AJbaseBloke

m8 - going from Honda to Euro anything and your wallet's gonna get a shock!

The Mini handles well, is new, has a warranty etc. Not the badge of some cars, but fairly sensible and fun.

Yes, I have driven a GTV a bit - it was pretty quick, and pretty , but while on a weekend away the AC went awol, and the engine overheated a couple of times. Oh - and I was not at all impressed by the headlights (the wife suggested using "the force" ). Brakes were OK (it had the BIG set), and the 6 speeder/V6 combo was fun to listen to, but the car was not as fast as the soundtrack I feel. A "touch" of torque steer-ishness was evident too (edit: mostly in the wet). All IMHO of course.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Edited by AJbaseBloke - 2/1/2002 8:13:31 AM]

IntegraR

I am looking at swopping my Teg for a GTV 6, and wanted to gauge opinion on the car from folk.

The main reason Im changing is probably a stupid one...I like the way it looks, and have only ever driven the 2.0l model, so havent even driven the car yet!! so the move is completely style driven

Whats the general opinion on the style of the car, and apart from the Fiat Coupe', what else is as stylish both inside and out, for the money?

Anyone have any owners nightmare stories? or reasons why the car is possibly cr@p against a Teg?

Also, is there a BBS for Alfa's that anyone knows of?

Cheers
Graham

father_jack

Mini Cooper S. I used to have an Integra and the mrs has a Cooper so I reckon you'd like the handling.

IntegraR

Father_Jack, Ill pretend I ddint just read that you want me to go from an Integra to a Mini

No chance, but thanks for the input anyway, I want stylish, not fad.

brickboy

We ran a 2 litre Lusso as a company car for a year, the aircon kept the interior cool by hosing the driver & passenger carpets regularly -- even the Alfa main dealer couldn't sort it after three attempts. It wasn't quick either -- we had a Mondeo 2 litre that was faster.

They do look really cool though, nice interior too. The 3 litre's probably a completely different beast.

Robyn

Have to agree with father ted, if the handling on the cooper is anything to go by the s will be a good buy and not just a fad.

IntegraR

Okay, apart from a Mini!! and alongside any opinions of the GTV looks etc, anything else?

As there is no way on gods green earth that Im going to drive a Mini, Im straight for christs sake!! (jokes ) (I just really am not fond of these new Mini's, or Mini adventure adverts)

[Edited by IntegraR - 1/29/2002 5:34:23 PM]

father_jack

Drive one and tell me you don't like it.
You want a bl00dy Alfa ferchrissakes - now that's chief salon technician material!

btw Mini is a fanny magnet - you would not believe the amount of smiles you get from the girlies

[Edited by father_jack - 1/29/2002 5:38:00 PM]

IntegraR

fanny magnet? really? how much they cost?

See, thats what Im after: Alfa's are considered hairdressery?

Hmm, I didnt think so, maybe Ill look at a Mini.......no, I just couldnt, they have this whole camp 60's thing going on

You dont recon a GTV looks Awesome?
Some pics of what you should see when looking under "Awesome" in the dictionary: (but mine will be black!!)
http://rapidcars.com/images/bluegtv.jpg
http://rapidcars.com/images/gtvrear2.jpg
http://rapidcars.com/images/redgtv.jpg


[Edited by IntegraR - 1/29/2002 5:43:53 PM]

[Edited by IntegraR - 1/29/2002 5:57:10 PM]

MarkCSC

What about an Integra Type R? The new import only one, before you all call me a muppet.

M

IntegraR

Hmmm, Id love to Mark, you Muppet but they cost around 24k, whereas a 2nd hand GTV 6 can be got for around 14k, which is about the budget Ill have.

[Edited by IntegraR - 1/29/2002 5:45:19 PM]

Sonic Boom

Alfa GTV.... Not bad in the looks department, if perhaps a bit tame in basic format.

If you are going to go for one, make sure you get the slim boot spoiler and lower profile tyres/alloys package. This helps to set the car off a bit more. (Otherwise looks too much like the FIAT).

My shortlist this time 3 years ago was:

BMW 328i Coupe (1 year old)
Alfa GTV (1 year old)
Audi A4 Quatro (1 year old)
Subaru STi4 Type R (New)

The Alfa was very dissapointing performance wise . Not much grip through the bends and torque didn't feel as if it was being delivered smoothly. (To be fair there was only 1200 miles on the one I tested).

I went for the Subaru STi 5 Type R in the end....

I reckon there are other cars out there for the money. The Mini Cooper with all the trimmings will be very near your budget.

