Used Alfa Romeo Gt
A history lesson…
Ooo, isn’t she pretty? Like Halle Berry pretty? Or Rick Waller pretty… oops, no that’s wrong, isn’t it? Whatever; the Alfa Romeo GT is hot, and everyone wants a piece. When people buy the coupe GT, they don’t care about saving the world, keeping the South-African dingo-bat alive or helping re-build the O-Zone layer, all they care about is how bite-the-back-of-your-hand gorgeous the Alfa GT is – and how many of the opposite sex will now suddenly find out appealing.
Designed by Bertone, the GT stood out from the crowd when launched in 2004, and while it was never the most light-footed or technically advanced coupe on the road, it always had those looks, which is why it stayed in production for so long.
In white, red or blue, the GT just exudes class and style. If you drive one, you are a person who knows what they like in life.
Bang for your buck
Buying a second name GT really does make sense. You’d be surprised at just how affordable an 04 or 05 car is; especially when you consider that they were a £20k+ car when new. This is the beauty of Alfas; they always come down in price after a few years, and it means everyone can have a piece.
There are plenty of toys like climate control, airbags and CD player, and while the space is limited, it is a coupe, so you can’t expect M5 levels of room and practicality. Taking a fair chunk of engineering from the 147, the GT isn’t the most sure-footed coupe Alfa has ever made, but it is one of the most beautiful, and even if you get a basic GT, you get those looks as standard.
What you’ll pay
Fancy an Italian Alfa Romeo GT for under £10k? Walk this way. That’s right; you can own one of the most desirable modern-day coupes for just £8,000 on an 04 plate. Better still, you can bag yourself a 3.2-litre V6 GT for around £9.5k, which is just ridiculously cheap for such a capable and exciting coupe.
The only thing to remember, though, is that Alfas do typically come with higher insurance premiums – especially the GTA – so while they are affordable to buy, the running costs could be a different story.
What to check
The GT has big alloys, so make sure they haven’t been in constant fights with the kerb. Likewise the paintwork, as you’ll want your coupe to look as hot as possible, and you can’t do that with dreadful and tired paintwork. If you’re going for a GTA 3.2, check the engine over as best as possible, as it is a powerful motor and could have been ragged.
The semi-automatic Selespeed gearboxes can be problematic, so make sure it works properly up-and-down the gears before you buy!
Parts
Clutch assemblies are around £140, while front and rear brake pads are about £50 per set. Starter motors – if it goes – will set you back just under £200, and the tyres aren’t going to be cheap, because the GT sits on big alloys, and therefore has wide and low tyres.
How it drives
The GT is a coupe above it all, so it does have a sporty and engaging drive. It’ll keep you happy – especially in GTA spec – with a lovely exhaust note and impressive acceleration, but if you want the ultimate in driving handling and ability, the GT may not be for you. It’s just not as engaging to drive as its competitors. It’s a good job it has its looks, because without those, the GT wouldn’t have a foot to stand on against the rivals.
Don’t let that put you off, though, as there’s more to life than how a car goes round a corner. Yes, it’s not the best, but it’s beautiful inside-and-out, and has bags and bags of character. And even if you get a basic GT, it’s still going to keep you smiling with its performance and looks.