Alfa Romeo nightmare
Discussion
The gearbox has now died after only 29k of driving in my s-reg Alfa GTV. It's had an easy life with my girlfriend driving it more than me but the problems keep on coming. Since new I've had these failures:
Central locking
Alarm
Handbrake
Aircon
General electrics
Doors coming loose
Windows not closing
Gearbox
Is there anything left to go wrong? At least the engine works I guess, touch wood. Anyone else had troubles with newish Alfa's?
Central locking
Alarm
Handbrake
Aircon
General electrics
Doors coming loose
Windows not closing
Gearbox
Is there anything left to go wrong? At least the engine works I guess, touch wood. Anyone else had troubles with newish Alfa's?
Sorry to hear about the probs.
Bit of a bummer - my girlf' is a big Alfa fan, and I'd been trying to convince her to look at a new GTV.
She's currently got a 145 - one of the last with the 'proper-Alfa' boxer engine - which she refuses to part with. Perhaps she knows best?
Hadn't heard too much about probs with the GTV/Spider, and residuals looked reasonably good too. Sorry I can't give you any useful info!
Bit of a bummer - my girlf' is a big Alfa fan, and I'd been trying to convince her to look at a new GTV.
She's currently got a 145 - one of the last with the 'proper-Alfa' boxer engine - which she refuses to part with. Perhaps she knows best?
Hadn't heard too much about probs with the GTV/Spider, and residuals looked reasonably good too. Sorry I can't give you any useful info!
Every review I see on tv about the GTV's (Top-Gear & Driven) always slates its reliability.
They always say what a lovely car it is to look at and drive, but yet it always goes wrong.
Beware - buy with caution or get something German or Japanese if you are after reliability.
Cheers,
Golders
They always say what a lovely car it is to look at and drive, but yet it always goes wrong.
Beware - buy with caution or get something German or Japanese if you are after reliability.
Cheers,
Golders
I have (my wife has 
) an 147 120 CV. Now 6K Miles and EVERYTHING perfect. Hmm, i am in Italy and infamous reputation lives even here. This was my (again) first Alfa after several panzer-cars (Audi Quattro and so on). I simply can't say anything, it's very nice drive too. Aircon is perfect, full of electronic shitty gadgets that are working perfectly. Conclusion: perfect car for my wife 
.
My father owned some 35 years a go an Giulia GTA. Even raced her too. But that's another story.
) an 147 120 CV. Now 6K Miles and EVERYTHING perfect. Hmm, i am in Italy and infamous reputation lives even here. This was my (again) first Alfa after several panzer-cars (Audi Quattro and so on). I simply can't say anything, it's very nice drive too. Aircon is perfect, full of electronic shitty gadgets that are working perfectly. Conclusion: perfect car for my wife . My father owned some 35 years a go an Giulia GTA. Even raced her too. But that's another story.
The late Alan CLark caused some offence by describing italian cars in his 'Backfire' column in CLassic Cars magazine as being built ".....like they were assembled by handicapped children in a Unicef hostel".
Politically correct arguments aside (he was quite outrageous at time), he was quite right of course.
The Captain
PS I thoroughly reccomend the recently published book of his collected motoring writings.
Politically correct arguments aside (he was quite outrageous at time), he was quite right of course.
The Captain
PS I thoroughly reccomend the recently published book of his collected motoring writings.
I'm not really into this slagging Alfa stuff. I've had my 164 the longest of all the cars I've ever owned. They are fun to drive, all the goodies and the cash you save when you buy a used one should more than cover the garage bills (yes - I've had large bills).
However, let me tell you a story about when I bought my TVR. The previous owner must have had worries about TVR's reputation for quirkiness and general niggles. When I arrived in my Alfa, the first thing I did was push the headlamp washers back into the bumper (blooming typical Alfa problem that one). Well the TVR bloke bust out laughing and said that I was obviously going to get on fine with a TVR.
If you enjoy a bit of bit of character and enjoyment from your motor - then please consider an Alfa.
If you don't, how about a nice sensible Toyota ? a very practical Audi. Have a family ? Maybe an MPV is more to your taste ? etc. etc. etc.
However, let me tell you a story about when I bought my TVR. The previous owner must have had worries about TVR's reputation for quirkiness and general niggles. When I arrived in my Alfa, the first thing I did was push the headlamp washers back into the bumper (blooming typical Alfa problem that one). Well the TVR bloke bust out laughing and said that I was obviously going to get on fine with a TVR.
