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Alfa Romeo GTV V6 Buying Guide
Buying pre-owned Alfa Romeos has never been considered an easy task. Many potential buyers are still haunted by old tales of rust, unreliability and shoddy build quality. Preconceived ideas of difficult, and expensive ownership, has understandably frightened many away. So it’s little wonder that so many prospective owners choose to play safe, and head straight for something with a German or Japanese badge instead!
However, in 1987 a significant event took place ....the giant FIAT organisation took over the ailing Alfa Romeo, and much needed finance was injected into the famous Milanese company. Please read the History of Alfa Romeo page here on Alfa Legend for more details. Since then, the car world has witnessed a slow and steady evolvement of Alfa Romeo’s build quality and breadth of model range. Indeed, it may be fair to say now, that Alfa Romeo are no longer very far behind even the most feted of the German manufacturers - recent reviews regarding the Brera and 159 will stand as testament to this claim.
So …what’s the GTV V6 like?
Well, it’s Italian, it's styled by Pininfarina …and it’s a fast! What a fabulous combination of talents to work from. It can also of course be had with Alfa Romeo’s glorious and world-renowned V6 ...and some will tell you, it’s worth buying the car for that fact alone! But it’s still an Alfa Romeo …and doubters will surely have you believe the errant build quality will mean it's longevity is suspect - making it therefore far more of a riskier buy as a pre-owned proposition?
Well, contrary to what some may believe, the majority of GTV V6’s are looked after exceptionally well, by fastidious owners who practice great care of ownership and don’t thrash their car at every given opportunity. But nonetheless when you buy an Alfa Romeo GTV V6 you should be aware of certain practical shortfalls, or at least be alert to certain compromises! What are these?
Some regard the GTV V6 as a little costly to buy in the first place ...and most certainly it’s a fuel guzzler par excellence, by today’s standards. Then there's the little matter of packaging and space - 'little' being the operative word! This is a coupe in the real sense of the word …i.e. that means small to zero real room, in the back! So don't expect to fit small children, much less large adults, in the rear seats!
Its also got a tiny boot, hampered yet more by the vertical placement of it's protruding spare wheel ...so golfers look elsewhere! Insurance costs are high, and servicing costs, consumables such as tyres, and some parts can stretch even the most eager of wallets! As an example, I've only just recently, spent a little over two hundred pounds on a very small part ...a new air flow meter! Seemingly now an almost common purchase required by many Alfa GTV owners to cure a flat spot!
However, it’s all very far from bad news, because many GTV owners are real enthusiasts who have gladly accepted the aforementioned ‘foibles’ when buying their car - and because of them, buying a GTV V6 can be a relatively safe and very satisfying experience. In fact the vast majority of examples are very well looked after, having been lovingly cared for.
Buying a GTV V6 …where to begin?
We've had experience of owning a total of four Alfa Romeos in my family …and with some added input from other fellow GTV owning colleagues and friends, I’ve outlined the following buying advice. It's by no means comprehensive, but I hope it may be of some help -
It may sound ridiculously obvious, but buy your Alfa with as little mileage as possible - and try to spend as much as you can possibly afford. You may see GTV V6’s advertised at very enticing prices but with an accompanying high mileage - if it’s been serviced regularly and well maintained it may indeed still be a good one …but in my experience, and that of many other Alfa owners I know, examples with the least problems are models with the lowest mileage! Common sense perhaps, but the initial extra outlay will pay dividends throughout 'your' ownership experience.
Secondly, be sure to get it thoroughly checked out. Don't simply go up, take a peak under the bonnet, kick a few tyres, look around the bodywork and take it for a short spin. The V6 has a superb, world class (but very highly tuned) performance engine, it needs to have been looked after and cared for properly ...preferably by a proper Alfa Romeo garage. Choose a bad example, and you and your once obliging Bank Manager will no longer be on first name terms!
Buying from an Alfa Romeo dealer
Like many marques, the safest, and thus often wisest choice when buying a pre-owned example, is to buy from an established dealer. It’s the preferred option I've taken, throughout my many years of Alfa Romeo ownership ...and I would strongly recommend that you purchase this model from a reputable and established Alfa Romeo dealer.
