Alfa Romeo Giulietta

[156]

Test drove the car awhile ago. Driven and owned predecessors, I must say a tad disappointed on some aspects.

 

But instead of writing whole list of FR, it is best you guys go test drive yourself, individuality and subjective.

 

Only one summary for me: I don't like the new Electric Power Steering, like any Audi, you lost the feel of the road.

 

Key take away (Dislike):

 

- Electric Power Steering

- TCT Gearbox

- No Electric Seats

- Small Boot Space

- No Sat Nav

- No Pedal Shift

- No Audio Control on Steering

- Single Pot Brakes Calipers

- Start/Stop

- Plastic Interior

- No folding Mirrors

 

Enough said, go for Giulietta 1750 QV Manual, period.

 

I agree.

Disappointed after the test drive. But I think this one will sell better in mass market..

 

- Electric Power Steering

- TCT Gearbox

- No Electric Seat not so important for me

- Small Boot Space

- No Sat Nav never like this..I am still using street directory

- No Pedal Shift

- No Audio Control on Steering

- Single Pot Brakes Calipers

- Start/Stop this one can be disabled.

- Plastic Interior

- No folding Mirrors

- Only D mode is drivable

 

Conclusion : i will keep my current bella till end of COE.

But something wierd happen lately on my bella..no more problem for the last 8 months..

I have to check, maybe ws swap a toyota engine during one of the servicing

[Pitbull]

i drove for a few months..the boxy mini like swift 1.5a. old swift no power steering sure got feel.

 

it had e steering but the feel was pretty good.

 

Oh i c. I'm driving a SSS now. One of the main reason i choosed SSS over the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is exactly what you mentioned. I like the heft and feel of the steering though it's a electric system. The steering on the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is almost non-existent, at speed very scary

[Lucaswh]

Oh i c. I'm driving a SSS now. One of the main reason i choosed SSS over the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is exactly what you mentioned. I like the heft and feel of the steering though it's a electric system. The steering on the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is almost non-existent, at speed very scary

 

this one i agree.

[King]

is not call selespeed

 

is call

 

SILLYSPEED

 

how many time i must tell u!

 

ALfa must druve MANUAL!!

KNN!

[Felipe]

Oh i c. I'm driving a SSS now. One of the main reason i choosed SSS over the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is exactly what you mentioned. I like the heft and feel of the steering though it's a electric system. The steering on the 1.5cc Fit/Jazz is almost non-existent, at speed very scary

 

for the driving dynamics of cars in that category, swift beats the rest. even the m2 loses out.

[Felipe]

I agree.

Disappointed after the test drive. But I think this one will sell better in mass market..

 

- Electric Power Steering

- TCT Gearbox

- No Electric Seat not so important for me

- Small Boot Space

- No Sat Nav never like this..I am still using street directory

- No Pedal Shift

- No Audio Control on Steering

- Single Pot Brakes Calipers

- Start/Stop this one can be disabled.

- Plastic Interior

- No folding Mirrors

- Only D mode is drivable

 

Conclusion : i will keep my current bella till end of COE.

But something wierd happen lately on my bella..no more problem for the last 8 months..

I have to check, maybe ws swap a toyota engine during one of the servicing

same here. strange decision by the agent regarding pedal shift. it was in all previous models so it should not be absent. like downgrading when buying new car. how much more will pedal shifts cost...

[Ruykava]

same here. strange decision by the agent regarding pedal shift. it was in all previous models so it should not be absent. like downgrading when buying new car. how much more will pedal shifts cost...

 

And the Malaysian version has launched today! RM178,888 (S$73,000), comes with paddle shift, factory leather, and electric memory seats (see pictures...)

http://paultan.org/2012/05/12/alfa-romeo-g...70-hp-rm178888/

Edited May 12, 2012 by Ruykava

[Gorjiam]

Did I mention at the SG launch, someone accidentally ripped off part of the trim while sitting in the car?

I commented it's an Alfa tradition/character. We laughed. So build quality wise.. the car is still true to Alfa standards.. LOL

[Damienic]

Test drove the car awhile ago. Driven and owned predecessors, I must say a tad disappointed on some aspects.

 

But instead of writing whole list of FR, it is best you guys go test drive yourself, individuality and subjective.

 

Only one summary for me: I don't like the new Electric Power Steering, like any Audi, you lost the feel of the road.

