Giuletta 1.4 tb or 1.8 cloverleaf?
Discussion
Hi, I’m looking for a fun hatch - not too small (e.g. not 595 etc). Currently front runner would probably be a mini cooper s however I’ve had one of these before and fancy trying something new. Tempted by an Alfa Giuletta (1.4tb or 1.8 cloverleaf tbi) but concerned about the alfa rep of being unreliable as I’m 20 and do about 15,000 miles/year I wouldnt be able to repair myself or afford to be constantly getting things done. I have about 9k to spend so wondered if anybody had any stories about how reliable they are and if theyre as fun as they are good looking.
I wouldn't pay too much attention to the unreliable reputation.
I bought a 2007 Alfa Spider two years ago, and it's perfectly reliable (although admittedly it does much less miles than you're quoting). It's needed a couple of things (e.g window regulators) - but that sort of thing can go on any car.
The significant thing for me is that everything on it works absolutely as it should - nothing is broken, nothing fails to work. When the car is 12 years old (and mine had missed services for 4 years when I bought it) - I'd say that's a good indication of a solid car.
I bought a 2007 Alfa Spider two years ago, and it's perfectly reliable (although admittedly it does much less miles than you're quoting). It's needed a couple of things (e.g window regulators) - but that sort of thing can go on any car.
The significant thing for me is that everything on it works absolutely as it should - nothing is broken, nothing fails to work. When the car is 12 years old (and mine had missed services for 4 years when I bought it) - I'd say that's a good indication of a solid car.
I've had a cloverleaf for a few months now as a daily. I would imagine a cooper s would be more fun on twisty roads, whereas the guilietta is a more 'grown up' kind of car. I would suggest the alfa is more reliable than the mini though, mine is a 2011 with 90k on and its spot on, i've known its history since 30k and its been fine. Pretty fast too, ('D' mode sharpens it up and gives even more torque) standard power is 235bhp but many actually had more apparently, very strong mid range. Goes under the radar as they all look similar, which can be handy these days. Rare as well, only about 750 manuals sold before they went TCT only in 2014. I think they are great value for money compared to the usual suspects.
LeighW said:
I've had a '14 Giulietta for two years and it's been great, well, except for an interior door handle falling off. 
19k miles at purchase, and now on 34k, the 1.4 170 is a cracking motor.
We've an older car but very similar experience! 19k miles at purchase, and now on 34k, the 1.4 170 is a cracking motor.Ours is a 2010 1.4Tb, just shy of 110,000 miles and no major issues beyond the door handle (a common Giulietta issue). It's had a few wear and tear parts such as brakes and suspension bits, but nothing you wouldn't expect given the age and mileage.
The 170bhp 1.4 is indeed a lovely engine, it's smooth and torquey throughout the rev range and even sounds good. Far better than I ever expected from a small turbocharged engine. It's obviously not as quick as the 1750 but certainly potent enough to be enjoyable.
Oil changes and quality of oil are what make the difference on these engines in terms of longevity; I service ours annually (it only covers 8000-9000 miles a year) and use the slightly pricey Selenia oil recommended by Alfa.
I think the early 1.4 TBi Multiair engines had some issues, after a certain build date they were pretty solid, much better MPG than the 1750
I seem to remember a common problem with the Giulietta is water ingress into the tailgate which can bugger the lights
No place to rest your left foot though, dealbreaker for me
I seem to remember a common problem with the Giulietta is water ingress into the tailgate which can bugger the lights
No place to rest your left foot though, dealbreaker for me
My wife had a 1.4tb Guilietta and it was almost faultless for 3 years. Air con packed up but fixed under warranty. I have a 4C left out in all weathers, always starts first time. Not expecting any issues and Alfa Romeo's are generally very dependable although the main dealers can be a bit hit and miss.
Try one, they're great driving cars and have some character unlike the Euro boxes out there.
Try one, they're great driving cars and have some character unlike the Euro boxes out there.
Were on our second 147 ( and fourth Alfa) my wife does sixty miles a day on bumpy country roads in all weathers and they are brilliant. The first one cost me about 11 quid for a drop link over sixteen thousand mile and the replacement has suffered a broken door handle after six thousand miles so far. Our 159 blew a headlamp bulb in eighteen thousand miles. Im happy with those odds.
In fairness the 1982 Alfasud did dissolve after a particularly heavy shower.
In fairness the 1982 Alfasud did dissolve after a particularly heavy shower.
Go for it I've supplied lots of these, reliability wise they're on par with anything else out there, what I will say is some of the Main Dealers are woeful which I think is a big reason some people moan about them.
I'd go for the Cloverleaf over the 1.4T as it's the better package but a good Veloce or Sportiva make for a great warm hatch.
I'd go for the Cloverleaf over the 1.4T as it's the better package but a good Veloce or Sportiva make for a great warm hatch.
I had a 1.4 multiair from new in 2015 and kept it for two years. Mine was a Tct though. No major reliability issues but I did have an annoying noise from the driver door seal that was never really fixed, only mitigated by some silicon spray, and had two head units fail. All covered under warranty obviously.
As for the ownership experience, performance was great for the engine size and output and it made a nice noise. Always got over 30mpg with a mix of town and motorway driving. Mine was an exclusive which had almost everything except navigation and xenon headlights.
If you're looking at a manual, bear in mind there is nowhere to put your left foot when it's not on the clutch.
In the end I got rid of mine as no longer needed two cars, and the Giulietta is poor for interior space, which became important once we had a child.
As for the ownership experience, performance was great for the engine size and output and it made a nice noise. Always got over 30mpg with a mix of town and motorway driving. Mine was an exclusive which had almost everything except navigation and xenon headlights.
If you're looking at a manual, bear in mind there is nowhere to put your left foot when it's not on the clutch.
In the end I got rid of mine as no longer needed two cars, and the Giulietta is poor for interior space, which became important once we had a child.
ZX10R NIN said:
Go for it I've supplied lots of these, reliability wise they're on par with anything else out there, what I will say is some of the Main Dealers are woeful which I think is a big reason some people moan about them.
I'd go for the Cloverleaf over the 1.4T as it's the better package but a good Veloce or Sportiva make for a great warm hatch.
I'm in the same position as the OP, and looking at either an 1.4MA or 1.75TBi Giulietta with a manual gearbox as my next car.I'd go for the Cloverleaf over the 1.4T as it's the better package but a good Veloce or Sportiva make for a great warm hatch.
I've tried the 1.4MA with the TCT gearbox, even though the gearbox was smooth it just didn't feel as "snappy" as the DSG in my old 2014 Leon FR company car, which itself was flawed when pushing on.
How much more expensive is the Cloverleaf going to be to run, at 15.000 miles per year, compared to the MA?
ZX10R NIN said:
The main difference will be fuel and the discs are bigger so they'll cost a bit more too but it won't be massive.
Are the discs bigger on the Cloverleaf? My 1.4 Sportiva has Brembos on it, I assumed they'd be the same.Edited by ZX10R NIN on Tuesday 12th February 15:09
I ended up part exchanging my 2012 Fiat 500 TwinAir for a red 2013 Giulietta Sportiva QV (Sportiva-package sold as Sportiva QV in Denmark) 1.4MA 170 bhp, with manual gearbox and the 18" Alfa turbine summer wheels, 18" inch 14-spoke Alfa winter wheels. 86.000 km and full service history including cambelt and water pump, at the last service at 76.000. The Sportiva QV comes with 330 mm Brembo front brakes, with red calipers.
Now I'll just have to wait a couple of weeks, while it gets a couple of things fixed, including new undersealing, paint touch up, painted bonnet bracket, new tailgate struts, new tailgate AR badge, broken fog light, noisy electric front right window, service including brake disassembly/cleaning, oil and filter, air-condition service and the danish MOT-equivalent.
Now I'll just have to wait a couple of weeks, while it gets a couple of things fixed, including new undersealing, paint touch up, painted bonnet bracket, new tailgate struts, new tailgate AR badge, broken fog light, noisy electric front right window, service including brake disassembly/cleaning, oil and filter, air-condition service and the danish MOT-equivalent.
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