Alfa Romeo GTV (1996 - 2005)
MODELS COVERED:
ALFA ROMEO GTV (APRIL 1996 TO DATE) GTV [16V TS Lusso and Turismo, 24V Lusso]
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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.
Since 1996, Alfa Romeo's most recent GTV models have been establishing themselves in the UK just as the affordable European Sportscar is 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 now on the used market and are tempting propositions indeed.
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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 has
Audi,
BMW and
Saab in its sights.
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 £4,500 and more typical P-platers starting from around £5,000. A 01X will be around £10,000 and you could pick up an W-plater for about £9,200. Want a three-litre GTV? Rob the piggy bank for at least £7,400 which should get you a 98S; another £10,000 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, there's the gloriously melodic 2.0-litre 16-valve TwinSpark engine that we also enjoy in the 145, 146 and new 156. In a sense, you won't care that its 150 horses actually take both 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. On the move it's fair to say that these Alfas are more at home on smooth Italian tarmac than Britains bumpy back-roads. In response, the Italians are quick to point out that the GTV is one of the stiffest cars in its class. 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 have 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.
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