Not loving the Giulietta - would you change?

[mangos]

Deciding we needed a 5 door car due to impending arrival of our first child, we went car shopping in December.

We had around £8k to spend and didn't want to go down the route of getting something old and boring and we had always lusted after Alfas. So we ended up with a 63 plate Alfa Giulietta Collezione.

The car in general is lovely to look at, and the twin turbo 1.4 engine is swift enough.

I just don't love it. Its not a very well laid out cabin and I am finding that I am missing the comfort of a left foot rest next to the clutch pedal and a bottom mounted throttle that I have had on previous Golfs and BMW's.

We have had it now 5 months and although it does the job, I am not feeling like I will be changing my mind on the car, especially with it still having niggles that the dealers aren't wanting to sort or not very helpful at sorting.

I have started to look at changing it for a Golf Mk6 GT. Trade in values for the Alfa is around £7k and that would get me a 2009 Golf.

Would you look to change in this situation? It seems a lot of money for a much older car, but I can see why Alfa's have such higher depreciation...

[steve-5snwi]

If you don't like it then i would change it, although i'm not sure i would go for a Golf, the Leon is a better value car. Having said that the Focus would make a nice family car but you will still lose the floor mounted pedal.

[tomble22]

Do you have any requirements economy wise? Worth looking at a Mk5 Golf GTI or is that too old? I've had a lot of cars (ask the wife!!) and I've come back to the GTI 3 times, fantastic car!!

[seadragon]

Hard one with regards to what else to go for.

I have had mostly VWs and Seats, but am currently on a mk7 Golf R estate. I personally don't like the look of the Guilietta at all, unless you get one of the sporty looking ones, otherwise it looks a bit tame/girly, no offense.

As per other comments, you could get a decent mk6 or 5 golf or a Seat Leon FR or something like that and you will be fine. The VW is slightly more luxurious in look and feel, but both good cars if you like the more Spartan/minimalistic type look.

Your budget might be a challenge, but you could get a Seat Exeo, they are pretty good and get the ST spec one which looks pretty sweet, but I think they only come in diesel, cant remember

[steve-5snwi]

Exeo is available as a petrolbut is that rare you are more likely to find a T. rex in your local park

[NorthernSky]

Get a Brera V6 for around 5-6k, a good child seat for the babe, and enjoy yourself.