Sourcing a GTV from a reputable dealer will guarantee that the car has been properly serviced and it’s history thoroughly checked, before being sold on to you. As a matter of course you should also get some sort of warranty – the length and quality of which, is often open to negotiation.
Of course there are two types of Alfa Romeo dealer. The 'authorised' main dealer, and the now increasingly popular ‘independent specialist’. Naturally, the main dealers tend to charge more, than the independent specialists do, for the cars on their forecourts and in their showrooms, simply because they have higher overheads and frankly take advantage of their 'main dealer' status to elevate prices.
Independent specialist garages on the other hand, tend to offer models at more reasonable prices, and quite often - and perhaps equally importantly - can make the whole buying experience far more enjoyable. Why?
Specialist garages tend to be operated by real enthusiasts who actually enjoy selling Alfa Romeos. It’s obviously your choice as to who you buy from in the end, but if you find a V6 in fine condition, and at a price you think reasonable, don't be too concerned as to whether the dealer is a authorized main dealer or not. Reputation often proceeds a dealer, whatever category or type they may fall into ...and in my opinion the real test of a dealer’s merit is in the quality of the after-sales service and backup. Find out what dealers make the grade near you, from other satisfied Alfa owners, if you can.
Buying privately
It goes without saying that very often the most compelling prices one finds, when looking to buy a GTV V6, are via private sellers who typically advertise their cars care of publications such as Exchange & Mart or Autotrader. With scant exception private sellers have only the one car to sell, and very often they want to sell it quickly. For this reason alone, private sellers may be more flexible when it comes to negotiating and agreeing on a competitive price …and you may be able to pick up a V6 at a significantly lower price, to that of a similar example at a dealer. But of course measured consideration and perhaps even greater care should be taken, as the degree of recourse one has when purchasing a car privately, is negligible!
To that end - and even if similar to myself - you have considerable experience of driving and owning an Alfa Romeo ...please don't view the car on your own! The GTV V6 is a fairly complicated piece of machinery, and much needs to be looked at with a measured eye and considered carefully. It’s all too easy to let the heart rule the head when you first drive a nice example! Therefore it’s advisable to have someone look over the car with you …even if you feel certain you know what you're looking for!
If you’re unable to find someone knowledgeable to help you examine the car, at least consider contacting an independent Alfa Romeo garage, who may for a small fee, help you check the car over. Many reputable garages offer this service …albeit with suitable notice and fee.
Alternatively, if all else fails, ask the seller if they wouldn’t mind bringing the car into the nearest Alfa garage for assessment. If the seller turns pale and refuses outright …well, then you've probably just saved yourself a fortune anyway! At the very least, make sure the car has a full Alfa Romeo service history - accept absolutely no less …and be sure to get an HPI check performed upon it.
What to look out for
Interior Trim: The interior has come in for a little criticism from the media over the years, but by and large GTV owners sit comfortably in a very pleasant, typically Italianate styled environment, albeit the driving position still errs on the traditional short legs and longer arm syndrome! No significant interior build problems should arise - in fact the GTV is screwed together better than many other Alfas. Wind noise, arising from the slight dropping of the large windows can be an annoyance – but nothing that cannot be sorted, by simple adjustment at the dealer, or by a capable owner.
Bodywork: Rust? Fear not …the old enemy has been all but banished for good …and so it should be, given modern car manufacturing processes and standards! However, keep an eye open for faded paint on the bumpers - at least in relation to the rest of the bodywork.
Engine: Proper maintenance, as already made mention is absolutely vital ...a well serviced car will largely be a trouble free car!
Overall, the GTV V6 is not plagued with any specific problems - it has what can now be regarded as, trusted and proven mechanicals ...and these are clothed within a body design, I and many others (judging by their admiring glances) think has actually aged very well.
