Motoring Monday Classic: Alfa Romeo GTV

We're all in favour of making your driveway that bit more attractive by parking something beautiful on it - like the Alfa Romeo GTV.

And it's always nicer to be able to do that without having to break the bank.

The Alfa Romeo GTV comes from Alfa's previous heyday, where pretty much every car in its range was a joy to look at - think Alfa 147, 156, maybe not the 166 - as well as offering a sparkling drive.

20 years on and Alfa Romeo GTVs at the cheapest end of the market are certainly bargains, although you need to exercise a respectable amount of caution if you're paying peanuts.

Looking through the classifieds we found several examples for less than £1500, and the cheapest one of the lot even came with four months MOT.

Most examples at this kind of money will be the 2.0-litre Twin Spark version, which offers decent performance. Just be sure to check when the cambelt was last changed, as these are a well-known failure point.

As always it's worth taking a good look at the history. A nice selection of previous bills won't guarantee an absence of future problems, but it does show that previous owners have tried to keep it in rude health.

A modest up front investment plus some love and attention will get you a usable classic that still turns heads and is a pleasure to drive. You'll also be doing your bit to keep another example of one of the most-loved automotive brands on the road. Find an Alfa Romeo GTV for sale