Down to the Wire 2: Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti vs Q50 sport
 

Today was an AMAZING experience. It's the first time I feel a car of this caliber actually live up to the hype.
The Alfa Romeo... Where do I start? Let's start with the negative.

STEER FEEDBACK = Almost 0.
Unless you're on a super bumpy road, there's almost nothing coming thru your hands. As you know I've ranted for years about electric steering and EVERYTHING wrong with it. Same goes for Alfa but with a major caveat. The seat of the pants communication is second to none. Though this car rides very soft it's also firm in a hard way to explain. But the azz can tell you EVERYTHING the wheels are doing, better than any other car of this type... That's my only real complaint n it's really not a complaint as much as a slight readjustment to how you react to sensations.
Now steering... I typically hate light steering. I love my Z based on the effort you have to put in as you take turns at high rates of speed n so on n so forth.
This car is the first car to make me enjoy light steering. I can't believe I'm even saying this as I write this but... Z steering is perfect for the Z. And Alfa steering is perfect for this application. This thing is SUPERCAR DIRECT. Steering had to come out of the Ferrari steering handbook. I mean, this car on the steering wheel drives like a dream. It becomes very emotional in a good way to engage in traffic. From the steering wheel I say, I've hit, steering feel euphoria in this car. Ok... next.
Pedal responses. Acceleration is near instantaneous. I know all cars have turbo lag. I just expected a 4cylinder to have OBVIOUS turbo lag. Nope... or if it does, the transmission response is so PDK fast, you're losing something in translation. I got the car up to 95mph, and that where you can tell the power is beginning to taper off just a Lil bit. I'm sure if I attempted to go into boost again. I could've gotten a nice second wind to 120mph. I don't know what that top speed is, but if they are pushing 155mph. My guess would be you gonna wait awhile to get there. This is a car where it's power band tops is 130mph. Braking is excellent and ultra responsive and immediate while maintaining smooth stopping power. For just being standard brakes with caliper covers, I'm thoroughly impressed.

Cornering... I was in the AWD model. The AWD truly handled like RWD in the corners and curves. Hitting the curves at 90mph felt a little squirrely but... I believe that was cuz I was on the all season sport trim, not the summer trim.
The Alfa is perfectly balanced. Almost as if, the car engine is in the middle of the car. There's no perceived forward weight in the corners. It just adds to the pleasantry of having such precise steering. I mean, Alfa, you really got this car right. Everything looks, feels and drives right. I'm rooting for this car to be reliable, because ENTHUSIASTS deserve a daily like this.

As I drove this car. I couldn't help but to be reminded of another car, albeit, this is the much more refined, larger, higher quality and sexy version. I was reminded of the Mitsubishi Evo. Yes my brothers & sisters, it's that good. Only thing, it can use more sounds coming out of the exhaust. But that said. It's louder than the Q50 that has a 3.0v6 TT compared to a 2.0 4 banger. Go Nissan! :koolaidwall::facepalm:

Let's compare now.

The Q50 weakness is that shytty 7at. Once u drive a Giulia you realize, transmission wise, infiniti is doing it WRONG. The Q50 strengths over this car would be... in v6 guise, it has more power over 90mph, but the Alfa felt faster going to 60mph.
The option of having a red sport at $47,000 is amazing. The downside is you get a barebones interior at $47,000 in a Red Sport. The Q50 is a nice car, but in my opinion, it takes a lot of losses to the Alfa. Shyt, every four door car under $60,000 takes a back seat to the Alfa Ti Sport. Here's the checklist. At a $50,000 price tag you get.

-The most magnificent steering on this type of car. It rivals Porsche's best.
-you get a ZF that rivals Porsche again.
-balanced handling that would almost make this feel like a 4 door Cayman.
-it's quality rivals the Q50 except, you get panoramic sunroof option, and a screen interface 3 generations ahead of the Q dual screen. The seats are better in the Q though Alfa seats are a close 2nd. I love the quality of both interiors, but right out the gate, the Bose in the infiniti is greater than the Harmon Kardon. But I read you gotta break in the Alfa speakers. That might be the issue. But I think even broken in? I think infinit got that.

