This is one of the best if not the best long term review of a car I have ever seen. Owning this car for three years now I can confirm all the points highlighted in the video. Well done
I have owned 3 BMW's and they have all broken down (one was brand new). I have owned around 15 Alfas and never broken down in any of them. It's mostly about correct maintenance.
@nikosstories BMW are not very reliable. My friend had an E46 with all sorts of problems. It's like all cars. If they are abused they won't last. If you get a good one with lots of history. Keep on top and you'll be okay! Luckily, my alfa has paperwork running into thousands.
@TheAlfaNut Of course! I'm booked in for tomorrow for a driveshaft and some other bits. Got to take it all the way to Bristol and then somehow get back to Cardiff for work all in the same morning!!! What did Jeremy Clarkson once say? "An Alfa will ruin you" He's right there. Such a lovely car though, I wouldn't change it for the world.
Hi you lovely people - I just wanted to say a big Thank You for watching and subscribing to my channel, as I have just passed my first major milestone - the magic 1,000 subs mark! This video was the most watched episode from my channel so far and obviously has engaged a lot of people, so thanks again, I really appreciate your support. More Italian content very soon! 😉
Super review, you mentioned all its weak points! I have a GT with the 3.2 V6 for seven years now, in Alfa Rosso like yours. Everywhere I park it, I look back once or twice, because I think it has the best Scudetto front of all Alfas, it's absolutely gorgious. From your useful list of weakpoints: I had the same thing with the rear suspension: the dish where the spring sits on broke loose because of rust during a slow drive through town, exactly like what happened to your spouse. Oh you forgot to mention two more weakspots: the parking brake cables need to be replaced every four years if you don't use them regularly (The Netherlands are very flat, you know. Putting it in first gear is usually enough for parking here...), and the brake pipes/hoses become a danger after 15 years and need to be replaced to prevent failure during a trip. Oh and the V6 in particular tends to eat front brake disks, because of the ever vigilant ASR (using the brakes to help prevent the car careening offroad into the nearest roadside shrubbery) works more often than you realize. Or just be reeeeeally gentle with the throttle. Mine is remapped so the 6.000 rpm cap on 5th and 6th gear is moved up to 7.200rpm. Which would theoretically push it to 268 km/h. (166mph).. Which is madness. A V6 is madness. It is the most crazy engine for such a relativily small car that it even wrecks the turning circle because its bulk leaves no room to turn the front wheels far enough. Parking is always a hassle, and try a U-turn in a street will cause major traffic congestion because of the many times you need to go back and forth because the wheels won't turn far enough. It's that funny little story. My Alfa is like a very beautiful woman, waaaay out of my league and waaaay beyond my budget. She drinks like a fish, cheats on me, lets me down every single time. But don;t you dare say anything bad about her! I love her so much.
Thanks for watching David and taking the time to comment - I think that the 3.2 GT will be very collectable in a few years time, so look after that beautiful lady, even though she is a bad girl! 😉
Own a 2.0 jts for one year now. Has been the best decision of my life. Is my daily to work. Like you said it is so comfortable, it is really a grand tourer. Perfect for long drives but when you find a nice twisty road it still does the job right.
Great video. Bought my 2.0jts petrol 5 years ago as a cheap way into Alfa ownership. Fell in love with it and have gradually restored it to very minty condition. They are super reliable, beautiful and fun cars.
A great review. I've just recently bought my second GT 3.2 V6. A 2005 model in black with tan leather. It's my third Busso-engined Alfa, the first being a 156 2.5 V6. The GT is a stunning car to own and drive. You're absolutely right about the comfort levels. And as the seats get older they get better, like a well-worn saddle. The ride can be hard though, especially with the extra weight on the V6. And if your roads are bad, like mine here in Norfolk, then expect to get through a set of wishbones every year! Economy, well I could only every dream of 57mpg. On an average run I'll see 25-30mpg. Motorway running and being gentle will get you to 35+mpg. Drive it enthusiastically and play tunes on the mighty Busso and you're looking at 15mpg but my God, the Smiles-per-gallon are off the scale. Grossly underrated and certainly the V6 prices are climbing. We're not anywhere near 147GTA prices yet but I'm confident this is a true modern classic. Oh, and timing belts... get them done!! Forza Alfa Romeo!
Great video, just a clarification: 1.9 jtd as well as 1.3 mjet weren't the result of any collaboration between fiat and other manufacturers. Fiat group just sold the engines to others as the result of trade agreements. They were developed and produced entirely by fiat.
@@derekwilliammills388 - that's what he said. It *is* the same as the Vauxhall CDTi engine, but wasn't developed by GM. It was developed entirely by Fiat.
@@TheAlfaNut Hi mate, great video; accurate and very helpful - to me, at least, cause I think to buy a GT in a couple of months. Now, about the design-subject you talk about, my opinion is that there is not a sigle Alfa Romeo car that is not a timeless shape. Alright, I am an Alfista freak but, watching all the old Alfas on the road next to other cars (contemporary or not), I cannot oversee the difference all Alfas do. As I've said to a couple of friends of mine, the Alfa Romeo designs form the future design. It does not make a difference whether you liked an Alfa Romeo car when it was brand new - nearly everybody will come to accept it, at first, and admire it, as the time goes by. Sure, the coloring combination makes a huge difference, but this "rule" seems to work. I look forward to hearing your views on the subject. Cheers!!
Hi mate, thanks for watching and yes I agree that almost all Alfas become classics in time. Now is a great time to buy a GT and I am just working on a second video about some hidden features of the GT which are very interesting! Be sure to watch that one! 👍🏻
I've just purchased a 58 plate cloverleaf in blue. Cost so far - Four new tyres. Full wishbone and drop link replacement. (Squeaking) Washer motor and hose replacement more holes than swiss cheese! Discs and pads all round ( my choice) Cleaned the window switches. New gear knob. Full service. Full wax oil seal underneath. And you know what with every penny I absolutely love it ! I haven't seen another one yet. Came from a guiletta and it drives better than that. This one is a keeper, hope they start going up in value??
Oh man you got me....im selling my bmw and im going for some alfa gt...btw great channel! The music you put in is great aswell (reminds me of gran turismo, the game) Take care
Hi Jacob, thanks for watching! I’m happy that you enjoy the channel, some people don’t like the music but I have been a musician all my life and I can’t live without it! Good luck finding a nice Alfa. 👍🏻
As an Alfa GT 1.9TD owner myself I agree 100% with your review. Only one other thing to mention, being pillarless doors the seals are weak and rain/condensation causes headlining degradation over the years. However that is common to all pillarless cars I've owned, to be fair. They are fun little cars and reasonably cheap to buy and own. The leather interiors are awesome!
I've had my GT for over 6 years now, started as a 150BHp blackline, and has morphed through 200BHp via a remap and now to 256BHp with hybrid turbo and various other mods. My observations are as follows: 1. polybush the upper arms - mine were done over 40k miles ago and still no noise. 2. The eibach anti-roll bar kit is a must have as it tightens everything up, get decent polys for the roller though as the ones eibach supply are shocking. 3. Michelin cross climates really suit the GT. 4. Get the EGR removed at the same time as the swirl flaps. 5. If you must lower this car, get adjustable camber etc fitted first, dodgy geometry causes major tyre wear. 6. The boot floor (spare wheel cover) from the earlier models is corrugated and way stronger than the later ones, if you can get on it's very worthwhile. 7. Mapped cars can be hard on clutches, 175BHp is fine on a standard / cloverleaf edition clutch, currently I run a single mass flywheel and GTA clutch but looking at upgrading to a stage 4 with DMF. At 200BHp an OEM standard clutch/DMF kit lasted 20k miles from new. The GT is a great car, but go in with your eyes open as they can be real money pits, so far mine has cost me north of £15k.
Depending on the year of your GT, and this is the diesel I’m talking about here. The early GT with the CF3 engine has plastic swirl flaps on stainless steel posts whereas the later CF4 models has stainless flaps on plastic posts. If the early cars lose a flap the car will run rough for a few day but no engine damage, if the later cars let go, in most cases you are looking at a new engine. I say most because I dodged a bullet with mine, the flap was jammed behind the valve stem. Anyway, on the newer cars the swirl flap motor and attachments are below the inlet manifold so you can’t see them, you will get mechanics tell you the car doesn’t have flaps fitted. Just plain wrong. You will feel a reduction in response when they are removed because they do quite a bit to make the car more responsive. EGR can be blanked with a blanking plate, they tend to get very gummed up and cause more issues than the solve. Mine was completely removed and the coolant rerouted. One of the things I’m looking into is making stainless posts to mount the stainless flaps on, they should last the lifetime of the car.
@jhpbrown hi mate, thanks for all the useful info - its good to see that some people want to stretch the limits and see off some of the Golf GTI boys! 😎🤣
@@TheAlfaNut I closely watched the experience one of the guys in my GT groups had with his, he took it to 278BHp and had major problems as a result. I'm happy with mine where it is, I'm looking into getting a reliable swirl flap setup, stainless posts and flaps, as you do lose some of the initial responsiveness. Hopefully that will improve things as well.
I have a cloverleaf GT with many tweaks from AutoLusso, running 270hp and its amazing, great fuel economy, huge torque and super fast. Love my car! Get the Q2 or the cloverleaf and you get the clever diff as well. The cloverleaf and Q2 have bigger injectors for bigger gains. The cloverleaf with 170 standard is the one with badges on the wings not the arse and you should see the hp on the inside of the door frame. The mods were....... expensive, and will never regain the cost but shes a keeper. Remap, Hybrid Turbo, Straight through decat exhaust, Decat downpipe from turbo, Short shift, Reinforced GTA clutch, Single Mass Flywheel, Front Mount Intercooler, Swirl Flap and EGR delete, New oil cooler, cambelt etc. Considering a clutch change because the torque is so high I still get slippage. Koni FSD shocks and Eibach springs on the shoppping list.... GT's are amazing. Buy one!
@@TheAlfaNut it's. Lot of fun on the motorway surprising BMW's, and when other Alfa drivers have a little fun with Me it's always nice to win hahaha. Need to throw another £1200 at it to fully sort the suspension and then it's onto the paint for the various stone chips etc. Just a shame about the tractor noises when idling haha
I have 147 jtdm with swirl delete decat egr induction etc gta clutch singlemass its brand new and slipping with 200bhp 280fl/lb. Its a really linier map, I don't know why they recommend them I'm quite pissed tbh wasnt cheap as you know. I should have realised when it turned up looking half as beefy as my STI exedy pink box rated 300bhp 300ft/lb. Love the car otherwise. After arbs and uprated shocks springs and brakes. BTW Brembo HP2000 pads on standard disks are awesome! Not cheap but worth every penny mate. Lost my 20v turbo with rubbish brakes. All the best Luke
@@LUKEASHLEYPEARSON Im dragging my current clutch out until its dead. I got the GTA clutch reinforced with kevlar from autolusso. However I wasnt aware of the bedding in period, kevlar clutches need around 2000miles to bed in properly, I floored mine from the get go and glazed it. It's toast now. I have looked at the cg motorsports dual friction clutch but they informed me it does not play well with alfa's and has a horrid feel. I think the best solution for you is what I am going to do again, GTA clutch, reinforce with kevlar, and then bed that bastard in properly. I have double checked and it should be able to handle the power fine it just needs taking care of. £360 for the modified clutch then just gotta get it fitted.
