Quadrifoglio woes; it's too much.
Discussion
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.
I feel your pain, and completely empathise. When mine went it almost felt like a weight had been lifted, for the exact same reasons.
I went from a QV into an M135i (2.0T) and although it's not even in the same league as the Alfa, I can drive it harder without fear of losing my license or needing to visit the petrol station every few days ... At those speeds the QV felt like it was hardly ticking over.
That said, it's only doing 24mpg at the moment, so it's not that far from the mpg I was getting from the Alfa!
I went from a QV into an M135i (2.0T) and although it's not even in the same league as the Alfa, I can drive it harder without fear of losing my license or needing to visit the petrol station every few days ... At those speeds the QV felt like it was hardly ticking over.
That said, it's only doing 24mpg at the moment, so it's not that far from the mpg I was getting from the Alfa!
I like this thread and the honest thoughts of the OP. It is absolutely correct that there are many cars around that are insane in terms of their performance and not even Supercar types, just things like QF, even electric cars like Model S P100D.
Whilst it is very PH to think “I must have one” and “how can a car be too fast/powerful, are you mad?”, the reality is that in this Country, where your propensity to visit Tracks is limited or simply irrelevant to you, you are paying for a s
t load of performance you cannot actually use. The wise man/woman, will look at cars tier levels below that provide enjoyable moments of fun and can be comfortable driven along A/B roads at off peak times at 8/10th and not require you to engage the services of a chauffeur after 10 minutes of fun, courtesy of HM Constabulary.
I have had some powerful cars (C63, Mustang V8s of various iterations, Porsche Cayenne Turbo etc) and recently went from a V8 Mustang to a E43 Estate. Still a rapid car, it is not as insane as a 63, but frankly capable of holding its own in the real world. I have had so many V8’s I have lost count, so no longer that excited by it.
So, your feelings and decision making process makes perfect sense OP. Some will say “boring”, but honestly, it really makes sense.
I also own a Lamborghini Gallardo SL570-4 and the wife owns a DB9 GT Volante V12. However, before everyone cries “Hypocrite”, I should qualify these by saying they are very long term aspirational cars for both of us and therefore acquired for very different reasons, completely separate to considerations for day to day use. They are also long term keepers.
Whilst it is very PH to think “I must have one” and “how can a car be too fast/powerful, are you mad?”, the reality is that in this Country, where your propensity to visit Tracks is limited or simply irrelevant to you, you are paying for a s
t load of performance you cannot actually use. The wise man/woman, will look at cars tier levels below that provide enjoyable moments of fun and can be comfortable driven along A/B roads at off peak times at 8/10th and not require you to engage the services of a chauffeur after 10 minutes of fun, courtesy of HM Constabulary.I have had some powerful cars (C63, Mustang V8s of various iterations, Porsche Cayenne Turbo etc) and recently went from a V8 Mustang to a E43 Estate. Still a rapid car, it is not as insane as a 63, but frankly capable of holding its own in the real world. I have had so many V8’s I have lost count, so no longer that excited by it.
So, your feelings and decision making process makes perfect sense OP. Some will say “boring”, but honestly, it really makes sense.
I also own a Lamborghini Gallardo SL570-4 and the wife owns a DB9 GT Volante V12. However, before everyone cries “Hypocrite”, I should qualify these by saying they are very long term aspirational cars for both of us and therefore acquired for very different reasons, completely separate to considerations for day to day use. They are also long term keepers.
Interesting thread and agree with the comments. I sold my QF earlier this year for exactly the reasons you mention. A fantastic car but not suitable for my day to day needs.
I'm using a Giulietta 1750 Veloce now and its a fun drive although obviously quite slow compared with the Giulia. Its definitely more suited to everyday driving, I even loaded the back up with stuff for the tip yesterday. Try doing that with the Giulia!
As some others I've got a big boys toy (4C Spider) in the garage for high days, holidays and shows so the best of both worlds.
I'm using a Giulietta 1750 Veloce now and its a fun drive although obviously quite slow compared with the Giulia. Its definitely more suited to everyday driving, I even loaded the back up with stuff for the tip yesterday. Try doing that with the Giulia!
As some others I've got a big boys toy (4C Spider) in the garage for high days, holidays and shows so the best of both worlds.
Been following this thread with interest as I've just taken delivery of a Quadrifoglio. Still running in so I haven't given it the beans yet but part of the pleasure for me is the specialness of the car and the engineering within it. A bit like the divers watch analogy brought up on Top Gear recently.
kith said:
Been following this thread with interest as I've just taken delivery of a Quadrifoglio. Still running in so I haven't given it the beans yet but part of the pleasure for me is the specialness of the car and the engineering within it. A bit like the divers watch analogy brought up on Top Gear recently.
What’s the running in process ? Delivery in June for me.Steve Campbell said:
kith said:
Been following this thread with interest as I've just taken delivery of a Quadrifoglio. Still running in so I haven't given it the beans yet but part of the pleasure for me is the specialness of the car and the engineering within it. A bit like the divers watch analogy brought up on Top Gear recently.
What’s the running in process ? Delivery in June for me.A few perspectives on this thread:
The QF is difficult to replace if you only have one “special” car that needs to serve as a daily, some family duties, etc.
I don’t think it’s more tail happy than the M3 or C63 of the same generation, the early F80 M3s were notoriously unpredictable. The key is to change the tyres unless you want to only drive on warm, dry days.
