Servicing 1998 GTV pricey?

[Joel Dawson]

Hey there,

I'm a student in Melbourne considering buying a Alfa GTV 1998 or 99 and my biggest concern is servicing costs. I hear that even a regular service costs a lot and that I would not be able to bear the cost if anything went wrong.

If you are interested, the car I am looking at has done 96,000 KM and had its timing belt changed at 92,000.

Looking forward to hearing back if anyone has had experience with these cars in Victoria.

Joel

[Fast Eddie]

Hey Joel,
on behalf of the club we hope you but the car and join us.  One of the benefits of being a club member is free information plus lots of business contacts that can help.

Regular servicing is obviously an important activity as it should prevent nasty surprises and dramas.  The main service on any car is the timing belts.  you say your target car had these done only 4,000k's ago which is good.  Why they were done @ 92,000k is a little odd to me as Alfa say 60,000k or 3 years for all current cars.  My GTA is in for belts as we speak @ 50,000k.  Alfa's dont really cost any more to service than other cars and are indeed sometimes cheaper than other Euro imports.  Simple, regular maintenance - fluids, brakes, joints etc should keep most gremlins away but of course the only other way is to speak with the previous actual owner and consider an RACV type check.

You should probably talk to one of our many associated members that are mechanics.  All can service your car and will look after you as an Alfa owner.  They can advise on what dramas thay have seenin these cars and approx service costs.
We have member mechanics in Brunswick, Bayswater, Oakleigh, South Melbourne and you will find their contact details on this website.

[Joel Dawson]

Thanks for the reply Edward... I'd love to be a fully fledged member... The problem of course is my mother, who thinks that she will have to cover the burden of servicing fees if anything would go wrong, given that she thinks Alfa parts are relatively specialized and therefore expensive.

How can I get in contact with these member mechanics?

Thanks again

[Evan Bottcher]

Hey Joel,

Our sponsor list is at http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/content/view/20/33/

Might be worth ringing around the independant mechanics (Maranello, Italian Job, Italian Workshop Centre, Monza Motors, Pur Sang) and ask about regular servicing costs.  Also worth mentioning that you were directed to them by the Alfa club and you are thinking of joining as most offer a discount to members.

hope this helps,

Evan.

[argento_GTV]

Hey Joel,
on behalf of the club we hope you but the car and join us.  One of the benefits of being a club member is free information plus lots of business contacts that can help.

Regular servicing is obviously an important activity as it should prevent nasty surprises and dramas.  The main service on any car is the timing belts.  you say your target car had these done only 4,000k's ago which is good.  Why they were done @ 92,000k is a little odd to me as Alfa say 60,000k or 3 years for all current cars.  My GTA is in for belts as we speak @ 50,000k.  Alfa's dont really cost any more to service than other cars and are indeed sometimes cheaper than other Euro imports.  Simple, regular maintenance - fluids, brakes, joints etc should keep most gremlins away but of course the only other way is to speak with the previous actual owner and consider an RACV type check.

You should probably talk to one of our many associated members that are mechanics.  All can service your car and will look after you as an Alfa owner.  They can advise on what dramas thay have seenin these cars and approx service costs.
We have member mechanics in Brunswick, Bayswater, Oakleigh, South Melbourne and you will find their contact details on this website.

Hey members, this is an oldie, but relative to my possible GTV purchase. Story is ive found a genuine 52,000km 1998 GTV and its been driven so little in its 10 years that it essentially has all the ORIGINAL 10 year old belts and so on. It hasnt had the oil changed since its normal 40,000km book service, but that was in late 2004! EEEK.

Any ways here is my story from another post in "new members section"

Questions i now have is regarding servicing intervals, fluids and km's traveled over periods of time.

Ive learned the GTV's have a 20,000km service interval. If, however, the 20,000kms isnt exceeded very quickly, how often in Months should the engine oil and coolant be replaced?

Im asking this as i have some serious questions about the 52,xxx km's GTV. It was serviced (end of warranty service/ inspection) in 2004 at 43,000kms. It had the oil and filter replaced and the drivers window adjusted. The owner has literally done 9,000kms in 4 years and has NEVER serviced it since this 43,000kms. He as only driven it on weekends and the condition of the body and interior shows this. It doent have the wear of a daily dirver or a car that is used for shopping.

