Alfa Romeo - GTV

1996-05 

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The GTV now looks rather aged; it also feels dated. That said, it comes with good equipment and all the usual Alfa design flair, and it feels like no other mainstream coupe.

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	Recently restyled coupe still looks covetable
	Engines sound good and deliver driving pleasure
	Stylish cabin is comfortable and well equipped
	High noise levels reduce refinement
	Rear seats are tight for adults; limited boot space
	High running costs and depreciation on V6

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The GTV is showing its age. Its narrow 2+2 cabin is cramped, its driving position awkward, and sound insulation is poor; compared to more modern rivals it feels flimsy and lightweight. Updates in 2003 injected further life into the range, which currently boasts 2.0 JTS and 3.2 V6 versions, but although powerful, the V6 is not the easiest car to manage and the limitations of its chassis make it difficult to drive it to its full potential.
Reliability and quality has been an ongoing problem for the GTV, which has scored poorly in customer satisfaction surveys; this hasn't been helped by poor back-up from many dealerships. Yet at the right price haggle a sub-£20,000 JTS with Lusso pack the GTV is still an appealing option for lovers of Italian sports cars. Just don't expect state-of-the-art refinement and handling, or strong residual values. The all-new, larger GT is a far better investment.