Giulia Quad or Granturismo.
Discussion
My G87 M2 lease ends soon and I raised a thread, a while back, seeking suggestions for a four seater replacement that had a good marque specific club social scene. Someone suggested an Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio, which got me excited as I've enjoyed Alfa's in the past and imagined this as a perfect step up from the beemer.
Test drove a 2022 Quad yesterday, preferring the 2020 on model for better interior quality and no carbon build up (at the expense of a PPF). Liked the steering and ride over the M2, but otherwise surprised and disappointed to be a little underwhelmed. In my opinion the M2 sounds better, albeit synthesised, and I like its butch hardcore nature. The dealer suggested trying one with the akrapovic exhaust, but will that make such a difference? I just don't feel the Alfa is special enough to justify buying a six year old one for the price of a nearly new M2.
That's led me to reconsidering a Maserati Granturismo. Driven a couple in the past and it's the V8 noise that makes it feel special to me. A much more dated car and no doubt inferior in almost every way to the Alfa. Would also be older and more expensive to maintain. Struggling to ignore this one.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512238...
Has anyone had experience of both the Alfa and Maserati and able to steer me in the right direction please?
Many thanks.
Test drove a 2022 Quad yesterday, preferring the 2020 on model for better interior quality and no carbon build up (at the expense of a PPF). Liked the steering and ride over the M2, but otherwise surprised and disappointed to be a little underwhelmed. In my opinion the M2 sounds better, albeit synthesised, and I like its butch hardcore nature. The dealer suggested trying one with the akrapovic exhaust, but will that make such a difference? I just don't feel the Alfa is special enough to justify buying a six year old one for the price of a nearly new M2.
That's led me to reconsidering a Maserati Granturismo. Driven a couple in the past and it's the V8 noise that makes it feel special to me. A much more dated car and no doubt inferior in almost every way to the Alfa. Would also be older and more expensive to maintain. Struggling to ignore this one.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512238...
Has anyone had experience of both the Alfa and Maserati and able to steer me in the right direction please?
Many thanks.
I have a Quattroporte with same running gear as the granturismo. They are a special feeling ownership proposition, much more so than bmw/alfa. They are reliable but can throw big bills at you, it’s a heavy car and suspension can cost as can hubs, which are combined abs sensor/wheel bearing and are not cheap. You need to allow about £2.5k/year for service/parts and you’ll be good. Some years less, some more.
Key is to get a good one in the first place, PPI at a specialist and you are good to go. Not as fast as an M2 or especially a quadrifoglio, but who cares! It’s plenty fast enough as a road car and sounds better than pretty much everything. Richard Grace in Chester is regarded as the best place to buy from for the best examples.
I love the quadrifoglio though, it’s already a classic really, I think it will hold its value very well going forward. Some say the sweet spot is late ‘18 up to 2020 facelift as they had the direct and port injection engine from then, but the original steering/suspension set up before the 2020 facelift changed it to incorporate some driver assist tech and mods to reduce Ackerman effect which some didn’t like.
You can’t go wrong with either, both great cars.
Key is to get a good one in the first place, PPI at a specialist and you are good to go. Not as fast as an M2 or especially a quadrifoglio, but who cares! It’s plenty fast enough as a road car and sounds better than pretty much everything. Richard Grace in Chester is regarded as the best place to buy from for the best examples.
I love the quadrifoglio though, it’s already a classic really, I think it will hold its value very well going forward. Some say the sweet spot is late ‘18 up to 2020 facelift as they had the direct and port injection engine from then, but the original steering/suspension set up before the 2020 facelift changed it to incorporate some driver assist tech and mods to reduce Ackerman effect which some didn’t like.
You can’t go wrong with either, both great cars.
It’s an interesting conundrum and as you indicate comes down to the engine. Your M2s engine is pretty similar to the Alfa 690T being a 3L V6 TT and in a slightly bigger car I’m not surprised you aren’t blown away. The F136 V8 in the GT being larger and n/a will have totally different characteristics and personality and probably a bigger difference for you- far more so than the latest GT with the 3L TT Nettuno engine.
I don’t have direct experience but have owned Maseratis with the F136 V8 and the twin turbo F160 V6. The V8 feels more special at all speeds. The Giulia is a great looking saloon but the GT coupe is on another level and still a genuine 4 seater. Good luck with your choice!
SFTWend said:
I can see why! That is an absolutely gorgeous car.So what if it isn't as fast. That is clearly a very special car.
I’ve had an MC but in cabrio form. Utterly epic exhaust, looks are stunning, interior is old tech but it’s beautifully upholstered and it went well. Not great on the bends but it is a big GT. Feel good factor is off the scale.
I’d think a Giulia would run rings round it numbers wise but the Maserati fizz is certainly there. Mainly in the lower digestive system… parts can be expensive, a specialist is essential, subframes and the rattle can painted factory metalwork underneath can rust within literally 5 years from new.
Plus I really struggled to sell it - the few private sale offers I did get were daft - I ended up part exing it.
I’d think a Giulia would run rings round it numbers wise but the Maserati fizz is certainly there. Mainly in the lower digestive system… parts can be expensive, a specialist is essential, subframes and the rattle can painted factory metalwork underneath can rust within literally 5 years from new.
Plus I really struggled to sell it - the few private sale offers I did get were daft - I ended up part exing it.
ITP said:
I have a Quattroporte with same running gear as the granturismo. They are a special feeling ownership proposition, much more so than bmw/alfa. They are reliable but can throw big bills at you, it s a heavy car and suspension can cost as can hubs, which are combined abs sensor/wheel bearing and are not cheap. You need to allow about £2.5k/year for service/parts and you ll be good. Some years less, some more.
Key is to get a good one in the first place, PPI at a specialist and you are good to go. Not as fast as an M2 or especially a quadrifoglio, but who cares! It s plenty fast enough as a road car and sounds better than pretty much everything. Richard Grace in Chester is regarded as the best place to buy from for the best examples.
I love the quadrifoglio though, it s already a classic really, I think it will hold its value very well going forward. Some say the sweet spot is late 18 up to 2020 facelift as they had the direct and port injection engine from then, but the original steering/suspension set up before the 2020 facelift changed it to incorporate some driver assist tech and mods to reduce Ackerman effect which some didn t like.
You can t go wrong with either, both great cars.
Great input, thank you. Yes, the Maser is plenty fast enough and it's how the car performs in everyday driving that matters most to me.Key is to get a good one in the first place, PPI at a specialist and you are good to go. Not as fast as an M2 or especially a quadrifoglio, but who cares! It s plenty fast enough as a road car and sounds better than pretty much everything. Richard Grace in Chester is regarded as the best place to buy from for the best examples.
I love the quadrifoglio though, it s already a classic really, I think it will hold its value very well going forward. Some say the sweet spot is late 18 up to 2020 facelift as they had the direct and port injection engine from then, but the original steering/suspension set up before the 2020 facelift changed it to incorporate some driver assist tech and mods to reduce Ackerman effect which some didn t like.
You can t go wrong with either, both great cars.
fflump said:
It s an interesting conundrum and as you indicate comes down to the engine. Your M2s engine is pretty similar to the Alfa 690T being a 3L V6 TT and in a slightly bigger car I m not surprised you aren t blown away. The F136 V8 in the GT being larger and n/a will have totally different characteristics and personality and probably a bigger difference for you- far more so than the latest GT with the 3L TT Nettuno engine.
I don t have direct experience but have owned Maseratis with the F136 V8 and the twin turbo F160 V6. The V8 feels more special at all speeds. The Giulia is a great looking saloon but the GT coupe is on another level and still a genuine 4 seater. Good luck with your choice!
You've validated my current thinking, thank you. I don t have direct experience but have owned Maseratis with the F136 V8 and the twin turbo F160 V6. The V8 feels more special at all speeds. The Giulia is a great looking saloon but the GT coupe is on another level and still a genuine 4 seater. Good luck with your choice!
andy43 said:
I ve had an MC but in cabrio form. Utterly epic exhaust, looks are stunning, interior is old tech but it s beautifully upholstered and it went well. Not great on the bends but it is a big GT. Feel good factor is off the scale.
I d think a Giulia would run rings round it numbers wise but the Maserati fizz is certainly there. Mainly in the lower digestive system parts can be expensive, a specialist is essential, subframes and the rattle can painted factory metalwork underneath can rust within literally 5 years from new.
Plus I really struggled to sell it - the few private sale offers I did get were daft - I ended up part exing it.
Thank you. I'm aware the underside and subframe will need a good scrub and rust protection, especially as the car will be used year round (as a form of transport, not just a toy!).I d think a Giulia would run rings round it numbers wise but the Maserati fizz is certainly there. Mainly in the lower digestive system parts can be expensive, a specialist is essential, subframes and the rattle can painted factory metalwork underneath can rust within literally 5 years from new.
Plus I really struggled to sell it - the few private sale offers I did get were daft - I ended up part exing it.
davek_964 said:
Did you try all modes in the Quad? It's a very different car in race mode.
(Although mine is 2019 so maybe newer ones are different)
I did. Race mode in the Alfa didn't seem much different to the M2s Comfort setting. I knew pre 2020 (PPF) cars sound better but I'd assumed not night and day different.(Although mine is 2019 so maybe newer ones are different)
To be clear, the Alfa is an absolutely lovely and massively capable car. I'd choose one over another M car, but perhaps I need something quite different rather than incrementally better.
Edited by SFTWend on Sunday 1st February 18:28
I have a GT.
My mate runs an Alfa/italian car indie service garage. So has experienced lots of Giulia QF and Maserati models.
He is very complimentary about the Giulia. His dad has a Veloce. However when we are chatting it’s usually about a Ghibli or Quattroporte or Levante. Just seem more special I guess.
Since the GT is a sort of 2 door QP there’s no reason why it can’t be used every day.
Had mine comprehensively under sealed for peace of mind. So far so good. It’s not particularly quick but as said already, it makes all the right noises
My mate runs an Alfa/italian car indie service garage. So has experienced lots of Giulia QF and Maserati models.
He is very complimentary about the Giulia. His dad has a Veloce. However when we are chatting it’s usually about a Ghibli or Quattroporte or Levante. Just seem more special I guess.
Since the GT is a sort of 2 door QP there’s no reason why it can’t be used every day.
Had mine comprehensively under sealed for peace of mind. So far so good. It’s not particularly quick but as said already, it makes all the right noises

milu said:
I have a GT.
My mate runs an Alfa/italian car indie service garage. So has experienced lots of Giulia QF and Maserati models.
He is very complimentary about the Giulia. His dad has a Veloce. However when we are chatting it s usually about a Ghibli or Quattroporte or Levante. Just seem more special I guess.
Since the GT is a sort of 2 door QP there s no reason why it can t be used every day.
Had mine comprehensively under sealed for peace of mind. So far so good. It s not particularly quick but as said already, it makes all the right noises
Thank you. Good to hear.My mate runs an Alfa/italian car indie service garage. So has experienced lots of Giulia QF and Maserati models.
He is very complimentary about the Giulia. His dad has a Veloce. However when we are chatting it s usually about a Ghibli or Quattroporte or Levante. Just seem more special I guess.
Since the GT is a sort of 2 door QP there s no reason why it can t be used every day.
Had mine comprehensively under sealed for peace of mind. So far so good. It s not particularly quick but as said already, it makes all the right noises

Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


