Alfa GT 3.2 V6 v Maserati biturbo/Ghibili2

[urbanmaser]

Ok lets get some spice into this forum. We have argued and argued about whether a Maserati 3200 is better than a 4200 but lets now debate whether an Alfa GT 3.2 V6 is a better proposition than a Maserati biturbo or even Ghibili.

Let me get the ball rolling. In my humble opinion I think the Alfa wins hands down. It is much more reliable, far far better looking, maybe not as rare but every bit as quick as a biturbo and not a million miles behind the Ghibili in the real world.

The Alfa is technically far more advanced with all the anti skid gizmos and I defy anyone to come up with a more fabulous sounding v6 engine

Lets hear what you all think

 

[safrane]

Bi turbo...Styled to look like a Hyundi?

 

[urbanmaser]

In defense of the biturbo, I would say that it is the cheapest way to buy into the Maserati marque............Unfortunately, it does not end there. You need very deep pockets to own one and perhaps a 3200, or 4200, whilst initially costing more, might be cheaper in the long run.

 

[conaero]

As posted on another thread, I am a massive fan of the Alfa GT and GTV (actually the faster of the 2) 3.2V6

You are basing a very old Maserati against a current production model Alfa, the Alfa wins for me, but so it should its modern.

But as much as I like the Alfa, the Maserati badge holds alot more pedigree and mystique than the Alfa.

Maserati Weekend car, Alfa for the week day.

 

[markp4200]

C'mon, let's compare 'like for like'.
During the Bi-Turbo years, Alfa were struggling with much the same gremlins as Maserati.
I think we have to accept that they were not Maserati's finest hours but, like Alfa, have come back into contention in a big way.
I am also a big fan of the Alfa GT; and the performance figures do nothing to paint a picture of the GT's drive.
Does the current GT range have the 3.2 litre engine; if so is that an Alfa-sourced unit or GM?

 

[alfamaserman]

I have the tractor-engined GT which is surprisingly good and the 3.2 is not in the current line-up. I also had the 3.2 Brera which had the GM unit having previously owned an Alfa-engined 3.2 GT. [I hope that's clear!]

 

[urbanmaser]

Naturally, the Alfa is the more modern of the two cars and agreed that during the time the biturbo was being produced Alfa offered little to compete with it. The point is though that today or over the past 5 or 6 years if one were looking for a sports coupe capable of 150 mph both with Italian pedigree which would make the better investment and which would provide the most thrills per pound??? The comparison is only fair from this point of view.

By the way the 3.2V6 in the GT was phased out in 2006 and only then made an appearance in an Alfa Romeo in the guise of the 3.2 GM in the Brera, 159 and current Spyder.............clearly not the same animal.

Let me make it clear that I am not pitting Alfa Romeo against Maserati in general. The Maseratis of the 60's 70's 80's and of today are quite simply in another league and so they should be at 2 or 3 times the price of an Alfa Romeo. As much as I miss the Alfa for everyday use, the Maserati Gransport which replaced it makes me grin like a Cheshire Cat everytime I press that start button. I am a Maserati man through and through. I just have this thing about whether the biturbo is worth all the hassle and risks attached when there is a very good alternative. I don't doubt that there are some who will always choose the Biturbo for the badge, the fact that it is a very rare beast on our roads and in Cup form, hugely entertaining.

 

[BigFoot]

The Biturbo and the Ghibli are two very different cars. The Ghibli would walk over the Alfa, both in terms of performance, class, interiors and dare I say, reliability. But an early Biturbo would probably be always in the garage.

 

[Evoluzione]

When I think of the Alfa the first thought that come to mind is Toyota Celica territory, a front-wheel drive car for say a daddy's girl, if you will, the Alfa is much prettier of course but still in the same ball park.

 

[348azeus]

I had a dirty oil burning GT - excellent car not particularly well made but extremely reliable. Remapped it became very rapid with 190bhp and very economical returning at leat 40mpg. I just couldnt get used to the diesel noise. I tried a V6 GT but it did not handle anywhere near as well. So I stepped up and bought a proper car. So i spend twice as much on fuel but what a way to do it. I would buy the GT over the Biturbo anytime though. The Brera is not the same animal with the GM V6

 

[alfamaserman]

When I think of the Alfa the first thought that come to mind is Toyota Celica territory, a front-wheel drive car for say a daddy's girl, if you will, the Alfa is much prettier of course but still in the same ball park.

I assume you posted this to get some 'feedback'. Toymota and Alfa in the same sentence!! 'Daddy's girl' - doesn't Ms. Jodie Kidd drive a Maserati? I'll have to sign off now as my bra strap is rubbing.

 

[Evoluzione]

I'm not trying to offend, believe it or not. But we're talking mass produced fwd metal that mostly come with puny little diesels, I don't see where there are grounds for comparison.

 

[alfamaserman]

I'm not trying to offend, believe it or not. But we're tallking mass produced fwd metal that mostly come with puny little diesels, I don't see where there are grounds for comparison.

Yes, I agree that original comparison at the top of this thread was dubious to say the least. I just thought you were being uncharitable to the Alfa which is a decent tool for everyday use. BTW the 'puny' diesel out-performs the 2L petrol and compares quite well with the [Alfa] 3.2V6 - but doesn't have the correct engine note. I'm no fan of front wheel drive either but that's what's available.

 

[urbanmaser]

They made over 9,000 biturbos so I would hardly say it qualifies as an exclusive supercar. When I started this thread I knew it would be contraversial and start a war...........I was right

 

[Evoluzione]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the Alfa, spec wise let's say it's a natural VW Golf rival, but with more feminine curves, as a Celica is clearly offensive. To me, seeing the Alfa on the road is only slightly more interesting than a Golf, and I'd also take the Golf every time.

I'm positive Jodie Kidd was able to purchase her Maserati without financial assistance from her old man.

It is easy to post the most unflattering piture of the Biturbo available and then to draw ignorant comparisons with Hyundai. I'd show you what Hyundais looked like in 1981 but it would more than likely be a waste of time. The Biturbo was always a very handsome car, but quickly evolved to become much more contemporary, unless you lived with the marque throughout those decades then you can't possibly understand how much admiration and interest they would receive from members of the public - at least those with a fine taste in automobiles. Yes, we all agree that it was a step down from previous glory days but that does not mean they weren't highly individual and incredibly exclusive. Build quality could have been better, but Ferraris at the time wouldn't have been more reliable, due to their relatively affordable entry price and the raw acceleration available, Biturbos would often receive a thrashing from owners who did not understand the laws of supercar ownership, and so many would fare badly.

 

[urbanmaser]

I can vouch for the fact that Ferraris were unreliable in that era. Ferrari got their act together a little before Maserati with the 355 (the first modern day Ferrari)

 

[safrane]

I love Maserati's...and like the last of the bi-turbos, but they do look like the Hyundia...even the last image came up on a search on Google as one!!!

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...&start=18&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...&start=36&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...&start=72&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...start=126&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...&start=90&hl=en&sa=N&gbv=2&ndsp=18&tbs=isch:1

 

[urbanmaser]

I don't think I would go so far as to say a biturbo looks like a Hyundi. The Ghibili especially the Cup was an extraordinary car and certainly more sorted than some of the early biturbos. At least it has the performance to compensate for the risks of owning one.

I know that Evo had a Cup as one of their fleet and loved it.

 

[safrane]

Ahh the Ghibli is a whole different kettle of fish...both in looks and style...then we move onto the Shamal...hmmmm sweet

 

[urbanmaser]

Shamal was a bit of a brute


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