GTA V6 Turbo Questions

So, probably going to get a V6 Turbo as my next car. Either that or a Porsche 928. I'm coming from a 924 so either would be a substantial upgrade.

I'd of course be doing all work on the car myself.

So I have the following questions:

1. Is the engine bay well planned in terms of access, or are there things like the infamous "engine out to change sparkplugs" that exists on some Ferarris?
2. Will the electronic dashboard give me hell?
3. Is ABS the exception or the norm?
4. Do these have galvanised chassis?
5. How much "Renault parts bin" stuff exists on the GTA? I've become familiar with my 924 as being a VW/Audi parts bin car, is the GTA somewhat similar?
6. Will a GTA be unusable in winter due to the light front?

I'm sure I'll think of more but that's all for now.

Shall I start....

In answer to your questions:

1. It's not perfect, but most things are relatively easy to access and by modern car standards there's a fair bit of space around the engine. Spark plugs are actually very easy and placed vertically so a doddle by most standards. There's a few bits of pipe / plenum that are easily removed first and that's it.
2. Dash is actually pretty reliable with the exception of the speedo. That's a pretty normal weak point but JohnC in Jersey is very good at diagnosing issues and can tell you more. Plus he should be knighted for services to Alpine electronics and I still owe him a beer or two if he makes it over to the mainland.
3. Exception. Not many with ABS and not many with air-con. Quite often the two go together if it was specced by someone who went to town on the options.
4. No. Do I laugh or cry now.
5. Surprisingly little when it comes down to it. There's a few consumables that are (PRV engine being virtually standard), brakes and pads shared, bits of the steering rack etc. But most of the rest is pretty unique, certainly compared with normal manufacturers coupes. (Peugeot, Alfa, BMW etc)
6. Yep. Rear engined traction is great and can even manage in snow.... not that I'd advise it without winter tyres but it can be done. I ran mine as the only car I had for 10 years or more and that included sun, rain and anything else that was thrown at it.

[BIG_MVS]

Welcome Raize.

My 2p's worth is as follows:

1) Engine compartment is a good point and everything more or less is easy to get to.

2) YES

3) Cost option for GTA Turbo and ATMO, std equipment for Le Mans and A610, so it's pretty rare. Even if you had it not many work so I wouldn't worry/read too much into an ABS car.

4) NO - Make sure you have a good poke around the subframe, rear turrets and jacking points.


5) Some bits but as Darren says not a lot. There are still some parts available from Renault/The Club (Steve Dell) and Simon Auto (Germany Based), some only second hand if you can even get hold of them e.g Rear Lights.

6) Can be, you need to tread carefully in the wet though when it comes to prodding the loud pedal.

Personally I would never use a GTA or A610 as a full time car as they are just too unreliable. Get a cheap diesel smoker for the the winter/wet days then save the GTA for high days and holidays. Or if you want to take the safe option get the porker 928.

What I will say though is that the GTA is a really special car and is wonderful to drive when on song. To me a Porsche is just so common and if you want to be different then the Alpine is the one.

Good luck with the search or whatever you decide to do.

4. No. Do I laugh or cry now.

Hmm. How are the plastic panels fixed to the chassis frame, do they use a traditional method like bolts, or some chemical bonding witchcraft?

What is the nature of the Alpine's unreliability? My 924 is unreliable in that it breaks often, but 99% of the time it's simply something got dirty or some cheap internal part failed, and it's a simple fix that can often be accomplished without actually replacing anything. Is it that kind of unreliable, or is it "catastrophic component failure requiring complete replacement" type of unreliable?

The Alpine did seem like the cheap option compared to the 928 (and it was certainly cheaper when new) but that idea is rapidly losing ground

Most of the structural metalwork of the chassis is in a position where it can be reached and welded if need be. Rear subframce can be removed and the front it pretty open from underneath. The metal that is embedded in the fibre is bonded in, but generally those areas seem more protected and less susceptible to rust.