The aforementioned mechanicals, namely the fabulous V6 engine, have been around for a long time now. As a result, and because of this, Alfa Romeo has had a great deal of time over the years to develop and iron out any foibles and problems with it. I don't think anyone would deny that it’s truly a superb, world-class high performance unit.
But as with many engines, be on the look out for, occasional oil leaks - these have been noted throughout the years. Therefore be sure to take a good look underneath the bonnet/hood for any leaks, which will be obvious to the eye. The gearbox on the GTV is a pleasure to use, and among the best encountered on any Alfa Romeo. I’m not aware of any major issues concerning gearboxes on the GTV model, but attention should always be paid to the feel and performance of the gearbox and clutch during a test drive - as with any pre-owned car.
The V6
model has disc brakes all round, with substantial Brembos at the front. They do
a fine job of stopping this performance coupe quickly, but they can feel a bit
spongy when braking hard. Obvious juddering should be noted and investigated -
again, as with any car being put through it's paces during a test drive.
There have been some problems reported with rear suspension failures on the GTV, albeit mainly on the smaller two litre engine model. The V6 comes with uprated parts so the problem is less likely to occur, if at all. Still, it makes good sense to listen out for noises at the back of the car whilst going over bumps and less than smooth roads. Clonks from the rear suspension can mean that bolts that pass through the aluminium suspension componentry have not been tightened regularly - thus causing wear to the bushes and mounting points. Properly maintained GTV V6’s will have had these checks performed upon them, so it’s prudent to ask the seller if the rear bushes have ever been replaced. Cam belts should be diligently replaced, at 70,000 miles, although a change at 60,000 miles is the smarter option. Spark plugs should also be replaced at 60,000 miles too.
If the car you are looking at, is close to its 60,000 mile service, be sure to ask if these items have been checked and/or replaced. If so, confirm this by asking to see proof or fitting or replacement i.e. a service invoice. If the above issues haven't been sorted, factor these potential costs into your offer ...as it’s going to cost several hundreds of pounds to perform this work.
Check and ensure that the car has had regular oil changes if you can. Alfa V6’s are very found of the black stuff - and having the oil changed regularly is key to the health of the car. Again, if the car has a proper Alfa service history, this will have been done regularly. Many Alfa V6 owners insist on having the oil changed every 6000 miles, and it’s a total false economy to put cheap oil in this engine to say the very least. Alfa, and all wise owners, subscribe to the recommended use of semi or fully synthetic oils by the industry’s leading manufacturers. Semi synthetic is the preferred option for the GTV V6.
The driving experience
You will immediately notice upon sitting in the car, that the GTV’s windscreen is noticeably smaller, or to be more precise, narrower, than the average car on the road. It's a matter of personal taste, but I like the view it gives as it makes the driver feel more at one with the car. Some however, do apparently dislike the ‘letterbox’ effect - but give it a few miles, and most drivers get used to it very quickly ...and actually grow to like it!
The superb and exquisite Momo leather seats, although firm, are actually very comfortable …although some critics have bemoaned a lack of lateral support available to them. It should be noted that the GTV Cup's seats apparently offer better lateral support, and redress this issue for some. Car magazine journalists in the past have criticized the GTV's interior as being too cramped, particularly making note of a lack of headroom ...well, various of my passengers and I (often over 6ft) don't have any real issues with regard to this issue, and in fact for a coupe, I feel it's remarkably good in this area!
On the other hand, boot space, as made mention of earlier, is frankly not terribly impressive at all. Supermarket shopping can become a weekly challenge! But then, you’re not buying this car for practicality, are you? Fitting a spare tyre replacement kit will free up a substantial amount of space, should it become a real issue.
Getting in and out of the GTV, whilst not VX200 or Elise-class challenging, can be perhaps best described as thought provoking. But hey, this is an Italian sports car – surely that’s part of the experience!
The GTV's paintwork, and it's quality of finish won’t be keeping BMW or Audi awake at night - although my current red V6 is more than acceptable, and looks positively stunning after a wash and wax!
Which model V6?
There are now three evolutions of series to the GTV V6 –
Series 1: The first V6’s came onto the market in June 1996 and continued up until around March 1998, with limited production.
