Giulietta Cloverleaf questions
Discussion
The time has come to trade in my 159 and looking around, there are very few new cars out there I really like. The one thing that has really caught my eye is the Giulietta Cloverleaf. I can get one on an absolutely brilliant deal where I wont lose a penny on depreciation but I've just got a few questions.
What sort of real world mixed MPG could I expect?
Any build quality horror stories?
How involving a drive are they when I feel like a bit of fun?
I plan on test driving one the next time I'm in the UK as they aren't very popular here in Germany and as such the 2 local Alfa dealers have none in, let alone a demonstrator.
Link to the deal I can get:
http://www.griffintaxfree.com/giulietta-1750tbi-23...
What sort of real world mixed MPG could I expect?
Any build quality horror stories?
How involving a drive are they when I feel like a bit of fun?
I plan on test driving one the next time I'm in the UK as they aren't very popular here in Germany and as such the 2 local Alfa dealers have none in, let alone a demonstrator.
Link to the deal I can get:
http://www.griffintaxfree.com/giulietta-1750tbi-23...
No real horror stories with the Giulietta. They can be a little hard on tyres, suffer front the odd rattle including drivers seat, dash and oddly passenger door speakers. Some owners have also had issues with water in the tailgate, which I believe is a faulty seal.
Personally, I was a little underwhelmed by the GQV bit can't really explain why. It's a shame they don't offer it in TCT as this is Alfas best gearbox (I'm biased though!)
Overall; excellent car, fun but just not exciting enough really.
Personally, I was a little underwhelmed by the GQV bit can't really explain why. It's a shame they don't offer it in TCT as this is Alfas best gearbox (I'm biased though!)
Overall; excellent car, fun but just not exciting enough really.
Test drove one a few weeks ago - wanted to get back to owning an Alfa. The car is much better looking in the flesh.
However, there were just too many little annoying things for me. Steering wheel offset, pedals offset, arm rest on the door was too far away - coupled with the offset steering wheel - would do my head in!
I was surprised by the way it handled the bumps - was expecting after reading reviews that I would be too hard - but it wasn’t.
Seats are ok - but get electric ones as you then don’t rub your hand on the seatbelt when you adjust. Get the tom tom adaptor as well.
Overall I thought it was Alfa's best effort for some time, But for me it was too flawed in too many areas.
In the end I test drove the new Focus ST3 - ended up ordering an estate. For me it beat it hands down in ride comfort, gearbox smoothness, better refined and better build in side.
If I was in the market for a new Alfa - I would wait to see what they announce in the next few months - must be a replacement for the 159 due soon.
Go look on the Alfa owners forum – they have a dedicated section and a few threads that will answer your question better.
However, there were just too many little annoying things for me. Steering wheel offset, pedals offset, arm rest on the door was too far away - coupled with the offset steering wheel - would do my head in!
I was surprised by the way it handled the bumps - was expecting after reading reviews that I would be too hard - but it wasn’t.
Seats are ok - but get electric ones as you then don’t rub your hand on the seatbelt when you adjust. Get the tom tom adaptor as well.
Overall I thought it was Alfa's best effort for some time, But for me it was too flawed in too many areas.
In the end I test drove the new Focus ST3 - ended up ordering an estate. For me it beat it hands down in ride comfort, gearbox smoothness, better refined and better build in side.
If I was in the market for a new Alfa - I would wait to see what they announce in the next few months - must be a replacement for the 159 due soon.
Go look on the Alfa owners forum – they have a dedicated section and a few threads that will answer your question better.
I have had my Cloverleaf now for almost two years. Petrol consumption depends upon the DNA settings used and your right foot. Using mostly "normal" I average around 30 mpg. In Dynamic this drops to low 20's. Dynamic does change the car and makes it more fun.
After 12k miles i bought two new front tyres as even with 3mm left grip was poor. Car hasn't used any oil between the service @ 2 years old which was carried out then due to the lowish total mileage.
Problems.