All in all it's no worse than any other non galvanised 25 year old car, actually probably a lot better as there's no rust on the body and that removes a major issue in itself.

The only reason to despair about the rust is that for the sake of an extra few hundred on the asking price Renault could have galvanised the chassis when they produced the car, or powder coated or whatever. The daft thing is that they didn't appreciate that and otherwise you'd have a car that would have outlasted almost any exotica out there. Porsche just thought about the long game before anyone else did.

Mine's done 190K+ so they can't be that unreliable.....

Engines can go on virtually forever and overall I'm betting will still be cheaper than a 928 with that v8.

[BIG_MVS]

The plastic body panels are all removable (bar rear quarters), the underneath/inner panels are bonded onto the steel chassis.

I'm probably being harsh but yes you are right the unreliability is mainly down to dirty joints or poor earths. This causes the main electrical problems the Alpines are renowned for. Other than rust/rot there are not any other major problems.

Cheap option? As in purchase price or running costs?

Basically for a GTA Turbo you are looking at £4k entry level with an MOT and needing TLC. £6k will get you a good useable one, £8-10k should get you a very good one.

Not sure how that compares with 928's but looking at Pistonheads etc that seems to be pretty much the same?

Consumables on a GTA are very reasonable, discs and pads are cheap as are plugs and filters. MPG can be 30-35 if nursed along.

Thing is there are that few for sale when you do eventually find one you might get lucky. What I would say is try and get one that's has/is being used on a regular basis as they do not like being stood for any length of time

[The Saint]

Raize,
I am assuming that with these questions, that you either have a car in mine, or you maybe looking for one?
I have been "thinking" about letting my GTA Turbo go, as I already have an A610.
As I said, I'm only "thinking" about it, so no issue or offence.
Just saying that it is often better to buy from a club, as the cars are often better cared for, than from a dealer/garage etc..
Thanks Vince..

I'm just looking at the moment. I've got plenty of time to find exactly the right car - crunch time only comes when the 924's tax, insurance, and MOT runs out in April. Would be nice to have something before then though.
I'm in Aberdeen so it's very difficult for me to go viewing rare cars like the GTA and to be honest I've still not made a decision on the 928 vs GTA question. Both have their ups and downs.

So if one of the chassis members that has a plastic panel bonded onto it rots, is there actually a fix for that, or is the car pretty much scrap if that happens?

[BIG_MVS]

Aberdeen eh? I think there is an ATMO owner up there who was on here then disappeared. Also know a guy who works on the rigs who has a Grey Turbo (lives nr Aberdeen), if you get keener again I can see if he will show you his if you want?

All the rot is repairable, just depends how far you want to go/spend. New area to go on the GTA is the steering rack mounting area. That's a bit of a pain to get to!

I am in Glasgow and have one. If you want to have a look around/drive, and if you're in the central belt, then give me a shout.

FWIW: I have a friend with a 928, and they seem to me to be very different cars. The Alpine handling is much more like a period 911: light, quick, steering and more sporty than GT. The 928 seems much more 'drive to Paris for lunch': which is nice, but a different kettle of fish altogether.

Colin

My brother had a 928 for many years ...totally different beast ...he's 2" taller, 5 stone heavier and can't dance

[BIG_MVS]

Looked at the 928 when I wanted to tick the V8 box. Talked myself out of it and stayed with the Alpine. Always reminds me of this:

Aberdeen eh? I think there is an ATMO owner up there who was on here then disappeared.

Would that happen to be a Red GTA with gold wheels? If so, he downsized his extensive collection and that was one of the cars that went

Prab

[quote="BIG_MVS"]Looked at the 928 when I wanted to tick the V8 box. Talked myself out of it and stayed with the Alpine. Always reminds me of this:

[/quote

I had a similair quandy before I plunged for the 12 pot

My brother had a 928 for many years ...totally different beast ...he's 2" taller, 5 stone heavier and can't dance

And you can dance?