Alfa gt

ian87

I'm going to look at a 2005 1.9jdtm Alfa gt on Saturday. I've a 2008 320d which I hope to trade with cash my way.

I've used the search function, researched as much as I can eg need to check suspension, timing belt changes etc but just want to know does anybody have one at the moment?

Am I going to to lose much in driving pleasure by going back to dreaded fwd? Thoughts?

Edit: title should just read alfa gt not gta, autocorrect!

dgt

Awww I thought it was going to be about a GTA

Keep the 320 for the driving experience (I've died a little inside saying that)

ian87

dgt wrote: »

Awww I thought it was going to be about a GTA

Keep the 320 for the driving experience (I've died a little inside saying that)

I was editing the title and hit return. I'm on my phone. Sorry!
Jeez, don't tell me that. Buying a house this year means that I can't keep my 3er. I've always fancied an Alfa but newer ones scare me with with their depreciation. I had my heart set on a 330d or 530d around the 2004 mark but a 1.9 means cheaper tax. I do about 500 miles a week and want something I can run into the ground for less than 5k. Driver involvement is very high on my list.

dgt

ian87 wrote: »

I was editing the title and hit return. I'm on my phone. Sorry!
Jeez, don't tell me that. Buying a house this year means that I can't keep my 3er. I've always fancied an Alfa but newer ones scare me with with their depreciation. I had my heart set on a 330d or 530d around the 2004 mark but a 1.9 means cheaper tax. I do about 500 miles a week and want something I can run into the ground for less than 5k. Driver involvement is very high on my list.

Good and all as the GT is to drive it can't compete with a 3 series. Different leagues.

Maybe downgrade to an older 3 series if involvement is a necessity but finances don't permit?

ian87

Place I'm looking at is a BMW dealer and owned by the gfs dads friend so a good deal is a fairly good possibility. Ill look at it and see what I think. 90% of my driving is on motorway and n road anyway. I'm just wondering would the lower tax be enough of a trade off not to get a 530d? As in would the trade off of driver involvement be worth 700 odd quid. Believe it or not my 2008 3 series is costing 695 to insure this year compared with 800 odd for either a 2005 gt or a 04/05 530d. This means the difference in cost is only in the tax. My driving in a 3l 6cyl would mean I'd be getting 45mpg as its all motorway/n road which seems to be the same as the Alfa give or take.

bazz26

The ride is harsh enough on the GT even compared to a 3 Series so make sure to give it a good test drive on N roads other than motorway so that you are happy with it.

Would you not consider a 159?

ian87

I'm thinking a 159 as well but the fact that I may be able to trade for the gt and not lose my shirt makes it an attractive propostition. I've my 3er on donedeal, but the last price merchants/people with ridiculous offers are the only callers. I know you had a 320d m sport before bazz, did you drive any alfas and notice much difference?

bazz26

Nope, haven't driven one but lots of reviews state the ride is harsh on them. As I said take it for an extended test drive on less than perfect roads.

You will loose your shirt trading down too. Garages will not want to part with too much cash your way. How realistic is your car priced compared to others?

ian87

2008 320d with nav, full leather, full history and a rake of service items recently done. 99k miles. Advertised at 13490.

ian87

Reasoning behind my thinking that I may get a good deal is family buy anywhere between 6 and 10 new cars/vans every 18 months from the other franchise in their garage as well as a 131 x3 this year and possibly a 640d next year. Good custom may help me when trading something of higher value.

bazz26

Being honest, I think that is a bit on the high side. I traded my 2008 M Sport with similar spec/history and 75k miles back in July. It needed new rear pads and rear tyres but the garage retailed it at €14k with a warranty, no idea what they got in the end for it but it was sold within two weeks.

I hear you about the endless tyre kickers though, one of the reasons I didn't bother trying to sell it myself this time.

ian87

bazz26 wrote: »

Being honest, I think that is a bit on the high side. I traded my 2008 M Sport with similar spec/history and 75k miles back in July. It needed new rear pads and rear tyres but the garage retailed it at €14k with a warranty, no idea what they got in the end for it but it was sold within two weeks.

I hear you about the endless tyre kickers though, one of the reasons I didn't bother trying to sell it myself this time.

Ill give it another week. It being an se is making things that bit harder I'd say. Ill report back after I look at the Alfa Saturday.

bazz26

The Irish also have a resistance to anything with around or more than 100k miles on it. The N47's timing chain issues are starting to become known among the non savy public too via the interweb. A lot of people are reluctant to buy one without a warranty.

bear1

How much is the GT retailing for?

