[5ilver-5amurai]

Looking at Canadian pricing and I'm a little confused by their strategy...I still can't decide if it's brilliant or terrible.

53k for a base 4 cylinder that pumps out 280hp
97k for a base full-fat V6 with 505hp

There is a market in between those two that BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have some very solid cars nestled in - 300-400hp 6 cylinder turbos.

Looking at the Canadian market, a lot of car can be had for 55k. A sub-300hp I-4 wouldn't be at the top of my list.

[Patel511]

http://www.grandtournation.com/3044/...erfect-nd3687/

Jeremy Clarkson's review of the Alfa! Worth a watch

[paul e]

No manual available -no big surprise - so zero interest.

I read yesterday that the A4 will have an optional manual after all - think there was some blowback from the original "no manual available" (if they follow through)?

[otay]

Originally Posted by paul e

No manual available -no big surprise - so zero interest.

I read yesterday that the A4 will have an optional manual after all - think there was some blowback from the original "no manual available" (if they follow through)?

I'm on the fence about getting a manual next time, but I've seen that you can configure an A4 with manual on the US website now.

I'm interested in both the A4 and the Alfa Giulia Ti. Both of these show great MSRP (and lease prices) as compared to a 330i with M Sport and Track Package. None of these have nav or much extra tech... I tried to configure all to be roughly the same.
Alfa ~$45.5k
Audi ~$47.2k
330i ~$52.2k

The Alfa has a carbon fiber drive shaft, and the price above includes mechanical LSD in the Performance package! Although it doesn't appear that you get any sort of active suspension on the Ti, just the Quadrifoglio. I'm OK with no active suspension as long as it's tuned right.

Anyway...BMW needs to get their sh!t together on pricing.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by otay

I'm on the fence about getting a manual next time, but I've seen that you can configure an A4 with manual on the US website now.

I'm interested in both the A4 and the Alfa Giulia Ti. Both of these show great MSRP (and lease prices) as compared to a 330i with M Sport and Track Package. None of these have nav or much extra tech... I tried to configure all to be roughly the same.
Alfa ~$45.5k
Audi ~$47.2k
330i ~$52.2k

The Alfa has a carbon fiber drive shaft, and the price above includes mechanical LSD in the Performance package! Although it doesn't appear that you get any sort of active suspension on the Ti, just the Quadrifoglio. I'm OK with no active suspension as long as it's tuned right.

Anyway...BMW needs to get their sh!t together on pricing.

Actually the performance package comes with active suspension and LSD.

[otay]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Actually the performance package comes with active suspension and LSD.

Uh...yep, I see that now.

Looks like a bargain. Local dealer has 2 Ti's, but neither have the performance package.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

C&D High performance sport sedan road test shootout

1. Alfa Quadrifoglio
2. MB AMG C63S
3. BMW M3
4. Caddy ATS-V

Those ratings are always tricky to read.
Here's one that doesn't quite agree, for whatever it's worth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT8LrA21vuo

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by dkmesa

The Sport Package Giulia Ti apparently looks just like the Quadrafoglio. I think they look stunning, but where they're positioned they have a 330i competitor and a M3 competitor, where 340i is the sweet spot for me.

I completely agree. The Quadrafoglio would be a sweet car, but its precious at $80K (high range M territory), and anchoring the other end is a 328/330 competitor. That's a WIDE gap in performance. It's regrettable they don't have mid-range 340-like option. If they did, I wouldn't be able to drive to the Alpha dealer fast enough!

p.s. I agree with another poster that the one aesthetic weakness of the Giulia is its side profile...very ordinary.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by paul e

No manual available -no big surprise - so zero interest.

Agreed.

[rolltidef32]

Have to say that although I'm not likely to buy one, the 1. Alfa Quadrifoglio, is a beast that is likely get before an ///M3, and I never thought I'd ever say such a thing.

I do have to agree with others that the standard car really isn't that remarkable to look at without that Quad body kit and wheels. This is important because Italian cars are all about the style and cool factor. Performance is there, but is it cool?

I love the competition on price and performance and hope it causes BMW to get serious on performance like with the F30 LCI.

The reality is that this is an Italian car, so build quality will be spotty and resale value will be poor. A good car to lease if someone wants to give it a try.

[RoundelM3]

An Italian car is like an Italian woman...exceedingly beautiful, but with a temper and very high-maintenance. Alfa hasn't had a mid-size car to sell in the US since they dropped out of the US market in the 90s when their products wouldn't sell and had terrible quality and reliability problems.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by roundel335

An Italian car is like an Italian woman...exceedingly beautiful, but with a temper and very high-maintenance.

So true! Watch out for the flying wooden spoon!!

[X2 Monstah]

I'll be checking one out when my lease end nears (2+ years).

[Gamb1t]

My brother in law was an Alfa fan for years. He had different Alfa Romeos. I think he's a bit of a masochist as these Alfa defines the word UNRELIABLE. Once he took us out on the Sepang F1 track and after 1 lap his 156 started blowing steam and went into limp mode. Of the three Alfas he had, I only sat in one whenever we visited. They are always "in the shop for...." So we got shuttled around in my sister's Honda CRV instead. Yeah the irony.

Personally I think this Giulia is gorgeous as are most Alfas tend to be. Frankly they stand out in aesthetics from the teutonic offerings. However if it is truly like the Italian cars of old, then do be ready to assume the position.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by roundel335

An Italian car is like an Italian woman...exceedingly beautiful, but with a temper and very high-maintenance. Alfa hasn't had a mid-size car to sell in the US since they dropped out of the US market in the 90s when their products wouldn't sell and had terrible quality and reliability problems.

The difference being, you can scr*w the woman, while the Alfa will scr$w you.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

What's left of the manuals are equivalent to the last of the dying dinosaurs heading to the big tar pit.

A bit of fun, a bit of nostalgia but lacking the performance of the 8ZF & 7DCT. You want to play get a MT but if you want to win get a modern transmission.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

My brother in law was an Alfa fan for years. He had different Alfa Romeos. I think he's a bit of a masochist as these Alfa defines the word UNRELIABLE. Once he took us out on the Sepang F1 track and after 1 lap his 156 started blowing steam and went into limp mode. Of the three Alfas he had, I only sat in one whenever we visited. They are always "in the shop for...." So we got shuttled around in my sister's Honda CRV instead. Yeah the irony.

Personally I think this Giulia is gorgeous as are most Alfas tend to be. Frankly they stand out in aesthetics from the teutonic offerings. However if it is truly like the Italian cars of old, then do be ready to assume the position.

Back in the last century during the '60's I road as a navigator (slide rule & stop watches) for a TSD rally series in an ALFA Veloce Spyder.

The car answered the call for 4 seasons with no DNF's. Was also used as a DD by the owner. Think quality is something that will need to be seen in the new car. IIRC the BMW 3 series had a crap reputation when the 3.0 turbo was released.

It lasted quite a few years into 2011 before the car actually recovered, took its reputation a bit longer to recover & is still invoked on other brand sites.

[CalCarNut]

Configured one for fun...cheap at $45K with perf package, sport package etc.

[Y0tsuya]

There's too big a gap between the QV and the next model down though. I could do with less boost at 400hp. And they need to put in a manual before I seriously consider it.

[Tommy_hf]

And better materials inside. Switch gear is horribly thin and feels like it will last... less than a year. Shifter paddles are enormous and block the path between the steering wheel and the already uncomfortably large gap to the steering column stalks. The owl-drive controller is placed quite far back making it an unergonomic button. It's just not as well designed as the average german. And then there's the resale... .which will add up to the cost of ownership.

[madmonkey]

I will reserve final judgement for when I see it at the Toronto auto show

[CalCarNut]

One I saw at a Classic Auto Show; The Alfa club had this one there for fun...(classics in background)...

Funny..one of the classics was leaking fluid on the floor lol..