GTV - V6 or 2.0?
Discussion
Hi guys,
I am new to the forum, but am considering buying a GTV.
What I would appreciate some advice on is whether to go for the V6 or if the 2.0 offers pretty much the same thrills for less money and cheaper to run?
Is the GTV like other cars where the bigger, thirstier and heavier, but undeniably more powerful engine, can overwhealm the chassis?
Does the 2.0 engine give near enough the same performance, while returning better economy (I know,- yawn) and maybe different handling in a front drive chassis where nose heaviness is key?
Let me know what you think - should I aim for MORE POWER and a better soundtrack, or go for the 80% solution and plump for a 2..0, saving a bit in the process.
Cheers
B-B
I am new to the forum, but am considering buying a GTV.
What I would appreciate some advice on is whether to go for the V6 or if the 2.0 offers pretty much the same thrills for less money and cheaper to run?
Is the GTV like other cars where the bigger, thirstier and heavier, but undeniably more powerful engine, can overwhealm the chassis?
Does the 2.0 engine give near enough the same performance, while returning better economy (I know,- yawn) and maybe different handling in a front drive chassis where nose heaviness is key?
Let me know what you think - should I aim for MORE POWER and a better soundtrack, or go for the 80% solution and plump for a 2..0, saving a bit in the process.
Cheers
B-B
Go for the V6 it is in a whole different league to the twin spark, the combination of sound, smoothness, power, throttle response, and the engines desire to constantly make a head long dash for the red line is unbeatable. A properly sorted V6 GTV is a match in terms of performance and handling for many a theoretically faster and better handling car.
If you go for the twin spark you will always be wondering if you should have gone for the V6.
The V6 GTV is not a cheap car to run but as long as you are not doing huge mileages it is well worth it.
If you go for the twin spark you will always be wondering if you should have gone for the V6.
The V6 GTV is not a cheap car to run but as long as you are not doing huge mileages it is well worth it.
The TS is definitely a sweet car: reasonable performance, good handling and looks to die for.
The V6 is all that and more. The advice usually given is that if you're in the market for a TS don't whatever you do test-drive a V6 as you'll be smitten!
Not cheap to run, though. The V6 doesn't have quite the same appetite for cambelts and suspension bushings that the TS does but it certainly chews through the fuel. Road tax next year for post-'01 models will be £445 as opposed to £300-odd for the TS.
The V6 is all that and more. The advice usually given is that if you're in the market for a TS don't whatever you do test-drive a V6 as you'll be smitten!
Not cheap to run, though. The V6 doesn't have quite the same appetite for cambelts and suspension bushings that the TS does but it certainly chews through the fuel. Road tax next year for post-'01 models will be £445 as opposed to £300-odd for the TS.
V6 is slightly heavier at the front end, so handling not quite as sweet as the TS. However, the chassis is definitely underpowered with the TS in it! If you can afford a V6 go for it! I got the TS because I was commuting 70 miles a day.
TS averages 30 mpg, insurance group 17
V6 averages 22 mpg, insurance group 20.
TS eats rear suspension bushes and cambelts. V6 drinks petrol instead.
TS averages 30 mpg, insurance group 17
V6 averages 22 mpg, insurance group 20.
TS eats rear suspension bushes and cambelts. V6 drinks petrol instead.
I've not been in a TS, but so far am really pleased with my V6, goes like stink and the sound is lovely, even though its still on the standard exhaust. Economy is not brilliant, but manages an average of 25-26 mpg which doesn't seem too bad. I gather that the TS GTVs arent a lot better but not exactly sure.
Buy a good one and you won't regret it!
Buy a good one and you won't regret it!
They are both a cracking car and the TS is nothing to be sniffed. However, looking back I wish I had the V6 sooner. My 1st car was a Spider TS and was a dream. Even loved the car that much my 2nd was a Spider TS and really did have some good old times with the TS. That was until the nice man in the Alfa garage let me loose in the v6.
Even though I was so in love with the TS, all I could think about was getting a V6. It felt a more rewarding drivers car to drive over the TS. Handling is great on the TS and a lovely place to be but felt very under powered.
I can't stress enough to go and test both so you can make your own mind up unlike I did.
Good luck and take your time.
Even though I was so in love with the TS, all I could think about was getting a V6. It felt a more rewarding drivers car to drive over the TS. Handling is great on the TS and a lovely place to be but felt very under powered.
I can't stress enough to go and test both so you can make your own mind up unlike I did.
Good luck and take your time.
Edited by THE BIG DOG on Friday 27th June 13:11
Well, unfortunately for me (or more precisely my bank balance), it would appear to be all ayes for the V6 and only buy the TS if I want to yearn for more!!
Is there an easy fix to get more from the TS motor and how unreliable are they really (seeing the comments about certain components)?
I have a classic (well a Triumph) that I am planning to get up to 100% health (or at least 90%), before selling and embarking on the italian adventure, so I wont buyfor a bit.
The "hidden" costs, such as higher tax, higher insurance and higher fuel bills may sway me to the smaller powerplant, but then again I wont be driving it that much and the V6 might just NEED to be in my garage!
Is there an easy fix to get more from the TS motor and how unreliable are they really (seeing the comments about certain components)?
I have a classic (well a Triumph) that I am planning to get up to 100% health (or at least 90%), before selling and embarking on the italian adventure, so I wont buyfor a bit.
The "hidden" costs, such as higher tax, higher insurance and higher fuel bills may sway me to the smaller powerplant, but then again I wont be driving it that much and the V6 might just NEED to be in my garage!
I have owned and enjoyed both. Very differing personalities.
The TS is a great car fun on B roads and great for motorway cruising.
The guys above are right it'll eat the bushes and the belts, the other point is the TS engine is more likely to self change the oil every 6k so you'll have to keep an eye on it!
The V6 is the same as above, plus quite a bit. But its less forgiving and especially in the wet it'll try and kill you, in a fun way.
Both will get through electric windows.
The TS is a great car fun on B roads and great for motorway cruising.
The guys above are right it'll eat the bushes and the belts, the other point is the TS engine is more likely to self change the oil every 6k so you'll have to keep an eye on it!
The V6 is the same as above, plus quite a bit. But its less forgiving and especially in the wet it'll try and kill you, in a fun way.
Both will get through electric windows.
buster-bill said:
I would also like it to be a darker colour and with red leather, so I will keep looking.
Something like Meteor Grey, with the red 'style' interior (red leather seats, red dash, etc.) sounds like it would fit the bill.A bit like this one, and I know just where you could find such a thing...
I wonder why the Twin Spark owners don't defend themselves more on these threads sometimes since the value of these cars must be plummeting if people follow the advice on here.
For example the cambelt Red Herring: most people who buy GTVs now only drive small mileages (up to 12,000pa) so the cambelt change is done on age. If we take Alfa workshop prices then for the V6 it's £80pa but they recommend that five years is too long (note some threads where five year old GTA cambelts have snapped) so if we take four years then that's £100pa. For the dreaded TS with it's three year interval that's also £100pa.
For example the cambelt Red Herring: most people who buy GTVs now only drive small mileages (up to 12,000pa) so the cambelt change is done on age. If we take Alfa workshop prices then for the V6 it's £80pa but they recommend that five years is too long (note some threads where five year old GTA cambelts have snapped) so if we take four years then that's £100pa. For the dreaded TS with it's three year interval that's also £100pa.
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