There is a 2007 159 with the same engine going for just under 6.5k on DD with an NCT till 2015

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romea/5830946

Or save a fortune and go for this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-156-1-9-jtd/5813884

This isn't a Ti but not bad looking all the same http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-156-1-9-diesel-multijet-140/5806126

EDIT: Scratch the 159, hadn't noticed you want max 5k to spend

pred racer

Seeing as you can trade in with cash your way, Id say go for it.
Promise your gf's dad you will never trade it back to him and he will give you a better price;)

As the others said the 159 would be a better choice, but in your situation its not really an option.

ian87

Gt is retailing at 4950. The purchase price isn't my concern, it's the cost if change, eg the cheque handed back to me I'm mostly focused on. I've found a 530d since with lowish miles and 9 months tax which has wooed me too. Might take a peep at it at the weekend too.

bear1

As mentioned, the BMW and Alfa are 2 completely different cars.
I've never owned a BMW so I'm quite biased. Take a test in both the Alfa and GT and see what you think.
530d will beat the GT's power hands down and in practicality but the GT is a much more nicer place to be and is a more hands on car.
Plus I think the GT stands out more, BMW's are everywhere (probably a good thing) but I'd like to stand out a bit

ian87

I'm going to look at both at the weekend but keep my card close to my chest with the Alfa. They are both in the same town and I may want the BMW dealer to look over the 530d for me. Can't really do that if I go in asking to swap my 320d and then pulling out for a different car.

ian87

Well, drove both have to say I was largely unimpressed by the Alfa. Seats were super comfy, cabin a nice place to look at but that's where the niceties ended. It had a tendency to oversteer somewhat into the corners when pushed hard. Not as pronounced as in my old 2.0 Audi but still noticeable, especially after being used to a rwd. I drive a BMW 320d se with rfts removed but even so the ride was super harsh. The amount of rattles present in the dash suggested the car was literally being shook to bits over the years. An exaggeration I know. There was a super loud whine the salesman blamed the turbo for, but I wasn't convinced. Tracking was out and the wheel shook a good bit at cruising speed on a dual carriageway. While it had a very comprehensive full alfa history, first TB change at 33k miles for instance, I felt the car had been well minded but driven hard.

Now the 530d. 84k miles with a full local BMW service history. Few knocks and dents but nothing major for a 04. A private sale, owned by a mature man for the past 7 years. I was very impressed with the power and smoothness of the ride. No smoke to be seen when pushed on and braked straight and true. He informed me that the track rod ends were replaced recently with genuine parts. Only thing I was slightly worried about was when I took of the oil cap to check compression, the oil cap hopped and jumped but didn't jump off. Also it seemed that there was an unusual amount of smokiness coming out of the oil filler cap as the engine ran. Would this be anything to worth about? If the money can be found, eg my own car sells I'd be inclined to take a punt.

bear1

Maybe you should test drive another GT... one that isnt an actual bag of ****e.
Couldnt tell ya anything about the BMW tbh

ian87

I hear what you are saying bear, but judging by the harsh ride alone, one would have to really work to convince me of an Alfa gt. At the end of the day, I want something that I can run into the ground so having something that I will love to drive everyday is important.

bear1

ian87 wrote: »

I hear what you are saying bear, but judging by the harsh ride alone, one would have to really work to convince me of an Alfa gt. At the end of the day, I want something that I can run into the ground so having something that I will love to drive everyday is important.

Hate to say it but.... I would be going for the Beamer at this point. Will probably hold it s value better which is a shame.
Although maybe a 159 test drive would be different.

ian87

I reckon the Beamer is the way to go alright. I think the extra tax is worth it as the overall package is nicer as a long term proposition in the 530d. There are no 159s for sale locally to me within my budget. Is there a marked difference between a gt and a 159 to drive? Considering a gt is based upon the 156, they must be fairly similar?

pred racer

ian87 wrote: »

I reckon the Beamer is the way to go alright. I think the extra tax is worth it as the overall package is nicer as a long term proposition in the 530d. There are no 159s for sale locally to me within my budget. Is there a marked difference between a gt and a 159 to drive? Considering a gt is based upon the 156, they must be fairly similar?

'shocker' Bmw fanboi considers another Bmw:pac:

Only joking Op.
I think you have your mind made up but the GT and the 159 are completely different, the 159 is firm but not harsh.

And as anyone who was in mine at the recent meet can attest to, its well able for a bend or three;)

bear1

pred racer wrote: »

'shocker' Bmw fanboi considers another Bmw:pac:

Only joking Op.
I think you have your mind made up but the GT and the 159 are completely different, the 159 is firm but not harsh.

And as anyone who was in mine at the recent meet can attest to, its well able for a bend or three;)

Yeah the 159 is pretty different than the GT. I've driven the 159 JTD and found it handled very well through the bends and the cabin is gorgeous... and the front of it...hmmm the front!

pred racer

bear1 wrote: »

Yeah the 159 is pretty different than the GT. I've driven the 159 JTD and found it handled very well through the bends and the cabin is gorgeous... and the front of it...hmmm the front!