 

Key take away (Dislike):

 

- Electric Power Steering

- TCT Gearbox

- No Electric Seats

- Small Boot Space

- No Sat Nav

- No Pedal Shift

- No Audio Control on Steering

- Single Pot Brakes Calipers

- Start/Stop

- Plastic Interior

- No folding Mirrors

 

Enough said, go for Giulietta 1750 QV Manual, period.

 

am surprised that a car of this level and in this era still do not have folding mirrors. I will nvr buy a car without folding mirrors.

[Felipe]

And the Malaysian version has launched today! RM178,888 (S$73,000), comes with paddle shift, factory leather, and electric memory seats (see pictures...)

http://paultan.org/2012/05/12/alfa-romeo-g...70-hp-rm178888/

If got msia relative in johor, i might as well ask him to buy for me than let lta earn 70k coe

[Felipe]

am surprised that a car of this level and in this era still do not have folding mirrors. I will nvr buy a car without folding mirrors.

Italian cars do miss one or two things sometimes, most impt is the way it drives. I rate pedal shift more impt than fold mirrors

[Le_Stig]

Aside from getting a Giulietta 1750TBI QV Manual given that it is a "manual", I don't see Alfa Romeo going anywhere with the newer models in terms of catering to the expectation of some Alfa Romeo enthusiast. Well, again subjective as some would want to see progression in the brand and technology as well. A contradiction I must say.

 

Alfa Romeo cars are getting too comfortable, too refine, too quiet, too plastic etc etc. From the muscial growl of the Italian V6s and the purr of the Twin Sparks to the sticky interior panels and annoying oil consumptions. Well, we can debate till the cows come home but that said, the brand has seen major shift in strategic plans by Sergio Marchionne and commercialisation within the company to remain profitable in recent years or even the past 2 years. This is not wrong for a company trying to remain competitive in the current automotive market and globalisation/consolidation/M&A efforts of major brands to keep both top and bottom line in check.

 

In my own opinion, from the 159 onwards with the tripartite engine (Alfa Romeo, Holden and GM), Saab chassis and all, the heart and soul has some what reached the end of the road. Similarly for the Mito with the Fiat Punto platform and Giulietta adapting Bravo platform. But give Alfa Romeo the credit, the technical aspect is much better than the Fiats (no pun intended to Fiat owners). I test drove a Bravo Turbo years ago and compared to the Giulietta, the Giulietta fair so much better especially the torque steer was significally improved.

 

In retrospect, this move also created a new breed of owners and changed perspective of reliability, longevity and design of the brand. In short, catered to the masses and when things are mass produced for global market for example Alfa Romeo's latest strategy with Chrysler and US penetration, we tend to see that acquired taste enthusiast like myself would see a turn for other brands in time to come or perhaps looking back at the predecessors of Alfa Romeo as an avenue of obtaining the 'heart and soul" fix. There is always this saying, you win some, you lose some.

 

Perhaps the AR classics may see an appreciation in prices in years to come such as the final authentic Alfa Romeos, 147/156/GT.

[Enrique]

It's strange my Punto shares parts with 145/146/147/155/156.

[Enrique]

repeated post.

Edited May 20, 2012 by Enrique

[Timbuktu]

I sit inside the new Guiletta.

Not like Alfa Romeo lah.

Neber test drive.

[Felipe]

i wonder though if this new approach will win it sales. from what i see, looks like those who buy are still the usual alfa fans (tolerant and irrational). i don't see bmw or other brand drivers saying they like these new alfas.

 

my take is it's still better for alfa to be itself rather than follow global market trends. the 156 was nothing like the trend then and it was the best selling alfa saloon in history. sometimes, u'll just be surprised being yourself makes u stand out more.

[Ber84]

Test driven the new Guiletta yesterday.

 

Waited 2 weeks before im free to visit the show room.

 

Very impressed by the exterior design! But the interior was a letdown.

 

Took the back seat and it's above the same size as VW polo. (Must as well get VW polo sports/GTI)

 

The boot is smaller than VW Golf too.

 

Must agree that the 170HP is good. Fuel consumption is actually not better as stated in the forum than VW polo as Guiletta's engine stop everytime! (Very prone to battery failure)

 

Visited hyuandai on their volester too (good outside, terrible inside)

 

 

[Vhtfhwlego]

Hi to the test driver today at lengkee....

 

Hope that you would sign the sale agreement n be a Alfa fan!