Alfa Giulia Quadrofolio disappointment after test drive
Discussion
Matty_ said:
I sold my MY19 QV after just under 12 months, one of my shortest ownership periods in a car. It's fanstastic looking thing - but it just never felt exciting enough for me. It felt too quiet, too refined and went insanely quickly with what felt like very little drama. I needed more intake noise, more exhaust noise...something more of an edge.
It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
Interesting, my impressions confirmed in that case. It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
Was also expecting a lovely aural experience but alas it was also disappointing. One of the most disappointing cars compared to all the review hype and it's a baby Ferrari talk.
Although as another poster mentioned the Giulia TI might be more up our street as the loaner basic Giulia I had certainly had a toddler Ferrari feel to the steering
The Giulia Q will certainly go down in history as the greatest in generations, but yes even in my view - mine's magic and I'll never sell it 
- it is a larger car than I'd prefer, its a BMW E34 M5 competitor, really.
(Rear seat is frankly enormous with the carbon fronts)
But - so is the modern M3, its a modern decease.
Given that, it amazes me its only 1660kg on the scales, without me & full tank fuel. And it certainly doesn't FEEL heavy
I suppose having a Alfa 75 next to it is a pretty good supplement - gosh it feels tiny & nimble!
- it is a larger car than I'd prefer, its a BMW E34 M5 competitor, really. (Rear seat is frankly enormous with the carbon fronts)
But - so is the modern M3, its a modern decease.
Given that, it amazes me its only 1660kg on the scales, without me & full tank fuel. And it certainly doesn't FEEL heavy
I suppose having a Alfa 75 next to it is a pretty good supplement - gosh it feels tiny & nimble!
Edited by Pereldh on Wednesday 29th April 13:31
Matty_ said:
I sold my MY19 QV after just under 12 months, one of my shortest ownership periods in a car. It's fanstastic looking thing - but it just never felt exciting enough for me. It felt too quiet, too refined and went insanely quickly with what felt like very little drama. I needed more intake noise, more exhaust noise...something more of an edge.
It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
It’s a pity they never did a V6 version of the guilia without the turbos, maybe 350-400bhp and a manual box. Would have sounded better, a bit lighter, less complex. Would have been the perfect car for me then. The 4 cyl 280bhp is a great car, the engine is very effective, and as fast as you need really for a road car, but just a lacking in noise and character for an Alfa engine. But the styling and ride/handling that is stand out though.It just felt like a very nice, very quick saloon car. I'd also agree with the other comment that it felt big - although I'm very much of a recent history of small, light, basic cars so all of this might just be traits that are shared with pretty much all modern saloons.
I need a QV with 300kg removed and the Busso engine in it.
This thread highlights how different we all are.
Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
davek_964 said:
This thread highlights how different we all are.
Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
Depends how heavy it is!Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
davek_964 said:
This thread highlights how different we all are.
Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
I think part of the issue for me was you could never put the hammer down for more than a few seconds without getting into genuinely licence losing speeds, and it was something of a frustration. Add on the insane ability it has (well, as all modern cars do) and I just felt like I was never even touching what it was capable of without risking myself, others and/or my licence.Although I find the car feels big, I think it sounds great once the valves are open - which they tend to be if you're having "fun". And I remember one going past me on a motorway (before I bought mine) and thinking it was making a great sound.
Mind you - I also disagree that 280bhp is fast enough for a road car
And I just kept wondering why I was paying (or potentially paying) for all this performance I struggled to even get close to. I went on an Andy Walsh activity day, and discovered just how high those limits actually were, and how capable it was...and just felt like as much as I got the "feel good" factor just sitting in it and looking at it...it wasn't enough to warrant keeping.
I used to have a VXR8 many years ago, which is my only other foray into large saloons - which I found hilarious and loved due to all the shouty V8, oversteery nonsense it was capable of - but I just recal is having much lower limits, and I think the drama of the engine helped too. I kinda hoped the Alfa would re-ignite that with an added element of Alfa elegance over the rough-edged Vauxhall, but alas, no. But to re-iterate, I feel this is also a modern car issue, as much as anything.
Yeah the BBW does take some getting used to - especially as the QV has very strong "creep" off throttle, making chauffer stops very tricky. It was a minor bugbear of mine.
A bigger one - and not sure if this was just my car, was the throttle mapping in Dynamic. It felt like the first initial press of the throttle gave a good 10% throttle input, making stop/start movement in slow traffic a nightmare as it would kinda 'jolt' forward at the first push. I much preferred how it drove in that mode, but once I it traffic, or had to slow, I was constantly switching between N/D to avoid the small kangarooing. It was only small, but it was enough.
A bigger one - and not sure if this was just my car, was the throttle mapping in Dynamic. It felt like the first initial press of the throttle gave a good 10% throttle input, making stop/start movement in slow traffic a nightmare as it would kinda 'jolt' forward at the first push. I much preferred how it drove in that mode, but once I it traffic, or had to slow, I was constantly switching between N/D to avoid the small kangarooing. It was only small, but it was enough.
Matty_ said:
A bigger one - and not sure if this was just my car, was the throttle mapping in Dynamic. It felt like the first initial press of the throttle gave a good 10% throttle input, making stop/start movement in slow traffic a nightmare as it would kinda 'jolt' forward at the first push. I much preferred how it drove in that mode, but once I it traffic, or had to slow, I was constantly switching between N/D to avoid the small kangarooing. It was only small, but it was enough.
Same on a manual 6speed Q, Dynamic make for less smooth shifts than N or A. Bit like the Sport button in my Z4M Coupe, that was jerky.
