Characterful two seater (Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V)

Member Name: FraserP

Product:	Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V
Date:	22/02/01 (2844 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, sculptured body, desirable engine

Disadvantages: Impractical storage, moderate petrol consumption

This car is a bit old fashioned in some respects; it is not very practical as it is really only a two seater; the rear seats are so cramped for leg room that when I first test drove it, we put our 9 month old baby in a baby seat in the rear, and although I am not tall (5'7") she still complained by kicking my seat! Its boot is tiny (about the size of one medium suit case).

However, it was never designed as a family car and has many virtues.

The engine is possibly the best of any car in this price bracket, assuming that you like the sound of a throaty smooth and powerful engine which sings all the way to 7,000 rpm. This is exploited by a six speed gear box, which means you have a wide choice of gears and some scope in sixth for saving fuel on long journeys.

It is front wheel drive but feels balanced and grippy through corners and hangs on well even if pushed hard around a roundabout.

The cabin is cosy, and you have an impression of good visibility as the windows seem big. The driving position is a little bit too high relative to the rest of the cabin and I suspect it is more suited to people with shorter legs.

As it has a relatively big engine it pulls well from all speeds, and sounds wonderful in the process.

My experience is not as an owner but from an number of test drives and by comparing it with my own car the Fiat Coupe 2 litre turbo, which is very similar but marginally better in my biassed opinion, being as capable performance wise, but much more spacious both in the rear cabin space and the boot, and offing significantly better fuel consumption.

However if you are looking for a fun two seater sports car, give this one a try as bland it is certainly not!

Summary: