Alfa toddler hits playgroup...

Hi,

Against my better judgement, I have bought a '98 GTV V6 24v. This is as a toy! It was quite cheap, and in what would call C+/B- condition, so to my inexperienced mind a little ongoing project. I always loved the styling, and the performance makes my trousers go all fizzy!

I may need people to hold my hand... I've never owned an Alfa before, and I hear it's a mugs game! Still, this is the first car I have owned that is anything more than a shopping trolley, and goes better than a tea bag, so I am happy!

Number of immediate niggles though, on the car:

airbag/seatbelt pretensioner light on all the time

Intermittent wipe not working correctly (sticks, judders)

Speedo not working

Remote control key not present

I have booked it into the Alfa specialist in Poole, but he's a pain to get to from my place near Christchurch (Dorset)

Questions are:

Anybody got news or experience about any of the above,
Is there anyone in the way of an Alfa specialist nearer to me - I've checked the obvious, but am wary of the 'main dealer experience' to my mind it's expensive and poor value.
About the key thing - can I buy a remote from main dealer, or is there a better value source?

Am I better off buying a Nissan Numpty, and forgetting about fun?(!)

Hi gMike, great to have you on-board , quite the intro, I like the picture of the shopping trolly and your car going better than a teabag check out the tech section for some more info http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...tv-and-spider/, enjoy the forum and your alfa

Hello and welcome to AO.

Hello and Welcome !!

Hi gMike welcome to the AO family
Hope you get her sorted soon, good luck
Enjoy the site
Cheers

Originally Posted by classicgal93

Hi gMike, great to have you on-board , quite the intro, I like the picture of the shopping trolly and your car going better than a teabag check out the tech section for some more info http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...tv-and-spider/, enjoy the forum and your alfa

thanks for reply! is that a 1970 spider in your driveway? My wife told me my car had to have four seats, hence the GTV. I like your style though - 2 Spiders with two seats = four seats. I like your work, you'll go far.

Mike

Welcome aboard mate and enjoy your stay!

Hi and welcome to AO and all things Alfa.

I don't know if they are any more accessible for you but specialists in the AROC UK handbook - Benalfa at Wesbury, Wilts. www.benalfacars.com

Red Motori Ltd Spetisbury, nr Blandford Forum, Dorset. Tel 01258 857737

TMC Alfa, Dorchester DT2 9QU. www.thamesmotorcompany.co.uk

Ian Ellis is maybe a bit far in West Sussex www.ianellisalfas.co.uk - he's pretty well known for older Alfas.

Alex Jupe Motorsport is at Newtown, Hants www.alexjupemotorsport.co.uk


I hope you get fixed up with whatever company you go for. Good luck with the GTV.

Hello and welcome to AO Mike

Welcome to AO

i had the same problem with the airbag light.c.p. garage checked it on his diagnostic thingy and said there was nothing showing up so he got an auto sparky to re-wire it and that was it fixed.(or he just took the bulb out,we'll find out when we hit something)£70 for the auto sparky.the wiper problem,i'd get a second hand wiper stalk.we've had our gtv for near 4 years now,we don't use it much but we love it.good luck

Nice part of the world, Benalfa he's called alan and helped me a lot with my old gtv. I hope you enjoy it much better than any thing your had before. Owning an alfa can some times be a pain in tha a** but on a nice day right road etc nothing will come close for the money.

Originally Posted by gmike

I have booked it into the Alfa specialist in Poole, but he's a pain to get to from my place near Christchurch (Dorset)

Hi and welcome.

If the dealer you are referring to is Meridien, then all the feedback so far has been positive - one of the new breed of Alfa dealers. I've found them really helpful. Nice showroom too.

hiya Mike and welcome to AO

all the best

mike.....

NEVER forget about fun!!!

Originally Posted by gmike

thanks for reply! is that a 1970 spider in your driveway? My wife told me my car had to have four seats, hence the GTV. I like your style though - 2 Spiders with two seats = four seats. I like your work, you'll go far.

Mike

I've got another alfa in the garage totally addicted
One spider is a 77 the other is a 93

Jonny Manhattan - thanks for this, it sounds like sense. Think I'll whip the wiper stalk out at the weekend and see what happens when I put the multimeter on it, you sensible chap! Auto sparks bloke is booked already, though the first bloke I rang made gurgling noises and the sign of the cross when I said the words 'Alfa Romeo'! People seem to think AR means 'the dark side'!!

Hello and welcome