Alfa Giulia QV - some practical questions

[bagsofsmoke]

Hi everyone,

I test drove a QV last week and am taking the same one out for a longer, solo session in a couple of weeks. Also considering an RS4, but the Alfa is just so much more appealing from a looks and driving perspective, and would be much more fun for occasional forays to a track. Plus I have fond memories of my Dad's 164 twin spark from when I was a nipper, and just have a bit of a thing for Alfas.

The one thing in the Audi's favour though is practicality. I currently have a 3.0l A4 Avant (which has been a very faithful servant), and being able to fold down the rear seats, or chuck my children's bikes in the boot, is a real bonus. Plus I do a few triathlons etc. and my bike goes in the boot if I take the wheels off.

The folding rear seats on offer in the 2019 model QV are a definite plus (and annoyingly, either steer me towards a new one or waiting for 19s to show up on the secondary market in 9-12 months' time, rather than taking the plunge now), but I was just wondering if anyone had used a rear bike rack on their QV, or would you recommend roof bars and an appropriate cycle mount (or Thule box for long haul family trips) instead?

And yes, I know it's not what a car like this is made for, but if it helps me sell it to the long-haired general, then all assistance is welcome...

As for ferrying the kids around (mine are 6 and 4, so they don't need prams etc any more, but nor do they require tons of leg room - win), how have people found the QV as a daily driver?

Cheers.

[rassi]

It is a fantastic daily driver, very comfortable (suspension is a revelation) and leg room is not an issue, especially not with the Sparco carbon seats that provide an inch or two more of leg room.

Mine is not with folding seats, and the the boot opening is not the biggest so in fairness not the most practical car, especially for your intended purpose of transporting a mountain bike. A roof box is possible, just be aware that the actual roof is carbon fibre.

Going from an A4 Avant to a Giulia QF will be "interesting" (I went from an X5), but so far the driving experience more than compensates for the practical shortcomings.

[bagsofsmoke]

rassi said:

It is a fantastic daily driver, very comfortable (suspension is a revelation) and leg room is not an issue, especially not with the Sparco carbon seats that provide an inch or two more of leg room.

Mine is not with folding seats, and the the boot opening is not the biggest so in fairness not the most practical car, especially for your intended purpose of transporting a mountain bike. A roof box is possible, just be aware that the actual roof is carbon fibre.

Going from an A4 Avant to a Giulia QF will be "interesting" (I went from an X5), but so far the driving experience more than compensates for the practical shortcomings.

Cheers, that's very helpful. I've seen a post elsewhere in this forum showing the Alfa roof rack fitted with no dramas, so that's encouraging too.

Your point about leg room is interesting - the dealer I went on a test drive with said the Sparco seats meant less leg room than the standard ones. I thought that sounded odd as looking at photos, it seems like they're narrower than the standard ones.

How adjustable are the Sparcos? And are they manually adjustable or electric?

[rassi]

bagsofsmoke said:

Your point about leg room is interesting - the dealer I went on a test drive with said the Sparco seats meant less leg room than the standard ones. I thought that sounded odd as looking at photos, it seems like they're narrower than the standard ones.

How adjustable are the Sparcos? And are they manually adjustable or electric?

The standard seats are supposedly very comfortable too, and can be electrically operated and with seat heating. The Sparcos' advantage is that they definitely give more legroom, can go extremely low, are supremely supportive and obviously look very cool with the full carbon frame and back.

They are not as adjustable as the standard seats, are not heated and are manually adjusted, except up/down which is electric.

[bagsofsmoke]

rassi said:

The standard seats are supposedly very comfortable too, and can be electrically operated and with seat heating. The Sparcos' advantage is that they definitely give more legroom, can go extremely low, are supremely supportive and obviously look very cool with the full carbon frame and back.

They are not as adjustable as the standard seats, are not heated and are manually adjusted, except up/down which is electric.

Cheers for the info, much appreciated.

[BlackPorker]

For carrying bikes, you could get this
https://www.seasucker.com/products/bomber

I have the single bike one for my QF and works well!

[SmudgeQ4]

BlackPorker said:

For carrying bikes, you could get this
https://www.seasucker.com/products/bomber

I have the single bike one for my QF and works well!

Great idea, now there seem a few offering similar tech, i saw a cheaper version on amazon with good reviews.

[rykard]

have you considered the Stelvio QF? Getting rave reviews atm

[bagsofsmoke]

rykard said:

have you considered the Stelvio QF? Getting rave reviews atm

I had a brief nose around a Stelvio at the Alfa dealership, but I just have a bit of a general problem with SUVs. They just seen unnecessarily big and bulky. The Stelvio is tempting though, as it's about as close to being a not-SUV as SUVs get I suppose.

Heart is definitely set on a Giulia though - another test drive next Saturday, for 2 hours, solo, with some country roads to play with. Praying for decent weather... Pretty sure that will seal the deal.

[MarkJS]

Not a QV owner, but a Veloce. With the seats folded, I managed to get 2 650B mountain bikes in the car, wheels off with all the required luggage for a weekend in The Lakes. I've had a Seasucker in the past and it was a great bit of kit - however, take steps/checks to ensure your pedals don't gouge the roof.

As good as the Giulia is in some ways, you'll be taking a significant step down in overall quality in comparison to the Audi. I wouldn't buy another.