Who drives their GTV6 in the winter (SNOW)

[racingswim2006]

So,
Anyone out there drive their GTV6 (or a GTV6) in the snowy winter? If so, how is it as a winter car? Just curious what people have to say about this.

The 50/50 weight and a good tire seem to lend towards a good, drivable car (the Milano is!).

Anyone like to draw comparisons with the similar, but more modern, Milano as a winter car?

[alfasrule]

I driven both Milanos & GTV-6s in the Winter for many years. Put 4 Nokias a sand bag in the back and the plow through anything. You can watch the car rust before your eyes. There great, but they take a beating.

[bshorey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by racingswim2006 So, Anyone out there drive their GTV6 (or a GTV6) in the snowy winter? If so, how is it as a winter car? Just curious what people have to say about this. The 50/50 weight and a good tire seem to lend towards a good, drivable car (the Milano is!). Anyone like to draw comparisons with the similar, but more modern, Milano as a winter car?

[Dimitris]

I am not very sure that the 50/50 weight distribution is an advanatge in this case, i think it makes things worse...
if you also consider all the salt that goes in the fenders etc i will keep mine for the summer!

[Travis_k]

All I have heard is milanos are terrible in the snow. Save the alfas for better weather and buy a saab 9000 for winter, they are supposed to be great in the snow, and not very expensive.

[planetmojo]

I pretty much agree with all the above. I live in the mountains of Vermont... great for twisty roads in the summer/ terrible for a GTV6 in the winter! I know, first-hand. I've doomed a couple to a rusty grave, as that was my only car at the time. You can come visit me in hell, for that!

As has already been stated, with 4 good snows on each corner and some sand bags in the trunk... they become halfway decent on greasy roads. BUT, as also been said, rust never sleeps. Within a month or so of winter driving, you have started rust that can't be stopped. Again, within two years of simply introducing your ALFA to snow and salt... you will have a parts car! The GTV6 came from the factory with econo body steel purchased from Russia. Pre-rusted before entering Italy.

From my experience, only '60s Saabs and '70s Subarus are quicker to have the body/chassis steel dissolve before your eyes. I've learned the hard way that you need to put your GTV6 under cover on the very day of your first winter storm. God will remind you when it's time! Get yourself a beater car or 4X4 or AWD for the winter months... or you'd better start looking for a decent GTV from the Southwest to replace yours.

There is what you want to hear, and what you need to hear. Sorry I couldn't tell you what you probably wanted to hear. I have 2 GTV6 that were sacrificed to the Rust Gods, and one that a moose decided to dive thru my windshield at 70 mph. The moose just finished the job quicker than the rust would have. I tried to have him arrested for breaking and entering. But, the cop wouldn't listen.

[racingswim2006]

To be clear - I'm not planning on driving a GTV6 in the winter

I just wanted to see what people thought. I MAY know someone else who is considering it though!

[hotlegs32]

I currently drive a 2.5 Milano all the time. My 79 Sprint was a daily driver( 250,000 miles) and several winters in my GTV6. Alfetta was( is) the best in snow. V-6 just has too much torque, even with great snow tires and extra weight. Often take off in 2nd to keep some traction. Fortunatly in CO, no salt. But rust is still a problem. 79 needs some serious rust repaired. GTV6 which has seen far fewer winters is still pretty rust free. Lots of trips to car wash after big snow days. And they have always had a garage at night.

[daz]

My gtv6 is tucked up for the winter only coming out on dry days (like today 0-)) I run the 164 during winter cos its front wheel drive for better traction if it does snow its galvanised wax oiled and to be honest not as rare as the gtv6

[alfasrule]

MILANO's need 2 sand bags in the trunk!! 4 SNOW TIRES, and they are a blast. I live in Vermont. I've been through it all. The 116's are awesome in the snow. I could get anywhere NO problem!!! I've driven a Fetta (1) , 2 GTV-6's (3,2), & a Milano(3) () winters!!
Deer killed 2, the others rusted to DEATH

[wonderbrad]

I think Glenn at Heavy Metal Alfa probably has the most experience of GTV6s in the snow! I would say that it's a crime to use a decent one in the snow given how rust prone they are.

[Scott in MN]

Please don't drive these cars in the snow. As a Minnesotan I can attest to their excellent performance in it. I can also attest to their exponential rusting potential in that environment.

[cchan]

I think it is a bad idea. My Alfa does not even like the rain let alone the snow. I think water is an enemy of at least my Alfa. Electrical bugs and cold start up would drive me crazy. I think a SUV 4x4 would be the better vehicle for snow or a Hummer.

[HeavyMetalAlfa]

Travis, I would MUCH rather buy a 164 that's gonna be crushed otherwise to drive in the snow than a Saab story. Same basic platform, but a hellofa lot more soul !! Mind you, I respect Saabs, many miles in 900's, but ANY Alfa has more,,,, you all know what I mean,,,

Brad knows that I love an Alfa in the snow, as well as dry pavement, but I do NOT advocate using a super clean Alfa for it. There are MANY good, drivable Alfas with pre-existing rust to use!! I mean, geez, spray a little oil on the rusty parts and just drive it! A good one SHOULD be preserved, but why not drive a rusty one in bad weather and enjoy it, rather than "part it out"..... [most of which is wasted, as a rule,,]

[planetmojo]

Sounds like ALFAsrule (the other Vermonster, out there) has had similar experiences to mine. He's used his ALFAs to kill two deer... that at least equals the one moose I bagged. And we've both killed a couple of ALFAs with rust. That's seven dead things, right there!

There are deer and moose crossing signs all over Vermont. Perhaps it's time to put some warning signs 90 degrees to those signs, for the wildlife: "Crazy Alfisti Crossing".