The new Alfa Romeo Giulia

ZCanadian

Yes, Alfa left these shores about a generation ago due in part to quality problems. Seems to me, another manufacturer was in a similar situation about 10 years prior. They essentially kept selling here but changed the brand name to lose the baggage. What was that make again? I can't quite put my finger on it ;-) . And quite frankly, they still have a quality problem. Can you say "CSC" on our cars, or transmissions on GT-R's? How about transmission cooling issues on Frontier/Xterra? Ignition systems on Sentra? Nissan just walks away from those like a dog away from a turd, and somehow gets away with it.

In 1996, Alfa was a bloated, government-owned car maker concerned with keeping unions happy at the expense of the taxpayer and the customer. Now, it's one of the big hopes of growth for FCA (though it's never going to materialize in numbers that matter).

The MiTo and Giulietta, cars we've never seen in N. America, have actually a pretty good rating as far as long term quality goes. In a much different league than the new lineup from Alfa Romeo, no question there.

As for the Consumer Reports article, I don't know. I only pick that rag up when I run out of toilet paper. I've never had a use for it, and am surprised any thinking person does. Perhaps just this time because it supported your point? I could understand that.