About to buy a 2.0 GTV. Thoughts before I press the button??

[Martial Arts Man]

Saw a 99 GTV 2.0 for sale less than a mile from me today. I don't need it at all, just saw its price and thought "hmmm...think I might need that.

Anyway, I popped in to have a closer look and a quick spin.

There is a tiny bit of rust on the drivers door at the edge; it looks like it's had a parking ding and never been sorted. Is this repairable? Any ideas as to cost? (it's about 2 inches along the edge).

A couple of flakes of paint have come away. Is this fixable without a respray? Maybe about the size of a biro in diameter.

The interior is absolutely perfect, 100%.

I couldn't feel any evidence of the suspension being shot; it seemed well planted and no squeaks or rattles.

The car has 106K on the clock. Full MOT schedule completed.

It had a cambelt change at 65K. No paperwork since 75K, which was Alfa main dealer till then.

The price is £1900 (sticker). Silver with red leather.


If I buy it I'll book it in for a service and cam change immediately anyhow.


Anything else I should look out for?


Any help greatly appreciated! (as things stand, I'm gonna go buy it tomorrow morning )


ETA: there is one thing I forgot; the driver's window doesn't quite close properly. Easy or ruinous to fix?

Edited by Martial Arts Man on Thursday 20th January 20:07

[hornetrider]

Needs belts immediately. 500 odd quid job, so add that to the purchase price. Is 2400 really value for a twin spark GTV with 100k on it? I don't think so. A few hundred more will get you into a V6.

[_Batty_]

2k isn't that cheap for a 100k+ twinny.
it will need its cambelt done again soon as they revised the 72k schedule down to 36k.
never understood the TS really, poor MPG, and worse performance..

[alfabadass]

£1900 sounds overpriced as the cambelt service will be around £400 alone never mind the rust!

I wouldn't get it. I know what you're heart is saying but listen to the head and hold out for another GTV.

[Martial Arts Man]

hornetrider said:

Needs belts immediately. 500 odd quid job, so add that to the purchase price. Is 2400 really value for a twin spark GTV with 100k on it? I don't think so. A few hundred more will get you into a V6.

It has to be a 2.0 as the insurance with the Mrs on it is too high for a whimsical purchase.

What should I offer the guy then, assuming I buy this one?

Cheers.

[VeeFour]

Lack of history for the last 25k+ miles, and rust.

Find another.

It's priced at the higher end of the market for a TSpark and they're very well galvanised, so even an untreated ding like that shouldn't have rusted - I suspect it has had more paint on that door than you think.

[Martial Arts Man]

alfabadass said:

£1900 sounds overpriced as the cambelt service will be around £400 alone never mind the rust!

I wouldn't get it. I know what you're heart is saying but listen to the head and hold out for another GTV.

I don't think I can be bothered if I don't get this one (I know that sounds strange but this is a real impulse buy!).

What do you think it's worth then as is?

[Martial Arts Man]

VeeFour said:

Lack of history for the last 25k+ miles, and rust.

Find another.

It's priced at the higher end of the market for a TSpark and they're very well galvanised, so even an untreated ding like that shouldn't have rusted - I suspect it has had more paint on that door than you think.

ahh......

[hornetrider]

Martial Arts Man said:

I don't think I can be bothered if I don't get this one (I know that sounds strange but this is a real impulse buy!).

What do you think it's worth then as is?

I don't understand you mate. If you want a GTV get a GTV, but don't, whatever you do, get one that hasn't seen a dealer for 30 thousand miles. You will be buying a world of uncertainty and possible pain. It doesn't even sound very good.

[Martial Arts Man]

hornetrider said:

Martial Arts Man said:

I don't think I can be bothered if I don't get this one (I know that sounds strange but this is a real impulse buy!).

What do you think it's worth then as is?

I don't understand you mate. If you want a GTV get a GTV, but don't, whatever you do, get one that hasn't seen a dealer for 30 thousand miles. You will be buying a world of uncertainty and possible pain. It doesn't even sound very good.

Fair enough.

You are right...I just don't want you to be!

[Martial Arts Man]

A lex said:

Its WAY overpriced.

Its in desperate need of a cambelt, variator, tensioner and water pump change. I bet you the rear sub-frame will need re-bushing too.

Parking dings are nothing to worry about and easily repaired.

The seller wont want to admit it, but its worth more like 1400quid.

If you have 2k to spend and want a GTV may I suggest:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2410374.htm

Its had pretty much everything done that will need doing and will leave you 500quid to buy a new gear stick!

Ahh, I see what you guys mean.

That's a nice one actually innit

[exgtt]

One thing I'd need with a pretty thing like a gtv is good bodywork. Nowt worse than throwing money at a car with tatty paint.

Lack of history + cambelt due = a £700 car in my book.

Don't buy it then be posting in a few weeks telling us how crap alfas are ; - )

[Martial Arts Man]

A lex said:

If you have 2k to spend and want a GTV may I suggest:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2410374.htm

How did you find this, it isn't on my search list...?

[dave0010]

had one years ago, typical alfa great to look at and on the right road when everything worked a brilliant car.

But the engine has no power and there was always the thought in the back of my mind that something was gonna go wrong. In the time i owned it ( 3 months ) the battery needed replacing, the aerial stopped going up or down and made a horrible noise every time it tried, the air con came on every time you started the car no matter what.

so summarising beautiful car, horrible constant niggle it will go wrong, most have faults and you could find a better faster car for the money so if I was you BUY IT there great.

[Martial Arts Man]

I was being a retard; I found that other one.

Here's an older one near me; any thoughts:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323482.htm

[village idiot]

there shouldn't be any rust... there's plenty out there with none to chose from.

the service history hole is a major no-no...

i would take a punt on it for £500 for above that, i would take my time and seek out a good one.

i have owned a gtv 2.0ts and think they are fantastic cars!

[Martial Arts Man]

Alex, the first car you posted looks perfect.

Trouble is, I'm 6'4" and suspect the sunroof may cause me some problems. Which is a shame because I was just about to call the guy and take a trip!

My stance has softened since posting here....I will happily travel for one now!

[VeeFour]

dave0010 said:

had one years ago, typical alfa great to look at and on the right road when everything worked a brilliant car.

But the engine has no power and there was always the thought in the back of my mind that something was gonna go wrong. In the time i owned it ( 3 months ) the battery needed replacing, the aerial stopped going up or down and made a horrible noise every time it tried, the air con came on every time you started the car no matter what.

so summarising beautiful car, horrible constant niggle it will go wrong, most have faults and you could find a better faster car for the money so if I was you BUY IT there great.

I suspect there was something very wrong if you say it had 'no power'.

They don't have huge amounts of power - but don't weight all that much either - so 150bhp is 'sprightly'.

[VeeFour]

Martial Arts Man said:

I was being a retard; I found that other one.

Here's an older one near me; any thoughts:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323482.htm

Wouldn't be too happy with the respray - unless I could get some kind of solid evidence that it was only due to faded paint, and it was of a very high quality.

Also - cambelts are due every 3 years, regardless of mileage, so it may well be due very soon.