2006 Alfa Romeo GT Selespeed JTS

[AnnieC]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone can help me.

I'm going to take a look at a 2006 GT selespeed JTS on the weekend and just wanted some honest thoughts and feedback regarding these cars.

My main concern is that it's going to end up costing me a fortune to run given it's age.

Anyone I have asked says it's a bad idea. I'm sure most of you would know of the unreliable reputation Alfa's have. Is this the case with a newer model?

I've never had an Alfa before but I've always loved them.

I look forward to getting some feedback.

Thanks 

[colcol]

Don't get a Selespeed, they will let you down, its not an Automatic gearbox, but a manual box with an Auto clutch, things wear out and they have to be serviced every year to ensure that all the rods and sensors are working properly and at round about 80 -100 thousand klms the pump and actuactor will have to be rebuilt.... a manual is more fun.
The JTS is Alfa Romeo's version of direct injection, they use a little more oil than a normal injected engine, so it has to be checked every week,... let it get down to low and when the low pressure oil light comes on, you have most likely damaged your engine bearings.
The JTS engine has to have the cam belt changed every 3 years or 50,000 klms or whichever comes first, this is not negotiable, it has to be done, $800- $1200, depending on whats done.
The thermostats in these wear out quickly, some only last for 3 years or so, $150 each plus fitting, if car runs too cool, and drops down from 90c to 70c on freeway, its time for a new one.
At about 100,000 klms you will most likely need new Lambda sensors, and there are 4 of them, and around this time the JTS coil packs will start to play up and fail, they are about $400 each locally, cheaper from overseas, and there are 4 of them.
The Front suspension will start to rattle around 80,000klms, look for top control arms and pivot bolts, or front anti roll bar bushes and rod ends, followed by bottom control arms.
Have the car checked out by one of the club sponsors, look on this website, they work on Alfa Romeo's all the time and know them backwards, Colin.

[TFJ100]

Hi Annie,

Firstly a response to your comments:

Alfas (of the last 20 years) are NOT unreliable...but they do need to be maintained well by people who know what they are doing.

They are not "set and forget" like many Asian-built cars which have transportation as their primary function.

They can become unreliable if they are not looked after (which can cost money) or the mechanic doesn't know how to maintain them.

That said, a couple of models have weak points.

I think there are better cars than the one you are looking at because it brings up a couple of those weak spots:

1) Selespeed transmission (from the pre-159 era)
2) JTS 4-cylinder engine (pre-159)

The GT is a wonderful car, just maybe better experienced in 6-cylinder, manual format.

There is a similar thread on another Alfa Australia website here:

http://www.ausalfa.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8431

If you have to have an auto, maybe consider a 159 or a Giulietta.

Good luck with your search.

Torben

[colcol]

The GT is a sexy body over a 147, so its quite a practicle car, the JTS is very good on fuel, Alfa has improved build quality behond a million miles of what it was, but if you don't get it serviced correctly at an Alfa specialist then it will become unreliable.
Alfa Romeo's have always been and still are cars for people like us who love cars and love driving, don't let your mate down the pub who had a freind who knew some one at work that had an Alfa Romeo that always broke down, these stories are legendary, but not accurate, if you sell unreliable cars, then you go broke, anybody remember British Leyland?, Colin.

[AnnieC]

Colin and Torben,

Thanks for your comments.

I am taking a look at the car tomorrow and am glad to have received your feedback.

Thanks again!

[colcol]

Let us know how you go Annie, and if it doesn't work out, there will be another one to pop up, just be carefull of the Alfa GT being sold by someones mum, because the son is a lazy bum, and its sold outside someones Factory, it is a repaired write off and cannot be road registed, it pops up every now and then, Colin.

[AnnieC]

Hi,

I actually did take a look at the car and there is no denying it is absolutely beautiful and in immaculate condtion but I decided to hold off for the moment.

A lot of people around me have opinions on Alfas and I'm still not against them but just felt maybe this might not be the one for me.

Going on some of the comments and research maybe best to go for an automatic or manual rather than a selespeed.

[colcol]

Annie, a lot of people have uninformed opinions on Alfa Romeo's, just listen to what your heart says, and buy a good one and look after it and enjoy your motoring, if you listen to what other people say, you will end up driving a Corolla or a Camry, as they don't suffer an image problem like Alfa.
If you can get a manual Alfa Romeo, as automatics are not really Alfa Romeo's as they blunt the enjoyment of driving, the GT is a rare vehicle and doesn't look like anything else.
When you take your time and find a good one have it checked out by a club Service provider as they know these cars well, Colin.

[Garibaldi]

Col, you are absolutely right. You have to love and care for an Alfa Romeo like it was one of your own children. Do that and you will have years of motoring enjoyment, don't do it and you will suffer untold misery. I work in the motor industry and have heard all of the Alfa Romeo stories, mainly from people who knew someone that had one, never owned one themselves. All of the Alfas that customers traded generally had faults because they were not looked after and serviced correctly not because of an inherent design or engineering problem, selespeed transmission aside. They seemed to think that you could leave the bonnet shut between services and just add fuel. When it was service time they thought that the trusty local mechanic who had been brought up on a diet of Holdens and Fords was the answer, wrong, no idea, they created more problems than they solved. As the others have said shop around and find a car that has been looked after and has a fully documented Alfa Romeo dealer or specialist service history and don't listen to uniformed opinions. there are far too many armchair experts in this world.

[extraball]

you will struggle to own a car with all the gear, and the driving experience it provides, for the small amount of money these things sell for.

[Marc P]

always try and buy something with the service books and ring them also before you buy car, they also could give you a heads up.