Discussion
Still not seen one in the metal yet, can't say I find it as attractive as the 147 from the photographs though. Antithesis of the Brera it may well be, every test so far has given it a glowing report, with the exception of the odd couple of publications who bemoan a loss of character with the car's improvements 
Saw one in the flesh Thursday. Wasn't overly impressed. I think part of the problem was that it was in BLUE. Also the cabin has been 'De-driver-isd' to make it more family friendly and does not, at first glance' seem to have the same driver hugging feel. It has to have the big wheels too. I think the shape, in the right colour, is excellent and different enough to be seen.
I have been fortunate to drive both the 235 Cloverleaf and 2.0 JTDM 170, I driven at least 200 miles in each.
I have to say I really like the car. I know what the OP says about the looks being a little astra-esque, however that hasn't stopped the car from receiving admiring glances when I've driven it.
I've had previous experience of the 2.0 JTDM in the 159 an engine that has really impressed me. It's a punchy motor which is very flexible and surprisingly revvy for a Diesel certainly suited the bulk the 159 carries. In the Giulietta it's a great motor, quick, smooth with good but not amazing fuel economy. I thought the car handled very well, the ride is excellent and steering very positive. The DNA gizmo makes a difference in Dynamic but not as dramatic as the petrol motor.
The 235 Cloverleaf makes no sense at all driven in Normal. It's very flat and the steering is a bit lifeless but it's all different in dynamic. The difference is imense, the throttle response sharper, the steering is very pointy, good feedback and weight. The ride is firm but not excessively so in my opinion, it was certainly give a good test in the roads around me with are rural, badly worn due to farm machinery and potholed, the car coped very well.
I really like the car want it to do well but I feel it's very expensive. The Cloverleaf is £25,000, add a few extras and your nudging £30k!
Downsides. Rear visibility is not great and also the b pillars kind of get in the way when exiting junctions. The driver comfort is very good, however there is no clutch foot rest! The space around the pedal box is cramped.
Hope this kind of makes sense, I'm now car hack but thought I would share my experiences of the new car.
I have to say I really like the car. I know what the OP says about the looks being a little astra-esque, however that hasn't stopped the car from receiving admiring glances when I've driven it.
I've had previous experience of the 2.0 JTDM in the 159 an engine that has really impressed me. It's a punchy motor which is very flexible and surprisingly revvy for a Diesel certainly suited the bulk the 159 carries. In the Giulietta it's a great motor, quick, smooth with good but not amazing fuel economy. I thought the car handled very well, the ride is excellent and steering very positive. The DNA gizmo makes a difference in Dynamic but not as dramatic as the petrol motor.
The 235 Cloverleaf makes no sense at all driven in Normal. It's very flat and the steering is a bit lifeless but it's all different in dynamic. The difference is imense, the throttle response sharper, the steering is very pointy, good feedback and weight. The ride is firm but not excessively so in my opinion, it was certainly give a good test in the roads around me with are rural, badly worn due to farm machinery and potholed, the car coped very well.
I really like the car want it to do well but I feel it's very expensive. The Cloverleaf is £25,000, add a few extras and your nudging £30k!
Downsides. Rear visibility is not great and also the b pillars kind of get in the way when exiting junctions. The driver comfort is very good, however there is no clutch foot rest! The space around the pedal box is cramped.
Hope this kind of makes sense, I'm now car hack but thought I would share my experiences of the new car.
I was at the launch at my local dealers a few weeks back and was left rather unmoved by it. My comments on the night echo some of the previous posts on this thread. Theres nothing about the car, certainly from an aesthetic point of view, that really tells me its an Alfa. Stand in front of the signature rad grill of a 147, 156, 159 etc and you still know its an Alfa. Do the same with the Giulietta and you could be looking at anything from a Seat Leon to an Astra. Same story on the inside - pleasant enough place to be but again, cover up the Alfa badge on the steering wheel and you really could be in anything. Overall, the car seems to lack the design flair that we come to expect from Alfa Romeo.
Sitting in it, I found the b-pillar digging into my shoulder (I'm 6 foot 2 but not 'big') a bit and the driving position did seem to be quite offset. Much of the switchgear was similar in looks to the Fiat Bravo which I found rather disappointing.
I was also quite shocked at how expensive the car was. Its clear that they're trying to drag people away from Golfs and 1-series BM's and the like and good luck to them trying. I just feel that the car lacks the design flair and good looks of Alfas from the recent past - two of the main selling points of Alfas for as long as I can remember. I fear this will put off a lot of existing customers. Whether it will attract new ones remains to be seen.
I've not driven it, so may yet change my mind, but can only say from an appearance and 'Alfa-ness' point of view, its the most disappointing new Alfa since the Brera.
Sitting in it, I found the b-pillar digging into my shoulder (I'm 6 foot 2 but not 'big') a bit and the driving position did seem to be quite offset. Much of the switchgear was similar in looks to the Fiat Bravo which I found rather disappointing.
I was also quite shocked at how expensive the car was. Its clear that they're trying to drag people away from Golfs and 1-series BM's and the like and good luck to them trying. I just feel that the car lacks the design flair and good looks of Alfas from the recent past - two of the main selling points of Alfas for as long as I can remember. I fear this will put off a lot of existing customers. Whether it will attract new ones remains to be seen.
I've not driven it, so may yet change my mind, but can only say from an appearance and 'Alfa-ness' point of view, its the most disappointing new Alfa since the Brera.
I'm well aware that "Powaahhhh!!!!" isn't everything, and that it's an older car conceived in different times, aimed perhaps at a more specific audience, BUT:
The Cloverleaf is, as has already been said, hovering around £25000-30,000 with a few decent options.
The 147 GTA was what, £27,000 all in?
If I wanted a fast, charismatic Alfa, I know what I'd prefer,,,
The Cloverleaf is, as has already been said, hovering around £25000-30,000 with a few decent options.
The 147 GTA was what, £27,000 all in?
If I wanted a fast, charismatic Alfa, I know what I'd prefer,,,
£22500 for the 147 GTA. A premium price, given that was at a time when the Leon Cupra R cost £17k, and the then-current Golf GTi Anniversary was £18,660. The R32 was an almost identical price to the GTA.
Nowadays the 25k being asked for the Cloverleaf is in the same ballpark as the (quicker, slightly cheaper) Renaultsport Megane, the (slower, slightly pricier) Golf GTI, or just above what Vauxhall want for an old-shape Astra VXR as the new one's not out yet. There's not a lot you'd want to option really except leather if you wanted it, lots like cruise control, dual-zone climate, blue&me, etc are all standard.
Everything has got more expensive in the last 7 years or so. The Giulietta is price competitive - not a cheap option, not too far into "premium" either.
Nowadays the 25k being asked for the Cloverleaf is in the same ballpark as the (quicker, slightly cheaper) Renaultsport Megane, the (slower, slightly pricier) Golf GTI, or just above what Vauxhall want for an old-shape Astra VXR as the new one's not out yet. There's not a lot you'd want to option really except leather if you wanted it, lots like cruise control, dual-zone climate, blue&me, etc are all standard.
Everything has got more expensive in the last 7 years or so. The Giulietta is price competitive - not a cheap option, not too far into "premium" either.
I think the 147 GTA was more like £23k, list. But that was seven or eight years ago, when today's £53k M3 cost £38k, for instance.
The Giulietta seems reasonably priced for its place in the market, I think - it's not a conspicuous bargain, but new Alfas rarely have been.
Also curious as to what the £5k of "must-have" options are, above the fairly well-specced £25k Cloverleaf?
The Giulietta seems reasonably priced for its place in the market, I think - it's not a conspicuous bargain, but new Alfas rarely have been.
Also curious as to what the £5k of "must-have" options are, above the fairly well-specced £25k Cloverleaf?
Edited by jamieboy on Monday 30th August 17:28
jamieboy said:
Also curious as to what the £5k of "must-have" options are, above the fairly well-specced £25k Cloverleaf?
Leather and paint for starters!Not in the "must-have" category, but desirable on a car of this value are things like parking sensors, sat nav, sunroof and so on. Soon ramps up!
it is comparable to the competition.
I went to Dealership Preview and then again recently to test drive one... http://www.autounity.net/index.php?showtopic=13071
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