Potential bargain or potential ruin?

[jagdpanther]

After many years of resisting the temptation and allure of the Italian machinery, I now find myself increasingly drawn towards Alfa Romeo and what the older cars have to offer.

Im seriously wrestling with my conscience and need some input from you folks

IF I was to buy myself an Alfa, it would simply HAVE to be a V6...I NEED that noise in my life

Now Ive found a couple of examples that need a little TLC, bare in mind that I wouldnt be going for concours/show condition, just tidy and all round useable

These are what Ive come up with so far

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV6-RED-Fal...

Would I be mad for even contemplating this or could it be a good decision??

What would I be in for should I venture out for something like this?????

Ta

~S~



ETA

Are the GTV6 front or rear wheel drive?

Edited by jagdpanther on Wednesday 26th September 15:26

Edited by jagdpanther on Wednesday 26th September 15:27

[Wombat Rick]

jagdpanther said:

Are the GTV6 front or rear wheel drive?

Rear wheel drive transaxle. Same as the 75 which are a very popular Nurburgring tool so worth keeping an eye out for those too as the big ones were 3.0 and 190bhp. Not quite as stylish I admit.

http://www.75experience.co.uk - they use the 2.0 four but the 3.0 V6 looks the same.

You could of course be letting yourself in for a whole load of trouble, but then again you just don't know with Alfas. Often they will go on for years with fewer and fewer bits of trim joined on and accessories working. The ones you have spotted are obviously going to need some TLC and I don't know what the budget can run to, but I reckon something like the silver one here at £2,995...
http://www.aroc-uk.com/classifieds/index.asp (scroll down)
...would be far cheaper in the long run.


Also keep an eye on http://www.velocesport.com/mainsales.htm and http://www.alexjupemotorsport.co.uk/ as they get a lot of GTV6s through.

Either way round I hope you get to try the Alfa V6 experience one day. I haven't got to V6 ownership myself yet but it's definitely "on the list"!

[jagdpanther]

V6 Alfa ownership is something I simply must try and although Im fairly skint, I might be tempted into it next year, even if only for a few months

The sound of an Alfa V6 is something I must have

[Wombat Rick]

jagdpanther said:

V6 Alfa ownership is something I simply must try and although Im fairly skint, I might be tempted into it

Starting price £0.01 with no reserve!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-ALFA-ROMEO-75-V6-3-0-BL...

[jagdpanther]

Ta for the links, I will keep my eye out!

I know I want a TVR, but thats a few years off as I want a belter so I might aswell enjoy some other noisey splendors before hand

[rustybin]

I would seriously suggest buying the best you can afford. The cars you listed will cost you nothing to buy and your house to keep on the road.

For a more sedate Alfa V6 how about a 164 Cloverleaf. The 12V made 192Bhp and the 24V 230Bhp. Most have lived on motorways and a good one can be yours for low 3k. Buy on condition and maintenance history.

This one looks very nice...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-164-Cloverleaf-V6...

(nothing to do with me incidentally, but the seller is right. If you get one you will fall in love with it.)

[jagdpanther]

I do like the 164, but the idea was to buy a V6 Alfa on the cheap side (sub 1K) and run it for a couple of months to see what everyone is banging on about, enjoy the performance and the sounds, then sell it on (knowing me I would fall for it!)

3k is too close to other cars I would like for it to be viable

What about a cheap 155 V6?

[rustybin]

jagdpanther said:

What about a cheap 155 V6?

Personally I have a problem with the FWD V6's. They are very understeery in my humble compared to the lovely chuckininess of the four pot equivalents. The 155 wasn't exactly renowned for its handling anyway, the widebody version improved it a lot but it needed to. I know the 164 is FWD but it is a bit more lardy and cruisery so it matters a bit less. I would definitely stick to the 75 if you want to play at the cheaper end as the GTV's at that price will be dogs but beware, be very very ware.

[sleep envy]

GTV6's are cracking fun - a couple of mates had a few

they're not too bad as long as they're not rusty but they get the odd electrical fault

if you find a 75 V6 with veloce kit drop me a mail - ta!

[rustybin]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-ALFA-ROMEO-75-V6-3-0-BL...

Would somebody please buy this before I do and my wife puts a contract out on me.

[JulesV]

I did over 100,000 miles in my 75 Twin Spark. It was a fantastic car. Needed careful looking after and suffered a few niggles but only actually broke down once in that time. Whilst I agree that the 3 litre is a great engine (I have also owned 2 164 V6s) don't dismiss the 2 litre as it is a proper twin cam chain driven Alfa unit and more powerful even than many 2 litre cars today.

[jagdpanther]

rustybin said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-ALFA-ROMEO-75-V6-3-0-BL...

Would somebody please buy this before I do and my wife puts a contract out on me.

You give me the money, I'll go buy it

JulesV said:

I did over 100,000 miles in my 75 Twin Spark. It was a fantastic car. Needed careful looking after and suffered a few niggles but only actually broke down once in that time. Whilst I agree that the 3 litre is a great engine (I have also owned 2 164 V6s) don't dismiss the 2 litre as it is a proper twin cam chain driven Alfa unit and more powerful even than many 2 litre cars today.