This car now has 52,000kms and Checking the oil level showed me that the level was on the lower dot marking. (needs top up?) Clearly  in only 9,000kms its only used a bit of oil. My concerns are has the shell Helix synthetic gone off during those 4-5 years? Is this a bad thing for what is a near new car (52,000kms - the body and interior is truly immaculate), It has travelled through 5 summers in Adelaide (3 of which were long a extreme) without the coolant being changed. ( my understanding is that any coolant will go stale and loose its glycol in about 3 years. This is an all alluminium motor with stale coolant!  The owner could not promise me if the Belt/autotensioner has been done in the cars 10 year life. Any timing belt is made of rubber and on a V6 has some sharp bends to work around ect. After 10 years (and only 52,000kms) is this belt and auto tensioner now an accident waiting to happen?

I love this car its done only 52,000kms and looks identical to the car in my first post and is in truly amazing condition overall. Its just never been serviced in 5 years / 12,000kms ago and its a real concern. Furthermore, it has a 10 year old timing belt and auto tensioner, seals, and waterpump. Should I be worried? It drove very well and had nice throttle responce.

Question is...Alfa owners... WOULD YOU BUY IT?

Thanks

Frankie

[GTV 777]

If in doubt don't !

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Well it's tricky.  Sounds nice, and it's tempting to say that once you refresh all the fluids and belts it's as good as new, but I'd be worried about an owner that hasn't bothered to service in 5 years.  Not even oil?  Wonder what else is going to need doing, stuff that otherwise would get a glance over at a service?

Are you considering getting the cars you're interested in checked by an Alfa mechanic.  I would if I was you, it will easily pay for itself.

You say it looks identical to the car in your original post, but isn't that pic in your original post one of the "cup" (I think that's right) cars?  I didn't think we got those here?  Apologies if you were only referring to condition and colour.

[argento_GTV]

Well it's tricky.  Sounds nice, and it's tempting to say that once you refresh all the fluids and belts it's as good as new, but I'd be worried about an owner that hasn't bothered to service in 5 years.  Not even oil?  Wonder what else is going to need doing, stuff that otherwise would get a glance over at a service?

Are you considering getting the cars you're interested in checked by an Alfa mechanic.  I would if I was you, it will easily pay for itself.

You say it looks identical to the car in your original post, but isn't that pic in your original post one of the "cup" (I think that's right) cars?  I didn't think we got those here?  Apologies if you were only referring to condition and colour.

Yep you are quite correct, condition, colour and wheels are the same... tan interior.. the dream package. Are those 17" wheels rare?

I dont think id buy this one.. as beautiful as it looks and feels... All the essential servicable items need changing.. at least fluids, belts, plugs, water pump, belt, auto tensioners ect... sounds like 5k worth of work

[John Hanslow]

Well there is nothing like a challenge or a small project on a potential purchase. 
If a car is not driven, then some people may let it go. Cars like this can be a bargain or a nightmare.  Price is very important too in this situation.

But as we know the belts still need changing every 3 years or 50k/60k now recommended.   To fix a broken belt and related damage is a real cost. 

Good oil regularly changed protects and engine and that's just a running cost  Using the top spec oil is the best and as per previous discussions, lasts longer and does not get used up.  That wiil cost more.   Apparently some engines use more oil but that is not uncommon.  In my 156, there is a sticker on the window advising to check oil level regularly but for some strange reason has not used any up over the last 5k kms.  Some club members get their cars serviced at a reasonable cost by Alfa Club Specialists ever 5k.

Do not know the price or the extent of issues, but I would fully check the car out with an Alfa Specialist and well, belts plugs, fluids etc, need to be done anyway, or should have been done, so that's a negotiation point on price.  A car like that needs good tyres too so thay would really need replacing if worn with good quality rubber. That's to be expected.

There are a lot of cars on the market that have done 100,000 kms or much more with missing service history or items not repaired or replaced when due and this is getting more common for the uninitaited who think they can buy a 'cheap' european car and end up in a mess.

If you know what you are buying and the price is to match (post inspection), then it could be a good option.  Ortherwise it's just an expensive outlay.

[argento_GTV]

Well there is nothing like a challenge or a small project on a potential purchase. 
If a car is not driven, then some people may let it go. Cars like this can be a bargain or a nightmare.  Price is very important too in this situation.

But as we know the belts still need changing every 3 years or 50k/60k now recommended.   To fix a broken belt and related damage is a real cost. 

Good oil regularly changed protects and engine and that's just a running cost  Using the top spec oil is the best and as per previous discussions, lasts longer and does not get used up.  That wiil cost more.   Apparently some engines use more oil but that is not uncommon.  In my 156, there is a sticker on the window advising to check oil level regularly but for some strange reason has not used any up over the last 5k kms.  Some club members get their cars serviced at a reasonable cost by Alfa Club Specialists ever 5k.