These would be the exact reasons I bought mine:cool:

bear1

As long as you dont say its a bog standard 1.8MPI then I'm jealous

ian87

Pred racer, where did you pick up I'm a BMW fanboi?!? Ha! The whole Jeremy Clarkson "you can't be a petrol head until you own an Alfa" thing has hit a nerve. (Even though I'm searching for a diesel) I've always considered alfas when looking for my personal cars but they have always been the left field choice. Now that I'm only spending 4 figures instead of 5 figures, depreciation isn't as much an issue so they have really come into my stream of thought. I just have to choose wisely, 20k miles a year in the wrong car would kill me.

Scortho

20k miles a year? Talk to bear1 then about his old 156 that had been to the moon many a time and back!

The gt and 159 are a completely different car. Gt is built on the same platform a the 156 where's the 159 Is the same platform as the brera.
To be honest if your considering an alfa and worried about it blowing up, find a well minded 156 for between 1 and 2k and drive it for a few months. Gives you a taste without risking a whole load of dosh.
I was fairly worried about buying my 156, but haven't looked back since.
No they ain't über reliable but either are the Germans these days.

ian87

That's a good idea scortho about a cheap 156. I'd have no really worries about an Alfa blowing up any sooner than a Beamer, but I'm buying once now. I've had 10+ cars in the past 5 years due to itchy wallet syndrome! Buying once, buying right!!

pred racer

ian87 wrote: »

Pred racer, where did you pick up I'm a BMW fanboi?!? Ha! The whole Jeremy Clarkson "you can't be a petrol head until you own an Alfa" thing has hit a nerve. (Even though I'm searching for a diesel) I've always considered alfas when looking for my personal cars but they have always been the left field choice. Now that I'm only spending 4 figures instead of 5 figures, depreciation isn't as much an issue so they have really come into my stream of thought. I just have to choose wisely, 20k miles a year in the wrong car would kill me.

Did you miss the "only joking" part

Btw I would change the thread title to GT vs 530d because at the moment you only have the Alfa heads on the thread.

I drive an 08 159 1.9JTDm 16v lusso So Im not exactly a 'petrol' head either!
20k a year in a 159 will not kill you, in a gt it might;)
And in an older Bmw its a distinct possibility (depending on model/engine etc)
Are my opinions biased.....yes of course they are.
But unless I'm mistaken, opinions were what you were looking for:rolleyes:
I wont trouble you with mine anymore!

bear1

Scortho wrote: »

20k miles a year? Talk to bear1 then about his old 156 that had been to the moon many a time and back!

The gt and 159 are a completely different car. Gt is built on the same platform a the 156 where's the 159 Is the same platform as the brera.
To be honest if your considering an alfa and worried about it blowing up, find a well minded 156 for between 1 and 2k and drive it for a few months. Gives you a taste without risking a whole load of dosh.
I was fairly worried about buying my 156, but haven't looked back since.
No they ain't über reliable but either are the Germans these days.

Hahahaha first line made me smile

Ian I linked some cheap 156 diesels a page or so ago.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-156-1-9-jtd/5813884

Then there is this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2001-alfa-156-jtd-diesel/5387021

The is the one I had just blue (blue vela) now that engine is practically bulletproof and to quite Scortho's comment mine had reached just over 250k before I sent it to the scapper in the sky and I'm still thinking to this day if I made the right choice even though it had developed a few issues.
Its not so much the bhp in the 10v JTD engine its the torque, extremely addictive.
The thing you need to remember about Alfas are that if they are looked after and not treated like ****e they will be just as reliable as the next car. Treat it like ****e and you get that typical stereotype about them coming into your head.

If you still want to spend a bit more then give this one a go:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-159-1-9-litre-diesel/5713881

This is the 8v 159, not the 16v so it has 120 horsepower

bear1

Just to update those links as I see the 2.4 is 25 days old:

Motortax website says it has not changed ownership so probably means its still for sale could even get it down to 1k if you're smart.

This Alfa is also still available:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/alfa-romeo-147-jtd-low-milage/5662566

bear1

pred racer wrote: »

Did you miss the "only joking" part

I drive an 08 159 1.9JTDm 16v lusso So Im not exactly a 'petrol' head either!
20k a year in a 159 will not kill you, in a gt it might;)
And in an older Bmw its a distinct possibility (depending on model/engine etc)
Are my opinions biased.....yes of course they are.
But unless I'm mistaken, opinions were what you were looking for:rolleyes:
I wont trouble you with mine anymore!

Don't leave Pred

Bluefoam

OP, I've had a couple of Alfas & spent plenty of time in BMWs. The 159 is a really great car to own. I did Dublin/Cork or Dublin/Limerick every week for a year in mine and loved every minute of it. The BMW you'll get for the same money won't have lasted nearly as well in the interior. My 159 was bullet proof and so comfortable + the 1.9 diesel is a great engine.

The GT is a great fun car, but is built on an older platform and won't match the experience you'll get from the 159...

Things to look out for on the GT are timing belt, quality of oil/service history & suspension bushes - the rear goes relatively quickly.

Bluefoam

BTW, the GT is based on the 147 rather than the 156 - not a bad thing at all, but its a shorter chassis. The interior is also from the 147. Note that the GT is rumored to have the most awesome leather bucket seats ever to end up in a car...

*I'm willing to be corrected on this

ian87

pred racer wrote: »

Did you miss the "only joking"

Totally picked up that you were joking... Your advice is more than welcome pal, sorry for any confusion..

Scortho

Bluefoam wrote: »

BTW, the GT is based on the 147 rather than the 156 - not a bad thing at all, but its a shorter chassis. The interior is also from the 147. Note that the GT is rumored to have the most awesome leather bucket seats ever to end up in a car...

*I'm willing to be corrected on this

Ive been told the same, well the best seats for an alfa...aparently they beat the gta seats hands down:eek:

dgt

Bluefoam wrote: »

BTW, the GT is based on the 147 rather than the 156 - not a bad thing at all, but its a shorter chassis. The interior is also from the 147. Note that the GT is rumored to have the most awesome leather bucket seats ever to end up in a car...

*I'm willing to be corrected on this

All are built on a modified Fiat Tipo platform. Suspension turrets are different to handle the double wishbone setup but all interchangeable

147 interior as it's 3 door indeed

Try the recaros from a GTA :cool:

bear1

The Momo leather is just orgasmic, never had any back issues in it and I've slept in the 156 a number of times while road tripping around Europe... something that cant be said for the Volvo seats

ian87

Bluefoam wrote: »

BTW, the GT is based on the 147 rather than the 156 - not a bad thing at all, but its a shorter chassis. The interior is also from the 147. Note that the GT is rumored to have the most awesome leather bucket seats ever to end up in a car...

*I'm willing to be corrected on this

Both myself and the missus said that if we could have taken the seats from the gt and installed them into whatever car you had you would be on the pigs back. I must say the seats were unreal.

ian87

Just to update to anybody who cares.. Picked up a 2004 530d se tonight. Full BMW service history, 85k genuine miles, full black leather and 18in alloys. Very happy as it's a manual. Bad enough I have to go diesel, I won't be drawn into an auto.

650Ginge

ian87 wrote: »

Just to update to anybody who cares.. Picked up a 2004 530d se tonight. Full BMW service history, 85k genuine miles, full black leather and 18in alloys. Very happy as it's a manual. Bad enough I have to go diesel, I won't be drawn into an auto.

Ah the jump to the alfa was too far for you.

Enjoy the new car.

ian87

Coming out of a 2008 320d it was a big enough jump to go back to an 04!

Stheno

bear1 wrote: »

The Momo leather is just orgasmic, never had any back issues in it and I've slept in the 156 a number of times while road tripping around Europe... something that cant be said for the Volvo seats

I've Momos in my gtv and after about 150 miles feel like I've been rattled through a rollercoaster, and the passenger seat is possibly the most uncomfortable I've ever been in.

That said, I'm tall, and most of my height is in my lower body, so I struggle with not being able to adjust the seats upwards in terms of height, I got out of my car after having a 170 mile round trip this week every day feeling like an oap. People who spend a short time in my car rave about the seats!

@ ian good luck with your new car

galwaytt

ian87 wrote: »

Just to update to anybody who cares.. Picked up a 2004 530d se tonight. Full BMW service history, 85k genuine miles, full black leather and 18in alloys. Very happy as it's a manual. Bad enough I have to go diesel, I won't be drawn into an auto.

Ah, pity. I think you'd have enjoyed the Alfa.

Otoh, good luck with the new car but I must say a manual 530d is a most curious choice. If ever there was an engine for an automatic it's the 530d.

ian87

My experience of auto driving would be in a discovery, range rover, Audi a8, and BMW x3. All big waft along, soft cars. I can see the attraction but I'd hate to have an auto. I like to drive a car, feel the gearchange, be connected, if that makes sense. I think with an auto you just don't get that, you are disengaged somewhat.
Must say, I absolutely love it. I think though had I not found the 5er that was as good as it was 1st on my hunt and then drive the gt that was a right dog then maybe my choice may have been different. The seats in the Alfa were a revelation to be fair.