If you enjoy a bit of bit of character and enjoyment from your motor - then please consider an Alfa.
If you don't, how about a nice sensible Toyota ? a very practical Audi. Have a family ? Maybe an MPV is more to your taste ? etc. etc. etc.
Brother-in-law used to have a bright orange (it hurts just thinking of the colour) Alfasud. My sister used to say that it would leave more car behind when it rained than would drive off.... Didnt believe her until I saw the rust droppings left on the road after a particularly bad rain fall.... Utterly amazing.
Then again, my wife worked for some Entrepreneurs who had some serious money. Ferraris, Astons (6 of them at last count) and everything between. Anyway, one had a GTV - thought it was the best car he had ever owned! Never broke done, never went wrong and even liked how it went (it was the 2.0 model).... colour wasnt bad either....
Looks like you can get good'uns as well as bad'uns.
Cheers,
Paul
Then again, my wife worked for some Entrepreneurs who had some serious money. Ferraris, Astons (6 of them at last count) and everything between. Anyway, one had a GTV - thought it was the best car he had ever owned! Never broke done, never went wrong and even liked how it went (it was the 2.0 model).... colour wasnt bad either....
Looks like you can get good'uns as well as bad'uns.
Cheers,
Paul
Exact, depends on the shift of +morons or -morons working on your car in the plant when the car is assembled. The final product in Italy is a stylish bingoooo. I am an lucky one. 
I like British cars, ecpecially TVR-s and Lotus (Chapman style) but you have to know that in Italy not only the cars, everything is made with a motto: "Hold a water until a plumber goes home".
Question of mentality.
But, driving alfa is always something special.
Oh yes, Alan Clark is mentally handicapped ?? Yes, i read Classic Car but certain comparations are really moronic.
>> Edited by go-go on Tuesday 29th January 09:46
I like British cars, ecpecially TVR-s and Lotus (Chapman style)
but you have to know that in Italy not only the cars, everything is made with a motto: "Hold a water until a plumber goes home". Question of mentality.
But, driving alfa is always something special.
Oh yes, Alan Clark is mentally handicapped ?? Yes, i read Classic Car but certain comparations are really moronic.
>> Edited by go-go on Tuesday 29th January 09:46
quote:
PS I thoroughly reccomend the recently published book of his collected motoring writings.
Too late - I already recommended it earlier yesterday! In seriousness though, whilst I don't quite like his somtimes elitist attitudes, Alan Clark did have some admirable view points and the book is very interesting.
Geting back to the Alfa subject, my better half's car has racked up over 70K miles, with very few gremlins; gear linkage under warranty, and water pump plus fan belt a few months back (the only 'stop' failure). So I guess the only thing this proves is how variable they can be!
Hi. I drive an Alfa 156 2.0 T-spark, 30,000 miles and so far the only gripe is a lazy synchromesh on second.Have just heard of two people locally with the same age and spec who have suffered major engine problems on reaching 29/30k. Love the car but dealers need pushing to do anything.It has been recommended that you start regular oil checks at around 20,000 miles!
Alexei Sayle used to write about his Alfa in his column in Car magazine,he always said how much he loved it, but how bloody awful the dealers were at fixing anything (and it frequently needed fixing), as well as Alfa being crap at getting parts to the dealers etc.
He also told of one occasion when he hadn't had a problem for 6 months, something went wrong, so he phoned the dealer to be told: 'Sorry Sir, but we no longer do Alfa's - they're too much trouble!!!' Never can tell if he's just joking or not
He also told of one occasion when he hadn't had a problem for 6 months, something went wrong, so he phoned the dealer to be told: 'Sorry Sir, but we no longer do Alfa's - they're too much trouble!!!' Never can tell if he's just joking or not
My 2000(V ) 166 3.0 Sportronic has had the following problems:
Broken drivers seat (warranty)
Corroded door handles (warranty)
Starter failed and bendix fell into the bell housing. This job cost £2000 (warranty)
A/C failed. New seal £125 not covered by warranty
This 2 year old vehicle cost £31000 with the sat/nav fitted.Now covered 25000 miles and best bid for sale is £9500.Brilliant when everything working but won't buy Alfa again.Depreciation or what!.
Broken drivers seat (warranty)
Corroded door handles (warranty)
Starter failed and bendix fell into the bell housing. This job cost £2000 (warranty)
A/C failed. New seal £125 not covered by warranty
This 2 year old vehicle cost £31000 with the sat/nav fitted.Now covered 25000 miles and best bid for sale is £9500.Brilliant when everything working but won't buy Alfa again.Depreciation or what!.
Just bought V6 Alfa Spider, 2001. Seems pretty well put together. Under warranty, so hopefully any future problems will get sorted - but I'd say you buy an Alfa with your heart not your head! I know the Spider will probably lose more value, be more expensive to run, break down etc - but who cares! I bought it cos of the sound from the engine, and it's worth any problems just for that.
I bought a new 3.0 GTV in 2000. Suspension both front and rear was worn out in less than 18 months (about 14,000 miles).
By far the worst thing about the car is the way that it is abused by those paid to maintain it.
I took it to Autodelta in London for a minor repair and found that it had had a 230 mile "test drive" when I collected it and it had two new dents in the door.
The imobilizer quit and I had the thing dragged away by Black & White in Newbury. Not only was the steering buggered when I got it back (they refused to repair it) but a reputable garage (Alan Day, Reading - V. Good!!) could not repair the damage. It appears that B&W managed to bend the wish bones.
I am sure that it is possible to enjoy a GTV, after all it looks like every technician who ever drove mine had a whale of a time, but owning one sucks the sack.
I shall buy German next time. You can appreciate the style of Pinin Ferrina (sp) more easily while viewing a GTV from your M3 than while sitting in the GTV trying to keep the sod on the road.
Happy to hear from anyone who disagrees especially as mine is for sale. Finally fixed up and on sale for 17K ono.
By far the worst thing about the car is the way that it is abused by those paid to maintain it.
I took it to Autodelta in London for a minor repair and found that it had had a 230 mile "test drive" when I collected it and it had two new dents in the door.
The imobilizer quit and I had the thing dragged away by Black & White in Newbury. Not only was the steering buggered when I got it back (they refused to repair it) but a reputable garage (Alan Day, Reading - V. Good!!) could not repair the damage. It appears that B&W managed to bend the wish bones.
I am sure that it is possible to enjoy a GTV, after all it looks like every technician who ever drove mine had a whale of a time, but owning one sucks the sack.
I shall buy German next time. You can appreciate the style of Pinin Ferrina (sp) more easily while viewing a GTV from your M3 than while sitting in the GTV trying to keep the sod on the road.
Happy to hear from anyone who disagrees especially as mine is for sale. Finally fixed up and on sale for 17K ono.
I have a V6 GTV "T" reg. 47000 miles and the problems I have had are minor. Some electrical glitches - 2 aerial replacements, the windows no longer seal first time (but all you do is close the doors by pushing on the windows, and when closing from the inside, drop the windows slighty then raise), and the only main pain has been the rear wheel bearing failing twice.
I would get one again over the slow agonising death by blandness that a BMW 3 series would give. AudiTT? Very nice, but it has an engine that sounds like a cement mixer. Momo leather? More like World of Leather in German cars. Their leather makes a DFS sofa look posh.
How many cars do you park, after almost 3 years, and still run the risk of walking into lamp-posts as you take one last glance at it? The GTV does that to me.
Glitches? Pah! Character!
Regards
Ray
I would get one again over the slow agonising death by blandness that a BMW 3 series would give. AudiTT? Very nice, but it has an engine that sounds like a cement mixer. Momo leather? More like World of Leather in German cars. Their leather makes a DFS sofa look posh.
How many cars do you park, after almost 3 years, and still run the risk of walking into lamp-posts as you take one last glance at it? The GTV does that to me.
Glitches? Pah! Character!
Regards
Ray
I bought a new 3.0 V6 Spider at the beginning of September 2001 and had nothing but problems. Had to go back twice because the air bag light kept coming on, the electric aerial packed up and had to be replaced, when the cold weather set in there were all sorts of problems just opening the doors because the windows kept sticking!, the gearbox was awful with anything other than a slow precise change and most annoying of all, bl**dy rattling noises from the dashboard and door panels which I just couldnt locate! You wont be suprised to hear that I sold the car at the beginning of December and am eagily awaiting delivery of a new Boxster 'S' in April.
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