Giulietta petrol 1.4 v 1.7 what do we think?
Discussion
Hello all,
I am thinking of buying a petrol Giulietta for use as a daily car. I was wondering whether anyone had any thoughts? In particular I was thinking about the difference between the 1.4 and 1.7 petrol engines (170 vs 235 hp). I do a 70 mile journey three or four times a week on the motorway. I'd want a manual, I think and probably would look for a second hand one at 8-10k ish.
How is the performance/handling/ride/economy/any other thoughts?
Thanks
I am thinking of buying a petrol Giulietta for use as a daily car. I was wondering whether anyone had any thoughts? In particular I was thinking about the difference between the 1.4 and 1.7 petrol engines (170 vs 235 hp). I do a 70 mile journey three or four times a week on the motorway. I'd want a manual, I think and probably would look for a second hand one at 8-10k ish.
How is the performance/handling/ride/economy/any other thoughts?
Thanks
I have nothing to contribute but some experience with various 1.4s in the mito (135 and 155hp), and i would expect the 170hp version to be very nice in a giulietta. AFAIK the 170 is multi-air equipped, so torque is available down low quite soon, and it is a smooth buildup.
The giulietta also got a LOT of praise for its handling, reportedly on par (or slightly above) the then current 1-series, high praise for an FWD car i would think.
Engine wise, it depends on what you want really, the 1.4 is rapid enough, but if you want really fast, the 1750 is the obvious choice.
The giulietta also got a LOT of praise for its handling, reportedly on par (or slightly above) the then current 1-series, high praise for an FWD car i would think.
Engine wise, it depends on what you want really, the 1.4 is rapid enough, but if you want really fast, the 1750 is the obvious choice.
I had the same choice 3 years ago and went for the 1.4170hp.
The extra power of the QV 235hp was very tempting but mpg are in the mid to low 20s, this is what I used to get from my previous 3.5 V6, couldn't really justify it.
My 1.4 has a few mods currently sitting at 190hp hoping to go up a bit more, however, will need to sort out the handling which, in my opinion wasn't that great to start with.
My first mod was a set of springs and shock to get rid of that crushy feeling, that has been sorted but still not feel as planted as I like my card to be.
On short journey I normally average 33mpg. Long trips 35/36 mpg, never went below 32mpg which I think it's pretty good.
Still missing a bigger engine tho
The extra power of the QV 235hp was very tempting but mpg are in the mid to low 20s, this is what I used to get from my previous 3.5 V6, couldn't really justify it.
My 1.4 has a few mods currently sitting at 190hp hoping to go up a bit more, however, will need to sort out the handling which, in my opinion wasn't that great to start with.
My first mod was a set of springs and shock to get rid of that crushy feeling, that has been sorted but still not feel as planted as I like my card to be.
On short journey I normally average 33mpg. Long trips 35/36 mpg, never went below 32mpg which I think it's pretty good.
Still missing a bigger engine tho
jaisharma said:
Thanks. I see the fuel tank is 60 litres, so about 13 gallons. I wonder what use you had for the low to mid twenties fuel consumption? A few people have posted on Alfaowner and seem to average circa 30 ish.
FWIW, i averaged roughly 31 mpg with both 1.4 mitos, both the 155 6 speed and 135 Multi-air 5 speed. They can be rather economic puttering along at 50 on a B-road, but once you actually start using that engine, itll start drinking. The giulietta is a bit bigger/heavier, so im not surprised it drinks more, but low/mid twenties sounds like a lot, that is 2.5 V6 territoryDone about 3k miles in a 1.4 MA 170, 100miles a day mostly on the M23 and M25 with about 5 miles in town.
At around 70mph the computer registers 46 mpg over about 480 miles. This is in N mode apart from slip roads where I might leave in in D. N mode reduces the throttle response so doesn't use as much fuel cruising and accelerating and maybe the turbo kicks in later too.
Switching to D mode is good fun and the car picks up well, makes a nice turbo sound when letting off, the shove in strong low down, whilst the car still picks up in higher revs the shove (torque) feeling is not there. Having fun in D mode can have the mpg down to 20 or 30 but on most roads you'll be letting off the gas quite soon anyway.
I'm coming from a 3.0 V6 so usually enjoy the higher revs but on the road the MA 170 is great. The same route with the 3.0 V6 returns about 28mpg.
To conclude, for a daily driver on the motorway the MA 170 is great, can be economical, goes around bends nicely (tires could do with an upgrade maybe as can squeal) and back flicks slightly if tight and un-even. But then switch into D and can have nearly as much fun as a larger engine V6 bar the noise and ability to stay in gear longer.
No plans to take the MA 170 on track yet as still got the V6 for that. Be interested if anyone else has.
At around 70mph the computer registers 46 mpg over about 480 miles. This is in N mode apart from slip roads where I might leave in in D. N mode reduces the throttle response so doesn't use as much fuel cruising and accelerating and maybe the turbo kicks in later too.
Switching to D mode is good fun and the car picks up well, makes a nice turbo sound when letting off, the shove in strong low down, whilst the car still picks up in higher revs the shove (torque) feeling is not there. Having fun in D mode can have the mpg down to 20 or 30 but on most roads you'll be letting off the gas quite soon anyway.
I'm coming from a 3.0 V6 so usually enjoy the higher revs but on the road the MA 170 is great. The same route with the 3.0 V6 returns about 28mpg.
To conclude, for a daily driver on the motorway the MA 170 is great, can be economical, goes around bends nicely (tires could do with an upgrade maybe as can squeal) and back flicks slightly if tight and un-even. But then switch into D and can have nearly as much fun as a larger engine V6 bar the noise and ability to stay in gear longer.
No plans to take the MA 170 on track yet as still got the V6 for that. Be interested if anyone else has.
I have a 1.4 170bhp Giulietta as a daily runner and really like it. Of the many Alfas I've owned this is probably the best. Does 39mpg, feels quick enough, Multiair engine is a gem. Much better ride than the Mito that preceded it and build quality is good. Only gripe is that the dash vents could be larger - in the summer it needs the fan turning up to get decent flow. I'd happily have another.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff