One of my other cars - an Alfa!

[A lex]

Whilst the V70 takes care of the commute, this old girl lives in the garage for high days and dry days.....

Been mine since 2006, now got 160k miles on the clock and has cost me an absolute fortune over the years - a rough guesstimate is somewhere around £20k in upgrades and repairs over 6 1/2 yrs!

However, ill never sell it - too many memories and too much money spent!

Its a 1998, 2.0 4-pot (should have bought the V6, but was young and too skint when I bought this), Lusso spec with the red Momo leather, 5 speed manual and a manual roof.

These GTVs and Spiders were actually really advanced cars for their time, with passive rear steer, variable valve timing, very complicated (but wonderful) rear suspension, twin spark plug ignition etc etc.

Mine has a few modifications, namely:

-35/-40mm FK Springs
KYB Gas adjust dampers
Poly bush rear suspension
Novitec air filter with resonators removed
17" OE Alfa GTA alloys
Ragazzon straight through centre exhaust
6000K HIDS

Nearly all of the critical components have replaced for new over the years.

ECU
Immobiliser
all wishbones
drive shafts
rear suspension
full exhaust including manifold and CAT
many sensors
all the belts and variator (a few times)!
new seats

The list is pretty endless to be honest, and it still needs a LOT doing to it. It certainly makes the Volvo look cheap to run. However I love it, its wonderful to drive and its a real change and a pleasure to drive after jumping out of the daily commuter.

Hope you like.......

[850Chris]

Stunning car. Would love an Alfa at some point (always had a hankering for a 156 GTA estate with that lovely 3.2 V6 but the Mrs forbids it due to perceived unreliability issues!)

[The Thong]

Nice

TT

[MattyS80]

Very nice.

I too am a avid fan of Alfa Romeos. Not so keen on the new ones mind (MiTO and Giulietta). Had 3 156s in my time including the 2.5 V6 which was really nice. Lovely engine notes but was a bit thirsty but very rewarding! They say the heart rules the head with Alfas and it most certainly did with the V6! Saying that never had many problems with them TBH over the years just usual wear/tear items. Went through wishbones fairly quickly but I think that is mainly the bad roads in the UK IMHO!

Looking to get another at some point - like you for a 2nd car. Looking at a GTV spider. Until I can justify (and afford a second car) I am content with my Volvo for the time being. Pictures and posts like this don't help me quench my thirst for another Alfa though... Enjoy!

[irishcarfan]

I'd love an Alfetta GTV. Love Alfas.

[A lex]

Thanks for the comments all.

I test drove a MiTo 1.4TB extensively when they were first released back in 2009, but I just didnt like it. I bought this instead:







One of the very first LHD 500 Abarths on the road back in Dec. 2009. Absolutely loved it, had to sell after only 10k miles but loved every second of owning that car. I had it remapped and added a very fruity titanium exhaust; it was RR'd @ 175bhp, which is a real hoot in a small car weighing 900kg!

I have had a few other newer Alfas over the years - all gone now though

[A lex]

Quite a long time since the last update.

The old girl is still chugging along.

Ive put a new roof on it (the old one had a broken rear screen and was generally knackered).

Oil and filter change yesterday, a jet wash today and now its ready for another year of bankrupting me!

[A lex]

Starting to give the Alfa a bit of increased usage now the weather is cheering up.

Latest change: 17" OE teledials gone, 18" Azev TypA fitted.

18" is the biggest you can comfortably go on these cars, I really like the retro look of the Azevs, but they do split opinion.

[stutgart69]

I admire your dedication mate

I just sold the wife.s Spider for £350 spare or repair because I couldn't be bothered with the expense or hassle of maintaining it .

[AcidicDavey]

Azev As, nice choice. I was tempted to put some on my GTV when I had it