Decisions....

[bryceyboy]

I'm considering a second car..an alfa there's a suprise!

I've got a 156 and like it alot, but it has become the wives car really!

So, my heart says a 67 Duetto Spider 1600 (I have one in mind) or a Spider 2000 S4.

My main issue with the Spider is that while I want to avoid my wife getting her hands on it, I would like to share my enjoyment, now for the issue! I have a four year old!! Can children sit behind the seats of either the above? Is it possible to for a seat or a seat belt?

Is this sounding as impratical as it sounds to me?

GTV as an alternative? Bit pricey though!

[bryceyboy]

Ok, I've moved on! The Spider idea seems to be a non-starter!



I'm now considering the GTV.

98-99 3.0 V6!

Spoke to chap who said when driven sensibly;) you could get 27Mpg, not bad.

Servicing costs were ok as long as you avoided the Main dealers. In fact he didn't really have a bad word to say! He did forget to mention insurance right enough!

Is the GTV as good as this chaps says? Any information or tips welcome.

[Simonne]

Hello Bryceyboy!

I've had a GTV for over three years now and did something over 50 000 miles in it. A had a few minor problems with it during the first year but ever since then it runs just fine. But it is - as with all Alfas - very important to handle it with care. That means not going over 3000 rpm for the first 10 miles (it takes a while till the engine's warm) and traffic-light-races are definitely out because you shouldn't let it rev too high in 1st gear.
The best thing about the GTV is that it's so much fun too drive that you can't stop yourself smiling while you're riding it.
And, there is room for a four-year-old in the back seat. Although it might not last for long depending on how fast your junior grows - but I'm sure you're aware of that :)
I'd recommend the GTV to anybody looking for an uncommon vehicle that's just beautiful to look at.
I don't know if you're a reader of the "Top Gear Magazine" but if you are you should check on Clarkson's comment on cool cars in his column in the recent edition. He writes that he can only think of two cool coupes being around. One it the Peugeot 406, the other one - no surprise there - the Alfa GTV.
(I don't know what you think of Clarkson. I'm not even sure what i should think of him myself, but he's mostly right about what he says about cars...)

This reply's quite long now. I hope it's a bit helpful, too.

Simonne from Switzerland

[Dave]

Hi, there is a report about the GTV, I'm not sure but I think it could be in Buyers Guide, there was something about the rear seats in both Spider and GTV. Dave

[Spider87Can]

Wish I had this decision problem. I live in Nova Scotia Canada and
own a 1987 Spider and only wish I could register an GTV here.
Alfa's were only made available here, up until 1995. I don't think
I could import here do to enviromental reasons the GTV of my dreams!
Oh well. Good luck with your decision!

Envious!

[Der Dude]

Sounds like you have to get your head around that wife problem first. Otherwise you better get used to the 156 as yours ;)

Cheers

Dude