Some of you may be aware of my current ongoing search to find a good coupe, I haven't been able to be that active over the last few weeks because of work commitments, and being located where I am, most cars would require a day to travel to and view.

As time has continued, I have inevitably considered alternatives, and have rejected them all out of hand... until now.

Alfa GTV V6, almost as quick, arguably prettier and there seems to be better examples around for similar money. Yes its thirstier, but insurance is the same and servicing costs are going to be a little cheaper - with the benefit of it not being quite so on the ragged edge as a turbo engine like the coop's. And the soundtrack makes me smile every time I hear it, it is after all considered to be one of the greatest engines ever produced.

My reason for posting is simple - tell me why I should get the coop and stay within the fold. The increased economy is only a minor consideration, as I have a short commute and do less than average miles. I am genuinely open-minded, not to mention divided, on this one, and would like to hear other people's opinions.

Help!!

My mate has a cup version


- it looks nice, but a bit dated IMO
- interior is nice but rather small
- cannot see the end of the bonnet when parking etc
- it feels slow, no kick in the back
- its muted, doesnt sound like it should IMO
- boot is tiny
- has cost more to run than my coupe
- still rattles like a coupe
- thirstier than a coupe
- probably better handling than a 20vt (cannot confirm)
- the rear seats are rather pointless

Nice cars but not as practical as a coupe, I'd have a cup version one day to make a nice change from the coupe, but I think I'd miss the coupes shove.

I run a GT V6, well I used to and one day I will again hopefully, I only drive 30 miles a day, maybe max 200 a week, and believe me, the fuel consumption does get to you, less than 20 mpg is no laughing matter, wekk in and week out, you soon start to get sick of the face at the petrol station.

As for servicing, it will be more than a fiat coupe, as it will break, trust me, buy the best you can find, spend as much as you can, heck even buy a 2 year old car with full history from a main dealer, it will still break and will probably be the gearbox

The rest has been summed up pretty well, they sound great, not as quick accelerating, but close enough to the coop, no kick in the back, but its more refined with it. Back seats are tiny, interiors are stunning, seats are comfy, etc, etc, etc

So to sum up my little brief, I would say get an Alfa, they're the bee's knees's, but be prepared for it too break

Get a good coop imo. Wait for carl to come back a get one of his off him

I did look at one several years back. If you're tall, you won't fit. The back seats are purely cosmetic - they are a seat-shaped parcel shelf, really. The boot is TINY (says the man with a Monaro VXR and a joke-sized boot) although obviously we don't buy these cars for practicality, but the Alfa boot really is just about briefcase-sized.

Pretty car, and, dare I say (warning: heresy alert) possibly a tad classier in terms of finish over the Fiat? But MUCH less practical if that's of any concern.

Hi,
I have a 3.0GTV and a coupe 20VT. If you buy a good GTV, you won't be dissapointed; they are fabulous cars. As long as the rather cramped cockpit (if your near 6' or taller, forget it)and lack of boot space don't put you off, it's the only viable alternative to the coupe for the money.

I don't agree with shabba; the GTV feels just as quick and in real world driving it's easier and more relaxing to drive quickly. It's also a very flexible engine. In 6th gear it can go from walking pace to 150 mph and it sounds fabulous. The engine is bullet proof if looked after; 200,000 miles between rebuilds is the norm.

The crucial thing is you MUST buy a pampered one from an enthusiast. They don't tolerate abuse and can end up costing you a lot of money (sound familiar?). The best place to find one is Auto Italia magazine classified ads or from the GTV forum
http://alfaowner.com/Forum/

I love both my cars equally for different reasons so I would buy the best example as you can of either. The Alfa will not be a second best choice.

[quote=JimO
believe me, the fuel consumption does get to you, less than 20 mpg is no laughing matter, wekk in and week out, you soon start to get sick of the face at the petrol station.

( [/quote]
My experiance is 25mpg normally and 30mpg+ on the motorway

Sounds like a Top Gear quote. they tested 3 cars, Alfa was the worst but they all prefered it.

