Alfa Romeo Giulia Sport - My 'sensible family car'

[TheDukeGTi]

With my wife and I expecting our first child in less than a month now, a sensible family-oriented replacement to my beloved, yet troubled E36 M3 Coupe was required.

Something with an auto-box, modern airbags, 4 doors and Isofix, the Alfa was clearly a natural choice, right? Anyone?

In reality, my wife and I have been obsessing over this car since it's announcement in mid-2015, she's no car-guy, but even she loves the thing.

The brief was 'as close to a Quadrifoglio as I can spec a base Giulia, but with a sunroof'. So I introduce my (custom ordered) Giulia Ti Sport RWD with performance pack in Montecarlo Blue, on collection day:


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr

No other photos just yet.

I thought I'd miss the 'feel' of the 90's sports coupe, but having taken the Giulia round some twisty's last weekend, I'm not feeling as starved for 'feel' as I thought. It certainly feels as dynamic as the old Bimmer, despite it's larger size. I've also driven the new M3 in anger and it's not a million miles away from that either. Seriously impressed!

The sunroof is ridiculously loud at highway speeds; way louder than the E36, which is a little disappointing. I could easily hold a conversation at 70 in that, but no way in the Giulia. It has a bigger opening I suppose, but still.

I've never owned a new car before, in fact, I've never owned anything younger than 10 years before, but the dealership experience wasn't particularly inspiring. I certainly wasn't very impressed with the communication, or presentation when I picked up the car. I'm British, and I get the impression these things are done a little differently here in the States.

I did like that my name was printed on the window sticker though, that was a cool touch!

But the car itself is lovely; getting lots of attention, and it drives beautifully. The baby seat is a little snug in the back though, perhaps I should've tried that first!

My E36 M3 thread is here for those of you interested: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15...

Edited by TheDukeGTi on Sunday 13th May 20:14

[TheDukeGTi]

Thanks all!

ReaperCushions said:

Looks great! Congrats! Did you end up leasing it in the end?

I’m 1000 miles into mine and loving it more every day.

Love the blue, what interior color did you go for?

I did end up leasing, yes. Made the most sense for a multitude of reasons, and I still have the option to buy later if I can't bring myself to change it.
It's got the black interior. I'll try get some pics at some point soon!

[TheDukeGTi]

SturdyHSV said:

Lovely car, congratulations

I look forward to the thread where you buy an old estate car because you don't want the baby being sick on your leather

Heh. I'm desperately trying not to be too precious. I've not even cleaned it yet! 400 miles in!

[TheDukeGTi]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I’m really enjoying the car, and really getting to know it while I still have the opportunity to go out for guilt-free drives (well, as much as you can driving a gasoline-powered vehicle in California, but I digress). Naturally, I’ve been comparing it to cars that I’ve recently driven, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

Firstly, it’s bloody quick. I can totally understand the appeal of the Quadrifoglio, and I’m sure it’s not just extra pace that you’re buying for double the price of mine, but nevertheless, I can’t help but think I’ve gotten a bit of a bargain with this car; it can’t possibly be 50% the car of a Quad.

It’s very well balanced and composed, and I’ve been very impressed with the Potenza’s (I think?) that’re on it. I do prefer the Michelin Supersports I had on my M3, but since these cars are twenty years apart, and I’m no car journalist, I’m certainly no authority on that.

The only issue I’ve found with the handling so far, which has differed from my M3, and the new one at that, is that on tight or even hair-pin turns, where it’s really leaning in, I’ve found it bouncing around on the front outside corner; it’s really the only time I’ve found it to be anything but 100% composed. I’ve tried ‘Dynamic’ mode with and without the dampers in soft, still seems to pitch a little. I guess it must have something to do with the traction control cutting in? This could very well be where the Quad shines?

The other negative, as mentioned before is the ridiculously loud sunroof, which really is a disappointment. Hopefully I can find a wind deflector or something when the aftermarket for these cars ramp up a little.

Other than that, I’m totally in love with the thing. I miss the manual less than I thought. I’m not starved for ‘feel’ like I thought I would be with a modern car. I have literally zero regrets in not going for the ‘obvious’ choice of a 3 series.

I gave it it’s first quick rise (it’d be a disservice to call it a wash) as it ticked over 500 miles yesterday, on a somewhat rare dreary day in California, it even rained a little after I’d cleaned it, you can take the English out of England…

Here’s some pics. The light wasn’t great, and it appears Montecarlo blue is a tricky colour to capture, but I still think it looks pretty great.

Till next time…


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr

I forgot to grab an interior shot again! Here’s a little bonus long-armed one, you even get a little big of leg. Enjoy!


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr

Edited by TheDukeGTi on Sunday 20th May 21:16

[TheDukeGTi]

LarsG said:

The last Alfa's I owned were 3x Alfasuds, 1x Alfasud Sprint Veloce, and a GTV 6. Pre 1998.

I expect they are still good to drive and rust proofing has improved but parts, reliability and service costs far outweigh the benefits especicizlly now a child is on the way. Make sure you can fit the pushchair in the boot.

Two years from now you will have a sensible estate or SUV and realise how much children cost.

Ha, thanks for the vote of confidence.

[TheDukeGTi]

I went out 2 weekends ago for a drive on one of the more empty end scenic roads around the Bay Area. Setting off around 6:30am; I covered nearly 200miles in a morning. Great fun! I took some pics along the way, as way of an update.

Still really enjoying the car. It’s dynamically fantastic, engaging and truly never dull, although, I am beginning to realize that it’s probably not big enough! What it does lack in SUV-style space, it truly makes up for in style and drivability.

Who needs space when your car looks this good anyway?


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr


Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr

Till next time!

[TheDukeGTi]

Hi all, no real updates regarding the Giulia. It’s approaching a year since I picked it up, and I’ve done about a third of the mileage I signed up for in my lease, which is disappointing, but at least the vast majority of those miles have been for pleasure, and not commuting! I’m hoping to get more under my belt in the second year!

The car really is fantastic; engaging, nimble and gets lots of attention, despite it not being the Quadrifoglio. But I’m certainly missing the manual box I had in all my other cars before this one; there’s just something about it DIY’ing it that an auto can never make up for, no matter how good the auto, and this one is very good!

Anyway, I had some fun in the car last weekend, and thought I’d take a few more photos.



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr



Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport by TheDukeGTi, on Flickr

Till next time.

Edited by TheDukeGTi on Monday 25th March 00:17