First month with the GTV

Since I’ve had it about a month and sorted most of the niggles I was aware of when I bought it, I though it was time for a quick review type thingy.

So I spent nearly 6 months looking for this car, and I’m glad I stuck with it.

The way people were talking when I said I was looking for an Alfa, I was expecting to have my mechanic and bank manager on speed dial. So far, so good though, apart from the minor niggles I was aware of. Now I’m not deluded, and I’m expecting some issues to arise as some point, but I have not had to use my bike to get to work once! It seems Alfa reliability is not as bad as its reputation suggests; or maybe this reputation is based on the opinion of people who are not really ‘in the know’.

I think as long as you do your research (which this site has helped with a lot ), and go into Alfa ownership with your eyes open, you should be fine.

It still makes me smile when I get compliments from my mates/work colleagues about the car, knowing they spent MUCH more on their bland, mundane, (admittedly newer), Astra, Ibiza, Focus etc.

So to sum up, it’s a hoot to drive, it looks great and so far reliability has been better than I expected.

Sorry for the ramble and thanks for reading. Lastly I would like to say thanks to all you guys for the help so far.

Nice one!

Hi RD1 - I'm about to start my first month of GTV ownership - glad to hear yours went well.

I'll report back after my first four weeks...fingers crossed!

i`ve had my gtv for 6 months and it`s cost a bomb to keep going , but must agree it`s a great drive

the 2.0 ts in my opinion is a cheap car to maintain and a cheapish car to run.

The V6 is a different kettle of fish because you will get some addicted to the accelleration and the sound of the engine you will be strangly compelled to perfect the car and everything about it! Which of course costs $$$$$

I'm just over a month in now. It has been relatively plain sailing apart from the gearbox deciding 4th was not an option. All sorted for now. Also sounds like I may need a new thermostat at some point.

Other than that the biggest problem I have is I only insured it for 3k miles a year and by the end of this month will have done over 1/2 of that in 2! Obviously hoping the novelty value will wear off and I have found a place to garage it over winter so will save up some miles for the spring I've only got the TS but still love the sound and the feel of pulling nicely around a sweeping bend and letting the VVT get to work In real road driving it is fast enough for anything without upsetting the Police as the low seating position makes you feel like you are whizzing along.

Stunning car even if it will end up costing me a couple of k every year...

As soon as I mention to anyone I have an Alfa they all say the same cliched crap about reliability. Not one of those people has ever owned one.

I have had 2 - both 3.0 GTVs and love them. Yes bits fall off but I have hands so can pick them up and put them back on again. Just yesterday a tweeter cover fell off for no apparent reason. And the door handle spring has gone a bit funny.

Still love it though. VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOM.

Glad you like the car!

I'm two weeks into GTV ownership now, and just had the car looked over (and a full service) by Alfanet in Bristol.

The front tyres were completely shot on the inside, so they got replaced. And the tracking was a lovely 6mm out - no wonder it pulled to the left. Apart from that it's all in order (phew!).

Won't get much chance this weekend to have a blat around, but it's probably going to pee it down anyway.

I'm about a month in and I have to concur, brilliant car!

im also a month in and i concurr, im on first name basis with the AA (first time my fault, 2nd and 3rd time is the same issue which is being replaced under warranty) but i dont care really.

its great to drive, generally a good reception when i tell people what i own and i know people look at it cos friends and my gf say so (maybe they are just looking at the passengers!). it has an enormous sense of 'pride of ownership' especially when the roof is down and the wind in my hair

The Spider even more so is one hell of a gorgeous mother,

Brilliant little cars that have so much presence on the road, whether they're doing 20MPH past the local Blockbusters in town, or 130MPH down the M5!

Wasn't me officer, I'm not sure who was driving!

I have had mine about 4 months now and so far so good! Just a bit of oil.

It is a bumpy old ****** ride though I love it!

can't wait to own one

About a week in here...

drivers window is wobbling around a bit, so I need to sort that out, tweeter fell in on the passenger side, so its a door card off for that one as well.. and needed to solder 2 IR alarm fobs again.. but the drive is sooo much fun

Just back from 4500 mile trip around europe , firstly down to barcelona then andorra up the pyrenees. not one problem - did not get the car checked out before hand and did not have breakdown cover - just decided to risk it - very reliable little car !

About a week into my GTV ownership here too - got a 3.0 V6 Lusso, and so far has been absolutely brilliant.
There are a couple of things I need to do to the car:

1. needs a new AFM - coming on monday - as it flattens out above 5000rpm due to the ECU getting confused as to how much fuel to give the engine on full beans, and therefore choking itself of fuel

2. needs the wire connecting the fuel gauge to the sensors sorting - fuel gauge constantly at 0 at the mo - luckily the noise the car makes takes the edge off playing petrol station roulette!

3. the rearmost rubber exhaust mount has had it, and as a result the exhaust rattles at idle - new one coming monday afternoon.

Other than that, it starts every time, the windows and aircon etc all work beautifully, and THAT noise is worth every penny I have spent on it, and will end up spending over the next however many years/months/weeks/minutes!

Got a BMC CDA and a Ragazzon back section coming monday too which should make it go and sound even better. YEY!

ooooh my first alfa is a diamond!