Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2010 -21
Discussion
Following on from a question in the Car Buying forum, I'm wondering about a Giulietta as a more modern and potentially more usable "classic"
But I have absolutely no idea on the range, which is the most expensive to run (VED etc) which is the best trim, which the best for performance etc are the petrol engined cars better balanced than the diesel etc.
Anyone able to offer any advice?
Thanks in advance.
But I have absolutely no idea on the range, which is the most expensive to run (VED etc) which is the best trim, which the best for performance etc are the petrol engined cars better balanced than the diesel etc.
Anyone able to offer any advice?
Thanks in advance.
I have a 2017 Giulietta with the 1.4 Multiair engine, originally it was offered as Euro 5 170PS, then they updated it to Euro 6 with 150PS.
Multiair units can fail, usually due to wrong oil, MA filter not being changed and not being driven "hard" but mines a facelift so has a "Gen 2" Multiair unit so more reliable.
150ps isn't enough, I've had mined tuned by Celtic tuning on their rolling road at 205ps and it goes a lot better now.
Mines a "speciale" so has a lot of carbon bits, and also has the Quadrifoglio wheels, brakes etc and factory bucket seat, it feels nice to drive and doesn't have electronic driver aids which annoy me.
Multiair units can fail, usually due to wrong oil, MA filter not being changed and not being driven "hard" but mines a facelift so has a "Gen 2" Multiair unit so more reliable.
150ps isn't enough, I've had mined tuned by Celtic tuning on their rolling road at 205ps and it goes a lot better now.
Mines a "speciale" so has a lot of carbon bits, and also has the Quadrifoglio wheels, brakes etc and factory bucket seat, it feels nice to drive and doesn't have electronic driver aids which annoy me.
We had a 2010 1.4 170 for 3.5 years or so and it was a good car. It was Veloce spec, so had a sunroof, heated seats and looked a little more sporty. It was practical, nippy enough, mechanically reliable and cheap to run. We sold it to my father in law and he loves it.
It did over 40mpg on a run and over 30mpg short trips around town.
However...
The electrics were a little odd. Towards the end of its time with us, the rear wiper would wipe as soon as the car started or reverse was selected. At first it was like an excited puppy wagging it's tail, but it quickly became irritating. I sense this is a wiring issue and not uncommon! The driver's heated seat just stopped heating and the radio aerial was very weak, again not uncommon and more irritations.
Halogen headlights were very weak, no matter what bulbs I used and what ordination the bulbs went in. They are a bugger to fit and technically the bumper is meant to come off, but it can be done without.
The seats are not comfortable on long journeys. The heated seat helped to sooth the aches, but check for comfort on test drives.
Overall, it was a good car and they do get under your skin a little. Lots of character and so very cheap compared to the competition, but not as polished as a German or Korean option.
It did over 40mpg on a run and over 30mpg short trips around town.
However...
The electrics were a little odd. Towards the end of its time with us, the rear wiper would wipe as soon as the car started or reverse was selected. At first it was like an excited puppy wagging it's tail, but it quickly became irritating. I sense this is a wiring issue and not uncommon! The driver's heated seat just stopped heating and the radio aerial was very weak, again not uncommon and more irritations.
Halogen headlights were very weak, no matter what bulbs I used and what ordination the bulbs went in. They are a bugger to fit and technically the bumper is meant to come off, but it can be done without.
The seats are not comfortable on long journeys. The heated seat helped to sooth the aches, but check for comfort on test drives.
Overall, it was a good car and they do get under your skin a little. Lots of character and so very cheap compared to the competition, but not as polished as a German or Korean option.
1750 Tbi for the last 4 years now.
It's an Alfa so all bets are off but mine has had some of the "usual" Giulietta problems :
Weird electricalness at the rear - always the tailgate harnesses. Fractionally too short really and over time breakages begin and produce all sorts of problems - lighting, wiper park, tailgate unlock etc.
Poor radio reception - usually the antenna base but can be related to the harness issue above (power for some versions of the antenna runs through the n/side loom)
It is rumoured that the harness can "backfeed" and play havoc with the BCM (or "fusebox" as we used to call it). Mine*probably* did but sorted by a specialist who had seen it all before.
HVAC problems - usually blows hot one side and cold the other. It can be reset using an arcane and occult sequence of button presses but when that fails to resolve the issue its flap motor time.
Mechanically, it's been robust - no faults to report, only the usual service items have been required
I've run Alfas for decades and am accustomed to their behaviours and will be having another TBi but, like Clarkson, i wouldn't recommend one to a friend. I now know specifically what has been most problematic for me and so know what to look out for when buying.
It's an Alfa so all bets are off but mine has had some of the "usual" Giulietta problems :
Weird electricalness at the rear - always the tailgate harnesses. Fractionally too short really and over time breakages begin and produce all sorts of problems - lighting, wiper park, tailgate unlock etc.
Poor radio reception - usually the antenna base but can be related to the harness issue above (power for some versions of the antenna runs through the n/side loom)
It is rumoured that the harness can "backfeed" and play havoc with the BCM (or "fusebox" as we used to call it). Mine*probably* did but sorted by a specialist who had seen it all before.
HVAC problems - usually blows hot one side and cold the other. It can be reset using an arcane and occult sequence of button presses but when that fails to resolve the issue its flap motor time.
Mechanically, it's been robust - no faults to report, only the usual service items have been required
I've run Alfas for decades and am accustomed to their behaviours and will be having another TBi but, like Clarkson, i wouldn't recommend one to a friend. I now know specifically what has been most problematic for me and so know what to look out for when buying.
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