Series 2: In May 1998, the GTV V6 was cosmetically revised. It is easily identified externally, by the addition of colour coded side skirts and bumpers, a chromed surround grille, and five hole 'teardrop' alloys. Inside, the centre console has an aluminium effect finish, as do the two main dashboard cowlings. The kick-plates under both doors are black scored with the 'Alfa Romeo' name in aluminium grey. In May 1999, the 6-speed V6 was released. This car is identical to the series 2 GTV V6 above, except for the extra gear and some slight changes to the exterior. Most 6 speeders were offered with the stunning larger 17" telephone dial alloys, and a small wing on the rear. In September 2001, a special edition 'GTV Cup' was launched to commemorate the GTV racing series in Italy. Only available in red - each one has a numbered plaque on the console, more supportive seats and ‘wet look’ 17" telephone dial alloys. Released as a limited edition, this is definitely the most collectable GTV at the moment.
Series 3: Launched in summer 2003. The phase III GTV has had some significant modifications made to it. The front has been completely restyled with the new corporate look grill - which personally I find somewhat slightly overbearing! Alfa also introduced the 3.2 litre V6 engine, as used in similar guise on the 156GTA and 147GTA models. The interior has received only minor updating, and thus is largely unchanged from that of the previous model.
How much should one pay? (prices as of April 2004)
Having just looked only recently - depreciation seems to have steadied somewhat on the GTV model of late - and in my humble opinion there are few cars on the road today that offer so much VFM in terms of performance and reasonable price!
Expect to pay £10 - £11k for a good 1998 V6 from a dealer (as of January 2004). More recent V6’s (2001/2002) can be had for as little as £12 - 13k.
Running Costs
The V6 has an insurance rating of group19 by British Insurers. That’s one below uber-cars such as Aston Martin, Porsche or Ferrari ...so insurance can be very expensive, naturally depending upon your age, where you live, and how you use the car.
The V6 comes with a Thatcham 2 rated alarm & immobiliser, so be sure this is noted by the insurer. Uprating your GTV to a Thatcham 1 rated alarm and/or fitting a Tracker device, and garaging it overnight, will also often reduce your premium noticeably.
The cost of running a GTV V6 obviously depends upon your lifestyle, and the demands you place upon the car. Insurance and fuel costs are high. Driving style will really influence how much you ultimately pay for fuel, as working the gears, and flooring the throttle in a GTV V6 will do your wallet no favours at all! And sadly when you buy a V6 it’s all too easy not to exploit the car’s performance and revel in the glorious sound of the V6 ...much to the delight of the local petrol stations. I would advise using super-unleaded petrol, where possible, as its higher octane value gives slightly better performance and supposedly slightly better MPG. However, premium unleaded is perfectly acceptable, if not actually preferable for the keen driver among us!
Servicing costs should come in at about £250-£500 a year - major problems excluded. Many parts are surprisingly less expensive than you'd think, so fuel and insurance costs aside, the actual running costs of a V6 should be similar to that of a 2 litre GTV.
I've yet to have found a review that advises against buying this car. In fact, almost every review I have read cannot praise this car enough! Critics, who have been notoriously hard on other Alfa Romeos throughout the years, have made room in their hearts for this model ...as they all seem to agree that this model is a sports coupe of the purist kind.
For sure, one can experience occasional problems as an owner of a GTV, but it largely comes down to the car’s history. Simple as it sounds, if the model you buy has been looked after properly, you'll have very little to worry about during your tenure.
So to finish.
If you're really keen on buying an Alfa Romeo GTV V6 have a look at a few, and truly familiarise yourself with the model before making a decision to buy one. Talk to other GTV owners c/o various website forums, or the Alfa Romeo Owners Club (see the Alfa Legend links page).
Alfa owners tend to be an enthusiastic and knowledgeable bunch, who are more than happy to give prospective new owners all the advice they may require to join the fold!
Good luck and happy motoring!
Article care of:
www.gtvv6.com / Matthew Franklin
