RE: Driven: Alfa Romeo Spider 1750 TBi
Discussion
robsco said:
Living off past glories is a little harsh. Alfa have a strong line up at the moment, their strongest for a long time. The Mito has received a lot of praise, cracking up to date engines and good build quality. The 159 is an excellent steer and looks simply divine with another line up of good engines (1750TBi to replace the old 2.2, excellent range of diesels). The GT's only real weak point IMHO its interior, which, being based on the 147, doesn't seem to have the same robustness as the 159/Brera etc.
Interesting that you mention the Giulietta's looks. They might not be to your taste, but there's no denying that it seems to be a great car (though I've not driven one). It was only just pipped by the Golf in a recent road test, which is an honourable result. They also have the new Spider in the pipeline of course, if the Duettotanta concept was anything to go by. If the pricing is keen and they get the chassis right, Alfa should have a field day.
The Mito has got fair reviews but certainly not enough to put it at the top of the class. The 159 and GT platforms are at least 5 years old and due for replacement soon. They've also stopped making the Brera and Spyder.Interesting that you mention the Giulietta's looks. They might not be to your taste, but there's no denying that it seems to be a great car (though I've not driven one). It was only just pipped by the Golf in a recent road test, which is an honourable result. They also have the new Spider in the pipeline of course, if the Duettotanta concept was anything to go by. If the pricing is keen and they get the chassis right, Alfa should have a field day.
I agree the new multiair engines are technically brilliant and very efficient, however they aren't very exciting which is what Alfa were famous for. I remember going weak at the knees on hearing and seeing some of the older V6 engines, can't imagine that happening now. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not on an Alfa downer, I'm very keen to see what they do with their next saloon, coupe and Spyder cars. The Spyder concept is certainly fantastic looking, I just hope they manage to add back some of the Alfa magic into the handling and engines departments.
Guvernator said:
The Mito has got fair reviews but certainly not enough to put it at the top of the class. The 159 and GT platforms are at least 5 years old and due for replacement soon. They've also stopped making the Brera and Spyder.
I don't put much faith in other people's opinions, but the MiTo came top in the What Car reader's awards this year. It's not going to worry Porsche, but that's not its target market.Also, Spider.
jamieboy said:
Guvernator said:
The Mito has got fair reviews but certainly not enough to put it at the top of the class. The 159 and GT platforms are at least 5 years old and due for replacement soon. They've also stopped making the Brera and Spyder.
I don't put much faith in other people's opinions, but the MiTo came top in the What Car reader's awards this year. It's not going to worry Porsche, but that's not its target market.Also, Spider.
robsco said:
jamieboy said:
Guvernator said:
The Mito has got fair reviews but certainly not enough to put it at the top of the class. The 159 and GT platforms are at least 5 years old and due for replacement soon. They've also stopped making the Brera and Spyder.
The GT was based on a 156 platform that harks back to the mid 90's. Saying that, having driven all the models being talked about in this thread, I'd still take a GT V6 over any of the 159 based products. The Spider V6 I drove to AutoItalia in 2007 was stunning. Stunning to look at, and always drew a crowd whenever it was parked up. But a stunning let down performance wise. Heavy, slow, unresponsive, and that "new" GM V6 was totally souless. I'll forgive an Alfa a fair few things. I've owned a few. My GTV TS wasn't quick, but it was sharp handling, made a great noise, and never felt boring. The current models have never had the sales success of the 156 and 147. They undercut the competition price wise, looked stunning (and still do to my eyes) had character and were sharp to drive. No wonder they sold well, they were a real alternative in so many ways. Cheaper and more interesting than the premium brands, and more upmarket than the likes of Ford, and Vauxhall. They took sales from both markets. Today Alfa has lost the plot. The 159 family is just plain dull to drive. The Mito is hideous. In the same way a Mk1 Cayene looks shocking for being a 911 stretched over a Toureg, the Mito is an attempt to drag an 8C over a Grande Punto. The Guilette is a butter car. Nice bum, but'er face! The local hairdresser has one, and always parks it front on to the shop. The new concept 4C spider doesn't do it for me either. The Duoettotante was really were I would like them to go style wise, and a return to a lighter, sharper driving range of cars. Alfa are so fixated with competing with the Germans, when they should be getting back to being something different, and exciting.
