[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

For whatever reason, looks like a Pontiac to me!

Agreed! They are inspirations to one another.

[goj]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Agreed! They are inspirations to one another.

I don't get this

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by goj

I don't get this

Yep....wasn't what I was referring to either.

Look at the front grille of the Alfa and the Pontiac Logo in that top picture.

[Firaxis]

My other half is going to look at a Jeep this weekend, it's a joint Jeep / Alfa showroom. So I'll have a test drive for what it's worth, but I have a fair few reservations.

Where I live it costs near enough about the same as 240i (this is for the 200HP Speciale), because of residuals the finance deals are pretty poor, the 280 hasn't been released around many places in Europe and again you could get a 240i.!!

Last criticism, IMO they should of made it look like a modern version of it's predecessor. I had one of these and my word inside and out it was gorgeous and even if you don't think so it was at least something different:

[vinny84]

Test drove a Giulia Ti yesterday with Sport Package

Man, this thing rocks! So much fun to drive. I was doing well over double the speed limit on the back roads just about the entire time and it felt like it wanted more. I currently DD a 320i so maybe that's some of the reason or maybe it's my inner Ferrari love

I liked everything about it, looks, steering feel, visibility, interior, seats. Brakes also felt responsive and had a nice grip.

Their "iDrive" is also similar to BMW as the Saleswomen said the same companies worked on it. The maps look a little dull, BMW wins there, but can be lived with.

This car is pretty much fully loaded at $48k. I think they hit it out of the park. It's really that good of a chassis.

My lease on my 3er is up in January '18. I'm still considering an X3, now an X4 M40i and the Alfa Stelvio. Going to be a hard choice this fall!

Interesting info: The saleswomen also told me engineers that worked on the LaFerrari worked on the Giulia as their next project. If true, that's pretty interesting info.

[AudiA4]

Originally Posted by vinny84

Test drove a Giulia Ti yesterday with Sport Package

Man, this thing rocks! So much fun to drive. I was doing well over double the speed limit on the back roads just about the entire time and it felt like it wanted more. I currently DD a 320i so maybe that's some of the reason or maybe it's my inner Ferrari love

I liked everything about it, looks, steering feel, visibility, interior, seats. Brakes also felt responsive and had a nice grip.

Their "iDrive" is also similar to BMW as the Saleswomen said the same companies worked on it. The maps look a little dull, BMW wins there, but can be lived with.

This car is pretty much fully loaded at $48k. I think they hit it out of the park. It's really that good of a chassis.

My lease on my 3er is up in January '18. I'm still considering an X3, now an X4 M40i and the Alfa Stelvio. Going to be a hard choice this fall!

Interesting info: The saleswomen also told me engineers that worked on the LaFerrari worked on the Giulia as their next project. If true, that's pretty interesting info.

I test drove one yesterday as well. Unfortunately, it was just north, and then back south on some freeway access roads, so no back-road twisties. I generally liked it as well, especially the interior, but honestly, I didn't get the sense - like I did the first time I drove the ATS - that the chassis was just electric. Maybe my expectations were too high, or perhaps just the mundane route didn't highlight the handling...not sure. Overall, I did like the car, if for no other reason that it will be unique on the road.

p.s. I'm also disappointed that they don't have a mid-range performance model. There's this "base" Ti (turbo 4) for ±$45K and the "high performance" (turbo 6) for $80K....seriously, nothing in between for the 340/S4 crowd?

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by AudiA4

I test drove one yesterday as well. Unfortunately, it was just north, and then back south on some freeway access roads, so no back-road twisties. I generally liked it as well, especially the interior, but honestly, I didn't get the sense - like I did the first time I drove the ATS - that the chassis was just electric. Maybe my expectations were too high, or perhaps just the mundane route didn't highlight the handling...not sure. Overall, I did like the car, if for no other reason that it will be unique on the road.

p.s. I'm also disappointed that they don't have a mid-range performance model. There's this "base" Ti (turbo 4) for ±$45K and the "high performance" (turbo 6) for $80K....seriously, nothing in between for the 340/S4 crowd?

Yeah my saleswomen asked me Highway or back roads. I instantly replied back back roads with my grin

Shame you only drove on the highway. This car shines through the corners.

I can somewhat agree on engine options but honestly, owning a M235i previously, this car was plenty of fun on the road and I'm sure another 20hp through a flash could help it some. They just want to get back in the US market and that they did. It's definitely on my radar for my next DD.

[That340i]

It may drive good.......... but to me in terms of looks ANY 3 series BMW looks better IMO. Even though I was considering one still didn't think it looks better than a 3 series.

[wilbur_the_goose]

I think the Alfa is really ugly. Like I posted earlier, it looks like an Edsel, and that's not a good thing.

[Zirenz2006]

Test drove a Ti today with sport package and was very impressed. I thought it was fun to drive and I quite like the looks in person. They had a blue one which was very sharp.

Interior was nice, the integration of the Nav screen was nice. The map graphics are not on par with BMW but they are fine. I would give this car serious consideration; I need to drive one again.

[insanecoder]

The more I look at the Giulia's #s the better my impression.. I mean 280hp in the lowest model.. quite tempting at that price point and it looks like it handles very well.
So it comes down to the looks which like the ugly Lexus grilles would be a game-breaker for me..
if they fix the Giulia's looks they might get closer to a potential 3-alternative here

I mean the owl look may be ok in red (maybe) but man it dont look good in the other colors

[Takumi587]

Just added a Giulia to the stable today! Really fun car and it feels really light when driving. Power is immediate as well and feels dare I say it faster than my 535i with all the M sport goodies. Got a Vula black with red interior sport package. Don't get me wrong I love the 3 series but the Giulia is quite the contender. It doesn't help that everyone in LA owns a 3 series already as well so the Giulia to me is more unique. Standard sound system is hundred times better than BMWs hifi system too.

Few Pictures:

[AudiA4]

^^^ Congrats on the Giulia! I like it as well. Please keep us up to date on this thread with your impressions as you get to know the car!

[S.BMW23]

Congrats man. Give us proper review when you get a chance

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Just added a Giulia to the stable today! Really fun car and it feels really light when driving. Power is immediate as well and feels dare I say it faster than my 535i with all the M sport goodies. Got a Vula black with red interior sport package. Don't get me wrong I love the 3 series but the Giulia is quite the contender. It doesn't help that everyone in LA owns a 3 series already as well so the Giulia to me is more unique. Standard sound system is hundred times better than BMWs hifi system too.

Few Pictures:

Congrats!

I think that would be the combo I would go with as well. Alfa isn't making this easy for me haha

[Zirenz2006]

Congrats! The one I test drove was that combo.

I'm going back to do another test drive this weekend.

[otay]

Funny story. Had some time to kill Saturday after dropping off my daughter for music lesson, so I went to the nearby Audi dealer to drive the new A4. But they did not have an A4 with Sport package to drive. Not sure what's up with that, but anyway...

The sales guy was pretty sharp, knew more about cars than the average sales person at a dealer. We chatted for a while about different cars, then he let on that after many years of A5s, A6s and S4s...he just picked up a Giulia.

He had it parked in the farthest corner of the lot. It's a Ti model with the Sport Plus (19" wheel) package. Very sharp...black with red interior.

As mentioned in my earlier post, I really enjoyed the Giulia test drive. Very nimble and plenty quick.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Just added a Giulia to the stable today! ...

Congratulations, I think it's gorgeous, and most agree it's pretty good ride.
Hope it serves you well, enjoy.

[Lost Horizon]

I had a new 1750 Spider Veloce (European version) in Germany when I lived there from '69 to 72. Drove it everywhere in Europe, from brand new to over 200,000k's. After reading this thread, might check the new version out, as the local BMW dealer has a franchise.

In 1969, it was a great car. Loved it. Dunno about the new one vs the bimmer tho.

[InControl]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Just added a Giulia to the stable today! Really fun car and it feels really light when driving. Power is immediate as well and feels dare I say it faster than my 535i with all the M sport goodies. Got a Vula black with red interior sport package. Don't get me wrong I love the 3 series but the Giulia is quite the contender. It doesn't help that everyone in LA owns a 3 series already as well so the Giulia to me is more unique. Standard sound system is hundred times better than BMWs hifi system too.

Few Pictures:

Congrats. I'd seriously consider the sport model when it comes here in a stick shift. Can you elaborate on driving dynamics - no offense but 535i sport is a luxo barge so your comparison to it doesnt explain the feel to me.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Takumi587

Just added a Giulia to the stable today! Really fun car and it feels really light when driving. Power is immediate as well and feels dare I say it faster than my 535i with all the M sport goodies. Got a Vula black with red interior sport package. Don't get me wrong I love the 3 series but the Giulia is quite the contender. It doesn't help that everyone in LA owns a 3 series already as well so the Giulia to me is more unique. Standard sound system is hundred times better than BMWs hifi system too.

Few Pictures:

Congrats! Did they work with you on the price of the car? Down to MSRP? Under?

[Takumi587]

Originally Posted by InControl

Congrats. I'd seriously consider the sport model when it comes here in a stick shift. Can you elaborate on driving dynamics - no offense but 535i sport is a luxo barge so your comparison to it doesnt explain the feel to me.

I'll write more feedback as I do more time at the wheel with it. However, based on my initial drives compared to the 3 series the Alfa Romeo feels much lighter and planted on turns. Whenever you turn the wheel in the Alfa Romeo at standstill you can feel the car lean to one side... if that makes sense? The 3 series I didn't feel it as significantly. Anyways, it's definitely different in many aspects but to me still provides that sporty joy of driving like the 3 series does.

As a heads up I bought the car for my wife. We looked at the 340i M-sport, IS 350 F sport, and C300. She loved the Alfa Romeo when she saw it and drove it. She said she didn't get that feeling when she saw the others. I felt the same way. To me it was between the 3 and Alfa.

I personally have been meaning to trade my 535i for an M3 F80 but ever since the refresh coming up mid year I am waiting. However, driving this base Giulia has me considering the Quadrofoglio now especially with all these reviews saying the Quadrofoglio is good.