VROOOOOOOOM! (Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V)

Member Name: fitznstarts

Product:	Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 24V
Date:	11/06/01 (2355 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: noise, pace

Disadvantages: size, slightly aging looks

I actually own a 156 1.8 Sport, but if you have ready my op on that, you will know that it has not been problem-free.

After a replacement dashboard, gearbox and driveshaft I was getting disappointed and told the garage so quite clearly. They made it up to me on the first service. Four days in a 3.0 V6 GTV by way of an apology.

I live in the Chilterns and the opportunities to drive this wonderful car in the crisp Autumn last year were outstanding.

Everything that's already been written is true. The cabin is small (if nicely laid out in leather), the rear seats are low-slung shelves and the boot is two thirds full of a full sized spare tyre.

What the heck, when you get the rev needle up around 7,000 it's so willing and the noise is outstanding. You'll be heading for every underpass and bridge you can find with the windows open just to hear the wonderful near 200 bhp growling like a pent up lion.

Fuel economy is pretty rotten when driven hard, but I'm used to that from my Alfa. However, you do have to realise that you are sitting in a car the size of a Ford Fiesta with two of its engines under the bonnet. If you want decent fuel economy drive slowly, or get a Fiesta!

I'll say that the looks are beginning to fade now. With the Elise, Honda S2000, Vauxhall and Z3 all chipping at it's feet, it's probably time for the tallented designers to have another go.

For £30,000 you get into TVR territory but you have English build quality rather than Italian to worry about.

A Z3 is probably a better bet. The BMW will be better finished and the boot is shallow but large compared with deep and narrow. The BMW will probably also go for longer without trouble and cost less too.

But it's Italian... we don't expect perfection, just a heady love affair!

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