Gulia QF on the cheap...
Discussion
Hello people,
I'm seriously tempted to get a used Gulia QF (ideally 2020 MY onwards) but am concerned about the running costs, especially over long distrance travel.
I understand that driving enthusiastically or track days will be costly, that's fine of course, I'm wondering about the 'day to day' usability/costs.
So about tires, like many people I'll probably use the Michelin PS4 which is rather affordable compared to the Corsas and much much better in the wet. Is there any noticable dynamic penalty over the corsas in the dry? Assuming enthusiastic driving on public roads?
Also about fuel consumption, do you have to use premium petrol or would 'common petrol' from tesco work fine too? Again what are the risks/pnealties for doing that?
Lastly, MPG, I like to do long range european trips so many highway miles with CC on, what MPG can I expcet driving in A mode (economy? I understand half the cylinders are shut in this mode) - how does the car drive in that mode? Let's say in you want to over take or suddenly put your foot down?
Thank you, your experience would be appreciated
I'm seriously tempted to get a used Gulia QF (ideally 2020 MY onwards) but am concerned about the running costs, especially over long distrance travel.
I understand that driving enthusiastically or track days will be costly, that's fine of course, I'm wondering about the 'day to day' usability/costs.
So about tires, like many people I'll probably use the Michelin PS4 which is rather affordable compared to the Corsas and much much better in the wet. Is there any noticable dynamic penalty over the corsas in the dry? Assuming enthusiastic driving on public roads?
Also about fuel consumption, do you have to use premium petrol or would 'common petrol' from tesco work fine too? Again what are the risks/pnealties for doing that?
Lastly, MPG, I like to do long range european trips so many highway miles with CC on, what MPG can I expcet driving in A mode (economy? I understand half the cylinders are shut in this mode) - how does the car drive in that mode? Let's say in you want to over take or suddenly put your foot down?
Thank you, your experience would be appreciated
Drives fine in "A" and still pulls, all be it more gradually (we are talking a 510hp car here remember, so even with A selected it's still relatively aggressive compared to most average tintops) but takes about 2 seconds to switch to N or D for a planned overtake. Then you can switch back again.
If you are really bothered about running costs, it might not be the car for you. Insurance is likely to be the largest factor if you don't have a history of high powered cars.
I've only had the car for a week, but the dealer said it will run fine on 95 (and so does the handbook....though that also says you are more likely to get better fuel economy and performance if you use premium).
If you are really bothered about running costs, it might not be the car for you. Insurance is likely to be the largest factor if you don't have a history of high powered cars.
I've only had the car for a week, but the dealer said it will run fine on 95 (and so does the handbook....though that also says you are more likely to get better fuel economy and performance if you use premium).
Edited by Steve Campbell on Saturday 19th June 17:37
Steve Campbell said:
Drives fine in "A" and still pulls, all be it more gradually (we are talking a 510hp car here remember, so even with A selected it's still relatively aggressive compared to most average tintops) but takes about 2 seconds to switch to N or D for a planned overtake. Then you can switch back again.
If you are really bothered about running costs, it might not be the car for you. Insurance is likely to be the largest factor if you don't have a history of high powered cars.
I've only had the car for a week, but the dealer said it will run fine on 95 (and so does the handbook....though that also says you are more likely to get better fuel economy and performance if you use premium).
Thanks mate, insurance is only about £400 more than my current BMW 330e (probably more related to living in London than car type)If you are really bothered about running costs, it might not be the car for you. Insurance is likely to be the largest factor if you don't have a history of high powered cars.
I've only had the car for a week, but the dealer said it will run fine on 95 (and so does the handbook....though that also says you are more likely to get better fuel economy and performance if you use premium).
Edited by Steve Campbell on Saturday 19th June 17:37
I found the MPG was similar to that of the Veloce I now own, around 25mpg on shorter runs. The fuel tank isn't exactly massive either so you will be filling up frequently.
I had a June 2018 reg one; no split folding rear seats but it did have Apple Carplay and the Android equivalent fitted as standard. Heated seats and heated wheel were optional and a glance at the buttons below the air conditioning controls will show if they are fitted or not.
Be careful over speed bumps (there's a misnomer - if anything they slow you down) as the front splitter is in a prime spot to scrape. Watch the alloys when parking close to kerbs. Actually, don't park close to kerbs.
Above all, enjoy it
I had a June 2018 reg one; no split folding rear seats but it did have Apple Carplay and the Android equivalent fitted as standard. Heated seats and heated wheel were optional and a glance at the buttons below the air conditioning controls will show if they are fitted or not.
Be careful over speed bumps (there's a misnomer - if anything they slow you down) as the front splitter is in a prime spot to scrape. Watch the alloys when parking close to kerbs. Actually, don't park close to kerbs.
Above all, enjoy it
A new (to the Quadrifoglio) owner showed over 35mpg on his first drive home in A mode, I've never had better than 13.5mpg but it's a pure toy atm. MPS4S are absolutely fine but do work better noticeably better when up to temperature mind you not as noticeably better as the distance between hot and cold Corsas! With cylinder deactivation it seems Alfa did put some thought into economy, lighter than their contemporaries, probably not a bad choice if this is a major consideration but you definitely want a car from this sector.
Jaroon said:
A new (to the Quadrifoglio) owner showed over 35mpg on his first drive home in A mode, I've never had better than 13.5mpg but it's a pure toy atm. MPS4S are absolutely fine but do work better noticeably better when up to temperature mind you not as noticeably better as the distance between hot and cold Corsas! With cylinder deactivation it seems Alfa did put some thought into economy, lighter than their contemporaries, probably not a bad choice if this is a major consideration but you definitely want a car from this sector.
Thanks, I'm not buying a QF to 'save money' but am keen on long drives and are attracted to the fact it probably has the best long range crousing manners of all cars in that class or performance. I drive about 12,000 miles a year and hopefully with the Pandemic clearing in europe (fingers crossed) will drive even more... Tyre wise mine came with Falkens and I had every intention of swapping them for some PS4's immediately but even the Falkens off great grip with very little slide when tyres have a bit of heat and I'm always driving in Race mode (for the exhaust note)
Car is very tractable, probably because of the fantastic N/A type power delivery.
Car is very tractable, probably because of the fantastic N/A type power delivery.
I've had a Quad for around 6 weeks now and the fuel consumption varies significantly depending on how you drive.
A few days after getting the car I did a trip from Bournemouth to Tunbridge Wells and decided to see what I could get if driven carefully. I put the car in A mode and drove very sensibly and according to the trip computer I got 38mpg which was quite impressive.
On the return trip I used D and drove enthusiastically and returned 21mpg.
On mixed driving I usually get around 25mpg but around town it's usually around 16mpg.
So, the car does have the ability to give decent economy if driven very carefully which is nice, but I suspect that's a very rare day when you own a car like this
A few days after getting the car I did a trip from Bournemouth to Tunbridge Wells and decided to see what I could get if driven carefully. I put the car in A mode and drove very sensibly and according to the trip computer I got 38mpg which was quite impressive.
On the return trip I used D and drove enthusiastically and returned 21mpg.
On mixed driving I usually get around 25mpg but around town it's usually around 16mpg.
So, the car does have the ability to give decent economy if driven very carefully which is nice, but I suspect that's a very rare day when you own a car like this
croyde said:
Although nowhere near as powerful as the QF I always used Falkens on my BMW. Was always impressed with them and a bargain price compared to other performance tyres.
When I bought my XFR about 5 years ago, it was on Falkens...I couldn't believe the improvement when I swapped them for Yokohamas, they were definitely worth the few extra £s AlfaCool said:
Its amazing that the quad is " so good " on fuel for the engine size.
My Veloce gives me 31MPG if i drive like a fanny.
My Veloce gives me 31MPG if i drive like a fanny.
I had a Veloce in 2018 and found the same.Didn't matter how carefully I drove, 29mpg was the limit. Really got on my t
tsAlso had the same with a 300bhp+ 2.0T - I think anything above 250bhp in a 2.0T is just too highly strung.
I've had mine since April, it's a very versatile car and does the Jekyll and Hyde thing very well. The MPG varies a lot depending on mode & individual driving style. If you're just crusing on the motorway in A mode (eco mode with cylinder deactivation) then mid 30's isn't too difficult to achieve. It does really soften off the throttle response etc but you can always drop it down a gear with the paddles if you need to overtake quickly.
I brought the car from near Heathrow and then drove it back to Glasgow, and IMO it's perfectly comfortable and refined on long motorway trips.
Tyre wise, MPS4S or Goodyear F1 Supersports seem to the preferred options, although the Michelin's are currently difficult to get hold of in the right size. Mine currently has the Corsa's on it but I'll be changing them for one of the above soon
Re fuel, I always use super unleaded if possible.
I brought the car from near Heathrow and then drove it back to Glasgow, and IMO it's perfectly comfortable and refined on long motorway trips.
Tyre wise, MPS4S or Goodyear F1 Supersports seem to the preferred options, although the Michelin's are currently difficult to get hold of in the right size. Mine currently has the Corsa's on it but I'll be changing them for one of the above soon
Re fuel, I always use super unleaded if possible.
Edited by M1KEY on Saturday 21st August 10:20
likesachange said:
First thing I do when get in the car is switch it to race then manual. Love the sound of the thing in race so on Friday I got my arms up under rear bumper and pulled of vacuum hoses and plugged them! Now sounds great whatever the mode. And quite a theatrical start up too
You always drive the car in Race? Even on the motorway or in town?I've got AHM exhaust remote so can open/close the valve in any mode.
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