Buying an 04 Alfa GT

calhob_ie

In the market for an 04 Alfa GT and was just wondering if anybody had any personal experience with them?

Build quality, running costs, maintenance all the usual stuff.

Plus anything I should be looking out for when picking one up second hand? Other than the fact that somebody could have beasted the life out of it.

Cheers

Chris

Hotwheels

Make sure to get a proper Alfa Mech to look it over...Try here as well for loads of advice... JTDm is the best imo...good luck with the hunt

want2play

JTD is the best, makes bits of the Twin Spark.

GT is great but i'll keep saving for my Alfa 8C

The biggest problem is the dealer network, more expensive than other main dealers but you can get lots of specialists better than any dealer.

Check out Afa Romeo Drivers Club, lots of info here and plenty of help.

http://forum.alfa156.net/forum/

calhob_ie

Thanks for the advice guys. Read some stuff on both of the forums.

The general opinion seems to be that the cars are fine, some good some bad.

But the dealers are an absolute nightmare and have next to no interest once you've handed over your cash and left the forecourt unless your ready to dig deep again.

Any alfa specialists you can recommend in the east?

Cheers

Chris

atlantean

These are very expensive to maintain - believe me, I'm in the auto parts trade and I see the difference in prices!

They are a lovely car but when things go wrong - and they do with Alfa's - it will hit your pocket big time.

For example, a set of spark plugs on the twin spark will cost in the region on €125 give or take. A thermostat for a 156 (I think) is around €75! Most card around 10 - 20 ish!

testicle

calhob_ie wrote:

Any alfa specialists you can recommend in the east?

Gerry Campbell, TI Autos, Stoneybatter.
01 8386567

testicle

atlantean wrote:

For example, a set of spark plugs on the twin spark will cost in the region on €125 give or take.

Double it.
Although, they can be got for about 90 quid on ebay. NGK Platinum. They do last 60,000 miles though, so that's not too bad.

cjt156

And there's 8 of them.

TI autos and Alasta Autos get good press from the Alfisti.

Agreed the JTDM is a fine motor if you can stand a tractor.
With all Alfa's a degree of dedication is required, they MUST be maintained, thinking you can thrash it from one service to the next is what usually does for these cars; things go wrong and that Alfa "unreliable" rep is perpetuated.

For my money the best looking coupe available for twice the money. Enjoy.

Cyrus

testicle wrote:

Gerry Campbell, TI Autos, Stoneybatter.
01 8386567

quoted for truth

gerry is the man

calhob_ie

Cheers guys.

Its a stunning looking car allright.

The GT has being getting very positive reviews and has the new 147. It appears that Alfa's build quality and reliability has improved by a huge margin with the new models.

Depreciation is still a major problem with them though, hence purchasing a 2yr old one to avoid taking the biggest dep hit on it.

It was between an A3 and the GT and the GT's looks swung it for me.

Lex Luthor

have you sat in one yet? if you are over 5'10 and bigger than avg build you will feel cramped.

calhob_ie

Fortunatley I'm not a very big guy. Just about 5'10.

Its not cramped its snug.

junkyard

Think of the depreciation and the running costs, you could do much better with your money. If you really want one, buy it, but, if you want value for your money, forget Alfa.

su_dios

My Dad drives one and and its an amazing car. Interior is great, engine sounds great, drives very well and turns heads too. Its far nicer than most of the other cars in its category. He likes it so much hes thinking about upgrading to a better '06 model

Cyrus

junkyard wrote:

Think of the depreciation and the running costs, you could do much better with your money. If you really want one, buy it, but, if you want value for your money, forget Alfa.

secondhand alfas are great value for money

new ones arent but hes not looking at a new one

junkyard

I'm convinced.... Alfa, Renault, VW and Citroen owners must be Fianna Fail voters too, ye just can't see any wrong when its obvious for all to see.:rolleyes: Why do ye think Alfa's depreciate so fast? Maybe its because the first owner is feeling generous and thinks " ah sure, I'll give the next owner a break and take a fall of 10k euros in the first six months" or maybe " I have to lose 20k euros in the next couple of years what will I do? Oh yeah, buy a new Alfa and maybe I could lose some more money along the way on running repairs...great":rolleyes:
I don't know guys, I think your beyond help.:)

Cyrus

i have a bmw,

i still like alfas tho

Hotwheels

I'm convinced.... Alfa, Renault, VW and Citroen owners must be Fianna Fail voters too, ye just can't see any wrong when its obvious for all to see

Vote Fianna Fail?? Sure why not ....And yep I can't see no wrong...
I've had Alfa's and have not had problems with them, yes they have to be minded and well serviced...same with most cars...

My new 159 JTDm is an excellent car, goes like stink and returns on average 45-47MPG...excellent machine in everyway, and build quality is very good..:)

Next on the list is a 2.4 JTDm or if petrol doesn't go thru the roof again a 3.2Q4
Then again lancia are coming back, who knows if they bring along something like an intergralie again...I might be tempted...:)

junkyard

Cyrus wrote:

i have a bmw,

i still like alfas tho

O.k, I forgive you so.:)

pburns

I like Alfas - the GT is better-looking than the Brera IMO. 159 very stylish also.

I admire the fact you're prepared to buy an Alfa & to hell with the naysayers (and reliability/depreciation worries). The JTD is a fantastic engine by all accounts. However this 159 JTD is on Carzone most of the year. Are they really that hard to shift?:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=428550

Hotwheels

Are they really that hard to shift?: & (and reliability/depreciation worries)

Looks that way for now, they will improve no doubt...

reliability from what I've read and seen is vastly improved,Alfa Diesels are an excellent motor.

Depreciation, well last time I got a good price on a trade in on my 156 against the 159 from Lismard ..in the end it ended up as a straight deal..I found them very good, and will be back when its time to change...

The only other car I would consider is the older BMW M3, I had a spin in one a few years back in Mondello..T'was great crack, sideways everywhere
But not the Marque for me...The 3.2Q4 is some animal, I'd like to do a few laps in that bella round Mondello...:cool:

dubstub

calhob_ie wrote:

In the market for an 04 Alfa GT and was just wondering if anybody had any personal experience with them?

Build quality, running costs, maintenance all the usual stuff.

Plus anything I should be looking out for when picking one up second hand? Other than the fact that somebody could have beasted the life out of it.

Cheers

Chris

I've decided my next car will be an 05 Alfa GT, sometime next year. Love it. Would buy a newer model but that pesky depreciation is a killer! Have always thought Alfas are like going out with a beautiful lady. It's expensive and comes with a good chance of breaking your heart but well worth it for the ride - best of luck with it!