Let's see your Alfa Romeos!
Discussion
matrignano said:
It’s a California underneath so it can’t be that bad to drive I would have thought?
It’s not a California its just laid out like one, a front engine V8. Underneath it’s Ferrari/Maserati 4.7l engine, with drivetrain and platform from Maserati QP. Carbon body on top, a bit of extra strengthening/weight and pretty stiff springs.It’s not bad to drive at all, it’s just not a mid engined sportscar in terms of steering feel/handling and the ride is quite unforgiving. And there’s the old fashioned paddle gearchange that needs a slight lift and pause before you get a new gear! (Auto mode is really not good so you have to use paddles all the time)
In the end none of that matters much - it’s a 10+ year old car and modern stuff is always going to be sharper, faster etc, the engine noise dominates when you're driving, (genuinely unmatched); it’s a bespoke carbon body and interior, and you can’t park and walk away without looking over your shoulder more than once.
I drove it from Silverstone to Scotland one night, in the dark, hood down, clear roads, (no cops)…amazing. And no chance of falling asleep either!
Was the first thing I wanted to jump into on sunny day after lockdown…when the ‘Last Dance’ inspired basketball court had to make way for vehicles again…
Edited by footsoldier on Monday 8th November 21:49
Edited by footsoldier on Monday 8th November 21:50
footsoldier said:
It’s not a California its just laid out like one, a front engine V8. Underneath it’s Ferrari/Maserati 4.7l engine, with drivetrain and platform from Maserati QP. Carbon body on top, a bit of extra strengthening/weight and pretty stiff springs.
It’s not bad to drive at all, it’s just not a mid engined sportscar in terms of steering feel/handling and the ride is quite unforgiving. And there’s the old fashioned paddle gearchange that needs a slight lift and pause before you get a new gear! (Auto mode is really not good so you have to use paddles all the time)
In the end none of that matters much - it’s a 10+ year old car and modern stuff is always going to be sharper, faster etc, the engine noise dominates when you're driving, (genuinely unmatched); it’s a bespoke carbon body and interior, and you can’t park and walk away without looking over your shoulder more than once.
I drove it from Silverstone to Scotland one night, in the dark, hood down, clear roads, (no cops)…amazing. And no chance of falling asleep either!
Was the first thing I wanted to jump into on sunny day after lockdown…when the ‘Last Dance’ inspired basketball court had to make way for vehicles again…
Thanks for the views and info! It is just so cool and you never see them!It’s not bad to drive at all, it’s just not a mid engined sportscar in terms of steering feel/handling and the ride is quite unforgiving. And there’s the old fashioned paddle gearchange that needs a slight lift and pause before you get a new gear! (Auto mode is really not good so you have to use paddles all the time)
In the end none of that matters much - it’s a 10+ year old car and modern stuff is always going to be sharper, faster etc, the engine noise dominates when you're driving, (genuinely unmatched); it’s a bespoke carbon body and interior, and you can’t park and walk away without looking over your shoulder more than once.
I drove it from Silverstone to Scotland one night, in the dark, hood down, clear roads, (no cops)…amazing. And no chance of falling asleep either!
Was the first thing I wanted to jump into on sunny day after lockdown…when the ‘Last Dance’ inspired basketball court had to make way for vehicles again…
Edited by footsoldier on Monday 8th November 21:49
Edited by footsoldier on Monday 8th November 21:50
Is there a hatch in the rear as a boot or do you get zero storage space?
Presume you have a few decent cars to go alongside, any group shots?
joshcowin said:
Thanks for the views and info! It is just so cool and you never see them!
Is there a hatch in the rear as a boot or do you get zero storage space?
Presume you have a few decent cars to go alongside, any group shots?
There is a very small boot, takes one small rucksack/sportsbag max.Is there a hatch in the rear as a boot or do you get zero storage space?
Presume you have a few decent cars to go alongside, any group shots?
I’m afraid my garage tidying skills are on a par with my photography…
Don’t have any decent group pics but yes, it currently shares space with some other Italians of different types
joshcowin said:
footsoldier said:
This is mine, the only convertible I’ve ever had (or spider…). Always would have preferred the coupe, but the colour was too good to resist. Had it 4.5 years now, can’t think I’ll be selling.
Whats it like to own? Do you use it much?Any more info and pics would be great, I love these and have never spoken to an owner.
My mate Martin has one.
footsoldier said:
There is a very small boot, takes one small rucksack/sportsbag max.
I’m afraid my garage tidying skills are on a par with my photography…
Don’t have any decent group pics but yes, it currently shares space with some other Italians of different types
Beyond epic!! Amazing collection, thanks for sharingI’m afraid my garage tidying skills are on a par with my photography…
Don’t have any decent group pics but yes, it currently shares space with some other Italians of different types
Took delivery of this in August to replace my E92 M3, although they’re probably great cars I didn’t really fancy any of the newer shaped M3’s, plus after first clapping my eyes on the Giulia Quadrifoglio at the Pistonheads SS at Goodwood in December 2016 I couldn’t shake the thought of ownership out of my head. It’s not a daily, just a weekend/fun/holiday toy
Talking of holidays, packed up for two weeks in the Lake District complete with roof box
Then five days later, first trackday for her at Goodwood, can’t say they’re not versatile
Photo courtesy of @350wedge
P.S. the first three pics were taken after the holiday and trackday outings, nice to know she cleans up nicely even after some abuse
Talking of holidays, packed up for two weeks in the Lake District complete with roof box
Then five days later, first trackday for her at Goodwood, can’t say they’re not versatile
Photo courtesy of @350wedgeP.S. the first three pics were taken after the holiday and trackday outings, nice to know she cleans up nicely even after some abuse
Edited by Andy Pandie on Sunday 14th November 21:05
croyde said:
That is gorgeous.
Thank you DRFC1879 said:
Beautiful!
I'm planning to take my Giulia Veloce on my first ever track day in Spring. Did you do anything to prep before going out e.g. different tyres, brakes, brake fluid etc.? I've read bits of the track day wiki on here but not really sure what's essential.
Again thank you I'm planning to take my Giulia Veloce on my first ever track day in Spring. Did you do anything to prep before going out e.g. different tyres, brakes, brake fluid etc.? I've read bits of the track day wiki on here but not really sure what's essential.
Just so we’re clear, I’m no trackday ace or driving guru, I just like to stretch the legs of my toys so didn’t push things to the limit, the car can outperform me any day of the week.
However, I replaced the Pirelli PZ Corsa with Goodyear Eagle F1 SS early into ownership (nothing to do with the trackday) and they performed well on track, it was damp in the morning so traction was my main issue, they felt good in the corners and inspired confidence throughout the day. I replaced the front pads with a set of PFC pads from Performance Friction UK (they don’t do rears!) which held up well, there is about a half the pad material left on them, the rears have nearly gone so believe I would have destroyed the standard fronts, note I am heavy on brakes and was hitting 145mph+ along the Lavant straight so a big haul up at the end and plus I was on a full day complete with passenger. Apart from that, as she left the factory.
The YouTube clip is here if you’re interested https://youtu.be/G_j6i_vkbzk bear in mind it was my first time out in the Giulia only having had it two months and it was my passengers first ever trackday and to say she was nervous is an understatement, this was the first time she allowed me to use race mode with her on board
Edited by Andy Pandie on Monday 15th November 19:39
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