Giulia Veloce s. Talk to me. Ownership, reliability, fun?
Discussion
I have a 73,000 mile 2015 428i Gran Coupe which has been faultless for five years now, despite my running the BMW warranty for four of those five years and never used it! I’ve just not renewed the warranty and the itch has started for a change. I’ve always liked the Giulia and while I’d love a QF I don’t think I could stomach the upkeep so a Veloce seems the obvious option.
Any ownership issues? They’re far better than Alfa’s of old, but still have the odd niggle here and there I believe? Would love some ownership experiences. When was the refresh and would I be better spending a bit more on a post refresh or are earlier cars better as seems to be the case with the QF?
Any ownership issues? They’re far better than Alfa’s of old, but still have the odd niggle here and there I believe? Would love some ownership experiences. When was the refresh and would I be better spending a bit more on a post refresh or are earlier cars better as seems to be the case with the QF?
I've had (and still have) quite a few Alfas. My first was a Sud in 1982, then a 75, a couple of 155's, 156, 159, and most recently a Giulia Veloce Q4. I frequently refer to the Giulia as my first "real" Alfa - not in the sense of wonderful driving experience (it is!) - but in the number of little niggles it's had.
Over the years I've heard loads of comments and criticisms of Alfa Romeo - mostly by people who've never owned one - but I've never had one break down on me. The Giulia, however, has been quite challenging. It's needed frequent trips to the garage for small things, and most recently left me stranded on the way to a funeral.
It's reached the point that Mrs SA flatly refuses to drive it. We take her car when we need to be somewhere unstressed and on time, and if I'm heading somewhere important on my own I've found myself taking one of our Toyotas (Land Cruiser or even the Hilux).
It's not all negative though. When it's working properly, the car is a great drive. I tried a Giulia QV and it scared me (I spend a lot of time on tractors, so most cars feel fast!). The Veloce is fast enough to be enjoyable, handles well and is comfortable over long distances. Friends (better drivers than me) with much more exotic cars who have driven it have also been very complimentary about how it drives and handles.
Over the years I've heard loads of comments and criticisms of Alfa Romeo - mostly by people who've never owned one - but I've never had one break down on me. The Giulia, however, has been quite challenging. It's needed frequent trips to the garage for small things, and most recently left me stranded on the way to a funeral.
It's reached the point that Mrs SA flatly refuses to drive it. We take her car when we need to be somewhere unstressed and on time, and if I'm heading somewhere important on my own I've found myself taking one of our Toyotas (Land Cruiser or even the Hilux).
It's not all negative though. When it's working properly, the car is a great drive. I tried a Giulia QV and it scared me (I spend a lot of time on tractors, so most cars feel fast!). The Veloce is fast enough to be enjoyable, handles well and is comfortable over long distances. Friends (better drivers than me) with much more exotic cars who have driven it have also been very complimentary about how it drives and handles.
Had a Veloce a couple of years, TdF blue with tan
Handled superbly. Has a fast rack which takes a bit of getting used to but was like a four door Elise.
Infotainment is a bit meh
Reliability was good. Can leak at turbo cooler but just O rings and an easy if fiddly fix.
Engine is not particularly characterful bit it has plenty of oomph
And it just looks gorgeous
Handled superbly. Has a fast rack which takes a bit of getting used to but was like a four door Elise.
Infotainment is a bit meh
Reliability was good. Can leak at turbo cooler but just O rings and an easy if fiddly fix.
Engine is not particularly characterful bit it has plenty of oomph
And it just looks gorgeous
I've had a QF for a year - zero issues.
A few years back I had an Alfa Spider (equivalent of the Brera) and even that only had a problem with the flap motors and the brake or clutch switch (can't remember which).
As with most things, I don't think they live up to the internet reputation
A few years back I had an Alfa Spider (equivalent of the Brera) and even that only had a problem with the flap motors and the brake or clutch switch (can't remember which).
As with most things, I don't think they live up to the internet reputation
I had one from new in January 2022 for three years and 35,000 miles plus, and it was totally reliable. Only routine servicing and new discs and pads in that time.
Swapped for a 2024 Tributo Italiano, which is a Veloce with full leather, adaptive dampers, Harmon Kardon sound and a few other bits. Had that 18 months now and again it s been totally reliable, just a service in that time.
As others have said, the steering is very quick, it handles superbly, has plenty of power for every day use, and is very comfortable. I drove virtually non stop from Varenna on Lake Como to Ashford, and could happily have carried on.
Great cars, I d love a Quad but don t need 500 odd horsepower for day to day.
The only downside is the small (and poor) dealer network, but there are decent specialists around.
The upgrade in 2021/22 improved the interior and the infotainment so I’d look for a 22 plate or later.
Swapped for a 2024 Tributo Italiano, which is a Veloce with full leather, adaptive dampers, Harmon Kardon sound and a few other bits. Had that 18 months now and again it s been totally reliable, just a service in that time.
As others have said, the steering is very quick, it handles superbly, has plenty of power for every day use, and is very comfortable. I drove virtually non stop from Varenna on Lake Como to Ashford, and could happily have carried on.
Great cars, I d love a Quad but don t need 500 odd horsepower for day to day.
The only downside is the small (and poor) dealer network, but there are decent specialists around.
The upgrade in 2021/22 improved the interior and the infotainment so I’d look for a 22 plate or later.
Edited by The-Wanderer on Monday 20th July 10:57
The-Wanderer said:
I had one from new in January 2022 for three years and 35,000 miles plus, and it was totally reliable. Only routine servicing and new discs and pads in that time.
Swapped for a 2024 Tributo Italiano, which is a Veloce with full leather, adaptive dampers, Harmon Kardon sound and a few other bits. Had that 18 months now and again it s been totally reliable, just a service in that time.
As others have said, the steering is very quick, it handles superbly, has plenty of power for every day use, and is very comfortable. I drove virtually non stop from Varenna on Lake Como to Ashford, and could happily have carried on.
Great cars, I d love a Quad but don t need 500 odd horsepower for day to day.
The only downside is the small (and poor) dealer network, but there are decent specialists around.
The upgrade in 2021/22 improved the interior and the infotainment so I d look for a 22 plate or later.
Thanks, going for a more recent car starts pushing them out of budget. I was hoping for this side of £20K. We’re not all powerfully built company directors.Swapped for a 2024 Tributo Italiano, which is a Veloce with full leather, adaptive dampers, Harmon Kardon sound and a few other bits. Had that 18 months now and again it s been totally reliable, just a service in that time.
As others have said, the steering is very quick, it handles superbly, has plenty of power for every day use, and is very comfortable. I drove virtually non stop from Varenna on Lake Como to Ashford, and could happily have carried on.
Great cars, I d love a Quad but don t need 500 odd horsepower for day to day.
The only downside is the small (and poor) dealer network, but there are decent specialists around.
The upgrade in 2021/22 improved the interior and the infotainment so I d look for a 22 plate or later.
Edited by The-Wanderer on Monday 20th July 10:57
I have noticed a couple of Veloce Ti models. What’s the story here? Just a limited edition with Quad wheels and LSD I seem to see?
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