As for the fella in this thread who has an MX-5 and is thinking of chopping it for a Spider... REALLY? I've had 2 MX-5s and would buy another in a heart beat. You’d swap pin sharp handling, involvement, and all the fun just for a pretty face? For the money you'd spend you could go Boxster, almost new S2000, 350Z... the list of far superior metal goes on and on. If it has to be an Alfa then a 916 V6 Spider would be a far better drive, and they’re not great to start with.
I love Alfa, always have, but they have to sort themselves out. I think the best thing would be for Fiat to get shot, and for something similar to what has happened to SAAB to take place. I hope it gets better soon.
Howrare said:
The GT was based on a 156 platform that harks back to the mid 90's. Saying that, having driven all the models being talked about in this thread, I'd still take a GT V6 over any of the 159 based products. The Spider V6 I drove to AutoItalia in 2007 was stunning. Stunning to look at, and always drew a crowd whenever it was parked up. But a stunning let down performance wise. Heavy, slow, unresponsive, and that "new" GM V6 was totally souless. I'll forgive an Alfa a fair few things. I've owned a few. My GTV TS wasn't quick, but it was sharp handling, made a great noise, and never felt boring.
The current models have never had the sales success of the 156 and 147. They undercut the competition price wise, looked stunning (and still do to my eyes) had character and were sharp to drive. No wonder they sold well, they were a real alternative in so many ways. Cheaper and more interesting than the premium brands, and more upmarket than the likes of Ford, and Vauxhall. They took sales from both markets. Today Alfa has lost the plot. The 159 family is just plain dull to drive. The Mito is hideous. In the same way a Mk1 Cayene looks shocking for being a 911 stretched over a Toureg, the Mito is an attempt to drag an 8C over a Grande Punto. The Guilette is a butter car. Nice bum, but'er face! The local hairdresser has one, and always parks it front on to the shop. The new concept 4C spider doesn't do it for me either. The Duoettotante was really were I would like them to go style wise, and a return to a lighter, sharper driving range of cars. Alfa are so fixated with competing with the Germans, when they should be getting back to being something different, and exciting.
As for the fella in this thread who has an MX-5 and is thinking of chopping it for a Spider... REALLY? I've had 2 MX-5s and would buy another in a heart beat. You’d swap pin sharp handling, involvement, and all the fun just for a pretty face? For the money you'd spend you could go Boxster, almost new S2000, 350Z... the list of far superior metal goes on and on. If it has to be an Alfa then a 916 V6 Spider would be a far better drive, and they’re not great to start with.
I love Alfa, always have, but they have to sort themselves out. I think the best thing would be for Fiat to get shot, and for something similar to what has happened to SAAB to take place. I hope it gets better soon.
Not sure what you've done there, but I didn't say any of that. The current models have never had the sales success of the 156 and 147. They undercut the competition price wise, looked stunning (and still do to my eyes) had character and were sharp to drive. No wonder they sold well, they were a real alternative in so many ways. Cheaper and more interesting than the premium brands, and more upmarket than the likes of Ford, and Vauxhall. They took sales from both markets. Today Alfa has lost the plot. The 159 family is just plain dull to drive. The Mito is hideous. In the same way a Mk1 Cayene looks shocking for being a 911 stretched over a Toureg, the Mito is an attempt to drag an 8C over a Grande Punto. The Guilette is a butter car. Nice bum, but'er face! The local hairdresser has one, and always parks it front on to the shop. The new concept 4C spider doesn't do it for me either. The Duoettotante was really were I would like them to go style wise, and a return to a lighter, sharper driving range of cars. Alfa are so fixated with competing with the Germans, when they should be getting back to being something different, and exciting.
As for the fella in this thread who has an MX-5 and is thinking of chopping it for a Spider... REALLY? I've had 2 MX-5s and would buy another in a heart beat. You’d swap pin sharp handling, involvement, and all the fun just for a pretty face? For the money you'd spend you could go Boxster, almost new S2000, 350Z... the list of far superior metal goes on and on. If it has to be an Alfa then a 916 V6 Spider would be a far better drive, and they’re not great to start with.
I love Alfa, always have, but they have to sort themselves out. I think the best thing would be for Fiat to get shot, and for something similar to what has happened to SAAB to take place. I hope it gets better soon.
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