Discussion
Bored with A6/ 5/ E class, as competent as they all are.
Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
I've owned both an XFR and a Giulia veloce. Both are great drivers cars and the best in their respective classes for the drive inmho.
The XFR was monstrous and they represent tremendous value in the used market. If it wasn't for my insistence to have different cars, I would have easily had a later 3.0 supercharged petrol as a follow up.
The Giulia was also lovely. Less practical than the Jag but probably more fun. It felt lighter and I loved the fast, direct steering - even if it lacked the feel of the jags hydraulic rack.
Can't go too wrong with either from my experience.
The XFR was monstrous and they represent tremendous value in the used market. If it wasn't for my insistence to have different cars, I would have easily had a later 3.0 supercharged petrol as a follow up.
The Giulia was also lovely. Less practical than the Jag but probably more fun. It felt lighter and I loved the fast, direct steering - even if it lacked the feel of the jags hydraulic rack.
Can't go too wrong with either from my experience.
Donkey44 said:
Bored with A6/ 5/ E class, as competent as they all are.
Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
Why's it not well placed with the Q50 I have family with both the Q50 S, I mean £180 tax 400bhp 2018 what's not to like as far as non Germans go it's a rel alternative:Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...
Q50 35h:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
Maserati Ghibli 3.0:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
Ghibli S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...
XF 3.0 S 380:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...
XE S 340:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
Arteon 280:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...
2.0T Kia Stinger:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
However, I find my trousers go a matching shade of beige to the leather when thinking about the possible bills if things go wrong with a Maserati.
And yes, I am considering a Jag!
Is that daft? Is the Maserati actually not ruinous?
And yes, I am considering a Jag!
Is that daft? Is the Maserati actually not ruinous?
FamousPheasant said:
I've owned both an XFR and a Giulia veloce. Both are great drivers cars and the best in their respective classes for the drive inmho.
The XFR was monstrous and they represent tremendous value in the used market. If it wasn't for my insistence to have different cars, I would have easily had a later 3.0 supercharged petrol as a follow up.
The Giulia was also lovely. Less practical than the Jag but probably more fun. It felt lighter and I loved the fast, direct steering - even if it lacked the feel of the jags hydraulic rack.
Can't go too wrong with either from my experience.
How was the Alfa interior? From afar the plastic looks blocky and... Not the nicest. Is that unfair? And the seats? The lower spec models don't seem to have much adjustment. The XFR was monstrous and they represent tremendous value in the used market. If it wasn't for my insistence to have different cars, I would have easily had a later 3.0 supercharged petrol as a follow up.
The Giulia was also lovely. Less practical than the Jag but probably more fun. It felt lighter and I loved the fast, direct steering - even if it lacked the feel of the jags hydraulic rack.
Can't go too wrong with either from my experience.
ZX10R NIN said:
Why's it not well placed with the Q50 I have family with both the Q50 S, I mean £180 tax 400bhp 2018 what's not to like as far as non Germans go it's a rel alternative:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...
Q50 35h:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
Maserati Ghibli 3.0:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
Ghibli S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...
XF 3.0 S 380:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...
XE S 340:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
Arteon 280:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...
2.0T Kia Stinger:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
A fair comment on the Inf but I rather worry resale could take a while.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...
Q50 35h:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...
Maserati Ghibli 3.0:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303315...
Ghibli S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212122...
XF 3.0 S 380:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212042...
XE S 340:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304276...
Arteon 280:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...
2.0T Kia Stinger:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Arteon interesting, forgot about them.
Eta Stinger is also interesting, although the shame when asked "wow is it fast?" and having to admit it's not the 3.3.....
Edited by Donkey44 on Friday 5th May 21:00
Donkey44 said:
How was the Alfa interior? From afar the plastic looks blocky and... Not the nicest. Is that unfair? And the seats? The lower spec models don't seem to have much adjustment.
I thought it was fine. Not audi a4 quality ( had one of these too) but perfectly acceptable. The main touch points are above average (the wheel, the seats and the paddles) although the early , pre 2019, gear selector had a sharp edge on the back. The rest is broadly on par with with my f series BMW ( including the naff indicator stalks that don't fully click).The leather topped dash option certainly lifts the interior if that matters to you ,but it is fairly uncommon. Seats were good and I think better quality than leather than the standard fit in my BMW. I can't really comment on the entry level models to be honest.
The jag interior (the early x250) looked amazing on the surface but the actual quality wasn't quite as tight. Few more creaks and less satisfying switchgear. Mine was 11 years old and 80k miles though. I'm not a big fan of the excessive piano black plastic used in the newer model either.
Your other left field choice scould be a kia stinger. I test drove the 3.3 one and liked it. Only the mpg and servicing requirements (every 6 months) put me off.
Donkey44 said:
Bored with A6/ 5/ E class, as competent as they all are.
Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
The lower powered (200 bhp) Alfa GIULIAs (not Guilias!) are often overlooked, but are great cars and often the ones to go for, in my opinion. They use the exact same engine that you find in the Veloce, with just software limiting power to 200 bhp. It still has 243 lb ft of torque and will do 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, so is no underpowered slouch. They are slightly cheaper to insure too, as they are in group 24 vs group 34 for the Veloce. They will remap to 315 bhp, the same as the Veloce when remapped. The only issue I think is that the Veloces may come with more kit than the lower spec 200 bhp models. Moderately powered, highly likely to be petrol, tax sub £500, I have £14-18k, what do we think of,
Alfa Guilia, I'm a bit shy of the 280bhp ones, are the lower powered models any good? Or is it just a case of up the budget because the Veloce really is worth it? Exterior looks fab, interior... Less so. Any owner feedback?
Jag XE. 240hp from a 2.0 is doable by most, but are Jag up to it? Some have 250bhp, what gives? Are they all ingenium and thus about to explode, so it's the 3.0S or nothing?
Jag XF. The 2.0 in these seems to come in a heap of different blowey-uppey choices, to 300bhp, 250 or, err, less, also available. What's the pick? "A different car"!??
What would you go for? I always think I want quirky, then never quite get there e.g. Not a Hyundai Genesis, at their current prices anyway, not an Infiniti, there is a 3.0 Q50 for sale but there's no way your 19k is well placed there. But defo nothing run of the mill either, so no Mazda6.
It's more the Ingenium diesels that have problems in the Jags, though I think the petrols are not without risk. If you go for a pre 2017 model, they used the Ford 2.0 Ecoboost rather than the Ingenium. The 2.0 Ecoboost is based off the old Mazda L engine, which is reliable. So go for one of those older models would be my advice.
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Friday 5th May 22:13
I had an XE 30t r-sport AWD it was a late 2018 car with the 300bhp ingenium petrol engine. I ran it for over 3 years and did 26k from new. Engine never missed a beat. It was a great car, quick (not truly FAST like it's replacement). Interior was well put together except for a few odd squeaks over bumps. It's a good, fun, practical saloon and quite a looker too. 
Donkey44 said:
Oof! Isn't it just! Caesium blue?
I can spell that, but not what Alfa call their cars
Yes was Caesium Blue. It was the first car I had ever bought new (thanks to Jag's 0% finance offer in 2018) after working for JLR the previous year and seeing that exact spec in the car park in Coventry every day!I can spell that, but not what Alfa call their cars
Mrinsignia said:
You would just about get a Maserati Ghibli V6 for that money. 410bhp, beautiful exhaust note, looks a million times better than it's German equivalent and it's a Maserati!
Think it's 300bhp for my budget. And who knew this was a thing?! 
I've bumped a thread in the Alfa folder, it seems theft through the radar sensor is remarkably easy, and some reliability issues are known, but hey, Alfa, and the rest of the feedback is very positive.
Donkey44 said:
A fair comment on the Inf but I rather worry resale could take a while.
Arteon interesting, forgot about them.
Eta Stinger is also interesting, although the shame when asked "wow is it fast?" and having to admit it's not the 3.3.....
Yea they won't sell as quick as the Germans but it will sell & in between buying & selling, you have a good car that fits your brief.Arteon interesting, forgot about them.
Eta Stinger is also interesting, although the shame when asked "wow is it fast?" and having to admit it's not the 3.3.....
Edited by Donkey44 on Friday 5th May 21:00
The Maserati's are a good car & not ruinous, they're suspension components aren't cheap but that's about it.
I think I'd take the Stinger over the Arteon.
I am surprised at the Arteon prices, but VW fanbois I suppose. The one linked is cheap, but Barry'd, stock stuff is more £ again.
I need to do some digging on specs for the Alfa, to see what else/ improved stuff you get on the Veloce beyond just the map, although the lowered powered cars are not significantly cheaper to buy it seems (17k vs 21 with similar miles).
XE seems to get love with the 3.0, interesting the early 2.0is the mere ecoboost, reassuringly unexciting.
I need to do some digging on specs for the Alfa, to see what else/ improved stuff you get on the Veloce beyond just the map, although the lowered powered cars are not significantly cheaper to buy it seems (17k vs 21 with similar miles).
XE seems to get love with the 3.0, interesting the early 2.0is the mere ecoboost, reassuringly unexciting.
Donkey44 said:
I am surprised at the Arteon prices, but VW fanbois I suppose. The one linked is cheap, but Barry'd, stock stuff is more £ again.
I need to do some digging on specs for the Alfa, to see what else/ improved stuff you get on the Veloce beyond just the map, although the lowered powered cars are not significantly cheaper to buy it seems (17k vs 21 with similar miles).
XE seems to get love with the 3.0, interesting the early 2.0is the mere ecoboost, reassuringly unexciting.
I would have thought that any Alfa Guilia with 200BHP would be more than adequate performance wise and would make a great long term car. I need to do some digging on specs for the Alfa, to see what else/ improved stuff you get on the Veloce beyond just the map, although the lowered powered cars are not significantly cheaper to buy it seems (17k vs 21 with similar miles).
XE seems to get love with the 3.0, interesting the early 2.0is the mere ecoboost, reassuringly unexciting.
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