1/ first gear will not always go in without a shove or using the clutch several times. This in turn means you end up breaking the gear knob top in frustration.
2/ tendancy to almost stall in first gear and will not crawl in second gear. Software upgrade has improved this slightly.
3/ Front seats offer no lateral grip.
4/ Alloys made out of soft cheese
High speed cruising is good but tyre noise is high. It is possible to set a warning chime and dash indication of going over a certain speed, useful.
Has never broken down or not started. Dealer ok but had to chase up on the service afterwoods. Will go independent once the warranty runs out.
Not sure if I would buy another one.
After 12k miles i bought two new front tyres as even with 3mm left grip was poor. Car hasn't used any oil between the service @ 2 years old which was carried out then due to the lowish total mileage.
Problems.
1/ first gear will not always go in without a shove or using the clutch several times. This in turn means you end up breaking the gear knob top in frustration.
2/ tendancy to almost stall in first gear and will not crawl in second gear. Software upgrade has improved this slightly.
3/ Front seats offer no lateral grip.
4/ Alloys made out of soft cheese
High speed cruising is good but tyre noise is high. It is possible to set a warning chime and dash indication of going over a certain speed, useful.
Has never broken down or not started. Dealer ok but had to chase up on the service afterwoods. Will go independent once the warranty runs out.
Not sure if I would buy another one.
Thanks for the responses, I know that I really need to test drive one myself and I will as soon as I can. The replacement for the 159 is bound to be soon, but I need to trade in my current car at the 1 year point so need to collect in mid march. By April/May 14 I won't be able to take advantage of the deals currently available to me so that's 2 new cars before I go back to running sheds!!!!
I had looked at the focus st on a similar deal but it didn't push the right buttons for me. I like that alfas are a bit of a "left field" choice.
I had looked at the focus st on a similar deal but it didn't push the right buttons for me. I like that alfas are a bit of a "left field" choice.
JACK6284 said:
I have had my Cloverleaf now for almost two years. Petrol consumption depends upon the DNA settings used and your right foot. Using mostly "normal" I average around 30 mpg. In Dynamic this drops to low 20's. Dynamic does change the car and makes it more fun.
After 12k miles i bought two new front tyres as even with 3mm left grip was poor. Car hasn't used any oil between the service @ 2 years old which was carried out then due to the lowish total mileage.
Problems.
1/ first gear will not always go in without a shove or using the clutch several times. This in turn means you end up breaking the gear knob top in frustration.
2/ tendancy to almost stall in first gear and will not crawl in second gear. Software upgrade has improved this slightly.
3/ Front seats offer no lateral grip.
4/ Alloys made out of soft cheese
High speed cruising is good but tyre noise is high. It is possible to set a warning chime and dash indication of going over a certain speed, useful.
Has never broken down or not started. Dealer ok but had to chase up on the service afterwoods. Will go independent once the warranty runs out.
Not sure if I would buy another one.
I've got the diesel TCT, what surprises me is Alfa haven't offered TCT on the QV. I really think this gearbox would make a big improvement to the car.After 12k miles i bought two new front tyres as even with 3mm left grip was poor. Car hasn't used any oil between the service @ 2 years old which was carried out then due to the lowish total mileage.
Problems.
1/ first gear will not always go in without a shove or using the clutch several times. This in turn means you end up breaking the gear knob top in frustration.
2/ tendancy to almost stall in first gear and will not crawl in second gear. Software upgrade has improved this slightly.
3/ Front seats offer no lateral grip.
4/ Alloys made out of soft cheese
High speed cruising is good but tyre noise is high. It is possible to set a warning chime and dash indication of going over a certain speed, useful.
Has never broken down or not started. Dealer ok but had to chase up on the service afterwoods. Will go independent once the warranty runs out.
Not sure if I would buy another one.
Also, my car has the sports leather, which also seems to be the best seating option on the Giulietta.
Not sure who your dealer is, however I'm very happy with the dealer I use. Admittedly, I don't use my local Alfa dealer though.
I've had my QV for just over 2 years now and have had a number of issues. Early build cars do seem to suffer from a myriad of, mostly minor, problems such as dash rattles, squeaking suspension, gear knob breaking off and sticking fuel flap. The major gripe is the reluctance to select first gear from stationary which seems to have been mostly resolved. My car needed a new set of gearbox bearings as it was noisy, a new locking mechanism for the drivers door after it refused to open when unlocked and the front and rear doors don't align properly leaving the leading edges of the rear doors and arches prone to a shot blast effect.
Most of the problems have been resolved and the car has never let me down, it doesn't use oil and the servicing costs at my local dealer are very reasonable. Performance wise I do find it a bit more frustrating to drive than my old 147 GTA but the ride and handling is better. It's less involving than the 147 but more refined IMO.
Most of the problems have been resolved and the car has never let me down, it doesn't use oil and the servicing costs at my local dealer are very reasonable. Performance wise I do find it a bit more frustrating to drive than my old 147 GTA but the ride and handling is better. It's less involving than the 147 but more refined IMO.
The issue with the gearbox being difficult to get into 1st is a known issue by Alfa. It can be solved by taking it to the dealers. I had this issue with our 2.0JTDM the dealer experienced the issue and a new box was arranged. It took them less than a day to remove the old box, refit the new one and give the car a wash.
It's *much* easier to select first although I have to add it's still a bit "notchy" into 1st. No more refusals to go into 1st and double de-clutching though.
I've had a few rattles but again back to the dealers and they sort them out.
It's *much* easier to select first although I have to add it's still a bit "notchy" into 1st. No more refusals to go into 1st and double de-clutching though.
I've had a few rattles but again back to the dealers and they sort them out.
Coupe 20vt said:
The issue with the gearbox being difficult to get into 1st is a known issue by Alfa. It can be solved by taking it to the dealers. I had this issue with our 2.0JTDM the dealer experienced the issue and a new box was arranged. It took them less than a day to remove the old box, refit the new one and give the car a wash.
It's *much* easier to select first although I have to add it's still a bit "notchy" into 1st. No more refusals to go into 1st and double de-clutching though.
I've had a few rattles but again back to the dealers and they sort them out.
Reading these comments about the manual gearbox makes me glad I went for TCT instead!It's *much* easier to select first although I have to add it's still a bit "notchy" into 1st. No more refusals to go into 1st and double de-clutching though.
I've had a few rattles but again back to the dealers and they sort them out.
Our Cloverleaf also suffers from the 1st gear problem. It is a pain in the neck. the front tyres needed replacing after 7k miles (!). Consumption is about 20mpg, but that is mainly town driving. The SatNav screen needed to be replaced because it made a godawful noise whenever it rose out off the dash; the struts holding up the hatch gave up the ghost and needed to be replaced; and the hatch unlocks itself randomly - and the dealer refuses to investigate the issue unless it happens in the presence of the dealer. He says Alfa won't pay for them to do exploratory work to find out what the issue is if there is no manifest problem.
The DNA thing is gimmicky. Normal is a bit hesitant and Dynamic is tyre shredding (see comments above re tyres..). Because the speedo is also unreadable, I stick it in All Weather because then the little screen in the dash includes a digital speedo (and the tyres might not self destruct).
On the plus side, I agree with the comments about the ride, which is much better than expected. The (optional) leather interior is wonderful, and the alloys are a thing of beauty.
Overall, you have to really want an Alfa to put up with the niggles.
The DNA thing is gimmicky. Normal is a bit hesitant and Dynamic is tyre shredding (see comments above re tyres..). Because the speedo is also unreadable, I stick it in All Weather because then the little screen in the dash includes a digital speedo (and the tyres might not self destruct).
On the plus side, I agree with the comments about the ride, which is much better than expected. The (optional) leather interior is wonderful, and the alloys are a thing of beauty.
Overall, you have to really want an Alfa to put up with the niggles.
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