What a day!!
i got told last night that my bosses wife wants the Giulia and as a means of apologising to me he will increase my allowance thus i can get my 2nd choice the 335d x drive.
This morning he told me to go test drive both cars as he might be able to sweeten her up by getting her an E class.
So i did.
I went to St Albans Alfa who have my actual physical car there (white with red leather) and took it for 20 mile test drive.
i felt a little "cold" after.
A great car, drove very nice around the b roads and on the dual carriage way but not a lot better than my 4 year old 320d.
Infact felt older in many ways.
The infotainment is very poor. The dash is very plasticky.
I love the looks, always have done and always will but i feel unless i can afford the QF then the diesel wasnt really for me.
I read all reviews and the test car itself said it also, 40 mpg!!
One funny thing, infact two funny things.
On the test drive the sat nav packed up (i programmed it for my house just to see the ease of use) and had to be reset and the "brake system" light came up which i was told its because the car has not been pdi'd. I thought if the car is not pdi'd then its almost undriveable ie limp mode but anyway, funny how the light came on during test drive not before.
A quick google search showed me a few testers have reported these failings but they can be rectified via a software update. Still........
these little things were playing on my mind and i did not want to be troubled as ill mainly be with my little girl up and down the motorway.
I have gone for the 335d in estoril blue
Stats? 0-60 4.8
313bhp
4 wheel drive and a real world 40 mpg!!
Sorry to write this on an italian car loving forum, the Giulia is a great car it really is but it didnt quite do it for me in a way i thought it would so the idea of putting up with it for 2 years was having a negative impact on my decision.
I would recommend the car still as i feel Alfa are back, a better car than anything they have made in the past in terms of competing with BMW AUDI etc but it doesnt do everything well it just "gets by" whereas the BMW will be faster than a Maserati have 4wd and give me decent economy and hoping for reliability....
I still have a lovely Alfa V6 to use when i need that Italian touch.