Advice sought on new Giulia

[Arnon]

I have never owned an Alfa but am seriously tempted by the Giulia. Problem is I am struggling to get my mind around the controversy which this car has attracted in the overseas motoring press, the questionable approach of FCA to customer care (e.g. the strife they are encountering with the ACCC) and whether buying a car from such a limited dealer network is setting me up for a frustrating ownership experience. Putting emotions to one side, how well engineered are these cars. Specifically, does Alfa have the resources and the culture to produce a well engineered car that will prove to be durable. Please Alfisti out there don't take offence at my questions, just an objective view on handing over $70k for an unknown quantity.

[Colin Edwards]

Hello Arnon,

I have never had dealings with FCA re warranty or service etc so cant really comment.  However I cant speak highly enough of the dealer network in Melbourne.  ALL have been very helpful given the feedback I receive from club members.  The missus and I have purchased a new 147, two new Giulietta's, and a pre-owned 159 locally.  Couldn't be happier.

Re the Giulia, it is a very well engineered product.  I've had a very long and close look at a number of them and come away very impressed.  These cars are renowned for their steering, braking, grip and handling.  They a true drivers cars and not packed with toys and other guff that is now regarded as "tech".  The Giulia features very clever and advanced aero - especially under the car.  The forged magnesium alloy front suspension towers are a work of art and contribute to the cars outstanding chassis rigidity.  As does the alloy strut brace. 

Its not as well finished as a Lexus and doesn't have all the electrical crap most other cars feature now.  If you want to impress the neighbors I guess you get something from Germany.  If you want to impress yourself every time you DRIVE a car .............grab a Giulia.

[Paul Gulliver]

 If you want to impress the neighbors I guess you get something from Germany.  If you want to impress yourself every time you DRIVE a car .............grab a Giulia.

+1

[poohbah]

Arnon, the only contribution I can make to this discussion is this:

The old boy who runs my local Alfa/Italian specialist auto workshop (ie he is not a dealer) has just bought a new Giulia Veloce. Given it is replacing his near 30yo Alfa 164 Q, I think that speaks volumes for the Giulia.

[bonno]

Hi Arnon
I too do not have first hand experience with FCA and my involvement with the dealers is N/A, as I carry out the service on both my Alfa’s (older vehicles). Having said this, the Giulia that you are interested in for around $70K is more than likely the Veloce spec. This model was purchased by a fellow AROCA NSW club member and picked up and drove directly down to Canberra for Auto Italia 2017 and had nothing but praise for the performance and handling of the car, together with its various features. I notice that no reviews have been included on this forum and have attached links to these for your consideration, together with a 106 year tribute on the AR marque which may enable you to decide on whether to purchase or not; ie: the Passion and Emotion.
Review : https://youtu.be/5znnWsOINnQ
106th Tribute : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY4KixJxjVk&feature=player_embedded

Cheers
bonno

[Arnon]

Thanks all for your thoughtful responses! I need to get my mind around trading my trusted but dull Mercedes e220cdi for this Italian work of art. Missus will kill me...

[carlo rossi]

for the record Arnon the most unreliable car I ever owned and the worst dealer I ever had to use
was Mercedes Benzover when I purchased a New ML diesel
it spent more time in the workshop then out
when it MELTED the plastic inlet manifold they said and I quote " we have never heard or seen anything like it "
i said show me the car and there right next to my ML was a similar car with the same problem
YEs the Alfa importer may not be the best but the dealers are good
and the car is even better

[poohbah]

Just to add to Carlo's comment Arnon - most of the major manufacturers have had their issues in recent years. Certainly Ford and VW-Audi-Skoda have developed a poor recent reputation for looking after customers affected by catastrophic transmission failures (Ford), completee electrical failures (VAG), unintended acceleration and/or engine cutout (VAG, Toyota) and of course dieselgate (VAG). About the only manufacturers who seem to have consistently happy customers appear to be Hyundai-Kia.

And if you peruse the 940 Series (Giulietta/MiTo/4c) section on the forum, there don't seem to be too many tales of abject woe relating to new AR purchases, other than the poor bloke whose Giulietta is in bits being rewelded ...

[kaleuclint]

for the record Arnon the most unreliable car I ever owned and the worst dealer I ever had to use
was Mercedes Benzover when I purchased a New ML diesel
it spent more time in the workshop then out

Problem being that the ML (and BMW's X5) aren't really 'German' cars.  Not to mention they aren't really cars either... .  These US-built things are nothing like a Made in Germany Mercedes-Benz.

My Mercedes is more reliable and better built than my Alfa.  The material quality of my Alfa is better than my Mercedes.  True!

The worst part about Alfa ownership is the dealers.  I happily avoid MB dealers too -- they are good, but I know who is paying for their rather nice work environment.

[carlo rossi]

most reliable was my BMW 320i
so in order from worst to best  Mercedes  ML270,ford escort,holden commodore,rover 3500 sdi,bmw 318i,rover 827i vitesse,
etc etc then we have ALfa sud ,alfetta ,alfetta GTV,VW tourareg X 2( twice), Jaguar XK  etc etc
SO as you can see after around 20 cars the mercedes is by far and wide the worst car in the world
Would I buy a Giulia absolutley Im waiting for a cheap quadra if such a beast exists.

[poohbah]

Getting off topic a bit here, but the two most reliable cars of the 15+ I've owned over the years were without doubt a 1973 Toyota Corolla and a 2006 Toyota Yaris (don't laugh...).

Honestly, you could drive those things for years without so much as lifting the bonnet. But I wouldn't buy another Toyota unless I had to choose something that would last me for the next 20 years without replacement. The Subaru Forester we have as family hauler is also pretty much bullet proof (and indestructible - as I found out in a major prang when I had the prior model!)

Like Carlo, I am hanging around for Alfa depreciation to work its magic so that I can get a Giulia Veloce cheap sometime in the next 3 years or so!

[Colin Edwards]

The Giulia benefits greatly by being a "clean sheet" design.  Its not an evolution of an earlier model like all its opposition.
Alfa Romeo (Fiat / Ferrari) have done again what they usually do - produce a lighter and stiffer chassis than the competition.  At the same time they have again engineered virtually perfect weight distribution.  All critical ingredients for a faster, more economical and better handling car than your opponents. 

While the Germans produce household appliances with as much creative flair as a bus shelter, Alfa Romeo produce cars for the driver - not for the tosser or merchant banker! 

Its what you can leave out of a design that makes it elegant and innovative!

[Citroënbender]

...Its what you can leave out of a design that makes it elegant and innovative!

Well said.

[kaleuclint]

The Giulia is not compromised by a platform being used for a multitude of models either.  Eventually it'll find it's way under a Chrysler, but the Alfa came first.

I think EVERYONE is waiting for a nice depreciated Veloce...

And when I get mine it'll sit next to my Benz and 420i Gran Coupe.  When I want a nice relaxed travelling experience it's German every time.  When I want to actually drive something it'll be the Alfa just as it is now.  Of course I'll still have to fight Frau kaleu and Junior for the keys.

Most reliable car I've owned?  Holden MH Barina (Suzuki Swift)!  Mechanically faultless.

[aggie57]

While the Germans produce household appliances with as much creative flair as a bus shelter, Alfa Romeo produce cars for the driver - not for the tosser or merchant banker! 

Mmm....Porsche 911 anyone? In that market the roles are reversed.  Lambo = poser, Ferrari = ok but not so practical and soooo expensive to maintain, 911 = on the money (own and drive one every day to know).