Do not know the price or the extent of issues, but I would fully check the car out with an Alfa Specialist and well, belts plugs, fluids etc, need to be done anyway, or should have been done, so that's a negotiation point on price.  A car like that needs good tyres too so thay would really need replacing if worn with good quality rubber. That's to be expected.

There are a lot of cars on the market that have done 100,000 kms or much more with missing service history or items not repaired or replaced when due and this is getting more common for the uninitaited who think they can buy a 'cheap' european car and end up in a mess.

If you know what you are buying and the price is to match (post inspection), then it could be a good option.  Ortherwise it's just an expensive outlay.

Hi John, I think your on the money here. I was expecting to pay circa 15K for a GTV in resonable condition with most of the preventative maintance done already. This 52,xxx km GTV looks and feels like its been in cotton wool from new. But for 16K, plus the costs of renewing the fluids, belts, pump ect, its looking more like a 20k outlay which sadly wasnt what i planned for.

On the bright side ive similarly found a 75,xxx km black GTV with black interior, in nearly as good a nick, has ALL the preventative work done already (regardless of the kms) and its only 13k. Ive driven this one and it feels tight like its been looked after but still knows its place in the upper rev range. (I wized her out of a roundabout and she broke traction all the way through 1st and part of 2nd and she loved it)  exactly like this 1

[spieret]

I've owned my GTV for 2 years now, 1998 3.0 V6 and my services haven't cost more than $300 a time, when it has gotton up to the $300 mark i have usually asked for extra. Bear in mind with this model to change the timing belt costs close to $1000 cause with the limited room in the bonnet they actually have to drop the motor out of the bottom to do it. Otherwise regular servicing keeps the car manageable. With the black colour you may want to invest in one of those invisible car bra's as the undercoat is white , go figure, so any stone chips show up a lot. Also check the wear on heater hoses and fuel lines. Each heater hose costs around $200. And make sure you get the Master key with it and never use or lose that master key. Oh and premium fuel only of course.

You mentioned one car that had the belt changed at 92k, was that the first or second time it had the belt changed, mine was changed at 95k only cause the mechanic was an Alfa specialist and knew it was changed at 50k and changed it again as a precaution.

Cheers

Tony

[John Hanslow]

Good summary all up and should answer the questions for Joel Dawson who started this thread.  Keep us informed as you go.

Rosso_alfa, once purchase all sorted out post a few pics so we can see what you got.

Cheers.

[Davidm1600]

Hi guys, just to add a little more to this.  I recently had my '03 156 JTS Sportwagon serviced.  I use a independant Italian Specialist rather than the dealers.  The cost for the normal service, a fraction over $200.  I just had a sensor on the engine go over the weekend.  The crank sensor in respect of the engine management system cost about $230 with $40 for labour.  I also asked about the belts changing cost and according to my mechanic, if just the normal job, not extras he reckoned on allowing around $800, but obviously if you are having to replace other parts, etc the cost will increase but felt that it should not max out more than $1600.  Seems pretty reasonable to me. 

[argento_GTV]

Good summary all up and should answer the questions for Joel Dawson who started this thread.  Keep us informed as you go.

Rosso_alfa, once purchase all sorted out post a few pics so we can see what you got.

Cheers.

Ok Fellas,

Ive found a 2001 reg (July 2000 built) 3L GTV 6 speed. The bloke tells me its a limited "sportiva model" It has a sharp and pointy rear spoiler and the rear garnish has "sportiva" written on it. It drives very well and overall its un marked inside and out. The only issuse is it has clocked 155,000kms. Had its 2 regular belts done and plenty of services ect in the handbooks. Hes only had it 6 months and he just recieved a company car which seems to be honest enough for me.

Is the kms traveled a bad thing (155,000kms)  Everything WORKS! The interior is as good as the interior ive seen in the GTV with only 50,000kms. So pretty impressive for a car with those Kms on it. I can fault it. Another question is, If its a year 2000 sportiva, why has it got the std GTV 16inch wheels??

Here is a pic... pretty nice. I like the small changes of the 2000 build... but a GTV is a GTV to me wether its 1998 or 2004! They are just Sophia Lauren on 4 wheels.

[spieret]

What price is he asking for it? Don't know about you but i have never really liked that silver centre console on the dash.