On the other hand, the CCM brakes are no problems whatsoever coming to a stop, as the clutch is pressed anyway,
Edited by Pereldh on Monday 4th May 10:27
Matty_ said:
I think part of the issue for me was you could never put the hammer down for more than a few seconds without getting into genuinely licence losing speeds, and it was something of a frustration. Add on the insane ability it has (well, as all modern cars do) and I just felt like I was never even touching what it was capable of without risking myself, others and/or my licence.
And I just kept wondering why I was paying (or potentially paying) for all this performance I struggled to even get close to. I went on an Andy Walsh activity day, and discovered just how high those limits actually were, and how capable it was...and just felt like as much as I got the "feel good" factor just sitting in it and looking at it...it wasn't enough to warrant keeping.
I used to have a VXR8 many years ago, which is my only other foray into large saloons - which I found hilarious and loved due to all the shouty V8, oversteery nonsense it was capable of - but I just recal is having much lower limits, and I think the drama of the engine helped too. I kinda hoped the Alfa would re-ignite that with an added element of Alfa elegance over the rough-edged Vauxhall, but alas, no. But to re-iterate, I feel this is also a modern car issue, as much as anything.
How did you find the Andy Walsh day? I’d love to book one of those days to get the best from my QF because as you say it’s difficult to know where the limits are on the road And I just kept wondering why I was paying (or potentially paying) for all this performance I struggled to even get close to. I went on an Andy Walsh activity day, and discovered just how high those limits actually were, and how capable it was...and just felt like as much as I got the "feel good" factor just sitting in it and looking at it...it wasn't enough to warrant keeping.
I used to have a VXR8 many years ago, which is my only other foray into large saloons - which I found hilarious and loved due to all the shouty V8, oversteery nonsense it was capable of - but I just recal is having much lower limits, and I think the drama of the engine helped too. I kinda hoped the Alfa would re-ignite that with an added element of Alfa elegance over the rough-edged Vauxhall, but alas, no. But to re-iterate, I feel this is also a modern car issue, as much as anything.
Oldbloke said:
How did you find the Andy Walsh day? I d love to book one of those days to get the best from my QF because as you say it s difficult to know where the limits are on the road
I've done two - I did a traditional 4-person learning day in an S1 Exige (many, many years ago!) then did a 12 person activity day, both down at North Weald.Alas, he's been booted out of NW now, so he's either at Thruxton (with added skid pan, but more expensive), or Stafford (and no activity days for now, just 4 man tuition). Either way, they're great to learn about your car in safety. Andy is patient and incredibly knowledgable, you'll learn loads.
It was torrential rain when I went, which helped the tyres and kept the limits low, but even then, it's amazing how quickly it could go even then. I also learnt how quickly it can go wrong when in 'Race', so definately gave me more respect for the car itself.
I'd definately go again.
[quote=Matty_]
I've done two - I did a traditional 4-person learning day in an S1 Exige (many, many years ago!) then did a 12 person activity day, both down at North Weald.
Alas, he's been booted out of NW now, so he's either at Thruxton (with added skid pan, but more expensive), or Stafford (and no activity days for now, just 4 man tuition). Either way, they're great to learn about your car in safety. Andy is patient and incredibly knowledgable, you'll learn loads.
It was torrential rain when I went, which helped the tyres and kept the limits low, but even then, it's amazing how quickly it could go even then. I also learnt how quickly it can go wrong when in 'Race', so definately gave me more respect for the car itself.
I'd definately go again.
If you don’t mind me asking how much did it cost? I’d like to be able to anticipate oversteer and correct as my top priority
I've done two - I did a traditional 4-person learning day in an S1 Exige (many, many years ago!) then did a 12 person activity day, both down at North Weald.
Alas, he's been booted out of NW now, so he's either at Thruxton (with added skid pan, but more expensive), or Stafford (and no activity days for now, just 4 man tuition). Either way, they're great to learn about your car in safety. Andy is patient and incredibly knowledgable, you'll learn loads.
It was torrential rain when I went, which helped the tyres and kept the limits low, but even then, it's amazing how quickly it could go even then. I also learnt how quickly it can go wrong when in 'Race', so definately gave me more respect for the car itself.
I'd definately go again.
If you don’t mind me asking how much did it cost? I’d like to be able to anticipate oversteer and correct as my top priority
Oldbloke said:
If you don t mind me asking how much did it cost? I d like to be able to anticipate oversteer and correct as my top priority
Activity day was £120 for the day - but his 4 person days are £350. More expensive as its 1-1 tuition. Site lists the availability and costs:https://www.awdrivertraining.co.uk/
Also worth looking at his channel, lots of stuff on there showing lessons, what can be achieved, etc:
https://www.youtube.com/@AWDrivertraining
blueg33 said:
I always thought the Guilia felt small for a 4 for saloon, closer to a sports car than a family saloon. Ride and balance in the TI was almost perfect, nice pointy steering, easy to place on the road.
Brake by wire takes some getting used to.
Indeed a fair bit of rot in this thread to be frank Brake by wire takes some getting used to.
In the spirit of things I may as well add to it.
as I have stated elsewhere new ones are s
t (relatively), just don't bother. Buyers remorse, not quite but it's not a patch on the original. Get a pre 2020 one for the very best experience. Anything after that are compromised but the old ones are getting long in to tooth now. I wouldn't touch a 2nd hand one knowing what some of the owners have done. But then I wouldn't buy a 2nd hand car for my own use. But then I'm a fool.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff