1998 Alfa Romeo GTV 1.8 TS review from Greece
"You have to pay a lot for a better Italian sportscar"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Windshield wipers were already worn when I bought it and cost 15€ each to replace them.
One front headlight lamp had to be replaced at 70000 km for 15€ also.
Front windows were not closing well allowing some wind entrance, I had to remove the door interiors and regulate the mechanisms. I think this is a task that should be carried out frequently!
The air conditioning never worked right, especially during winter. You either get roasted or get a severe cold! The dealership says it's because of the external temperature sensor (located beneath the right mirror).
The windows get steamy very quickly in winter, if you turn off the air conditioning. Strange!
When the car was bought it wasn't keeping a stable idle engine speed. The acceleration potentiometer had to be calibrated. It's OK now.
Recently the floor below the driver's feet is getting wet. I suspect that it's from the air conditioning drain that is blocked (or from a broken heater coil). The strange thing is that there are no signs of water on the sides around. It's not obvious from where this water comes from. I would really appreciate any suggestion...
General comments?
Great performance, especially in twisty roads. The engine sound at high rpm can wake the soul of a dead man!
Great brakes although the ABS feels weird when activated.
The suspension is tight, but works fine in sporty driving.
Women of ages 30 and above love that looks!!!
Recommended reviews
| Looks Great, but some serious flaws |
|
| A bloody silly car that's completely over-the-top. Love at first sight |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Twin Spark Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 60000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 85000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Fiat Barchetta |
| Date of Entry | 24th June, 2003 |