I picked up by GT 1.9 diesel for 725 quid spent 200 fixing the radiator and since then nothing has gone wrong with it. I've had it for a year now had nothing go wrong with it at all best car I have ever owned. Can't believe it was so cheap considering it had over 3000 pounds spent on it before me to get it going again
I have been driving Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 all my days. I have 5 of them😅. Always loved them. But after this video I think I will try the GT😉👍🇩🇰 oh and subscribed good Sir.
Used to own GT with JTS 2.0 petrol engine. Pretty good car with good engine and gearbox, really fun to drive. Now I regret selling it... Nice video mate
UK road Tax is £555 per year on that car. I was looking and toying with that engine but with the UK being so pathetic, I then thought of the 2.0L jts. But, for me, it lacks power/torque for A-road overtaking at 50mph. Maybe the diesel is the optimum, with the remap. Such a lovely shape on this car.
@@TheAlfaNut there are two on Ebay right now. One, appears to be more rust than steel on the previous MOT history. It would need some serious time spent on the suspension, break pipes, chassis and sub frame. De-rust or weld or replace. From what I've seen on other TH-cam guides to the GT, unless you're in Arizona or Western Australia, the chassis will seriously suffer the effects of corrosion. What's your experience since your ownership?
Hi mate, mine has been ok for rust so far, the bodies are galvanised but the chassis is the weak point of course, salted UK roads and all that. Sills can start to rust internally after being crushed by careless mechanics on garage lifts but the usual places that 156’s and GTV’s rust also apply to the GT, so floorpan, inner arches and sills. Caveat Emptor! 😉
This video was the best review of GT you answered all my question, I'm now looking to buy my first car and my options are Vw Golf mk4 and this the only thing I'm consern about is reliability. But yeah, thank you for making it.
That's great to hear - thanks for your message and good luck with your choice. Many people think the Golf will be more reliable than the Alfa but it isn't true - it just has different problems!
These alfas are so under appreciated, i have both 147 gta and gt3.2, extremily reliable, fast, handle awsome with a q2 diff, comfortable. What other daily driver car would you consider? These are the best, have been driving my gt 3.2 for 6 years and it always puts a smile on my face never boring.
Hi Paul, yes the GT 3.2 is certainly still quite cheap compared to the 147 GTA which has already risen in value. I test drove a 147 GTA with some mods last week for an upcoming video and really enjoyed it. 👍🏻
I forgot to mention, Car Mechanics Magazine is running a month by month piece following the repair of an Alfa Romeo GT 2.0 JTS. I must admit some of the fixes to me are like deja vu.
Just sent this video to a friend who’s considering a 06 Audi TT , I hope it’ll do the job , along with my recommendation of either a GT or Giulietta ...
I am picking up a 2005 GT 1.8 petrol in a few days I am very excited about it i was looking for one of these for a very long time and luckily i've found one in a pretty neat condition with low mileage with the exact same seats and equipment
@@TheAlfaNut I've just tried her out today she is not bad few things to be done here and there for example there is an issue with the check engine light on the gauge cluster which isn't still recognized what the problem is but the owner went to a local service and they guess it's something with the gas that's not coming properly to the engine, but I'm still thinking about it she runs fine to be honest but I didn't make the deal yet I think the owner overpriced her a little bit couldn't make it a fair price
Great review. I am looking to buy a 2.0 Jts or a 1.8 Tspark at the moment. It is one of the most underrated cars and a really do not understand why. It has a lot of space and the design will never get old. Its a future classic.
Thanks for watching Jake - good luck with the 159 - they are not without their problem areas too but a bit more modern and bigger of course. You should speak to the guys at the Alfa 159 group: facebook.com/groups/159register/
I have a 54 plate exactly the same , took it off the road for am while to give it a paint job , red panels fading here and there. Converted the entertainment unit to a JVC unit with reverse camera , works a treat. Also put Bilstein shocks on the rear , which was a huge improvement . Thinking of putting back on the road , getting the sale of my 159 to pay for spray job. Oh yes the sill , all welded and wax oiled. Will see ,great video, inspires new thoughts!
@@TheAlfaNut That's just in my thoughts , as in the Gt reminded me of the fun I had in the 147 ,2.ol , I wasn't disappointed. The only reason I bought the 159 was to get a younger car and not have any body work to do. That's fine , it's just a heavier car and needs all its 170hp. Not decided yet!
Wind noise is not a problem for me - I keep the rubber door seals clean and lubricated. The suspension needed some renewing as I discuss in the video but the ride is good as long as you use decent tyres. 👍🏻
My GT'S aircon blows normally on auto and really cold air. You should replace your cabin air filter (get one with carbon), or fix the aircon. I saw your temp gauge set at 19. Maybe your cabin air temperature sensor is clogged too? The small grill on the aircon unit.
I had a blackline for 2 years. The diesel is a brilliant daily driver, very practical and a nice place to be sat for longer periods. However it does have build quality problems. Quick tip, when you open the doors from the outside, put pressure on where the handle hinge is with your thumb when you pull the handle. Theyll easily break and they arent easy to get to to replace. Make sure you tell the AA man as well, I have them to thank for my passenger side coming off.
Hi SB - yeah some of the GT production run were better than others - this has always been the case with Alfa’s it seems. A sometimes patchy quality control
I replaced both handles on my dads 2008 blackline about 6 months back, they were an absolute pain to get to. I hope for everyone's sake they never go again as the garage wanted a few hundred quid to do it.
I have a 2008 GT Quadrifoglio 1.8 which I believe was the swan song of the GT. I’ve had it from new and it’s done 120,000 mile which is amazing for a petrol engine. No major issues other than repetitive bulb failures, particularly the front side lights. After 11 years, it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it and I find that I drive it a lot more than my new BMW 4 series Gran Coupe!
Thanks for watching Jeremy - you have summed it up in a sentence - it’s how you feel when you drive it that matters! Somehow, Alfa have that little magic wand when they build cars. 🙂
Ive had my 2.0 JTS for 5 years now, and have done over 20,000 miles in it. How else can you get a svelte Aston like coupe for this price. With proper rear seats at the back ( non of this 2+2 nonsence ALL modern coupe's are afflicted with) its driving dynamics and a boot large enough to keep the mafiosi happy, It makes the perfect car. Another good thing about it is you can always resort to good quality used parts to keep it on the road. You can spot my Alfa in all my Alfisti related videos. You cant miss it, it has furniture castor sized wheels.
@@TheAlfaNut That was a few years back and I bought a mazda mx5 in its stead. But now I have a dream combo: the mx5 nc 2.0 with the retractable hardtop and an alfa 159 sw ti 2.0 jtdm as the daily driver :) Looking forward to your 159 videos!
Thanks for this video Chris. I have just bought a second hand Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDm 16V. Its a 2007 model and has only done 67k mileage. Cost me £2750. I hope this is is good value, seems pretty good when comparing it to online prices. The only thing that concerned me was the gearstick was a bit stiff. The dealer told me thats common in Alfas and "part of the charm" lol. Not sure about that but it wasnt too bad so it didn't change my mind. Also unfortunately I was unable test drive it due to the covid rules so i'm hoping all is well. I wondered what your thoughts were regarding the gearstick? Is it a common thing with Alfas?
Hi Darren, the dealer perhaps didn’t know but the stiff gearstick is actually not “part of the charm” in fact its very annoying but the good news is that its relatively easy to fix. The linkage uses “top hat” bushes and these perish and the linkage becomes corroded and stiff. To fix it, unbolt the fuse box & battery tray and unclip the gear linkage below. Its easy to swap out the top hat bushes, grease it up and reassemble it all. Its a 1-hour job on the driveway, I did it to my GT (also a 2007 1.9). You can find full instructions online - try www.alfaowner.com. Enjoy the car 👍🏻
PS check the suspension dampers very carefully ideally on a car lift. They rust on the circular spring platform where the springs rest and can collapse without warning! Not good - that also happened to my GT 😬. Otherwise, great car
My dad used to own the GT with the Busso V6. It had terrible reliability and gas milage but it was by far his favorite car which he had ever owned (from 2008 till 2011 if I remember correct). I have such great childhood memories of this car. Always when we would visit his brother and his children, there was a highway with stop lights before the highway started and he always used to accelerate to the max when the light turned green. If he never did that I wouldn't have been as much as a car lover as I am now :). Furthermore always when my football team had a football match in another place, our football team would be transported to this place in parents their cars (every match a few parents had to drive) and when my father had to drive, everyone always wanted to be in the GT :D (we were 8-9 yo back then). This is one of the cars that I truely love
@@dumitruhojbota5879 Yes I have my 156 Selespeed since 5 years and a half now but many of us drive the Selespeed in the wrong way like me. Since then i read the owners manual and stop to put it on neutral on the red lights or for parking it and everything is fine
I have a 2000 Afa 166 3.0 V6 Auto. Darik Blue. Cream Leather.. incredible car. Owned it for more than 10 years now. its just done over 108,000 miles. Should I swap it for a GT? I used to have a 156 2.0 Twin Spark before.. that was great. Very lively and nimble.. but 166 feels much more solid. How does a 3.0 GT compare? Does it feel heavy compared to a 2.0 Twinspark 156? SOOO Many questions..
Hi Nadeem, well, the 3.2 Busso GT is more nose heavy than a 2.0 JTS for instance, as its a much bigger engine. A 156 Twinspark with decent suspension and tyres will feel much more nimble than any Busso engined Alfa, as it's a light car considering it's size. The GT is surprisingly practical too despite having just two doors but you may miss the comfort and solidity of the 166? Good luck in choosing!
Hi, I want to buy this as a second car :). Do you suggest the 1.8 TS or the 2.0 Jts? And can I know the main things to check before buying that car? Thanks 😋
2.0 jtdm or the 1.8TS would be my choice - the 2.0 JTS is not a great engine sadly. Check the suspension arms and make sure the front spring platforms on the struts are not rusted out - they tend to collapse! Otherwise not too many problems. Good luck finding a good one 👍🏻
Had a beautiful black GT - the V6 version - with red leather interior in 2008. Traded it in for the V6 Brera in 2013, only to go back to a red Limited Edition centenary V6 GT a month later. Still driving her. And still one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. A true collector’s item 🖤❤️
Thanks, Chris! She was one of the last 100 models built in 2012 to celebrate Alfa’s centenary. Still in near brand new condition. All original and 117,000km on the clock. A keeper for sure, thank you 😊
Diogo Vieira The all-wheel drive chassis was too heavy for the 3.2L engine to pull. The car just felt sluggish and drank too much juice. The GT was the best Alfa I’ve ever driven... until the Giulia came along. Yet I still prefer the GT’s looks over the Giulia. Do you also Alfa?
Great video and channel! I had a GT 1.9 Blackline for 5 years. I covered 80,000 miles in it replaced many bushes and suspension arms. I sold it a few months ago but really missed it so now have a 147 1.9 Sport Q2 which is essentially exactly the same underneath. Bargain cars for what they are!
Hi mate, thanks for watching! Yeah they are a lot of fun for not much money - hence the reason for making this video. Before too long, they will go the same way as 156's - most will get run into the ground then scrapped and then prices of the survivors will start to rise. 147's too!
Hi Diogo, difficult choice! The GT Blackline is very cheap at the moment, so its possible to find a decent one for very little money but the Brera 2.4 has a great engine and is more modern. It looks fantastic too. However, it is much heavier than the GT and doesn’t handle so well. For a commuter or long distance car, I would probably choose the Brera but for weekend fun, the GT would be the one! Hope that helps. 👍🏻
Hi Pinut - I've never owned a Twinspark but I can tell you that they need regular (weekly) oil checks, as they use a lot and you should check out when the cam belt and variator was last changed? Good luck!
@@TheAlfaNut I've owned one for 5 years and done around 77k km (on 150k now). Mine does use oil, maybe 1L per 5000km's, so do check it and top it up when needed. Other point to mention is the cam belt needs changing every 60k km's or 3 years. So check if it has been done. It's not hugely expencive. My mechanic in the Netherlands charges around 380 euros to change it (including water pump). it's really important to have it done when needed. And finally be kind to it. Like most cars, it doesnt like to be thrashed when cold. Then it may starts to use a lot of oil and wear down. You can give it the beans when the engine is on operating temperature, enjoy it! I absolutely love it! does around 13L/km with "non-economical" driving ;) I think its the best petrol engine with current gas prices for the GT. (i'd love a busso though)
I'm thinking about this for my first car vs a brz. Can you do a few tasteful modifications to the appearance and sound to this car, is there a big market for this car?
It’s not a tuner car in the same way as the BRZ but there are mods available. If you choose the Jtdm diesel engine, its easy and effective to remap up to 180 - 200bhp with the usual air filter, exhaust, spark plug upgrades. That would be my choice. The 2.0 petrol is more limited as its naturally aspirated of course but a backbox and free flow air filter will improve the sound a lot. The BRZ is going to be more expensive as well don’t forget - you can pick up a nice GT now for £2000.
Good review. It's a very practical vehicle as well - Tardis-like in terms of boot space when the seats are down. I have the same colour combination with the V6 and to my shame I have used it many times to cart stuff to the dump and from the hardware shop.
Haha, no shame in that Chris - that’s kind of the point of this review, it’s a very practical vehicle and having a 3.2 Busso engined car that you can use for dumping trips and removals is the best of both worlds! 😄
Hi Kacpa - no the shifters are fine, if its difficult to use, you just need to clean and grease the linkage on top of the gearbox and replace the “top hat” bushes if necessary. It takes an hour and can be done on the driveway. Check out www.alfaowner.com for “how to” threads.
i had a gt 1.9jtdm 2005 reg stromboli grey with tan leather for over six years, brilliant car. in 2020 its still on the road and someone else is still loving it.
I had a 156 Sportwagon with the 1.9jtdm - superb engine, beautiful car - sounded great when revved. Love the interior too - I note that you also fold the front middle armrest up - impossible to use the handbrake when it’s folded down!!
The GT is a beauty and drives almost like the 156. But sadly the 2.0JTS engine is crap! Buy the 1.8TS version or the diesel. The 2.0JTS burns between 3 a 4 liters oil on every 2000km. When the oil is low, the engine breaks.
Lovely video, I'm driving the 2008 Blackline myself - love those wheels! What's that gear lever knob? Mine had its paint crack and tear all over the place and I'm looking for a possible 3rd party replacement, given how the original part is so damn expensive.
Hi mate, you can buy leather restoration kits from Ebay - look for Alfa tan. Just clean the leather first with wool wash detergent mixed 50/50 with water to get the dirt off, then when its dry, apply 2 or 3 coats of the leather dye, letting it dry between coats. I did this to my 156 seats which I’ll be fitting in an upcoming video. 🙂👍🏻
Just a bit of correction: JTD Engine itself is not a collaboration engine, it is a FIAT unit, produced and developed by Fiat. First version of this engine was fitted to the Alfa 156 and it is the first commonrail diesel fitted in a passenger car. These engines are found in Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Lancias, Saabs, Opels/Vauxalls... There was "collaboration" between Fiat and GM where Fiat supplied engines and GM supplied gearboxes. I believe earlier JTD units that were fitted to the GM vehicles were completely identical as ones fitted to Alfa/Fiat cars. Later ones differ a bit. Gearboxes are GM produced and they are a bit weak for the torque that engine produces, you have to be gentle to them, especially if you are running more aggressive map. Beside the swirl flaps on the 16v variant (just to mention that intake manifold and swirl flaps are made by the Pierburg, German Company that makes intakes for the BMW as well, and they suffer from the same issue) engine is pretty much bullet proof. To permanently solve issues you can blank out worn swirl flaps and apply software correction to the ECU. It is quite easy to diagnose state of the flaps. Biggest issue on the Alfa Romeo 147, 156 and GT is front suspension which is quite fragile and not so nice over the bumps. But in general, as package and 10+ years old cars these are excellent :)
Great review. I had a low mileage one years ago. I always walked away looking at it...a wok of art. I did bend the sill by putting a jack in the wrong place. Cant get one for London anymore, because of the Ulez coming in.
The sill crushing is unfortunately very common. Other points to look out for, based on my own GT ownership. On the diesel engine, the turbo inlet pipe is prone to splitting. If this happens, you can get a modified pipe, which will cure the issue. Tyre choice is important and significantly affects how the car drives. Mine had P Zeros when I bought it, which tend to follow road imperfections quite badly. Eagle F1s cured this for me. Drivers seats wear heavily on the side and sometimes split at the stitching. A combination of seatbelt chafing and people who struggle to get in and out of the car. Headlights are like candles, so if you do a lot of night driving, then maybe best to look for one of the higher specced versions with xenons fitted (HID kits are not really legal in UK). Ive had a GT, a Brera and a Giulietta and I would happily buy any of those again, but if you need auto, forget the GT and Brera, unfortunately. Make use of owner forums, such as AlfaOwner etc. They are a mine of useful information.
Hi Jim, thanks for watching. Probably only the 3.2 V6 version for the foreseeable future - diesel engined cars will never be worth as much as a petrol engined equivalent.
Hi Chris, thanks for this brilliant, detailed review of the GT. Thoroughly enjoyed and super helpful. What a stunning motor it is! Delighted to say I’ve just bought one - collecting it tomorrow 🙌🏻🙌🏻 can’t wait!!! My first ever Alfa 😍 and about bloody time! Liked & subscribed. Looking forward to seeing more of your content 🇮🇹
Great video! I own a 2.0 JTS one myself. Do have the occasional electronic glitch and a bit of oil use but it still is the nicest car I’ve owned so far. A joy to drive and a great opportunity for non petrol heads to learn about fixing your car yourself and save a lot of money 😉
Hi do you have a wobbly shift nob mine has 90 thousand km and the shift nob is very unprescise? I haven't drive any other manual gt și i don't know if that how they are from the factory or mine is worn out
@@dumitruhojbota5879 mine is a little bit wobbly but I can still shift precisely. I do know that it is a common problem for 147’s and GT’s. There are some video’s on youtube that show how you can fix this 👍🏻
+Alfa Nut Do you have the upper and lower engine covers on your GT? A friend of mine didnt have both and the engine was noisy. Mine has both and sound smooth even at the startup.
I have the GT in red with the lion yellow interior, with the 2.0 JTS engine. It's my first car and I love it! I first saw it on a fair back in 2007 and fell in love with it. I said to myself "I want this car in the future". Then when my dad was looking for a new car, my sister got our Rover 45. I thought that I would eventually get the next car then. So I convinced my father, together with a friend of his, to buy the GT. Then all I had to do was to wait 10 years. I even student drove in that thing. Speaking about visability through the back window. I think it's horrible! I see like 2 cars behind me. But I'm so used to it now, that I think it's scary when I drive for example my fathers Giulietta, and can see backwards so good.
Ah the Working Man's Maserati Q.P. I had a Peugeot 405 - feels similar, More French Dinette than Italian Art Studio. I loved few cars more as a pubescent pre-teen than the one on the showroom floor. The Ford GT, the Beetle, the Corvette, and the Alpha GT convinced me excel in school Now? No Alphas in California since then. I drive a Ford.
Got a 2004 Red 2.0 JTS since 3 Years and its my first alfa. I drived 2 VW before and they were just much more cheap looking and even had much more problems. My alfa has now 247000 KM and is still driving so well. I Will get the Giulia if it will die one Day. But until than i will have so much fun with drive car. Curore delle Emotioni
I bought a brand new GT 2.0 JTS back in 2005. Kept it for 9 years, only used her for trips, took care of her and NEVER had ANY kind of issues not even a broken light bulb. The next owner still has the car, takes care of her the same way and had a 50euro cost of problem since purchased from me. The car was awesome and still miss it very much but had to sell it, 2 doors were not enough anymore :( .
Subscribed! Would love to buy a GT but some of the niggles you highlight put me off as I really need the car to be reliable (it would be my commute car). Been driving an old '06 plate Golf GTI which has been bulletproof but I kinda want an Alfa! I only do around 15 miles a day with 3 of those miles being motorway so I guess diesel would be a bad choice. How are the 2.0 JTS engines?
In my eyes the biggest mistake Alfa did with the GT was not putting the 2.4 JTD & later JTDm unit in it . I have owned a 156 with the 1.9 JTD fitted and I found it “ Boring” . The 2.4 units provide a very nice aural soundtrack once up and running what I like .
The Alfa Nut In a 156 what was a 150 bhp unit I was getting way above the 42mpg Alfa quoted .. This was 2006 In Bristol area where I was living I could get shell diesel around 76.9ppl . I was doing 840 miles a month to / from home to work and in that pay month I only needed to put £50 in and one month later the fuel gauge was on a quarter, £50 took it back to full .. It was not a freak of luck that amount but constant .
@@willemsmith6760 The Veloce is a very under-the-radar performance car and can be easily & safely remapped to 320 bhp. I'm going to do a test of one soon.
Hi mate, yes I would - it feels very sporty to drive and as long as you choose wisely (check for rust underneath and especially check that the suspension is good, as the shock absorbers tend to rust and collapse!) and also choose a car with good service history. Be prepared to maintain the car well and it should be reliable 👍🏻
I bought my first car almost a year ago and it is a 2.0 liter 16v alfa gt best choice i could have ever made bought mine with 23.000km with the enige rebuild because of the oil consumption, drive it every day to work and home and never had anything with it it’s sporty when needs to and comfortable
Hi Petar, I have owned a 2012 BMW 120d and it was a good car, good fuel economy, good performace and comfortable. It was not much fun to drive though and the GT is better looking! 🙂
What is drive feeling in regards to 156 or 147? I had 156 and 147, 156 is way better to drive for me, but I fear that GT driving pleasure is more similar to 147, so I am asking.
Hi Bo Bo, the GT feels good to drive - very sporty. Even though it is based on the 147, it feels very different. It feels solid, planted on the road and the steering is very direct as an Alfa should be.
Gahh, I'm in love... Seems like it would suit my needs fairly well. Gorgeous, economic, comfortable - just what I want out of a car. There's one thing I'm curious about which you didn't touch on: trunk space. Can you put like a decently chunky suitcase in there? It looks like it can only fit one. And just for comparison - how tall are you?
Hi Lenard. The trunk is pretty big on the GT - enough space for 2 large suitcases probably! The rear seats fold down too, so its a really practical daily car! I am 6 feet tall and 182 Kg and its very comfortable for me. 👍🏻
Thank you for a great video review! I loved my 2005 1.9JTD GT. It felt special, steered and handled well, was practical and as it was remapped went like the clappers and was incredibly economical to own and run and perhaps most importantly is really beautiful and classy. I still miss my GT..a lot!
If you set up the suspension to factory settings on a newer one, I believe it won't have that camber. If these Alfas are anything like their Fiat cousins, the metal of the shock towers tends to bend a little(they made it just slightly too soft) so after a certain amount of time you end up with 2-3 degrees of negative camber :)
Hi. Buying a 2008GT on Saturday and just was curious as to what people are saying about this car. Its a Diesel Blackline version so not much different to the one you was driving I think. I want it even more now! Thanks for the heads-up on points to look for.
Hi Paulus, you are welcome mate - the Blackline is a good model and the alloys are great. I've got a set in storage to try on my GTV! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, let me know how you get on. Cheers!
I got it and its beautiful. Its in great condition and yes, the alloys are real nice. My friend commented on them with the low profile tyres. At the moment I've put it in my friends garage for him to check over and give it an MOT but I drove it the 80miles back home and loved it.I had a 147 before this but always had my eye on a GT.
Yeah for sure, I’ve got the mk2b with a Speedgear transmission so spares are a real issue. Saying that though, I have had it for a good year and a half now and I’ve had absolutely no problems with it! Quite surprising really given its reputation and age. Now I’m looking for a used Alfa that can offer me more power at a fairly cheap price...
I read that the oil of the Selespeed needs to be checked quite regularly, and a low level may cause problems. But I’ve never seen in flesh a Selespeed in my entire life, so check on the internet for this clue, maybe? Good luck!
This is one of the best if not the best long term review of a car I have ever seen. Owning this car for three years now I can confirm all the points highlighted in the video.
Well done
Hi Roberto, thanks for watching - I’m glad you enjoyed it! Sorry it was a bit long 😄
The firm ride is because of the stock suspension. Change to coilovers ASAP
If Alfa was making RWD cars with good reliability we wouldn't have known what BMW is...
And BMW is very relaiable 🤣🤣
I have owned 3 BMW's and they have all broken down (one was brand new). I have owned around 15 Alfas and never broken down in any of them. It's mostly about correct maintenance.
@nikosstories BMW are not very reliable. My friend had an E46 with all sorts of problems. It's like all cars. If they are abused they won't last. If you get a good one with lots of history. Keep on top and you'll be okay!
Luckily, my alfa has paperwork running into thousands.
Well said Jack, you are spot on! Regular maintenance is the key. Simple.
@TheAlfaNut Of course! I'm booked in for tomorrow for a driveshaft and some other bits.
Got to take it all the way to Bristol and then somehow get back to Cardiff for work all in the same morning!!!
What did Jeremy Clarkson once say? "An Alfa will ruin you" He's right there.
Such a lovely car though, I wouldn't change it for the world.
Hi you lovely people - I just wanted to say a big Thank You for watching and subscribing to my channel, as I have just passed my first major milestone - the magic 1,000 subs mark!
This video was the most watched episode from my channel so far and obviously has engaged a lot of people, so thanks again, I really appreciate your support. More Italian content very soon! 😉
Super review, you mentioned all its weak points! I have a GT with the 3.2 V6 for seven years now, in Alfa Rosso like yours. Everywhere I park it, I look back once or twice, because I think it has the best Scudetto front of all Alfas, it's absolutely gorgious.
From your useful list of weakpoints: I had the same thing with the rear suspension: the dish where the spring sits on broke loose because of rust during a slow drive through town, exactly like what happened to your spouse.
Oh you forgot to mention two more weakspots: the parking brake cables need to be replaced every four years if you don't use them regularly (The Netherlands are very flat, you know. Putting it in first gear is usually enough for parking here...), and the brake pipes/hoses become a danger after 15 years and need to be replaced to prevent failure during a trip.
Oh and the V6 in particular tends to eat front brake disks, because of the ever vigilant ASR (using the brakes to help prevent the car careening offroad into the nearest roadside shrubbery) works more often than you realize. Or just be reeeeeally gentle with the throttle.
Mine is remapped so the 6.000 rpm cap on 5th and 6th gear is moved up to 7.200rpm. Which would theoretically push it to 268 km/h. (166mph).. Which is madness. A V6 is madness. It is the most crazy engine for such a relativily small car that it even wrecks the turning circle because its bulk leaves no room to turn the front wheels far enough. Parking is always a hassle, and try a U-turn in a street will cause major traffic congestion because of the many times you need to go back and forth because the wheels won't turn far enough.
It's that funny little story. My Alfa is like a very beautiful woman, waaaay out of my league and waaaay beyond my budget. She drinks like a fish, cheats on me, lets me down every single time. But don;t you dare say anything bad about her! I love her so much.
Thanks for watching David and taking the time to comment - I think that the 3.2 GT will be very collectable in a few years time, so look after that beautiful lady, even though she is a bad girl! 😉
(not a car guy here)
Wait, so the engine is so big that it limits/hinders the rotation of the wheels?? That's crazy!
Yep, it’s a typical Alfa piece of “logic” 🤣
Own a 2.0 jts for one year now. Has been the best decision of my life. Is my daily to work. Like you said it is so comfortable, it is really a grand tourer. Perfect for long drives but when you find a nice twisty road it still does the job right.
It's a great choice for a daily commute isn't it?
Great video. Bought my 2.0jts petrol 5 years ago as a cheap way into Alfa ownership. Fell in love with it and have gradually restored it to very minty condition. They are super reliable, beautiful and fun cars.
They are very underrated in my opinion too!
Does your drink oil too? Mine drinks around 1l per 1200 km
Mine 2.0jts drinks about 0,3L on 1000km
When i start my gt 3.2 v6 24V Busso
in the morning its like pavarotti singing his best opera. This car creats more hormones then Sex
Yea - it's a fabulous noise isn't it?
The noise is like telling you go faster,
and if you think to yourself no it will go wrong,
we will Crash .
She shouts do it anyway.redicolous
Haha, no you must always go faster! 😉
You have to be crazy to own a 3.2 Busso ;)
@@@FernandoFerreira-pq3my Si😂
A great review. I've just recently bought my second GT 3.2 V6. A 2005 model in black with tan leather. It's my third Busso-engined Alfa, the first being a 156 2.5 V6. The GT is a stunning car to own and drive. You're absolutely right about the comfort levels. And as the seats get older they get better, like a well-worn saddle. The ride can be hard though, especially with the extra weight on the V6. And if your roads are bad, like mine here in Norfolk, then expect to get through a set of wishbones every year! Economy, well I could only every dream of 57mpg. On an average run I'll see 25-30mpg. Motorway running and being gentle will get you to 35+mpg. Drive it enthusiastically and play tunes on the mighty Busso and you're looking at 15mpg but my God, the Smiles-per-gallon are off the scale. Grossly underrated and certainly the V6 prices are climbing. We're not anywhere near 147GTA prices yet but I'm confident this is a true modern classic. Oh, and timing belts... get them done!! Forza Alfa Romeo!
Don't get me started on bad roads! I haven't driven a Busso engined GT yet but that engine makes everything its fitted to epic!
Great video, just a clarification: 1.9 jtd as well as 1.3 mjet weren't the result of any collaboration between fiat and other manufacturers. Fiat group just sold the engines to others as the result of trade agreements. They were developed and produced entirely by fiat.
Thanks for that Leo - I stand corrected.
The engine is the exact same
@@derekwilliammills388 - that's what he said. It *is* the same as the Vauxhall CDTi engine, but wasn't developed by GM. It was developed entirely by Fiat.
And people never believe my car os 13 years old and the design 15 years!!! They are stunned when i say that xD
It's a timeless shape and I think it will carry on ageing well - like the 156 has done.
@@TheAlfaNut Hi mate, great video; accurate and very helpful - to me, at least, cause I think to buy a GT in a couple of months.
Now, about the design-subject you talk about, my opinion is that there is not a sigle Alfa Romeo car that is not a timeless shape. Alright, I am an Alfista freak but, watching all the old Alfas on the road next to other cars (contemporary or not), I cannot oversee the difference all Alfas do.
As I've said to a couple of friends of mine, the Alfa Romeo designs form the future design. It does not make a difference whether you liked an Alfa Romeo car when it was brand new - nearly everybody will come to accept it, at first, and admire it, as the time goes by. Sure, the coloring combination makes a huge difference, but this "rule" seems to work.
I look forward to hearing your views on the subject. Cheers!!
Hi mate, thanks for watching and yes I agree that almost all Alfas become classics in time. Now is a great time to buy a GT and I am just working on a second video about some hidden features of the GT which are very interesting! Be sure to watch that one! 👍🏻
Haha, when the giulia was brand new, I have had some people asking me if my gt was the new alfa XD
Classic design doesnt go out of date! 👍🏻
I've just purchased a 58 plate cloverleaf in blue.
Cost so far -
Four new tyres.
Full wishbone and drop link replacement. (Squeaking)
Washer motor and hose replacement more holes than swiss cheese!
Discs and pads all round ( my choice)
Cleaned the window switches.
New gear knob.
Full service.
Full wax oil seal underneath.
And you know what with every penny I absolutely love it ! I haven't seen another one yet. Came from a guiletta and it drives better than that. This one is a keeper, hope they start going up in value??
Hi Chris, thanks for commenting. The GT is a very underrated car - hope you enjoy owning her!
Isn't the belt expensive to replace ? Also, I've heard they're famous for having to replace the belt a lot sooner ?
Oh man you got me....im selling my bmw and im going for some alfa gt...btw great channel! The music you put in is great aswell (reminds me of gran turismo, the game)
Take care
Hi Jacob, thanks for watching! I’m happy that you enjoy the channel, some people don’t like the music but I have been a musician all my life and I can’t live without it! Good luck finding a nice Alfa. 👍🏻
Just found your channel, I love Alfa Romeo so much, I own a MiTo, so underrated by people who know nothing about it, absolutely love the car.
Thanks for watching Lucas - I might be making a Mito video soon, so keep stopping by!
@@TheAlfaNut I sure will mate.
Great to see you back again
Thanks mate!
Thanks mate that was real detailed analysis on Alfa GT I might consider buying it knowing what I Heard from you
Hi Emenike, thanks for watching - I am currently making a second GT video all about the hidden features it has! Hope you find a good one!
As an Alfa GT 1.9TD owner myself I agree 100% with your review. Only one other thing to mention, being pillarless doors the seals are weak and rain/condensation causes headlining degradation over the years. However that is common to all pillarless cars I've owned, to be fair. They are fun little cars and reasonably cheap to buy and own. The leather interiors are awesome!
I've had my GT for over 6 years now, started as a 150BHp blackline, and has morphed through 200BHp via a remap and now to 256BHp with hybrid turbo and various other mods. My observations are as follows: 1. polybush the upper arms - mine were done over 40k miles ago and still no noise. 2. The eibach anti-roll bar kit is a must have as it tightens everything up, get decent polys for the roller though as the ones eibach supply are shocking. 3. Michelin cross climates really suit the GT. 4. Get the EGR removed at the same time as the swirl flaps. 5. If you must lower this car, get adjustable camber etc fitted first, dodgy geometry causes major tyre wear. 6. The boot floor (spare wheel cover) from the earlier models is corrugated and way stronger than the later ones, if you can get on it's very worthwhile. 7. Mapped cars can be hard on clutches, 175BHp is fine on a standard / cloverleaf edition clutch, currently I run a single mass flywheel and GTA clutch but looking at upgrading to a stage 4 with DMF. At 200BHp an OEM standard clutch/DMF kit lasted 20k miles from new. The GT is a great car, but go in with your eyes open as they can be real money pits, so far mine has cost me north of £15k.
Egr and swirl flaps.... Tell me more? Just bought my first gt and any advice would be fantastic
Depending on the year of your GT, and this is the diesel I’m talking about here. The early GT with the CF3 engine has plastic swirl flaps on stainless steel posts whereas the later CF4 models has stainless flaps on plastic posts. If the early cars lose a flap the car will run rough for a few day but no engine damage, if the later cars let go, in most cases you are looking at a new engine. I say most because I dodged a bullet with mine, the flap was jammed behind the valve stem. Anyway, on the newer cars the swirl flap motor and attachments are below the inlet manifold so you can’t see them, you will get mechanics tell you the car doesn’t have flaps fitted. Just plain wrong. You will feel a reduction in response when they are removed because they do quite a bit to make the car more responsive.
EGR can be blanked with a blanking plate, they tend to get very gummed up and cause more issues than the solve. Mine was completely removed and the coolant rerouted.
One of the things I’m looking into is making stainless posts to mount the stainless flaps on, they should last the lifetime of the car.
@jhpbrown hi mate, thanks for all the useful info - its good to see that some people want to stretch the limits and see off some of the Golf GTI boys! 😎🤣
@@TheAlfaNut I closely watched the experience one of the guys in my GT groups had with his, he took it to 278BHp and had major problems as a result. I'm happy with mine where it is, I'm looking into getting a reliable swirl flap setup, stainless posts and flaps, as you do lose some of the initial responsiveness. Hopefully that will improve things as well.
@jhpbrown hi mate, yes the point where increased power starts to smash reliability is often quite easy to spot! 🥴
I’ve ridden motorcycles for ever, last car was a 1994 Honda Civic. I’m gonna get one of these I’m thinking definitely future classic
Get a 3.2 v6 version if you can - they will increase in value the most! I just bought a mint 2001 Monster S4 (916 engine) for some summer fun!
Is this 1.9 diesel engine the same one GM put in the Saab 93?
Hi mate, thanks for watching - yes I believe it is. Not completely identical but the same generation.
@@TheAlfaNut Thanks for letting me know
I have a cloverleaf GT with many tweaks from AutoLusso, running 270hp and its amazing, great fuel economy, huge torque and super fast. Love my car! Get the Q2 or the cloverleaf and you get the clever diff as well. The cloverleaf and Q2 have bigger injectors for bigger gains. The cloverleaf with 170 standard is the one with badges on the wings not the arse and you should see the hp on the inside of the door frame.
The mods were....... expensive, and will never regain the cost but shes a keeper.
Remap, Hybrid Turbo, Straight through decat exhaust, Decat downpipe from turbo, Short shift, Reinforced GTA clutch, Single Mass Flywheel, Front Mount Intercooler, Swirl Flap and EGR delete, New oil cooler, cambelt etc.
Considering a clutch change because the torque is so high I still get slippage. Koni FSD shocks and Eibach springs on the shoppping list....
GT's are amazing. Buy one!
Thanks for watching Capta1n - you GT sounds like a proper sleeper! I bet you give a lot of supposedly faster cars a scare ?
@@TheAlfaNut it's. Lot of fun on the motorway surprising BMW's, and when other Alfa drivers have a little fun with Me it's always nice to win hahaha. Need to throw another £1200 at it to fully sort the suspension and then it's onto the paint for the various stone chips etc.
Just a shame about the tractor noises when idling haha
@@capta1nher0 Yeah, it's a little bit noisy isn't it!
I have 147 jtdm with swirl delete decat egr induction etc gta clutch singlemass its brand new and slipping with 200bhp 280fl/lb. Its a really linier map, I don't know why they recommend them I'm quite pissed tbh wasnt cheap as you know. I should have realised when it turned up looking half as beefy as my STI exedy pink box rated 300bhp 300ft/lb. Love the car otherwise. After arbs and uprated shocks springs and brakes. BTW Brembo HP2000 pads on standard disks are awesome! Not cheap but worth every penny mate. Lost my 20v turbo with rubbish brakes. All the best Luke
@@LUKEASHLEYPEARSON Im dragging my current clutch out until its dead. I got the GTA clutch reinforced with kevlar from autolusso. However I wasnt aware of the bedding in period, kevlar clutches need around 2000miles to bed in properly, I floored mine from the get go and glazed it. It's toast now. I have looked at the cg motorsports dual friction clutch but they informed me it does not play well with alfa's and has a horrid feel. I think the best solution for you is what I am going to do again, GTA clutch, reinforce with kevlar, and then bed that bastard in properly. I have double checked and it should be able to handle the power fine it just needs taking care of. £360 for the modified clutch then just gotta get it fitted.
I picked up by GT 1.9 diesel for 725 quid spent 200 fixing the radiator and since then nothing has gone wrong with it. I've had it for a year now had nothing go wrong with it at all best car I have ever owned. Can't believe it was so cheap considering it had over 3000 pounds spent on it before me to get it going again
Thanks for watching Morgan - just keep an eye on it and it won’t let you down. 👍🏻
I have been driving Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 all my days. I have 5 of them😅. Always loved them. But after this video I think I will try the GT😉👍🇩🇰 oh and subscribed good Sir.
Thanks for subscribing mate - good luck with finding a nice GT!
Used to own GT with JTS 2.0 petrol engine. Pretty good car with good engine and gearbox, really fun to drive. Now I regret selling it... Nice video mate
Thanks for watching Dimitrije!
I bought a black gt 3.2 v6 today. It's really fun to drive and the engine is just a masterpiece! The sound 🥰
Well done, I’m sure you won’t regret it!
UK road Tax is £555 per year on that car. I was looking and toying with that engine but with the UK being so pathetic, I then thought of the 2.0L jts. But, for me, it lacks power/torque for A-road overtaking at 50mph. Maybe the diesel is the optimum, with the remap. Such a lovely shape on this car.
Road tax on the V6 is cheaper if you buy a pre ‘05 model 👍🏻
@@TheAlfaNut there are two on Ebay right now. One, appears to be more rust than steel on the previous MOT history. It would need some serious time spent on the suspension, break pipes, chassis and sub frame. De-rust or weld or replace. From what I've seen on other TH-cam guides to the GT, unless you're in Arizona or Western Australia, the chassis will seriously suffer the effects of corrosion. What's your experience since your ownership?
Hi mate, mine has been ok for rust so far, the bodies are galvanised but the chassis is the weak point of course, salted UK roads and all that. Sills can start to rust internally after being crushed by careless mechanics on garage lifts but the usual places that 156’s and GTV’s rust also apply to the GT, so floorpan, inner arches and sills. Caveat Emptor! 😉
This video was the best review of GT you answered all my question, I'm now looking to buy my first car and my options are Vw Golf mk4 and this the only thing I'm consern about is reliability. But yeah, thank you for making it.
That's great to hear - thanks for your message and good luck with your choice. Many people think the Golf will be more reliable than the Alfa but it isn't true - it just has different problems!
These alfas are so under appreciated, i have both 147 gta and gt3.2, extremily reliable, fast, handle awsome with a q2 diff, comfortable. What other daily driver car would you consider? These are the best, have been driving my gt 3.2 for 6 years and it always puts a smile on my face never boring.
Hi Paul, yes the GT 3.2 is certainly still quite cheap compared to the 147 GTA which has already risen in value. I test drove a 147 GTA with some mods last week for an upcoming video and really enjoyed it. 👍🏻
That's a well balanced pair of cars you have there ;) How do you choose which one to drive in the morning?
@@pyroclasm1 haha sometimes i just have to choose the one thats running better
@@jaymyers6452 That's brilliant :D that way you can fix and drive at the same time ;)
I forgot to mention, Car Mechanics Magazine is running a month by month piece following the repair of an Alfa Romeo GT 2.0 JTS. I must admit some of the fixes to me are like deja vu.
LOL - likewise!
I own her sister, an Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD facelift; they are beautiful car.
Alfa Romeo GT in the future will rise in price in my opinion.
Yes I think so too.
The V6 is booming, 2-3 years ago £3k would get you into a nice one. £6k+ now for anything worth having
Just sent this video to a friend who’s considering a 06 Audi TT , I hope it’ll do the job , along with my recommendation of either a GT or Giulietta ...
Cheers Joe, hope he makes the right decision!
I own a 2005 147 (facelift) 1.9JTDm, 150hp but with a lot of GT parts. Apparently a lot of them are the same. Love it!
Yes they are - I was thinking about making a video about the 147 too, as they are equally good cars?
I am picking up a 2005 GT 1.8 petrol in a few days I am very excited about it i was looking for one of these for a very long time and luckily i've found one in a pretty neat condition with low mileage with the exact same seats and equipment
Excellent - well done! How are you getting on with it, did you collect it yet?
@@TheAlfaNut I've just tried her out today she is not bad few things to be done here and there for example there is an issue with the check engine light on the gauge cluster which isn't still recognized what the problem is but the owner went to a local service and they guess it's something with the gas that's not coming properly to the engine, but I'm still thinking about it she runs fine to be honest but I didn't make the deal yet I think the owner overpriced her a little bit couldn't make it a fair price
Sounds like those are minor issues? If you leave the seller to sweat for a few days, he might decide to lower the price a little! 😉
Great review. I am looking to buy a 2.0 Jts or a 1.8 Tspark at the moment. It is one of the most underrated cars and a really do not understand why. It has a lot of space and the design will never get old. Its a future classic.
Agreed - the GT is in that place currently where it is very under valued and a lot of car for the money.
Only petrol ones will be clasic one day...
True 🙂
Great video, I was looking at buying one of these not too long ago but have decided to go for the 159. Looking forward to more content!
Thanks for watching Jake - good luck with the 159 - they are not without their problem areas too but a bit more modern and bigger of course. You should speak to the guys at the Alfa 159 group: facebook.com/groups/159register/
I have a 54 plate exactly the same , took it off the road for am while to give it a paint job , red panels fading here and there. Converted the entertainment unit to a JVC unit with reverse camera , works a treat. Also put Bilstein shocks on the rear , which was a huge improvement . Thinking of putting back on the road , getting the sale of my 159 to pay for spray job. Oh yes the sill , all welded and wax oiled. Will see ,great video, inspires new thoughts!
Hey Patrick, thanks for watching mate. I bought a new Giulietta for the Wife to replace the GT and now wish I had kept the GT!
@@TheAlfaNut That's just in my thoughts , as in the Gt reminded me of the fun I had in the 147 ,2.ol , I wasn't disappointed. The only reason I bought the 159 was to get a younger car and not have any body work to do. That's fine , it's just a heavier car and needs all its 170hp. Not decided yet!
How is the windnoise?
How is the suspension and handling? Is it bumpy?
Thanks alfa nut
Wind noise is not a problem for me - I keep the rubber door seals clean and lubricated. The suspension needed some renewing as I discuss in the video but the ride is good as long as you use decent tyres. 👍🏻
What is your opinion about the 2.0 jts model ? Also great video .
Thanks for watching. The 2.0 JTS has more power but the engine is less reliable than the diesel I'm afraid.
My GT'S aircon blows normally on auto and really cold air. You should replace your cabin air filter (get one with carbon), or fix the aircon. I saw your temp gauge set at 19. Maybe your cabin air temperature sensor is clogged too? The small grill on the aircon unit.
Thanks for the tips - the aircon was just repaired and it does work but I might try replacing the filter to see if it improves. 👍🏻
@@TheAlfaNut easy job and worth it. It will be full of bugs, leaves and dust.
@@Viktushish Haha - yeah, 12 years of it!
@@TheAlfaNut take care on inserting the filter properly, arrows on the filter point the flow of air. Mine was installed wrong.
@@Viktushish Thanks, I'll remember to check that.
I had a blackline for 2 years. The diesel is a brilliant daily driver, very practical and a nice place to be sat for longer periods. However it does have build quality problems.
Quick tip, when you open the doors from the outside, put pressure on where the handle hinge is with your thumb when you pull the handle. Theyll easily break and they arent easy to get to to replace. Make sure you tell the AA man as well, I have them to thank for my passenger side coming off.
Hi SB - yeah some of the GT production run were better than others - this has always been the case with Alfa’s it seems. A sometimes patchy quality control
I replaced both handles on my dads 2008 blackline about 6 months back, they were an absolute pain to get to. I hope for everyone's sake they never go again as the garage wanted a few hundred quid to do it.
I have a 2008 GT Quadrifoglio 1.8 which I believe was the swan song of the GT. I’ve had it from new and it’s done 120,000 mile which is amazing for a petrol engine. No major issues other than repetitive bulb failures, particularly the front side lights. After 11 years, it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it and I find that I drive it a lot more than my new BMW 4 series Gran Coupe!
Thanks for watching Jeremy - you have summed it up in a sentence - it’s how you feel when you drive it that matters! Somehow, Alfa have that little magic wand when they build cars. 🙂
Ive had my 2.0 JTS for 5 years now, and have done over 20,000 miles in it. How else can you get a svelte Aston like coupe for this price. With proper rear seats at the back ( non of this 2+2 nonsence ALL modern coupe's are afflicted with) its driving dynamics and a boot large enough to keep the mafiosi happy, It makes the perfect car. Another good thing about it is you can always resort to good quality used parts to keep it on the road. You can spot my Alfa in all my Alfisti related videos. You cant miss it, it has furniture castor sized wheels.
It's certainly a good practical daily - I've had mine for 2 years now and always enjoy driving it.
I owned a 3.2 chipped, cat back wizard exhaust. No problems to mention.
And it sounded fabulous of course! Dan’s exhausts are legendary. 👍🏻
So true. Sounds like a Riva boat ☺️
Have you changed even manifolds?
Liquid funk in the background. Love it!
Well spotted mate!
I feel a bit nostalgic watching this video. Had this car in this color (with the same chiptune), with nice 18" rims under it. such a beautiful car.
The GT is an underrated car and you get an awful lot for your money now! I hope you bought another Alfa afterwards?? ;0)
@@TheAlfaNut That was a few years back and I bought a mazda mx5 in its stead. But now I have a dream combo: the mx5 nc 2.0 with the retractable hardtop and an alfa 159 sw ti 2.0 jtdm as the daily driver :) Looking forward to your 159 videos!
Yep the 159 is a lovely daily, Ive only driven the 1.9jtdm so far but a tuned 1750 tbi is next!
Thanks for this video Chris. I have just bought a second hand Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDm 16V. Its a 2007 model and has only done 67k mileage. Cost me £2750. I hope this is is good value, seems pretty good when comparing it to online prices. The only thing that concerned me was the gearstick was a bit stiff. The dealer told me thats common in Alfas and "part of the charm" lol. Not sure about that but it wasnt too bad so it didn't change my mind. Also unfortunately I was unable test drive it due to the covid rules so i'm hoping all is well. I wondered what your thoughts were regarding the gearstick? Is it a common thing with Alfas?
Hi Darren, the dealer perhaps didn’t know but the stiff gearstick is actually not “part of the charm” in fact its very annoying but the good news is that its relatively easy to fix. The linkage uses “top hat” bushes and these perish and the linkage becomes corroded and stiff. To fix it, unbolt the fuse box & battery tray and unclip the gear linkage below. Its easy to swap out the top hat bushes, grease it up and reassemble it all. Its a 1-hour job on the driveway, I did it to my GT (also a 2007 1.9).
You can find full instructions online - try www.alfaowner.com. Enjoy the car 👍🏻
PS check the suspension dampers very carefully ideally on a car lift. They rust on the circular spring platform where the springs rest and can collapse without warning! Not good - that also happened to my GT 😬. Otherwise, great car
My Alfa 156 has been with broken AC at least 10 times :) But i still love it
Yes, the AC in the 156 is pretty bad but it's still a great car to drive!
Ill get mine tomorrow, it has the 2l petrol, 50 thousand miles and impeccable condition, I got it for a good price because one side has a big scratch
Hi Domitry - thanks for watching! I hope you love your GT - it sounds good :0)
My dad used to own the GT with the Busso V6. It had terrible reliability and gas milage but it was by far his favorite car which he had ever owned (from 2008 till 2011 if I remember correct).
I have such great childhood memories of this car. Always when we would visit his brother and his children, there was a highway with stop lights before the highway started and he always used to accelerate to the max when the light turned green. If he never did that I wouldn't have been as much as a car lover as I am now :).
Furthermore always when my football team had a football match in another place, our football team would be transported to this place in parents their cars (every match a few parents had to drive) and when my father had to drive, everyone always wanted to be in the GT :D (we were 8-9 yo back then).
This is one of the cars that I truely love
Hi Gaat - thanks for watching. Haha yes - The V6 is the kind of car every kid wants their Dad to have!
I bought a GT for my birthday for waiting the replacement of my gearbox of my 156 2.0 JTS Selespeed!!!! The GT is really nice to drive
Happy Birthday - what a nice present! 😉
Did you buy one with the selespeed, I've heard people had problems with it
@@dumitruhojbota5879 Yes I have my 156 Selespeed since 5 years and a half now but many of us drive the Selespeed in the wrong way like me. Since then i read the owners manual and stop to put it on neutral on the red lights or for parking it and everything is fine
I have a 2000 Afa 166 3.0 V6 Auto. Darik Blue. Cream Leather.. incredible car. Owned it for more than 10 years now. its just done over 108,000 miles. Should I swap it for a GT? I used to have a 156 2.0 Twin Spark before.. that was great. Very lively and nimble.. but 166 feels much more solid. How does a 3.0 GT compare? Does it feel heavy compared to a 2.0 Twinspark 156? SOOO Many questions..
Hi Nadeem, well, the 3.2 Busso GT is more nose heavy than a 2.0 JTS for instance, as its a much bigger engine. A 156 Twinspark with decent suspension and tyres will feel much more nimble than any Busso engined Alfa, as it's a light car considering it's size. The GT is surprisingly practical too despite having just two doors but you may miss the comfort and solidity of the 166? Good luck in choosing!
@@TheAlfaNut thanks for the reply.. I'm gonna have to try one out and see..
@@nadeemahmed324 Good idea!
Hi, I want to buy this as a second car :). Do you suggest the 1.8 TS or the 2.0 Jts? And can I know the main things to check before buying that car? Thanks 😋
2.0 jtdm or the 1.8TS would be my choice - the 2.0 JTS is not a great engine sadly. Check the suspension arms and make sure the front spring platforms on the struts are not rusted out - they tend to collapse! Otherwise not too many problems. Good luck finding a good one 👍🏻
@@TheAlfaNut whats wrong with the jts 2 litre, more power then the 1.8 no?