I toyed with the idea of the Alfa GTV V6 before the coupe but the back seats and MPG did it for me.

Yes the boot looks small, but I have the spare in mine and I still got my clubs and bag in the back. It's really deep, so if you don't mind putting everything in a pile it's fine

Mpg off my twinny has been 30 using unleaded and 32 on super, so not bad. I can count the number of times someone sat in the back on the coop on one had in five years, so that was never a problem

Interior is a bit odd, buttons on the dash, behind the steering wheel is not pariculary helpfull...

I hate my car with a passion, I hated the 147 I had before it, both broke and I cursed both of them, they both gave awful MPG. Anyone who comments positively on an Alfas MPG isn't driving it right IMO, my twin spark 147 would never get near the 30's, even on a long run.

But I would still get another Alfa

JimO does the humour round here

lol @ Jim

I may not be driving it right, but who's car is broken eh?

Well, I used to run a Nissan 300ZX, so I can handle the fuel, I have no family and I'm currently single, so the practical thing isn't relevant - as long as I can get my shopping in, which the back seats will manage.

But I'm 6'5". Boo.

Whens Carl back?

at 6''5' you've no chance in a GTV unless you get a phase one with the old style seats which are lower and remove the sun visor, which gives 2 inches more visability.

Can you give us a write up on the 300? What was it like?

Just get a coop. When you get bored with the car you can up the power reasonably cheaply to keep things interesting. The Alfa just isn't fast enough IMO.

yeah and stuff the engine in the process.

@Shabba, will post a write up in "other cars" when I have a bit more time, in brief - enjoyed owning it, wouldn't have another one.

@WMT Any ideas phase1/phase2 crossover? I'm looking at 97-99 models at the moment.

It would be a real shame to miss out because of headroom, but the Coop is no compromise.

I wouldn't modify the car much beyond maybe induction and exhaust, and I know from bitter experience to look after them - no shredded gearboxes for me! (Again!)

Tuning hasn't stuffed my engine.
Sure the cambelt snapped, and the turbo has 'gone smokey' twice but this could have happened to any standard car. In just over three years and 46,000 mile, I've spent:

£2,300 on fixing problems (cambelt snap, blow turbo etc)
£2,300 on maintenance
£2,300 on mods
£9,000 on insurance, tax, mot, buying it etc
£10,000 on petrol!!!

It has had no problems that can be blamed on engine modifications. Sure you get through wearing parts quicker but that's probably due to how you drive equally. Those that modify their cars, will chew through tyres, brakes a etc faster.

Saying that the Kit-Fit clutch has now covered 30k miles with 260bhp+ and is still showing no signs of slipping after FMIC and 1.2bar

YET.


Lets look what I've spent in 3 years

£200 service x2
£100 service x1
£400 clutch
£400 tyres
£300 brakes (dics/pads)
£300 odd maintaince jobs.

Do the math

math S

Phase 2 is 98/99 I believe. Can be recognised by body coloured mouldings rather than black, has ribbed seats, PH1 has flat seats. Seats like this : http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o43/1973turbo/DSC00196.jpg
have more headroom They're all a bit long in the tooth now though

Remember the thing with the sunvisor, take it out and you see more road, even with it up! again!

This is what Ph2 seats look like http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o43/1973turbo/DSC00194.jpg

Ph2 look like proper italian seats

The new special edition 147 had similar seats. I did think about it for a moment when I found out you could get them in cream/tan too but couldnt justify the cost (of the car, not the seats)

my arse is enjoying them very much!

Damn straight, we don't do mathematic. We do mathematics.

that and we aren't yanks - thank god!

And how many miles have you done?

After driving quite a few Coupes, GTV's and Spiders, then I have to say that engine and styling are down to personal preference.

As for practicality, roominess and comfort, the Coupe wins

Listen to JimO.

Be different, Coops are rarer - apart from meets I've only seen a couple on the road in the last six months.