advice on 105 GTV for sale

[aussiehcviva]

Good evening. this looks nice but I was wondering if anyone knows the car and could give advice on whether this would be money well sepnt. Thanks

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=9873162&keywords=105&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&__Nne=15&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__D=105&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=12D822175167&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294967249&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Cr=3&__Ntt=105&trecs=9

[bonkfrog]

Hi
The car certainly looks good in the ad shots, although it's as well to be cautious and have someone who knows the 105s well have a look at it. If the work listed is genuine, then I'd say it could be a good buy - perhaps at the top of the price range I'd have thought. Still, low mileage cars in restored condition are getting scarce.
Good luck

Bonkfrog

[SimonR]

Pity about the hideous pop-up sunroof which isnt original.

[JKaissar]

My opinion is the first thing you should find out is what was done to the car before it was re-sprayed. Was rust cut out or bogged up? Was the engine removed and engine bay sprayed? Was the floor rust cut out? etc etc. It may look pretty now, but if the work wasn't done properly before the re―spray, it would look pretty for long. Good luck and hope the car has been done properly because it looks like a great buy if it has. (I do agree about the hideous sunroof though)

[Colin Byrne]

looks a little expensive for me.  And the "extensive work" doesn't really sound all that extensive, if your listing things like "sealing washers (assuming this is oil seals) as a big ticket item there could be alot more work required.

Also not sure  what is meant by "new engine mounts front and rear,"  as the car doesn't have front and rear it has a left and a right and a gearbox mount.

For this sort of money i'd be expecting proof of a recent engine/gearbox rebuild also

just my opinion though, as the car does look very nice.

[Davidm1600]

I would agree with most of the above comments but would disagree that the price is too expensive for this condition car and on the contrary, that so long as both the engine and gearbox are fine, in fact the work completed is pretty extensive.  IMO the price seems perfectly reasonable in today's market. 

Two minor things would annoy me, one being that it sits really high in the rear, and the boot lid doesn't appear to sit quite flush, although this might be because perhaps a new boot seal has been fitted and perhaps will bed in with time.

From its appearance it certainly appears very nice.

[twistybits]

Hi,
I think previous replies have covered most aspects, however having purchased a 105 in last 12 months after a long search I can support taking along a someone who knows this marque well to highlight the cars pitfalls and provide a second pair of eyes (without rainbow glasses). I purchased a book titled 'The Essential Buyer's Guide Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupe'. The book covers some fairly basic stuff in parts but is quite useful for someone who hasn't owned an older Alfa before. (Try a UK company called 'Book Depository')
Obviously a chat with C&L Restorations Brisbane would be imperative and viewing receipts and photos of the body work prior to painting would be worth seeing.
The car certainly presents very well and I second that if it is as good as it appears I think it would be well under the price of doing this work yourself and is good value.
Good luck.

[w47ty]

Hi

As an owner of a 105 Auto I couldnt agree more with the advice given so far. It certainly looks good from the pics but before you go to have a look grab the book "Twistybits" recommends especially if you dont know a current owner or someone with experience to take along.

The guy describes the paint as new "external" so I am guessing the engine may not have been removed prior to the re spray but I imagine that very much depends on the sellers view on what constitutes external.

main thing from my experience is check for rust, rust and more rust in all the usual places; sills, wheel arches and boot area to name but a few. Get the book it will definitely help.

What would be cool if you do go and see it is to report back if it met up to your expectation and description! 

good luck mate

[aussiehcviva]

Thanks to everyone for your advice so far. It's greatly appreciated and is part of what makes these forums so valuable to we Alfisti.

[MD]

There have been plenty if advices regarding the bodywork etc so I wont say anything on that score. I note the odometer reading is quoted as being 41,600km. This presents three points of view,

1 It's a very low mileage car and therefore all mechanicals should be in good service condition, or
2 The odometer has turned over the 100,000 mark and is effectively displaying 141,600 km. If this is the case, the engine is on its last legs as on average, these engines need refreshing around 150-160,000km unlike the twin sparks.
3 The odometer bears no relationship to the real milage covered because the original one is dead and was replaced by a new one or simply wound back.

Proper checks by a qualified and knowledgable Alfa mechanic should be able to establish the true facts.

If it all checks out ok as claimed, it should make an excellent buy.

[Mark Baigent]

If you're still interested in the car then you may wish to think very, very, carefully ....  as a past AROCA Qld member my memory suggests you say "pass".     

[mario-jnr]

i wasnt going to coment on this one untill the previous coment was posted ''pass'' or are you past it.
the whole thing about these 105's is real driving experience old school.they are not for everyone and are tempremental in some areas but lets face it we dont drive them everyday.
after just finishing a year and a half resoration on my jnr the best day was when i put plates on it and took it for a blast,better by far than what i expected,and allthough there are quite a few things i could of done better it looks and goes great,good enough for me.
$22,000 good value for money imho mine cost me $9000 in parts alone probably $17000 in real terms and thats not including my labour,whats under the paint your eyes are the best judge just have a good look and dont be afraid to put your hands under and behind the gaurds.
you have 2 options
1.buy a 105 that needs resoration and then you will know exactly what its like
2.buy this one if its as good as it looks go for it
and just a tit bit,these cars restored are selling in excess of 12,000 pounds in the uk and really what does $22,000 buy you in the classic car market a clapped out mustang,i know what i would rather drive cheers