Alfa Romeo GTV

The British will argue of course, but real sports cars are Italian.
Always have been. In recent years however, the Latin makers, like our
own marques, have allowed the Japanese to dominate in a market that was
never theirs. No longer. From 1996 to 2005, Alfa Romeo's GTV
models did a fine job of establishing themselves in the UK just as the
affordable European sportscar was enjoying something of a renaissance.
Its pleasant to report then, that these are cars which do this famous
marque much credit. A good few are available on the used market and are
tempting propositions indeed.One of the most beautiful sportscars you can buy at any
price. The GTV is beautiful and sounds even better than it looks. The
styling is unmistakably Alfa Romeo,
from that trademark triangular grille, through those distinctive twin
circular headlamps, to the stubby, dynamic tail treatment of the GTV.
Certainly, build quality is up to the highest Teutonic standards, an
essential attribute given that Alfa had Audi, BMW and Saab in its sights when designing the car.
Even the sports seats have Germanic firmness, though reveal themselves
as being comfortable and supportive over longer distances. Just as
surprisingly for long suffering Alfisti will be the excellence of the
driving position. The steering wheel is adjustable and the stylised
dashboard, with its deeply recessed dials, easy to absorb.The
two-litre GTV is the most affordable of the three versions, with prices
for the first N-registered models starting at about 4,000 and more
typical P-platers starting from around 4,200. A 01X will be around
7,800 and you could pick up an W-plater for about 7,100. Want a
three-litre GTV? Rob the piggy bank for at least 6,300 which should
get you a 98S; another 8,700 might well secure a 2000X example.Watch out for cars that have been thrashed and badly repaired. Check for electrical problems and interior creaks and rattles.(approx
based on a 1997 GTV 2.0 Twin spark, excl. VAT) A clutch assembly will
be around 205, while a headlamp will set you back 225. A starter
motor will be about 194 and an alternator approximately 120. Brake pads front and rear are about 49 and 53, respectively.Under
the bonnet of most of the cars youll find, there's the gloriously
melodic 2.0-litre 16-valve TwinSpark engine that was also enjoyed in
the 145, 146 and 156. In a sense, you won't care that its 150 horses
actually take you to sixty in 8.4 seconds on the way to 130mph. What
will matter is the sound it makes, inviting you to rev and rev again.
The V6-engined models are considerably thirstier as you would expect
while the extra weight in the nose adversely effects handling.
On the plus side, you get one of the most charismatic engines ever
built and the later 3.2-litre V6 models will launch you to 60mph in
6.3s. The direct injection 2. 0-litre JTS which showed up in
2003 is more refined than the older 2.0-litres and can return a
respectable 31mpg. The 0-60mph acceleration time is roughly the same as
in the older 2.0-litre cars. On the move it's fair to say
that these Alfas are more at home on smooth Italian tarmac than
Britains bumpy back-roads. The Italians were quick to point out that
the GTV was one of the stiffest cars in its class and, frankly, it
feels it. If you like a sporty drive, however, this wont put you off.
Perhaps the highest accolades should be reserved for the front wheel
drive handling. If you've always thought that proper sports
cars should be powered from the rear, then stand by for a change of
heart. Alfa wisely used the outstanding Lotus
Elan as a benchmark in development, but improved upon it in a number of
key areas. First, there's power steering that, in contrast to the
Lotus, offers the kind of direct steering that you'd normally associate
with a racing car. Secondly, the Italians managed to design a
multi-link rear suspension system that allows a degree of rear wheel
steering. There's certainly none of the twitchiness that normally
affects powerful front-driven sports cars under heavy acceleration.If you can find one, buy it. You wont be disappointed.