

I used to have a GTV 3.0 V6 (a lovely blue with tan leather). It was very nice, but bled me dry. When these were new they had the highest level of warranty claims. I knew what I was getting into, but even talking with people in the Alfa trade I was advised to treat the V6 as a weekend car. You will also only get 23-25mpg from her (and have that high road tax!)

Now, the 2.0 is a different proposition. If you can look after the engine in a regular 156 then you can look after that. The rest will be much of a muchness TBH.

If you are reducing your mileage drastically, then the money you save on fuel will probably cover an odd job here and there, and the 2.0 is still a good engine in that car.

166man

merc3ps wrote: »

I used to have a GTV 3.0 V6 (a lovely blue with tan leather). Now, the 2.0 is a different proposition. If you can look after the engine in a regular 156 then you can look after that. The rest will be much of a muchness TBH.

Yes but surely the best part about the car other than the looks is the Engine, that fabulous V6!

Screw the high road tax!

unkel

166man wrote: »

Yes but surely the best part about the car other than the looks is the Engine, that fabulous V6!

Screw the high road tax!

Exactly! What's the point of a beautiful coupe with an asthmatic little 4 cylinder engine? The Busso engine is obsolete now, it's your last chance to own a car with that engine - once they'll become classic, they will be big bucks!

Alanstrainor

I love both the GTV and the GT. Have always been checking them out online, and seeing what the prices are like. Never had the balls to take the plunge. That 3.0 V6 is some engine, the noise off it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFNcpnCNFE

unkel

Great engine! Around since the 70s and I believe the designer died soon after Alfa stopped using his engine and went for an Opel engine instead :rolleyes: