Quadrifoglio woes; it's too much.
Discussion
I've had my Quadrifoglio just under a month. I've found out that 500bhp is just too much for my tastes and having had something as weaponised as the Alfa has shifted my perception of the desire for a fast car.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
Having had a succession of cars in the 250-360bhp range I never felt they were lacking and were perfectly rapid enough. Now I've experienced what a properly fast car is, I don't actually like it. Unless you have a private track and an unlimited tyre budget, the appeal of having a car like this on the roads is lost on me. Clearly this is a reflection on me and not the car.
I'm glad I experienced it, albeit briefly. I'm looking instead at a well-specced Giulia Veloce or scratch another itch and get a lovely, lazy 80s V8 Merc to waft around in.
The dealer said "A Ferrari engined saloon isn't for everybody" and they were right.
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It is definitely laugh out loud acceleration, at least the first few times, it's incredible. The reviewers aren't exaggerating for effect. I heard it said a few times now; it's a four-door Ferrari.
When you realise the car will take you into licence-bothering speeds within few a seconds the risk/reward ratio rapidly changes and that's what's done it for me. I'd rather have a car I can drive at 8/10ths than something which is barely waking up as 70mph passes the blink of an eye. Obviously you aren't obliged to drive flat out all the time, in which case you will be seeing very little of what the car is capable of.
The car isn't at fault, it's purely a realisation of my tastes and limits as a driver. The whole package is brilliant and any gripes about the interior quality are minor nit-picking. You won't be thinking about the interior plastics once you start driving it.
Having come from a series of fast-ish Audis (inc. an S8) before owning an Alfa, I'd say the Audis felt like trainers whereas the Giula feels like a proper running shoe. I's a fantastic car, just not for me.
When you realise the car will take you into licence-bothering speeds within few a seconds the risk/reward ratio rapidly changes and that's what's done it for me. I'd rather have a car I can drive at 8/10ths than something which is barely waking up as 70mph passes the blink of an eye. Obviously you aren't obliged to drive flat out all the time, in which case you will be seeing very little of what the car is capable of.
The car isn't at fault, it's purely a realisation of my tastes and limits as a driver. The whole package is brilliant and any gripes about the interior quality are minor nit-picking. You won't be thinking about the interior plastics once you start driving it.
Having come from a series of fast-ish Audis (inc. an S8) before owning an Alfa, I'd say the Audis felt like trainers whereas the Giula feels like a proper running shoe. I's a fantastic car, just not for me.
I do drive very conservatively in it. I took it out yesterday to travel the new route I’ll be commuting every day. It’s a 20 min trip and not much opportunity to have fun on the days I decide to take the Alfa. It’s wasted on me I’m afraid. As a self-employed widower with a young child to raise I can’t risk my licence and I fear one badly timed moment of fun could see that happening.
My mechanic had an F355 and said he sold it after a year as he never got the opportunity to properly enjoy it.
First world problems eh?
My mechanic had an F355 and said he sold it after a year as he never got the opportunity to properly enjoy it.
First world problems eh?
MattyB_ said:
I've been looking at QF's recently as a second car, but also weighing up weither just to have a Veloce as an only car, so this is an interesting take on it.
For me colossal performance has always been more about the flexibility and ease of the performance, rather than 0-100. Being able to quickly pick up pace to make that gap, or squeeze past that truck was what appealled with high BHP for me, instead of having to rev the tits off of a slower car to do the same. But I'm a lazy driver.
The Veloce Ti with the wheels and carbon pack does seem like a good balance of performance/cost/looks however.
I’m picking up a Veloce on Monday; it does seem the sweet spot between performance and usability. I’ll post my thoughts between the two when i get it. The QF doesn’t ‘quickly pick up pace’ - it fires you towards the horizon in an instant, if driven with intent.For me colossal performance has always been more about the flexibility and ease of the performance, rather than 0-100. Being able to quickly pick up pace to make that gap, or squeeze past that truck was what appealled with high BHP for me, instead of having to rev the tits off of a slower car to do the same. But I'm a lazy driver.
The Veloce Ti with the wheels and carbon pack does seem like a good balance of performance/cost/looks however.
Jaroon said:
Good post OP. Lots of factors, do you live near a track, what are your local roads like etc
We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
Snetterton is just down the road but I’m not a track day person. The plan is trade in for a Veloce (which happens to be the same monte carlo blue with the same QF alloys I have now) and with the cash my way look at getting a 205 GTI as well). I’ve got a Range Rover for tip runs and long distance hauls so between the 3 most bases would be covered.We're blessed in North Derbyshire with some lovely undulating mixed driving roads with miles of road view the further north you go. I have 3 very specific local routes where I know every bump, camber and field entrance. None the less the element of risk reward is very real but it is in a 300bhp hot hatch.
I've added an extra 100bhp via a remap and use everyone quite regularly with a clean licence, touch wood. It's a last hurrah for these types of car so I'm loving it but fully appreciate and respect your point.
Alfahorn said:
Interesting comments and I understand your viewpoint OP.
I have a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power...
The car I had prior to the Giulia was a 3.2 260bhp 159, which was enough. I recently drove a late model 159 1750 TBi and it was hard to tell the difference between the 4cyl turbo and free-breathing V6 in terms of speed and acceleration. The extra power of the 3.2 was offset by the additional weight (it was 4wd too). While part of me thinks 'More cylinders = good' that isn't really the case.I have a Brera 1750 with 200 bhp and I find they both have more than enough power...
QF went on Monday, traded in for an identical coloured Veloce.
The Veloce is a decent car and plenty quick enough for everyday use. Had I upgraded to it I'd be very happy, but I miss the noise, the jaw-dropping acceleration and the feeling you're driving something quite special.
What I don't miss is the fuel gauge dropping alarmingly, the worry over where it's parked, the worry something expensive will break and the feeling that 5 seconds of spirited driving would see you comfortably over the national speed limit and stood in front of a magistrate.
I'll get another QF in a couple of years time but as things are with commuting etc, the Veloce is the right car for me.
No regrets, it was amazing while it lasted.
The Veloce is a decent car and plenty quick enough for everyday use. Had I upgraded to it I'd be very happy, but I miss the noise, the jaw-dropping acceleration and the feeling you're driving something quite special.
What I don't miss is the fuel gauge dropping alarmingly, the worry over where it's parked, the worry something expensive will break and the feeling that 5 seconds of spirited driving would see you comfortably over the national speed limit and stood in front of a magistrate.
I'll get another QF in a couple of years time but as things are with commuting etc, the Veloce is the right car for me.
No regrets, it was amazing while it lasted.
Dezbo said:
A few perspectives on this thread...
Good points and an apt opportunity to raise my hand and say the last 4 cars I've owned have been 250-360bhp and all 4wd (3 Audis inc a D2 S8 and a 159 mentioned earlier in the thread). I'm no driving god nor do I drive like I think I am but 4wd does imbibe you with a sense of certainty on the road. I knew RWD would be different, especially with 500bhp going through two wheels, so I was very mindful in the QF. I would have been the same in any semi-powerful RWD car. I am in the Veloce and that's a mere 280bhp.
I do miss it though. I only had it a month but it got well and truly under my skin. I'm already making plans for another in a year or two once I've got the new house in order and my daughter is old enough to catch the bus to what will be her high school.
In the meantime I know where you can pick up a gorgeous Monte Carlo Blue QF with a complete 3 year Extended Care Warranty....
Dezbo said:
DrBrule said:
Or enjoys having their driving licence.
Agree you have to be careful and if that was spoiling your enjoyment fair enough. The handling of the car is as enjoyable as the pure speed for me but perhaps you get a large part of that in a Veloce as well.
I had it 4 days, did minimal miles and it’s been sat in the local Alfa dealers workshop ever since. I stopped at a junction and it refused to start. Fuel pressure sensor failure apparently; it randomly tells the car it thinks it’s empty. New parts are arriving this week & it’s still under warranty, but still... Alfahorn said:
Reject it!
I started a thread about it in the Car Buying forum. That did cross my mind, however the only other Veloce models the dealer had, if I were to swap, were in colours I'm not keen on and with black interiors and with more (trouble free?!) miles under their belt. This particular one is Monte Carlo Blue with tan leather and just 7000 miles on the clock.I've been updated as to the progress; apparently Alfa UK have had a few cars show the same symptoms so there is a precedent. They've instructed the garage to replace numerous fuel sensors, pumps and other bits. Should be ready this week.
Alfahorn said:
Fair enough.
Monte Carlo Blue is nice. Personally I favour this over the Missano Blue everyone seems to rave about.
I agree, it's much nicer and I held out for a QF in that colour and likewise the Veloce. It's not available to order any more, at least not on the QF.Monte Carlo Blue is nice. Personally I favour this over the Missano Blue everyone seems to rave about.
With the tan interior it's lovely. I'm going to get the black teledials stripped and redone in silver though, I've never liked dark alloys.
In the meantime I've been pottering about in a RR so when I get the car back it'll feel fast and I'd have forgotten just how good the QF was (I hope.... I still miss it).
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 19th April 15:05
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