Had a beautiful black GT - the V6 version - with red leather interior in 2008. Traded it in for the V6 Brera in 2013, only to go back to a red Limited Edition centenary V6 GT a month later. Still driving her. And still one of the best cars I’ve ever driven. A true collector’s item 🖤❤️
Hang onto her Emil and the value will start to rise in a year or two! 👍🏻
Thanks, Chris! She was one of the last 100 models built in 2012 to celebrate Alfa’s centenary. Still in near brand new condition. All original and 117,000km on the clock. A keeper for sure, thank you 😊
what was the brera like? And why did you go back?
Diogo Vieira The all-wheel drive chassis was too heavy for the 3.2L engine to pull. The car just felt sluggish and drank too much juice. The GT was the best Alfa I’ve ever driven... until the Giulia came along. Yet I still prefer the GT’s looks over the Giulia. Do you also Alfa?
Owned a black GT, tan leather, jet fan wheels... Lost count how many people commented 'beautiful, amazing, stunning, wow car'. Belissimo!
Great video and channel! I had a GT 1.9 Blackline for 5 years. I covered 80,000 miles in it replaced many bushes and suspension arms. I sold it a few months ago but really missed it so now have a 147 1.9 Sport Q2 which is essentially exactly the same underneath. Bargain cars for what they are!
Hi mate, thanks for watching! Yeah they are a lot of fun for not much money - hence the reason for making this video. Before too long, they will go the same way as 156's - most will get run into the ground then scrapped and then prices of the survivors will start to rise. 147's too!
do you recommend a GT blackline, or a brera 2.4?
Hi Diogo, difficult choice! The GT Blackline is very cheap at the moment, so its possible to find a decent one for very little money but the Brera 2.4 has a great engine and is more modern. It looks fantastic too. However, it is much heavier than the GT and doesn’t handle so well. For a commuter or long distance car, I would probably choose the Brera but for weekend fun, the GT would be the one! Hope that helps. 👍🏻
I went to check out a 1.8 T-Spark, are there any common issues with these?
Hi Pinut - I've never owned a Twinspark but I can tell you that they need regular (weekly) oil checks, as they use a lot and you should check out when the cam belt and variator was last changed? Good luck!
@@TheAlfaNut I've owned one for 5 years and done around 77k km (on 150k now). Mine does use oil, maybe 1L per 5000km's, so do check it and top it up when needed. Other point to mention is the cam belt needs changing every 60k km's or 3 years. So check if it has been done. It's not hugely expencive. My mechanic in the Netherlands charges around 380 euros to change it (including water pump). it's really important to have it done when needed. And finally be kind to it. Like most cars, it doesnt like to be thrashed when cold. Then it may starts to use a lot of oil and wear down. You can give it the beans when the engine is on operating temperature, enjoy it! I absolutely love it! does around 13L/km with "non-economical" driving ;) I think its the best petrol engine with current gas prices for the GT. (i'd love a busso though)
Glad to see another Alfa GT Dan in the Exeter area. Thanks for the video. Despite its faults it hasn't out me off of buying one
Hi Michael, cheers bay! ;0)
I'm thinking about this for my first car vs a brz.
Can you do a few tasteful modifications to the appearance and sound to this car, is there a big market for this car?
It’s not a tuner car in the same way as the BRZ but there are mods available. If you choose the Jtdm diesel engine, its easy and effective to remap up to 180 - 200bhp with the usual air filter, exhaust, spark plug upgrades. That would be my choice. The 2.0 petrol is more limited as its naturally aspirated of course but a backbox and free flow air filter will improve the sound a lot. The BRZ is going to be more expensive as well don’t forget - you can pick up a nice GT now for £2000.
@@TheAlfaNut yeah true, thanks for the info, it really is a nice car, and its a steal of a deal, I'm still deciding, thanks regardless
Good luck finding a good car mate. 👍🏻
Good review. It's a very practical vehicle as well - Tardis-like in terms of boot space when the seats are down. I have the same colour combination with the V6 and to my shame I have used it many times to cart stuff to the dump and from the hardware shop.
Haha, no shame in that Chris - that’s kind of the point of this review, it’s a very practical vehicle and having a 3.2 Busso engined car that you can use for dumping trips and removals is the best of both worlds! 😄
What about the supossedly awful shifters on these? Is it that bad? If so can it be fixed?
Hi Kacpa - no the shifters are fine, if its difficult to use, you just need to clean and grease the linkage on top of the gearbox and replace the “top hat” bushes if necessary. It takes an hour and can be done on the driveway. Check out www.alfaowner.com for “how to” threads.
i had a gt 1.9jtdm 2005 reg stromboli grey with tan leather for over six years, brilliant car. in 2020 its still on the road and someone else is still loving it.
Hi Howard, thanks for watching! Thats a nice sounding colour combo - one of my favourite. 😉
I had a 156 Sportwagon with the 1.9jtdm - superb engine, beautiful car - sounded great when revved. Love the interior too - I note that you also fold the front middle armrest up - impossible to use the handbrake when it’s folded down!!
Yeah, its gets in the way of the gear lever too! 😄
Typical Alfa'ness that haha
The GT is a beauty and drives almost like the 156. But sadly the 2.0JTS engine is crap! Buy the 1.8TS version or the diesel. The 2.0JTS burns between 3 a 4 liters oil on every 2000km. When the oil is low, the engine breaks.
Yes, the JTS isn't as good as the Twinspark sadly.
I've got an Alfa Romeo 147 TI 1.6 and I love it, nothing looks as sexy and pretty as an Alfa 😍
I agree! Thanks for watching 👍🏻
Lovely video, I'm driving the 2008 Blackline myself - love those wheels! What's that gear lever knob? Mine had its paint crack and tear all over the place and I'm looking for a possible 3rd party replacement, given how the original part is so damn expensive.
Hi Dmitrijus - thanks for watching. The gear knob is a Richbrook branded one - try Amazon. Cheers Chris 👍🏻
I have the tan leather seats. They look great, but the driver's one is a bit worn on one side. Any advise for restoring?
Hi mate, you can buy leather restoration kits from Ebay - look for Alfa tan. Just clean the leather first with wool wash detergent mixed 50/50 with water to get the dirt off, then when its dry, apply 2 or 3 coats of the leather dye, letting it dry between coats. I did this to my 156 seats which I’ll be fitting in an upcoming video. 🙂👍🏻
Just a bit of correction: JTD Engine itself is not a collaboration engine, it is a FIAT unit, produced and developed by Fiat. First version of this engine was fitted to the Alfa 156 and it is the first commonrail diesel fitted in a passenger car. These engines are found in Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Lancias, Saabs, Opels/Vauxalls... There was "collaboration" between Fiat and GM where Fiat supplied engines and GM supplied gearboxes. I believe earlier JTD units that were fitted to the GM vehicles were completely identical as ones fitted to Alfa/Fiat cars. Later ones differ a bit. Gearboxes are GM produced and they are a bit weak for the torque that engine produces, you have to be gentle to them, especially if you are running more aggressive map.
Beside the swirl flaps on the 16v variant (just to mention that intake manifold and swirl flaps are made by the Pierburg, German Company that makes intakes for the BMW as well, and they suffer from the same issue) engine is pretty much bullet proof. To permanently solve issues you can blank out worn swirl flaps and apply software correction to the ECU. It is quite easy to diagnose state of the flaps.
Biggest issue on the Alfa Romeo 147, 156 and GT is front suspension which is quite fragile and not so nice over the bumps.
But in general, as package and 10+ years old cars these are excellent :)
Thanks for the info Bosko - appreciate you taking the time.
common issue with this engine are swirls flap (rarely gonna damage the engine), egr gets clocked up very quickly
Yeah, my egr is blanked off now.
7 years and 200 500km later and still so happy
Hi Luciano - thanks for watching!
Great review. I had a low mileage one years ago. I always walked away looking at it...a wok of art. I did bend the sill by putting a jack in the wrong place. Cant get one for London anymore, because of the Ulez coming in.
Great channel Nuts. Enjoy driving the only machine with Cuore Sportivo!!
Hi Luis - Forza Alfa!! 👍🏻
The sill crushing is unfortunately very common. Other points to look out for, based on my own GT ownership. On the diesel engine, the turbo inlet pipe is prone to splitting. If this happens, you can get a modified pipe, which will cure the issue. Tyre choice is important and significantly affects how the car drives. Mine had P Zeros when I bought it, which tend to follow road imperfections quite badly. Eagle F1s cured this for me. Drivers seats wear heavily on the side and sometimes split at the stitching. A combination of seatbelt chafing and people who struggle to get in and out of the car. Headlights are like candles, so if you do a lot of night driving, then maybe best to look for one of the higher specced versions with xenons fitted (HID kits are not really legal in UK). Ive had a GT, a Brera and a Giulietta and I would happily buy any of those again, but if you need auto, forget the GT and Brera, unfortunately. Make use of owner forums, such as AlfaOwner etc. They are a mine of useful information.
I've got falken on mine and the cars great
Just watched this video, will this car become a collectors choice, will it increase in value,🤔
Hi Jim, thanks for watching. Probably only the 3.2 V6 version for the foreseeable future - diesel engined cars will never be worth as much as a petrol engined equivalent.
Oh well, the reason I asked was I've just gone and bought this car KX57GGV 🤣
@@jimbryson5922Haha oh I see! You must have bought it from a guy in Scotland then I’m guessing? She was a great car - hope you enjoy mate 👍🏻😎
Yes,a English guy living here,he bought it of his brother down south
Hi Chris, thanks for this brilliant, detailed review of the GT. Thoroughly enjoyed and super helpful. What a stunning motor it is! Delighted to say I’ve just bought one - collecting it tomorrow 🙌🏻🙌🏻 can’t wait!!! My first ever Alfa 😍 and about bloody time!
Liked & subscribed. Looking forward to seeing more of your content 🇮🇹
Hi Thomas, thanks a lot for watching and hope you enjoy owning your GT - its a bargain at the moment!
@@TheAlfaNut Loving it so far Chris! An absolute joy to drive and looks so damn fine!
Great video! I own a 2.0 JTS one myself. Do have the occasional electronic glitch and a bit of oil use but it still is the nicest car I’ve owned so far. A joy to drive and a great opportunity for non petrol heads to learn about fixing your car yourself and save a lot of money 😉
Cheers Jeroen - glad you are enjoying your GT
Hi do you have a wobbly shift nob mine has 90 thousand km and the shift nob is very unprescise? I haven't drive any other manual gt și i don't know if that how they are from the factory or mine is worn out
@@dumitruhojbota5879 mine is a little bit wobbly but I can still shift precisely. I do know that it is a common problem for 147’s and GT’s. There are some video’s on youtube that show how you can fix this 👍🏻
Yes, I replaced mine with an alloy Richbrook gear knob. 👍🏻
+Alfa Nut Do you have the upper and lower engine covers on your GT?
