Autocar UK – 28 August 2019

HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE

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Today the V6 commands the highest prices,

but a cheaper TS is the better buy

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USED CARS

28 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 77

An expert’s view

NED KIRKHAM, DIRECTOR,

AUTOLUSSO

“I’d buy a Phase 2 3.0 V6 with the

CF2 engine. The CF2 was a useful

improvement on the CF1 in the Phase

1 car but not as complicated as the

later CF3 that complied with Euro

3 standards. Then I’d fit a Quaife

ATB limited-slip diff. It makes a big

improvement to the way the 3.0-litre

turns in because without it, it can

understeer horribly. Avoid the JTS – it

suffers oil dilution caused by its direct

fuel injection, which causes cylinder

bore, camshaft and big-end bearing

wear. It also suffers from carbon build-

up in the intakes. Look out for the 3.2.

Only 54 were sold in the UK and a good

one is highly prized.”

Buyer beware

QENGINE

All engines require a cambelt change

every 36,000 miles/three years and

fresh oil every 8000. A diesely rattle

at idle means cam variator failure. It

should be changed with the cambelt.

With JTS engines, check oil quality for

fuel dilution and frequency of changes.

On all engines, rough running and

misfiring may be due to poor timing,

or on V6 engines a faulty mass airflow

sensor or head gasket failure.

QGEARBOX

On the 2.0 TS, if the clutch bites close

to the top of the pedal travel, it needs

replacing. The V6’s pull clutch gets

heavy and notchy when warm. Check

for smooth gearchanges. Swarf build-

up in the end casing can cause fifth-

gear selection issues. On V6s, budget

for a Quaife ATB limited-slip diff.

QBRAKES, SUSPENSION

AND WHEELS

Lower front wishbones wear at each

end, causing front tyre inner shoulder

wear (although it could also be an

alignment issue). Bushes on the rear

suspension can wear and specialists

advise replacing with Powerflex items.

On the V6, feel for warped front discs.

Check tyre pressures – the alloys can

oxidise, causing a poor seal.

QBODY

Check the sills, footwells and jacking

points for rust.

The 3.0-litre V6

engine of 1998

came with 217bhp

Composite panels

and a galvanised

b o d y h o l d b a ck r u st

One we found

ALFA ROMEO 2.0 GTV TS

16V TURISMO, 2001/Y-REG,

61,500 MILES, £2450

This TS is in original condition and has a

modest mileage and full history. It also

has both keys (in fact, the ad mentions

four of them), a GTV toolkit and just

two former keepers.

QINTERIOR

Check the windows work and, on later

cars, that the glass drops 10mm. Check

the heated rear screen – it can burn out

its connection or, worse, the fuse box.

Also worth knowing

The GTV is from a time when some cars

required two keys. GTVs from 2000

need their red and blue-topped keys.

Before that date, make sure the key

co d e i s w i th th e c a r o r yo u’ l l str u g g l e

to get a duplicate and the immobiliser

won’t work. Specialists can advise in

case. Try car-keys-online.com.

How much to spend

£600-£999

Includes a well-maintained 1999 2.0 TS

with 115,000 miles for £999.

£1000-£1999

Tidy runners including a cherished

1998 2.0 TS with 89k miles for £1995.

£2000-£2499

Tidier 2.0 TSs of around 1999 vintage

and with 50,000 miles.

£2500-£3999

More V6s including a 1999 3.0 24v

Lusso with 102k miles for £3500.

£4000-£5999

Some nice, low-mileage 2.0 TS cars

with good service histories.

£6000-£9999

Late V6 Lussos with 26k to 90k miles.