I dont doubt for a second that the 2.0 TS units are a fantastic lump, my mate had a AR75 Twin Spark and it went like stink...but ideally its the howl of the V6 that Im yearning for


I wouldnt be bothered if the car was a bit rough and ready, Im prepared for that after owning my old Volvo 240GLT (read the worst car you've owned thread )

[jagdpanther]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/248914.htm


Ohhhh so wrong


something like this would do nicely too

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/226994.htm



Damn my shitty timing

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/211843.htm

[75_Steve]

Wombat Rick said:

jagdpanther said:

V6 Alfa ownership is something I simply must try and although Im fairly skint, I might be tempted into it

Starting price £0.01 with no reserve!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1990-ALFA-ROMEO-75-V6-3-0-BL...

Warning..... sounds like the clutch is on it's way out - which isn't a cheap job. A V6 clutch is worth more than the car, but a TSpark clutch will go in - but you're still looking at around £250+ to swap it. Not a job you'd want to do on your drive, either.

Also, the bottom of the rear arches is a sure sign that there's lots more rot elsewhere. Mine had gone there on both sides and needed £2k worth of panels, welding and paint to put right.

[75_Steve]

jagdpanther said:

After many years of resisting the temptation and allure of the Italian machinery, I now find myself increasingly drawn towards Alfa Romeo and what the older cars have to offer.

Im seriously wrestling with my conscience and need some input from you folks

IF I was to buy myself an Alfa, it would simply HAVE to be a V6...I NEED that noise in my life

Now Ive found a couple of examples that need a little TLC, bare in mind that I wouldnt be going for concours/show condition, just tidy and all round useable

These are what Ive come up with so far

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-ALFA-ROMEO-GTV6-RED-Fal...

Would I be mad for even contemplating this or could it be a good decision??

What would I be in for should I venture out for something like this?????

Don't go near any of them.

Narrowbody 155s aren't great - they're OK, but that one is probably due a cambelt last week.

Both GTVs look like they need a fair bit of welding and paint. You'd get a sound one for less than what those would cost to put right.....

But what do I know - I just spent around £2.5k on having my 75's bodywork sorted and I haven't started on the interior yet.

Do it for the love of the car, but don't do it 'cos they look cheap for what you get.

I only had the 75 done because I'd had it for years and wanted to keep it.

[75_Steve]

rustybin said:

I would seriously suggest buying the best you can afford. The cars you listed will cost you nothing to buy and your house to keep on the road.

For a more sedate Alfa V6 how about a 164 Cloverleaf. The 12V made 192Bhp and the 24V 230Bhp. Most have lived on motorways and a good one can be yours for low 3k. Buy on condition and maintenance history.

This one looks very nice...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-164-Cloverleaf-V6...

(nothing to do with me incidentally, but the seller is right. If you get one you will fall in love with it.)

That one is about £2k overpriced, though.

And no, I'm not taking the piss.

Those things are worth pennies.

[Wombat Rick]

jagdpanther said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/248914.htm

Ohhhh so wrong

That's a 2 litre 4 pot so although very pretty it's not going to satisfy your V6 yearnings!

[Pooh]

jagdpanther said:

What about a cheap 155 V6?

I had a 1996 wide body 155 2.5 V6, probably the best car I have ever had, it handled superbly (better than my GTV but with a bit less grip) it was very throttle adjustable so under-steer need not be a problem, I have fond memories of sliding it round knock hill on opposite lock and passing a very pissed of 190 cosworth Merc driver at Ingleston purely on superior corner speed, it was very forgiving and inspired huge confidence so it was easy to drive at the limit. I did 84K miles in it and had very few problems other than front suspension bushes and a failed throttle position sensor, also it was galvanised so no rust. I loved it and only sold it because I could not get three child seat side by side across the back.
I love the old GTVs too but they are liable to be a lot more troublesome and expensive to run largely due to rust and the availability of some parts.

[jagdpanther]

Pooh said:

jagdpanther said:

What about a cheap 155 V6?

I had a 1996 wide body 155 2.5 V6, probably the best car I have ever had, it handled superbly (better than my GTV but with a bit less grip) it was very throttle adjustable so under-steer need not be a problem, I have fond memories of sliding it round knock hill on opposite lock and passing a very pissed of 190 cosworth Merc driver at Ingleston purely on superior corner speed, it was very forgiving and inspired huge confidence so it was easy to drive at the limit. I did 84K miles in it and had very few problems other than front suspension bushes and a failed throttle position sensor, also it was galvanised so no rust. I loved it and only sold it because I could not get three child seat side by side across the back.
I love the old GTVs too but they are liable to be a lot more troublesome and expensive to run largely due to rust and the availability of some parts.

I like the looks of the 155 too so maybe that could be more of a forerunner than the GTV6, which I do adore, but dont think I could stomache the potential costs

I do like the look of the 164 and could easily see myself owning one...maybe

[bint]

Still in love with my 156 SW V6 - lovely burble she has too :P Shall be taking her out tomorrow to venture around Longleat - hope the Monkey's don't strip her....hopefully the V6 may scare them away!