Anyone here with a Guilia?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
Anyone here with a Guilia?
Not in the market at the moment. But just test drove a TI AWD sport with suspension package. This is rated the best handling in its class and I totally believe it. Think I’m in love. Fully specd is about 52k offering a few K off, and a good lease deal is in the high 400s with tax and title out of pocket.
The handling is absolutely superb for this value. Honestly, it is unmatched. 0-60 in low 5s. Fit and finish are okay. Has full leather and pano, most tech options. Big brakes, red/yellow calipers, limited slip, huge steering mounted aluminum paddles with really short gear ratios, active suspension that actually works, and is just absolutely unique. This is a perfect no compromise car, between the back seat, awd, and handling, and so much better than S4, 340i, but lower lease payment.
I almost traded in my old 70k mi 08 A6 to cover the first year of the lease. Which is a horrible idea given it’s paid off. But MAN, this car just checks so many boxes. once the audi has its first big repair bill, I’m going straight to Alfa.
...that is all
The handling is absolutely superb for this value. Honestly, it is unmatched. 0-60 in low 5s. Fit and finish are okay. Has full leather and pano, most tech options. Big brakes, red/yellow calipers, limited slip, huge steering mounted aluminum paddles with really short gear ratios, active suspension that actually works, and is just absolutely unique. This is a perfect no compromise car, between the back seat, awd, and handling, and so much better than S4, 340i, but lower lease payment.
I almost traded in my old 70k mi 08 A6 to cover the first year of the lease. Which is a horrible idea given it’s paid off. But MAN, this car just checks so many boxes. once the audi has its first big repair bill, I’m going straight to Alfa.
...that is all
Azine Jabroni
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 9,245
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From: Austin, TX
Right now, it's hard to go Giulia over a German if you're buying.
The tech is a bit behind but the drive (I have tested one) is amazing. Overall, the car feels a generation behind the Audi I eventually bought.
The tech is a bit behind but the drive (I have tested one) is amazing. Overall, the car feels a generation behind the Audi I eventually bought.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Haudenosaunee Land
Not in the market at the moment. But just test drove a TI AWD sport with suspension package. This is rated the best handling in its class and I totally believe it. Think I’m in love. Fully specd is about 52k offering a few K off, and a good lease deal is in the high 400s with tax and title out of pocket.
The handling is absolutely superb for this value. Honestly, it is unmatched. 0-60 in low 5s. Fit and finish are okay. Has full leather and pano, most tech options. Big brakes, red/yellow calipers, limited slip, huge steering mounted aluminum paddles with really short gear ratios, active suspension that actually works, and is just absolutely unique. This is a perfect no compromise car, between the back seat, awd, and handling, and so much better than S4, 340i, but lower lease payment.
I almost traded in my old 70k mi 08 A6 to cover the first year of the lease. Which is a horrible idea given it’s paid off. But MAN, this car just checks so many boxes. once the audi has its first big repair bill, I’m going straight to Alfa.
...that is all
The handling is absolutely superb for this value. Honestly, it is unmatched. 0-60 in low 5s. Fit and finish are okay. Has full leather and pano, most tech options. Big brakes, red/yellow calipers, limited slip, huge steering mounted aluminum paddles with really short gear ratios, active suspension that actually works, and is just absolutely unique. This is a perfect no compromise car, between the back seat, awd, and handling, and so much better than S4, 340i, but lower lease payment.
I almost traded in my old 70k mi 08 A6 to cover the first year of the lease. Which is a horrible idea given it’s paid off. But MAN, this car just checks so many boxes. once the audi has its first big repair bill, I’m going straight to Alfa.
...that is all
EDIT: I missed "sport" in the description you wrote.
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Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Minnesnowta
Lease, don't buy. Alfa's are, as I'm sure everyone knows, horrendously unreliable but a ton of fun while under warranty. Other option is to wait a bit for the used ones to hit the market at heavily depreciated prices.
Tried to talk my friend into leasing a Stelvio. White on Red with the Black roof and wheels 
... But instead she's opting for the QX50 soccer mom mobile! https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...4770/overview/
I don't have much input on reliability of either vehicles. But for the fact alone you don't see them everywhere, I'm all for them.
... But instead she's opting for the QX50 soccer mom mobile! https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...4770/overview/I don't have much input on reliability of either vehicles. But for the fact alone you don't see them everywhere, I'm all for them.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Spring, TX
I think the Giulia is probably the best looking compact/midsize sedan on the road right now. I never did get around to giving one a test drive when I was in the market, but my budget would've probably restricted me to a lower trim level. 
Ex-OEM King
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From: Minnesnowta
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
Buy? Hell no.
Was thinking that that it would be a good car for my wife to commute in, and I could let loose on the weekends. (I take the train). Boom, two in one.
Kind of like having one commuter and one family truck, one paid for, and one with a lease payment. But the truck would be very limited miles. So the thought would be CPO three rower down the road, and a fun commuter on a lease, use every bit of the 10k miles and give it back after a few years.
The ti sport has paddle shifters, and if you get the sport suspension package, it allows you to deactivate the sport suspension also comes with limited diff. Without that package, the car still has a sport suspension but it’s active 100% of the time. And no limited diff. Sounds like a rip but it’s only 1200 add on and adds limited diff. My wife could deactivate it, and have awd year long. And in the weekends I could dial it in and let loose. The dual pano is a nice touch for a summer car, and the backseat is big enough for occasional baby seat.
Some reviews stated Ferrari handling for 50k, and by far the best handling in the class. Sounds a bit overstated, but the test drive was incredible. You barely have to hit the breaks to get on an off ramp. Car just sticks.
Was thinking that that it would be a good car for my wife to commute in, and I could let loose on the weekends. (I take the train). Boom, two in one.
Kind of like having one commuter and one family truck, one paid for, and one with a lease payment. But the truck would be very limited miles. So the thought would be CPO three rower down the road, and a fun commuter on a lease, use every bit of the 10k miles and give it back after a few years.
The ti sport has paddle shifters, and if you get the sport suspension package, it allows you to deactivate the sport suspension also comes with limited diff. Without that package, the car still has a sport suspension but it’s active 100% of the time. And no limited diff. Sounds like a rip but it’s only 1200 add on and adds limited diff. My wife could deactivate it, and have awd year long. And in the weekends I could dial it in and let loose. The dual pano is a nice touch for a summer car, and the backseat is big enough for occasional baby seat.
Some reviews stated Ferrari handling for 50k, and by far the best handling in the class. Sounds a bit overstated, but the test drive was incredible. You barely have to hit the breaks to get on an off ramp. Car just sticks.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: NYC
Just the contrary. my dealer is Alfa/Maserati, but primarily Maserati. I was the poor guy in the room. Dealership was pretty awesome, and I had no problem hanging out in tuned grab turismo as I waited for the test drive.
Team Owner
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From: In an igloo
dont get me wrong- I think the giulia is a badass car for what it is. But I personally wouldn’t have the balls to own one, warranty or not. I value my time and I value always having my car with me. The limited reviews I’ve read on them indicated they aren’t exactly reliable. And are parts coming from Europe also?
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From: Spring, TX
They definitely make the Alfa/Mas presence more noted from the highway, though a lot of the dealership is obscured by a large cross-freeway flyover ramp.
Suzuka Master
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Maserati is either with Ferrari in 1 store, or with McLaren/Bentley/Rolls/Bugatti at another. So, our Alfas are all with Fiat locations.
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We've got a standalone McLaren store here in Houston.
Lamborghini Houston just added Rolls to their store.
Outside of downtown is a Rolls/Bentley/Bugatti store
The main Ferrari Houston also has Maserati in it.
Lamborghini Houston just added Rolls to their store.
Outside of downtown is a Rolls/Bentley/Bugatti store
The main Ferrari Houston also has Maserati in it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Los Angeles
For that reason alone, i personally would never get Guilia regardless how nice it drives.
Last edited by oonowindoo; Nov 12, 2018 at 05:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: NYC
Outside of the annual visits how many times would you really need to go to the dealership under a 2-3 year lease? I would like to think just a few, but never had a new car with major issues.
Team Owner
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From: Los Angeles
I dont know about you, but i bring my car in for many things other than major issues. That rattle they could not fix is driving me nuts.
With German cars, it is hit or miss... with Guilia.. i dont know i would like to think it is more of a hit, than a miss. Hit being unreliable.
But as long you like the car, that is all it matters. your $$, your decision.
Last edited by oonowindoo; Nov 12, 2018 at 07:04 PM.
Moderator
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Going to the dealer in traffic extra early in the morning before work to drop off the car and go back after work (x days later) in traffic, then drive home in traffic IS NOT fun... under warranty or not.
For that reason alone, i personally would never get Guilia regardless how nice it drives.
For that reason alone, i personally would never get Guilia regardless how nice it drives.
Safety Car
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From: Kansas City
Obviously hopefully not too many, but given it is alfa, it's better to be mentally prepared for potential down time than to assume everything will be dandy
Ex-OEM King
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From: Minnesnowta
Read their journey: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...duction-review
Granted this is a Quad and not a Ti but still.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Kansas City
For a normal car? Not many. For an Alfa...lol
Read their journey: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...duction-review
Granted this is a Quad and not a Ti but still.
Read their journey: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...duction-review
Granted this is a Quad and not a Ti but still.
WHAT WENT WRONG: Okay, here we go.
So, our couple of bouts with electronic-throttle and check-engine lights, which we addressed in the introduction story for the Giulia, appear to have been solved. Our dealer replaced the fuel pump under warranty at 5040 miles, and we haven't had that problem since. That's the good news.
The bad news is that when we took the Giulia in for its first regular service (oil change and routine inspections) at 10,021 miles, we ended up leaving it there for a month. We'd been hearing some whining from our car's rear end and asked the dealership techs to check it out. They diagnosed the sound as bearing noise from the differential. Okay. The solution, after the dealer consulted with Alfa corporate support, was to replace the whole diff. But it would have to be ordered. Further delaying the dealership (and us) was that it has only one Alfa Romeo technician, and he is apparently a very busy man.
We called around to other area dealers to see if we could sneak in for quicker service elsewhere. No dice; all booked up. So, we waited and made jokes about our white Chrysler 300 loaner that were not just unfunny but also sad. The Giulia was out of commission from July 10 to August 10, a full month during prime driving season. As much as we love to drive the Giulia QF, this—combined with the earlier lengthy dealership stays—is really inexcusable for a modern car. By the way, that 10K service cost $169; the diff was covered under warranty at no cost.
So, our couple of bouts with electronic-throttle and check-engine lights, which we addressed in the introduction story for the Giulia, appear to have been solved. Our dealer replaced the fuel pump under warranty at 5040 miles, and we haven't had that problem since. That's the good news.
The bad news is that when we took the Giulia in for its first regular service (oil change and routine inspections) at 10,021 miles, we ended up leaving it there for a month. We'd been hearing some whining from our car's rear end and asked the dealership techs to check it out. They diagnosed the sound as bearing noise from the differential. Okay. The solution, after the dealer consulted with Alfa corporate support, was to replace the whole diff. But it would have to be ordered. Further delaying the dealership (and us) was that it has only one Alfa Romeo technician, and he is apparently a very busy man.
We called around to other area dealers to see if we could sneak in for quicker service elsewhere. No dice; all booked up. So, we waited and made jokes about our white Chrysler 300 loaner that were not just unfunny but also sad. The Giulia was out of commission from July 10 to August 10, a full month during prime driving season. As much as we love to drive the Giulia QF, this—combined with the earlier lengthy dealership stays—is really inexcusable for a modern car. By the way, that 10K service cost $169; the diff was covered under warranty at no cost.
Team Owner
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From: Los Angeles
While i do not see that to be the norm, but there is a fundamental issue with Alfa. The lack of dealer network/qualified tech/overall luxury brand experience + being unreliable = a lot of unhappy customers at the end.
But from what i heard, the car is great when it works....
But from what i heard, the car is great when it works....
Safety Car
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From: Kansas City
Yeah that's one thing to consider. Limited trained service personnel in the USA + parts availability....could mean longer wait times if something more than routine service items goes wrong...
Team Owner
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From: Los Angeles
Ex-OEM King
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From: Minnesnowta
Safety Car
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From: Kansas City
Actually, is there a clause or negotiating tactic you can put into the lease if the car is out a month? i mean it seems complete BS to make payments on a Giulia but you have to drive a friggin Chrysler 300
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Los Angeles
If you bought the car, then i dont know. It is not like they will issue you a refund for 1 or 2 monthly payment... that is never going to happen.
and because of the size of the dealer and inventory availability and also depends on the type of car you have in the shop, I could request a 5 series or even X5 to drive. Usually they give you something close to what you bring in..... but when the car is in the shop for a long time, you can usually get an upgrade.... in that case i dont mind paying the same for something that is more expensive.
I dont think Alfa can afford to do something like that
Last edited by oonowindoo; Nov 13, 2018 at 04:18 PM.
Avoid it. These sell like $10k off the sticker price all the time for a reason. A few of my friends who had hated the experience. They break down a lot, the customer service is amazingly terrible. Doesn't matter if you have a warranty when dealers can't fix the goddamn things.