As people previously mentioned, drive it... You will be VERY pleased you gave it a try. I had a shot a month back and left the car grinning.....

Just my 2p worth.

Sonic

father_jack

Seriously Integraaa - birds love 'em. They must think you're all sensitive or something, and because its a small car, it implies you have a big todger too.

IntegraR

Sonic Boom, very interested in your complaints against the Alfa's driving experience. Was it the 3.0l V6 you tried?


The lack of grip is particullaly worrying, as with the Teg, you are never left wondering if you're going to make it, and handling is obvuously very important.

Does the front push wide? and is there a large amount of in-gear acceleration etc etc?

Okay, due to the overwhelming Mini recommendations, I will go and look at one this weekend, but I dont think Ill be swayed. Still, stranger things have happened, and at 5"6 odd, it would certanly be about the right size (oh, and I do have a big todger, so it would be nice to advertise the fact )

Cheers all

Reffro

Hate to say it, but as much as I like the Alfa for its looks, three things that in my books terminally go against it:

Torque Steer
Cr*p dealer service
Group 19D insurance

But on the other hand you do get a good looking car, with a motor that sings beautifully on a charge.

IntegraR

Thats the sort of input Im looking for, try find out all the negatives so I can decide whether its worth selling the Teg for one.

How was the handling? is it really that bad? or just bad in comparison to a Scoob or something?

Cheers

father_jack

Good thread re GTV's on Pistonheads

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...=5928&f=23&h=0

Sounds like they have a lot of character (breakdowns)

IntegraR

Damn, dont like the look of that!!
Aaargh!! do I have to fork out Ferrari money to get a reliable coupe' with style and pace?

MarkCSC

What about a Porsche 968? You could get a really nice one with about 50,000 miles on the clock for £10-14k

Here is a Club Sport I found on autotrader
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW...00204017065019

[Edited by Mark Champion - 1/30/2002 6:38:02 PM]

IntegraR

Cheers Mark, are they good cars then?
Im not all that fond of old Porsche's, but am certainly open to changing my view point.

MarkCSC

The 968 is a awsome car. Great handling with 50/50 weight distribution (none of this rear engined 911 stuff)and a huge tourque filled 3.0 engine all packed in a good looking 2+2 coupe. I'll find some reviews and buyers guides for you.

Mark

GaryC

I had an Alfa GTV V6 for a breif while. Beautiful car, engine note to die for, quick, albeit not organ-rearranging. No Torque steer, but did scrabble for grip when hoofing it off the line. Far better (handling/performance/looks/noise) than the fiat coupe 20v turbo although not as roomy in the back or boot.

That (and all the Alfas I had - 145 cloverleaf & 156 V6) had no reliability problems whatsoever, and every drive was a true event.

A friend has a 968 sport. Not as pure a handler as the 968 CS, but a beautiful car to drive..BUT...very expensive to run. Frequent 4 figure bills but then it is a Porsche!

IntegraR

Cheers Mark, Ill look into it, always a good pickup line with girls too "Oh, I drive a Porsche"



Gary, why did you sell it if you dont mind me asking? and what were the servicing costs like?
GTV is still top of my list, regardless of the reliability issues, though Im not mad enough to buy a car if it is seriously flawed.

[Edited by IntegraR - 1/31/2002 5:21:45 PM]

MarkWRX

I like the look of the GTV, but I have the Jeremy Clarkson DVD 'Head to Head' that compares the 3.0 GTV with a 22B, Evo 6 and BMW Z3 M Coupe.
JC slates the handling on the GTV as having terminal UNDERSTEER.
Tough competition though, and it depends what your criteria are in the end.

LEE P

I will tell you what i borroed off a M8 and if you can find one that is!!
Alfa GTV 6TB! 3.0 V6 twin turbo! feckin awesome! it had well over 200 bhp, it was a bit understeery but fabulous performance.
he had it importe from germany and converted to right hand drive. more money than sense methinks!
usual build quality probs, aircon and very rattley, but that could be the nature coz of conversion?

Also a friend of mine had 968 CS. they raced in the porsche cup with one too, said it was a fabulous car! great for trackdays and excellent on the Ring.

Lee

GaryC

GTV was a company car so just handed it back. As for servicing costs, again I didn't pay so not sure, but serviced every 12k I think at a cost of £120/£140 ish - ie less than an impreza!!

It is bound to understeer when pushed that hard - what FWD car doesn't? and I think the fact it was compared in the same test as a 22b, evo6 and M coupe speak volumes!

For a pretty FWD saloon I don't think you can do better (unless its pure raw appeal you want, in which case the ITR takes the biscuit)