Other factors that contribute to this perception:
Changes in Race mode are quite significant: no traction or stability control, full power in all gears (torque no longer limited in 1st & 2nd), electronic differential behaves differently
Depends what you’re used to. You can’t drive it like the boy racers who drive 4wd S3s or Golf Rs at silly speeds over roundabouts with minimal skill (hope this doesn’t come across as condescending to people on this thread, appreciate that these cars could also be driven by skilled and sensible drivers as well)
The QF is difficult to replace if you only have one “special” car that needs to serve as a daily, some family duties, etc.
I don’t think it’s more tail happy than the M3 or C63 of the same generation, the early F80 M3s were notoriously unpredictable. The key is to change the tyres unless you want to only drive on warm, dry days.
Other factors that contribute to this perception:
Changes in Race mode are quite significant: no traction or stability control, full power in all gears (torque no longer limited in 1st & 2nd), electronic differential behaves differently
Depends what you’re used to. You can’t drive it like the boy racers who drive 4wd S3s or Golf Rs at silly speeds over roundabouts with minimal skill (hope this doesn’t come across as condescending to people on this thread, appreciate that these cars could also be driven by skilled and sensible drivers as well)
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:
I don’t think it’s more tail happy than the M3 or C63 of the same generation, the early F80 M3s were notoriously unpredictable. The key is to change the tyres unless you want to only drive on warm, dry days.
This. So much this. The Corsas should be an optional fit in the UK. They are a total liability in cool, damp scenarios.Webdunk said:
This. So much this. The Corsas should be an optional fit in the UK. They are a total liability in cool, damp scenarios.
I had the Corsas swapped with Goodyear Supersports before collection as I picked it up in September as the weather was getting colder / wetter. Sold the Corsas to another QV owner.I had some silly moments in it, but never felt it was tail happy - in fact it was way more planted than my old 440i (as you'd expect) and very progressive.
I miss mine a bit and keep thinking whether I made a mistake moving it on when I look at the photos I took, but I'm still glad I did. That level of car was wrong for me.
Webdunk said:
This. So much this. The Corsas should be an optional fit in the UK. They are a total liability in cool, damp scenarios.
I had one of the first Mustang GTs in the UK and the OE Pirellis were shocking, especially as I picked mine up in a January. I persevered for a year until the rears were already worn and swapped to Michelin. It was amazing. I could drive the V8 like a complete loon and it would stick to the road. Far more control over what the rear end was doing.
I really fancied a QF but couldn't afford one so tested a Veloce instead. Quick enough but then I had a talk with myself.
There's only a few times a year where I can really enjoy driving a car with a bit of oomph. The rest of the time I'm either in London or on congested A and M roads.
I saved a fortune and bought a Dacia Duster. 999cc of pure 3 cylinder power
I'm actually enjoying driving in congested traffic, stirring the box and getting the best out of my 100 bhp. It's a laugh and best of all it was £10.5k new and it doesn't do less than 40mpg.
I'll save the performance car for if I ever get out of London again and meanwhile I might use the money saved for a decent motorbike.
Again respect to the OP and honesty from others. I mentioned earlier I had the Celtic remap to 600bhp plus and last week the gearbox remap which increases line pressure for less clutch slip but the trade off is more brutal shifts. Faster changes and a torque curve similar to race mode but available in dynamic so I keep my safety nets. If anything it made a bigger performance increase that the ECU map.
I can only have one car really and totally respect the sweet spot in the range may be a cheaper model, almost certainly is and those who made that change were totally informed. I wanted the top of the range,as well as loving it my own insecurity might have me feeling buyers regret.
I feel I've got to justify wanting it faster but this seems a pretty non judgemental thread. I use all the power quite regularly, we have some decent mixed roads but why overtake at half throttle? Instead limit my time exposed to danger plus I love the power, the trade off is by the time my maneuver is complete I'm at my own speed limit, which shouldn't lose my licence but has the danger of incurring points. While I have a clean licence (touchwood always) OK, I have friends on 9 points. If I was in that position I would sell the car having enjoyed it immensely. If I lived further south I probably couldn't justify the limited times I'd get to enjoy driving for its own sake. I'm 50 years old and the QV was my present to myself but certainly absolute concentration and route knowledge are essential. Stay safe all.
I can only have one car really and totally respect the sweet spot in the range may be a cheaper model, almost certainly is and those who made that change were totally informed. I wanted the top of the range,as well as loving it my own insecurity might have me feeling buyers regret.
I feel I've got to justify wanting it faster but this seems a pretty non judgemental thread. I use all the power quite regularly, we have some decent mixed roads but why overtake at half throttle? Instead limit my time exposed to danger plus I love the power, the trade off is by the time my maneuver is complete I'm at my own speed limit, which shouldn't lose my licence but has the danger of incurring points. While I have a clean licence (touchwood always) OK, I have friends on 9 points. If I was in that position I would sell the car having enjoyed it immensely. If I lived further south I probably couldn't justify the limited times I'd get to enjoy driving for its own sake. I'm 50 years old and the QV was my present to myself but certainly absolute concentration and route knowledge are essential. Stay safe all.
Good point re less exposure to danger with quicker overtakes.
Loved my Mustang for that ability, especially as some of the country roads I knew so well were very narrow with high banks
Infuriates me in my current borough with all its 20mph limits, that a car will attempt to overtake a cyclist but refuses to break the 20 limit thus you end up with them side by side for a hundred metres or more. More exposure to danger (for the cyclist).
Anyway, I digress, covered on another thread
Loved my Mustang for that ability, especially as some of the country roads I knew so well were very narrow with high banks
Infuriates me in my current borough with all its 20mph limits, that a car will attempt to overtake a cyclist but refuses to break the 20 limit thus you end up with them side by side for a hundred metres or more. More exposure to danger (for the cyclist).
Anyway, I digress, covered on another thread
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