Looks like we have a bunch of car enthusiasts over here. I have a genuine question and interest in one of these.
I haven't had a car for almost 2 years since the divorce. I have been quite lucky so far that my daughter is only 15 mins walk from I am, but the dear ex-wife will be relocating to South West London in the very near future, so this has reignited my desire to get another car.
My partner and I in North London (zone 3) at the minute. We don't really need a car as we commute by tube and train most days for work, but we do miss the freedom.
Anyway, we have been looking, (or I should say I have been looking around auto trader), and I fancy an Alfa GV coupe. My man math tells me it looks like quite a good value, should be large enough to seat 5, and looks "sexy".
My last car was a Volvo estate which the ex took as part of the divorce thingy. I missed it but now I want something different.
I know there are quite a few different models and levels to choose from, but which ones should I look out for? I understand it shares bits with 156 and I have heard some mixed reviews. Especially to avoid the selespeed type or something rather.
I used to be quite into card, but my car knowledge nowadays are very limited. I get whatever is shown on Top Gear and that's it.
My last before I came to London was the first generation RX8. I missed it loads when I came here. Wanted one again but not too sure about it now. I guess that's where the AlfaGV thoughts came from.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, what do you think of the Alfa GT? Will it worth the "trouble"?
Thanks.
If it was one of the newer ones I may be more enthusiastic but anything that shares bits with a 156 is on sketchy ground.
I'd run hard and fast in the opposite direction!
What's your budget??? Any must haves ie number of seats, 2 doors, 3 doors, 5 door, petrol, diesel. Sporty, practical, economical, pocket rocket etc etc??
I love Alfas but alas I would never buy one, you just never here good things regards to reliability.
I must now phone my bookmaker,, I just put a bet on that the first reply would be negative towards Alfa, so I'm in pocket,,,go get em tiger.
I owned a 3.2 GT for about three years. I found it to be a wonderful car in all respects (and more than fast enough - I previously owned a 3.0 GTV and there was little discernible difference other than in acceleration from a standing start) and it's one of the few cars that I really wish I hadn't sold.
In the time I owned it, I didn't have s single problem, mechanical or electrical. (I've had 5 Alfas, and their reputation for problems is far, far worse than the reality.)
We had a 147 Tony and it was appalling sadly 😞
Good friend had a 156 and had quite a lot of problems with electrics and suspension. Conversely I know of people who have had 159s that have been hugely reliable!
Paul
For the record we've had two Alfas in the past 10 years,,, without a hitch, a neighbour currently runs two and seems well pleased, I'm pretty keen on owning another and given the right car a Brera will be on the drive this year.
If you're handy with the spanners etc, Alfas can be a good buy......if you're not they are often a money pit. The 156 was a cracking car....when it went....but was plagued with electrical gremlins and tended to leakwhen it rained.
It would have to be VERY cheap and you be competence with car mechanics/electrics, otherwise stick with a mainstream car, particularly as you're in Central London.
Totally relevant is they're made from the same arts in the same factory by the same people/robots surely?................Originally Posted by learningtofly
Few cars are model-unique these days.
I've heard good things about the GT, particularly one with the (fabulous) V6.
A couple of upgrades seem to be worth doing: a Q2 diff would be top of my list to tidy up a tendency towards understeer, then a better set of brake pads, followed by a sensible remap.
You'd then have a very fine car.
Thanks guys. Great notes and advices.
As I am still undecided (I'm still not sure if I really need a car...), I have not really thought about exactly what I need/want.
For the GT, if probably go for the 2 litre petrol, later model, say 04/05/06 MY.
I'd most likely to have my daughter in the back. My daughter is 3.5 years old but tall for her age, so I'd want a decent size back seat/leg room. As I only have her every other weekend, i think a two door would be okay for now.
I heard a few mechanical and electrical issues of the 156, hence the questions. I'm okay with some bits mechanically, but living in a London flat doesn't give me the opportunity to work on the cars if I need to. I have a local mechanical garage which I have used in the past and they are quite decent, but the less times I have to visit them thr better.. Lol
I guess at the end of the day, I want something that's practical when I need it to but nice to drive and look at at the same time. Haven't had an Alfa, that's why I am thinking about it.
I have also looked at other mainstream manufactures, but nothing really takes my fancy.
I'd like to spend around 5k for one. No idea if that budget for an Alfa GT is asking for trouble.
Would I be better looking at the 159 saloon instead? Don't mind the 4 door 159 as I think it is a quite nice looking vehicle too.
Thanks again for the replies.
Eric
I recently looked at the GT when scouting for a runaround. Now I'm sorry I can't remember where, but I'm sure I read something about the GT being contracted for manufacture elsewhere. It was manufactured at a time where Alfa's other products were filling up production and so they're apparently meant to be rather good, reliability-wise. Sorry I don't have a source.
We have had a 2.0l GTV, 2.5l V6 156, 147 GTA and a Mito Quadrafoglio Verde and encountered no problems at all beyond anything you might experience in any used car. The Mito was from new and in three years needed two front tyres and that was all. The nay-sayers always rear their ugly heads at the mere mention of Alfa Romeo and maybe at one time they would have been correct but you don't get bad cars these days. A company that manufactures and sells cars as bad as some folk would have you believe Alfa are would be long extinct.
Anyway, to answer your question I think that a 2.0l would do the job and I would look for the Ti spec. Looks great and does all you will need it to. You don't need your own toolkit, just a little optimism and the approach that any niggly bits that might crop up are part of the Alfa spirit.
I owned a 1.9JTD Gt from new in 2005. I had it for two years and didn't have one single problem with it. So long as you do all the usual things when buying a secondhand car you should be fine.
My chose would be 2.0 black line. A lot of car for money.
If you only need a car for occasional use, how about joining a car club?
There are lots of variations from the standard (ie Zipcar), to special (Classic Car clubs) to extra special (Super car clubs).
And no, I'm not knocking Alfas. I had a 147 a couple of years ago and my current daily runaround is a 159 Ti Sportwagon. You could actually define me as bit of an Alfisti.
I had a 155 silverstone, brill very little problems. I also had a 2004 156 sportswagon 2.4d, great car no probs other than front suspension. We still run a 2001 156 saloon, again very little issues.
However you buy an Alfa with your heart not your head.
The 159ti sportswagon is on my list of cars to get at some point, along with the gt, the guiletta and the 4c (if my lottery comes up).
I owned a 1.9d GT for about a year, and a 156 for about 2 years. Very few problems with either; compared to the supposedly bulletproof Honda I owned. Try and avoid listening too much to the barstool mechanics when it comes to Alfas.
The 1.9 diesel is a great engine, I've had a few diesels in or around 2l, and it was the pick of them. I think the only problem I had with the GT was that the horn stopped working, and it was a minor fix to a circuit in the steering wheel.
The GT will not fit 5 comfortably though; you wouldn't want to be doing that too regularly. Boot space is very reasonable for a coupe. They tend to come well specced at all trim levels from what I remember; leather is preferable, but the suede alternative is still very comfortable. I'd the one with the Bose speakers; audophiles would probably say it's just all bass and not very refined, but I liked it.
159 > GT
GT is a handsome chap though and surprisingly comfortable. Buggies won't be an issue at your daughter's age but we found the GT swallowed our (lightweight) one with ease.
They really aren't unreasonable - I found the interior slightly disappointing as it was essentially a 156 with no real changes. Nice seats though.
It's an oddball choice though to be honest...
Alternatively…this GTV is a bargain. It has the amazing Busso engine, plus all the sensible upgrades already (worth some £3500).
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C588753
Although I'd lose that dreadful exhaust and put an Alfaholics one on. Far easier to live with and every bit as effective.
I have owned two Alfa Romeos, a 156 and a 159, with no problems to speak of over a total of 6 years and 150,000 miles. I have known friends have more issues with their VWs and BMWs than I've had with Alfas, but the Germans do have a much better dealer network. However, Alfa owners are real enthusiasts and the forum at http://www.alfaowner.com is brilliant and the independent service specialists are exceptionally good.
The GT is handsome and agile, though maybe a bit lacking in NCAP crash safety compared with more modern cars. Get a good one with the right engine and it will be enjoyable and ultimately collectable. It will stand out from the crowd and your friends will joke about unreliability whilst being silently envious.
The 159 is nowhere near as much fun as the 156/GT though it is still considered to be a looker in spite of it being around since 2006. The 1750TBi is probably the engine it should always have had and this and the 2.4 diesel seem to be the preferred engines. Performance of the 1.9/2.0 diesels is ok but not startling, and in my experience the fuel consumption is not brilliant either. 3.2 petrols are incredibly thirsty and expensive to tax and insure. Also watch out for rusting front subframes on 159s - an expensive fix and not one you expect to find on a modern car. Again the Alfaowner forum will clear up any questions you might have - from real owners!
I've a customer, a retired Lt.Colonel, who bought two, one for him and his wife.... he told me never again.... shocking reliability.
Rod
He was either unlucky, or wrong. Although I'm surprised that a retired Lt Colonel drove anything less than a Bentley or a Range Rover.
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