A friend of mine didnt have both and the engine was noisy. Mine has both and sound smooth even at the startup.
Yes the upper one is there but not sure about the lower - I’ll check 👍🏻
I have the GT in red with the lion yellow interior, with the 2.0 JTS engine. It's my first car and I love it!
I first saw it on a fair back in 2007 and fell in love with it. I said to myself "I want this car in the future". Then when my dad was looking for a new car, my sister got our Rover 45. I thought that I would eventually get the next car then. So I convinced my father, together with a friend of his, to buy the GT. Then all I had to do was to wait 10 years. I even student drove in that thing.
Speaking about visability through the back window. I think it's horrible! I see like 2 cars behind me. But I'm so used to it now, that I think it's scary when I drive for example my fathers Giulietta, and can see backwards so good.
You have a lot of patience Erik! Waiting 10 years to drive your GT shows real determination! 😄
Ah the Working Man's Maserati Q.P. I had a Peugeot 405 - feels similar, More French Dinette than Italian Art Studio. I loved few cars more as a pubescent pre-teen than the one on the showroom floor. The Ford GT, the Beetle, the Corvette, and the Alpha GT convinced me excel in school Now? No Alphas in California since then. I drive a Ford.
Thanks for watching - the 405 was designed by Pininfarina I believe, so a little bit Italian! Aren’t you tempted by a new Giulia or Stelvio?
@@TheAlfaNut I just checked and it looks like there's a dealer within a reasonable distance. So - we'll see!
Ouch! Thats is a lot of cash! 🥺
Got a 2004 Red 2.0 JTS since 3 Years and its my first alfa. I drived 2 VW before and they were just much more cheap looking and even had much more problems. My alfa has now 247000 KM and is still driving so well. I Will get the Giulia if it will die one Day. But until than i will have so much fun with drive car. Curore delle Emotioni
Hope it lasts for another 250,000 kilometres! Thanks for watching. ;0)
I bought a brand new GT 2.0 JTS back in 2005. Kept it for 9 years, only used her for trips, took care of her and NEVER had ANY kind of issues not even a broken light bulb. The next owner still has the car, takes care of her the same way and had a 50euro cost of problem since purchased from me. The car was awesome and still miss it very much but had to sell it, 2 doors were not enough anymore :( .
Yes, like all Alfas, look after the car and it will look after you! 😉
I just got a jtd for 500 and had to put a strut and spring on it and got the stage 1tune e.g. same as yours and I love it lol
It's a great car and amazing value too at the moment. Better built than a Giulietta!
At an ‘indicated’ 75 mph! Regret not owning one of these, went from the 156 straight to the 159.
Shame - the GT is a nice little car
Subscribed! Would love to buy a GT but some of the niggles you highlight put me off as I really need the car to be reliable (it would be my commute car). Been driving an old '06 plate Golf GTI which has been bulletproof but I kinda want an Alfa! I only do around 15 miles a day with 3 of those miles being motorway so I guess diesel would be a bad choice. How are the 2.0 JTS engines?
Hi Mike, the JTS engines are fine as long as you keep an eye on oil but they are a teeny bit bit bland to be honest.
In my eyes the biggest mistake Alfa did with the GT was not putting the 2.4 JTD & later JTDm unit in it .
I have owned a 156 with the 1.9 JTD fitted and I found it “ Boring” .
The 2.4 units provide a very nice aural soundtrack once up and running what I like .
True - the 5-cylinder unit is a good sounding engine and pretty reliable too.
The Alfa Nut In a 156 what was a 150 bhp unit I was getting way above the 42mpg Alfa quoted ..
This was 2006 In Bristol area where I was living I could get shell diesel around 76.9ppl .
I was doing 840 miles a month to / from home to work and in that pay month I only needed to put £50 in and one month later the fuel gauge was on a quarter, £50 took it back to full ..
It was not a freak of luck that amount but constant .
Cool video! Considering buying a 159 ti with this engine....is it worth paying a bit more for the 2.0 engine?
Thanks Willem - I'd say yes! The 1750 petrol version is also a fun car.
@@TheAlfaNut Cheers! It's either that or hang on a bit longer and try get into a Guila Veloce!
@@willemsmith6760 The Veloce is a very under-the-radar performance car and can be easily & safely remapped to 320 bhp. I'm going to do a test of one soon.
my local car dealership has one of these but says its cursed, keeps getting damaged etc... worth a shot at owning?
Hi Rory - yeah of course! Live dangerously ;0)
(Unless it has "666" in the registration number of course!)
Which engine you'd say is better, 1.9JTDM from your GT or 1.9JTDM the saloon 159 version?
Not sure I'm afraid - I have only driven the 1.9 jtdm GT. Is there a difference?
@@TheAlfaNut 150HP, turbocharged, 16v. They should be the same?
@@miladinmuzdalo8597 I personally prefer the C630 manual 6 speed gearbox that is fitted to the GT to the problematic M32 fitted to the 159.
Hey, thanks for the video. Would you recommend the GT as a first car of a new driver?
Hi mate, yes I would - it feels very sporty to drive and as long as you choose wisely (check for rust underneath and especially check that the suspension is good, as the shock absorbers tend to rust and collapse!) and also choose a car with good service history. Be prepared to maintain the car well and it should be reliable 👍🏻
Thumbs up for the liquid funk I hear in the background. Such a shame that this music is only popular in the UK
Thanks for watching 👍🏻
I bought my first car almost a year ago and it is a 2.0 liter 16v alfa gt best choice i could have ever made bought mine with 23.000km with the enige rebuild because of the oil consumption, drive it every day to work and home and never had anything with it it’s sporty when needs to and comfortable
Hey Brad, thanks for getting in touch. Wish I’d kept my GT - the Giulietta I replaced it with is nowhere near as good 🤨
@@TheAlfaNut what kind of guilietta you got now
Hi Brad, its a 2018 2.0jtdm Super. Bit of a rattle box in terms of build quality but great engine & gearbox! 👍🏻
Excellent review! I am planning on buying one myself, does anyone have experience with the 2.0 JTS? Is it at least a bit reliable?
Thanks for watching Drak - the JTS is fine - its just not quite as reliable as a twin spark
What is better for first car Alfa Romeo GT or BMW 120
Hi Petar, I have owned a 2012 BMW 120d and it was a good car, good fuel economy, good performace and comfortable. It was not much fun to drive though and the GT is better looking! 🙂
@@TheAlfaNut Thank you :D
What is drive feeling in regards to 156 or 147?
I had 156 and 147, 156 is way better to drive for me, but I fear that GT driving pleasure is more similar to 147, so I am asking.
Hi Bo Bo, the GT feels good to drive - very sporty. Even though it is based on the 147, it feels very different. It feels solid, planted on the road and the steering is very direct as an Alfa should be.
Great vid and info. Quick question, what's the gear knob? Did u change that from the original?
Hi mate, thanks for watching - yes I did change the gearknob, its from “Richbrook” 👍🏻
@@TheAlfaNut looks good. Where did u get the silver reverse lift up part underneath? Hopefully picking up a GT tomorrow
It was part of the replacement gearknob. Good luck with your GT 👍🏻
Gahh, I'm in love... Seems like it would suit my needs fairly well. Gorgeous, economic, comfortable - just what I want out of a car.
There's one thing I'm curious about which you didn't touch on: trunk space. Can you put like a decently chunky suitcase in there? It looks like it can only fit one.
And just for comparison - how tall are you?
Hi Lenard. The trunk is pretty big on the GT - enough space for 2 large suitcases probably! The rear seats fold down too, so its a really practical daily car! I am 6 feet tall and 182 Kg and its very comfortable for me. 👍🏻
@@TheAlfaNut Awesome! Thanks.
Excellent vid... High production value too. ;)
Cheers Dog, appreciate you noticing! 😉
Thank you for a great video review! I loved my 2005 1.9JTD GT. It felt special, steered and handled well, was practical and as it was remapped went like the clappers and was incredibly economical to own and run and perhaps most importantly is really beautiful and classy. I still miss my GT..a lot!
I now own a GT 1.9 jtd. Beautiful car!
Well done Phillip - enjoy!
If you set up the suspension to factory settings on a newer one, I believe it won't have that camber. If these Alfas are anything like their Fiat cousins, the metal of the shock towers tends to bend a little(they made it just slightly too soft) so after a certain amount of time you end up with 2-3 degrees of negative camber :)
Hi Zahari - yes, the rear camber on several Alfas seems to be a little too much - my 916 Spider is the same!
lol, on my 2000 Bravo it's the fronts. And before that I had the same issue with a 1998 Punto :D It's tollerable though
It actually looks quite cool too! 😄
Hi. Buying a 2008GT on Saturday and just was curious as to what people are saying about this car. Its a Diesel Blackline version so not much different to the one you was driving I think. I want it even more now! Thanks for the heads-up on points to look for.
Hi Paulus, you are welcome mate - the Blackline is a good model and the alloys are great. I've got a set in storage to try on my GTV! I'm sure you'll enjoy it, let me know how you get on. Cheers!
I got it and its beautiful. Its in great condition and yes, the alloys are real nice. My friend commented on them with the low profile tyres. At the moment I've put it in my friends garage for him to check over and give it an MOT but I drove it the 80miles back home and loved it.I had a 147 before this but always had my eye on a GT.
I’ve got those seats in my Punto! Absolutely love them
Cheers for watching Jimmy! Punto's are getting a bit rarer now too aren't they?
Yeah for sure, I’ve got the mk2b with a Speedgear transmission so spares are a real issue. Saying that though, I have had it for a good year and a half now and I’ve had absolutely no problems with it! Quite surprising really given its reputation and age. Now I’m looking for a used Alfa that can offer me more power at a fairly cheap price...
Good luck with the search!
Hey, nice video!
I have a 2007 2.0 jts selespeed, and "selespeed system failure" keeps popping up and then it goes into limp mode. Any suggestions?
Hi Nadi, thanks for watching - that sounds like a failed sensor to me? The Selespeed is quite complicated unfortunately....
My mechanic already changed all the sensors i think hahahaha
I might just swap the gearbox for a manual one, or is that too complicated?
I read that the oil of the Selespeed needs to be checked quite regularly, and a low level may cause problems.
But I’ve never seen in flesh a Selespeed in my entire life, so check on the internet for this clue, maybe? Good luck!