Renault Alpine GTA - nWhat are they like to live with

[blueg33]

Hi Folks

I have always wanted a GTA and I have identified a few to go and look at with a view to buying, (looked at lots at Prescott on Sunday too).

I wondered what these cars are like to live with as a weekend and occasional use car. Is there anything I should look out for? I have spoken to a couple of Alpine experts and will be getting the car I see today up on a ramp so I can look underneath at he chassis etc.

So I am ok with the technical stuff, its the practical stuff eg:

Is aircon vital
How heavy is the steering when parking (no PAS?)
Is it possible to replace the radio with something more modern without a great deal of hassle
What size tyres do people run (original sizes are only available from the place that sell rocking horse poo)

I have registered on the Alpine forum, but haven't been approved yet.

[andrew 001]

check front and rear subframes and rear suspension turrets. headlamp mounting plates rot away on some cars so look through the access holes in the front compartment. no you don,t need aircon.yes a radio swap is not hard.
225/50 15 rears from £60 branded ones toyo around £100.
don't buy one untill you have got on the raoc forum they know most of the cars and can give you a lot of help but once you've driven one you won't want anything else.
to speed up registration ring the club the number is on the contact page or send me a pm.

andy

[blueg33]

andrew 001 said:

check front and rear subframes and rear suspension turrets. headlamp mounting plates rot away on some cars so look through the access holes in the front compartment. no you don,t need aircon.yes a radio swap is not hard.
225/50 15 rears from £60 branded ones toyo around £100.
don't buy one untill you have got on the raoc forum they know most of the cars and can give you a lot of help but once you've driven one you won't want anything else.
to speed up registration ring the club the number is on the contact page or send me a pm.

andy

Thanks, thats useful stuff. I have also spoken to Chris Rabbett who knows a huge amount about the cars. The hard bit is finding one! I can find atmo's but I want a turbo, and just missed one in my price range. Saw one yesterday, great outside, very very poor inside, I reckon over £2k to spend and I just dont have the time. Plus the seller wouldn't budge on his proce which is too high.

PM Sent

[LancerG]

Whats wrong with this one
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3906816.htm

Looks superb and about "on the money" for such a clean example

[blueg33]

LancerG said:

Whats wrong with this one
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3906816.htm

Looks superb and about "on the money" for such a clean example

Can't make the link work, but if its the blue one they have taken a deposit. I have first refusal.