Current Alfa Romeo range, how do we feel about them?
Discussion
And there is a reason why I'm asking.
Just two cars, the Mito and the Giulietta, available. Some will appeal to the hardcore PHer many will appeal to the 'man in the street'
Why ask? Well, if PH offered you the chance to drive cars from the range to give your verdict as part of a reader test would you be keen to sample them?
I don't mean just for a day out, I mean are you genuinely keen to see what a modern Alfa is like as a realistic ownership proposition.
Just two cars, the Mito and the Giulietta, available. Some will appeal to the hardcore PHer many will appeal to the 'man in the street'
Why ask? Well, if PH offered you the chance to drive cars from the range to give your verdict as part of a reader test would you be keen to sample them?
I don't mean just for a day out, I mean are you genuinely keen to see what a modern Alfa is like as a realistic ownership proposition.
ks off them. I'm not interested in the slightest in either of their two current hatchback offerings.
If they still made the 159 estate, or had a racy little coupe in their line-up, I'd be genuinely interested. But as it stands, I'm happy to remain ignorant.
...which is a real pity, given that I really like the Alfa brand and had a 1997 GTV as my first "proper" car.
If they still made the 159 estate, or had a racy little coupe in their line-up, I'd be genuinely interested. But as it stands, I'm happy to remain ignorant.
...which is a real pity, given that I really like the Alfa brand and had a 1997 GTV as my first "proper" car.
I would be interested.
I love my older Alfas but am not entirely convinced by the current or for that matter, recent ranges.
have been looking into buying s hatchback runaround for the business and on paper, the Giulietta would do nicely but am not convinced a short test drive would win me over.
I love my older Alfas but am not entirely convinced by the current or for that matter, recent ranges.
have been looking into buying s hatchback runaround for the business and on paper, the Giulietta would do nicely but am not convinced a short test drive would win me over.
Reads like you're being sloppy seconds after the IAM tie in? 
If you're offering a go in one I'll take it, but I'm not in the market for one. I think I could take one in for a whole week if it helps out PH. Stewardship of a new car for a weekend isn't much good to me.
Wouldn't anybody in the market to get one, know about them already?
It's a bit like your PH & Flux £10K and £5K competition, people know what they want?
Is this PH or What Car?
Are Alfa really going to get anymore leads from PH that they'd not get elsewhere? Won't prospective buyers look at the reviews, and this just reads as a chance for a sales type to press biros into hands?
I can see that getting in one may allow the magic of the colours, trim styling and brand to soak in and pump the brand heritage.
PH/Alfa pay Monkey to test them?
The MiTo is a Corsa/Punto Grande, so I could see some benefit in a 3 way test comparing the differences.
Aren't most PHers going to be thinking 'Abarth'? Even if they are reaching for the hair dryer to remove those enamel badges on the flanks?
I'm stinging? I've just had something with little red, relatively discreet scorpions on it.
Nice brand, nice imagery, I am not a girl, Punto Grande Abarth please.
Perhaps I am some kind of pervert, but I fond the current 5 door Astra a great looking car, it looks better than the 3 door sports Coupe Astra and the Giulietta and the Focus with that horrible Baboon's Bottom back end.
The Giulietta is too overwrought, it's trying to hard, it's like a woman that's addicted to having plastic surgery and tweets images of her fake breasts while she's in the bath. The 5 door Astra looks fine. It's a shame the Hottest Astra, with hydraulic PAS rather than electrons isn't available in 5 door form. Then it would be the best looking Astra with the best components.
If you're offering a go in one I'll take it, but I'm not in the market for one. I think I could take one in for a whole week if it helps out PH. Stewardship of a new car for a weekend isn't much good to me.
Wouldn't anybody in the market to get one, know about them already?
It's a bit like your PH & Flux £10K and £5K competition, people know what they want?
Is this PH or What Car?
Are Alfa really going to get anymore leads from PH that they'd not get elsewhere? Won't prospective buyers look at the reviews, and this just reads as a chance for a sales type to press biros into hands?
I can see that getting in one may allow the magic of the colours, trim styling and brand to soak in and pump the brand heritage.
PH/Alfa pay Monkey to test them?
The MiTo is a Corsa/Punto Grande, so I could see some benefit in a 3 way test comparing the differences.
Aren't most PHers going to be thinking 'Abarth'? Even if they are reaching for the hair dryer to remove those enamel badges on the flanks?
I'm stinging? I've just had something with little red, relatively discreet scorpions on it.
Nice brand, nice imagery, I am not a girl, Punto Grande Abarth please.
Perhaps I am some kind of pervert, but I fond the current 5 door Astra a great looking car, it looks better than the 3 door sports Coupe Astra and the Giulietta and the Focus with that horrible Baboon's Bottom back end.
The Giulietta is too overwrought, it's trying to hard, it's like a woman that's addicted to having plastic surgery and tweets images of her fake breasts while she's in the bath. The 5 door Astra looks fine. It's a shame the Hottest Astra, with hydraulic PAS rather than electrons isn't available in 5 door form. Then it would be the best looking Astra with the best components.
Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 9th April 13:30
Here are my thoughts
Mito - Startled owl looks (not good), not class leading in any area and lacks the usual Alfa passion. Competitors make better alternatives.
Guiletta - Slightly better looking but still not up to Alfa's usual standards. It's not a bad car but it's not class leading in any area and lacks the usual Alfa passion. Competitors make better alternatives. (there is a pattern here)
The new 4C looks very exciting and promising, I just hope it goes as good as the on paper specs would seem to suggest. Basically for me they've lost the passion and good looks which used to make Alfa a more unique choice in an attempt to try to take on the Germans and Far East at their own game which is NOT the right way to go for Alfa IMO.
They also need to get the 159 and Coupe replacements out the door as soon as possible tbh, a two car lineup with massive gaps in important segments is not doing them any good at all. Oh and a few new GTA models wouldn't go amiss either.
Mito - Startled owl looks (not good), not class leading in any area and lacks the usual Alfa passion. Competitors make better alternatives.
Guiletta - Slightly better looking but still not up to Alfa's usual standards. It's not a bad car but it's not class leading in any area and lacks the usual Alfa passion. Competitors make better alternatives. (there is a pattern here)
The new 4C looks very exciting and promising, I just hope it goes as good as the on paper specs would seem to suggest. Basically for me they've lost the passion and good looks which used to make Alfa a more unique choice in an attempt to try to take on the Germans and Far East at their own game which is NOT the right way to go for Alfa IMO.
They also need to get the 159 and Coupe replacements out the door as soon as possible tbh, a two car lineup with massive gaps in important segments is not doing them any good at all. Oh and a few new GTA models wouldn't go amiss either.
I would be interested.
Currently have a 159, had a GT before this, and a 145 Cloverleaf before that, taking me back to 2003.
Last 2 have been diesels, so would be nice to see how the petrols have evolved, and see if there is any of the old 145's 'fizz' remaining.
Currently have a 159, had a GT before this, and a 145 Cloverleaf before that, taking me back to 2003.
Last 2 have been diesels, so would be nice to see how the petrols have evolved, and see if there is any of the old 145's 'fizz' remaining.
Edited by phil1979 on Tuesday 9th April 13:31
I'm always interested in seeing what any car is like to live with, even if its a base spec Panda.
From my experiences of the current Alfa range so far, they are characterful and stylish versions of the other mundane front wheel drive offerings available from Peugeot, Vauxhall etc. Although such cars don't really interest me, I'm genuinely surprised why Alfas don't sell better than they do, as they only seem to add flair to the typical modern mundane euro box experience, and not take much away. I think reliability issues with Alfa are just dead and buried now aren't they? Does anyone make a car so unreliable it's a pain to own anymore?
From my experiences of the current Alfa range so far, they are characterful and stylish versions of the other mundane front wheel drive offerings available from Peugeot, Vauxhall etc. Although such cars don't really interest me, I'm genuinely surprised why Alfas don't sell better than they do, as they only seem to add flair to the typical modern mundane euro box experience, and not take much away. I think reliability issues with Alfa are just dead and buried now aren't they? Does anyone make a car so unreliable it's a pain to own anymore?
Alfa seem to operate in a no-mans land at the moment. The quick Mito and Giuletta are interesting but don't spring to mind when considering a fast hatch. Which puts them outside of view from the average buyer and most enthusiasts. The average buyer wants reliable transport with some 'image', I think.
However, should modern Alfa's turn out to be more reliable than their reputation lets on, they'd make a much more interesting alternative to a Toyota. It'd be fun to find out.
However, should modern Alfa's turn out to be more reliable than their reputation lets on, they'd make a much more interesting alternative to a Toyota. It'd be fun to find out.
Garlick said:
And there is a reason why I'm asking.
Just two cars, the Mito and the Giulietta, available. Some will appeal to the hardcore PHer many will appeal to the 'man in the street'
Why ask? Well, if PH offered you the chance to drive cars from the range to give your verdict as part of a reader test would you be keen to sample them?
I don't mean just for a day out, I mean are you genuinely keen to see what a modern Alfa is like as a realistic ownership proposition.
I think it would be interesting. We're currently looking for a car to contract-hire for our business and the A3 Sportback and 1 series are the main contenders, but at a glance it looks like a well-specced Giulietta would be a potential contender in this premium-hatchback sector. I've recently tried both the 2.0TDi A3 and 116d (although trying a 118d SE tomorrow) so I might be able to offer some informed comparisons.Just two cars, the Mito and the Giulietta, available. Some will appeal to the hardcore PHer many will appeal to the 'man in the street'
Why ask? Well, if PH offered you the chance to drive cars from the range to give your verdict as part of a reader test would you be keen to sample them?
I don't mean just for a day out, I mean are you genuinely keen to see what a modern Alfa is like as a realistic ownership proposition.
Funnily enough I was only this weekend speaking with the Fiancee about a Guilietta. We will be in the market for a similar sized car after the big day later this year.
We had a little play around with the configurator on the Alfa website and whilst the price quickly heads towards high £20k's when adding the toys, there is no doubt that it is a proper looker. In comparison the Focus looks run of the mill, the Golf and A3 just look plain boring, and the Megane not built as well.
Seriously considering ordering one later this year, so the opportunity to conduct a proper test before purchasing would be a welcome one
We had a little play around with the configurator on the Alfa website and whilst the price quickly heads towards high £20k's when adding the toys, there is no doubt that it is a proper looker. In comparison the Focus looks run of the mill, the Golf and A3 just look plain boring, and the Megane not built as well.
Seriously considering ordering one later this year, so the opportunity to conduct a proper test before purchasing would be a welcome one
Cactussed said:
I'd be especially interested in something like a 159 as a rival for a 3 series.
When my Dad's second three series needed changing he was convinced he'd buy a 159. He wanted something a bit different and the 159 ticked all the boxes, plus of course you got a higher spec for a similar outlay. Sadly, an extremely shoddy dealership who produced a filthy test car, a lacklustre driving experience and a car that felt substandard compared with the opposition ticked it off the list straight away. Out of the 3 series and Merc C class he compared it against, the Alfa was the only one he bought magazine reviews of and got all the brochures etc. I think my Dad's a fairly average guy in that there's no shortage of desire surrounding Alfas, it's just that other manufacturers are doing things better. I'd like to think Alfa have a decent chance in other sectors though, for example with the Mito.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff