GTV Buying Advice help!

[easternbhoy]

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I'm a newbie to Alfa Romeo having been a long-time admirer of GTV's/Spiders; now I've sold the vintage Vespa scooter, I've decided to have buy another piece of italian engineering

Currently looking at GTVs, and have done some homework re some of the main issues when buying (electrics, cambelt etc).

Looking at this model http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1708411482...ht_1434wt_1270
which seems cheap for the mileage, and if FSH, I'll probably go for it.

Any advice re the general costs of bringing the car up to scratch (i.e repairing a few dings, new windscreen etc)

Many Thanks in advance!

[dewbie]

\a``````````111111111111111111111qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq 0909/.9.k./kk9k.99/7 8

haha my baby daughter must have found the computer ..... future alfa romeo driver me thinks!

[dmc]

Originally Posted by dewbie

\a``````````111111111111111111111qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq 0909/.9.k./kk9k.99/7 8

Don't worry easternbhoy, we're normally more coherent than that.

Apart from anything else, that GTV needs its cambelt changing, immediately. As you've probably read, the cambelt interval on the twinsparks is 36k/3 years, and they do very regularly fail after that. If there's no record of it being done recently I'd want to get it trailered straight to an Alfa specialist and have the belt, tensioners, variator etc. done (maybe Autolusso South in Bournemouth if you're in that area). Since it's SORNed I assume you'll be towing/trailering it anyway.

I've read at least one horror story on here of a cambelt failure on the way home from buying a twinspark. At least you can use that to bargain the price down.

Also have a look at the sticky topic about known issues with the GTV and Spider - and obviously the usual stuff applies about a well documented service history. Good maintenance is more important than low mileage on these cars.

[easternbhoy]

Originally Posted by dmc

Don't worry easternbhoy, we're normally more coherent than that.

Apart from anything else, that GTV needs its cambelt changing, immediately. As you've probably read, the cambelt interval on the twinsparks is 36k/3 years, and they do very regularly fail after that. If there's no record of it being done recently I'd want to get it trailered straight to an Alfa specialist and have the belt, tensioners, variator etc. done (maybe Autolusso South in Bournemouth if you're in that area). Since it's SORNed I assume you'll be towing/trailering it anyway.

I've read at least one horror story on here of a cambelt failure on the way home from buying a twinspark. At least you can use that to bargain the price down.

Also have a look at the sticky topic about known issues with the GTV and Spider - and obviously the usual stuff applies about a well documented service history. Good maintenance is more important than low mileage on these cars.

Cheers for the advice. Just noticed the sticky.

Finding it pretty difficult to locate a decent model with FSH; don't mind paying a bit more obviously.

I assume that being a newbie, anything with less than FSH should be avoided?

Cheers

[dmc]

2.0 GTVs aren't thin on the ground, so you'd be wise to wait for one that has been looked after, I reckon. Hopefully that way you'll get one that's had some of the big jobs done on it, rather than one that's about to need them all doing. If the owner has been doing the bare minimum to get it through the MOT each year, you could end up spending a lot to get it into decent shape.

Apart from the cambelt, at that mileage the suspension bushings may be starting to go, the standard copper radiators start to corrode and fall apart, and then you have things like brake discs and pads, and air-con, which are more likely to be in good nick if the car has been looked after. It'll save you money long term if you get one that's had some of that work done, and has the receipts to show for it.

Specific to the twinspark, those engines tend get through oil, which is fine if the owner regularly checks it and tops up, but if it's allowed to get low it can lead to bottom end failures:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...tarvation.html (2.0 twin spark oil starvation?)

(Usual advice is check the dipstick and walk away if the level is below the min).

There are plenty of good ones out there, though - as you say, worth spending a bit more on.

[easternbhoy]

Originally Posted by dmc

2.0 GTVs aren't thin on the ground, so you'd be wise to wait for one that has been looked after, I reckon. Hopefully that way you'll get one that's had some of the big jobs done on it, rather than one that's about to need them all doing. If the owner has been doing the bare minimum to get it through the MOT each year, you could end up spending a lot to get it into decent shape.

Apart from the cambelt, at that mileage the suspension bushings may be starting to go, the standard copper radiators start to corrode and fall apart, and then you have things like brake discs and pads, and air-con, which are more likely to be in good nick if the car has been looked after. It'll save you money long term if you get one that's had some of that work done, and has the receipts to show for it.

Specific to the twinspark, those engines tend get through oil, which is fine if the owner regularly checks it and tops up, but if it's allowed to get low it can lead to bottom end failures:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...tarvation.html (2.0 twin spark oil starvation?)

(Usual advice is check the dipstick and walk away if the level is below the min).

There are plenty of good ones out there, though - as you say, worth spending a bit more on.

Cheers for the advice.

There does seem to a drought on decent/looked after models in Scotland...I have my eyes on a couple across the border; figuring the travel will be worth it in the end.

Looking forward to posting a pic of my new/first Alfa

[olly6969]

Bound to have less rust if from the comparatively clement weather conditions of the south east Although I'd be nervous of buying a car that had lived by the sea. Salt certainly accelerates the oxidation process

[Burtonpj]

Have a rough budget of what you'll think you'll need to spend each year on maintenance.....then double it, or maybe even triple it!