The Alfa, kept it gully with heritage paddle shifters where infiniti shamefully went on the cheap. If you own a Z, there's something about an Alfa cockpit that u feel ergonomically more at home. They placed things where they need to be and the buttons are minimal. I suck at tech but the Lil nav controller thingy was responsive and intuitive. Easier to read without reading glasses in the Alfa than the infiniti.

The infiniti drives great but the Alfa is a great car. Once you get up to the Red sport though. That's another story. And at $63,000 loaded. I still rather save $10k more and get a base Giulia QV. I got to sit in one, turn it on and rev it out...

OMG... it's the most emotional car I ever been in while it was PARKED!!!! LMFAO

Are there downsides to the Giulia? The cup holders are literally only good for standard bottles n cups. Lol. N the plastic that makes the cup holder look cheap. I think felt was missing in the center compartment, same in the Q. But the Alfa has a great wallet/ gun compartment on the left side of the car dash.

If you asked me the Giulia made the 300HP Q forgettable. But even though the Giulia is down 120HP, from the Red sport. The thrills you get from driving both get closer. That Red sport power delivery is insane. So it ends up being Brawn vs Balance.

I'm not ready to leap into a Quadrifoglio until we have 3 years of history. That's an expensive car to maintain and I'd be going in blind as to reliability. It's the only reason why I didn't sign on the dotted line on a QV, yet...

However, I will be getting a fully loaded, Giulia Ti Sport RWD. I will make final decisions on colors and specs by labor day. At which point I will order the car. It's the perfect car to compliment a true enthusiast driver. Infiniti is almost there with that Red Sport engine. If they stop being bytches with all that Autonomous crap and focus on drivers cars. They can easily rival a Giulia. I know it. A lot of companies can. They just won't. Thank you Alfa, for bringing this car to the table when everyone else is punkin out. It's a true Italian classic. It's funny. The Alfa weighs 3,500lbs in the Ti. It feels 3,000. Ferrari engineering at its best.

If I can make any more points? I'll add it.

I would have loved to make this comparo against the M2. I thought maybe it could be an apples to oranges review. But the Giulia is so good, I'd compare it to coupes and sedans alike. Handling wise, it can hang with the best of them.
I'm not going to test the 235 cuz I already know you need an M to touch this Alfa. The regular car is that type of good. It's just not as fast as them.

Which year Q50 did you drive? Lots of changes for 2018, especially for the Red Sport - it starts at $51k, but now you get their black alcantara headliner and quilted leather seating with red stitching, nav, memory seats, heated steering wheel and seats, navi, the Q60's steering wheel (and wheel-mounted paddles) and around-view monitor with MOD, FCW, and BSM for standard equipment.

I test drove a 2017 Q60 and 2018 Q50. I didn't really ask too much on the features for the 50. I wanted to see if there was a handling loss. But both 50 and 60 performed exactly the same. Advantage was to the 60 seats and seating position.

Doing research, visiting forums and such. I'm learning how amazing the Giulia actually is...
This car in its "a" setting of the "DNA" drive modes has a highway mileage rating of 33highway, 27 combined & 24 city.

Though down on power by 20HP against a Q50 "sport", it's .4 seconds faster to 60. Yet, the Q50 rates 20 city/29 highway, and a combined mileage of 23.

I find it VERY impressive the Giulia can go faster with less gas, achieving an extra 4 miles to the gallon. But some say they've reached as high as 36 highway, while thus far the Q has reached 30highway.

That's 6mpg in road trip miles, which can average 90 extra miles of travel from a quicker, higher performing vehicle that generally costs less at entry when comparing the competing engine options.

The Giulia definitely has the dual personality advantage of sports car and fuel sipper

Of course these are just individual experiences. But when CO.pared to the mileage ratings it just makes for a better understanding of these cars potential

Congrats! It does sound like you made your choice. I do believe the Alfa is the better car for performance and styling. But personally, I would've probably still bought the Q50. The one important point that sways me is reliability. Alfa Romeo does not have a good track record and I think the FCA influence has made it worse. But, I do say it often....you should always buy what you like and screw the stats.


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Anything Italian, is suspect in terms of electrical gremlins and other things that annoy you. Great designs, great styling....but if its made on Monday or friday....watch out. Monday is hang-over from the weekend and Friday is getting all worked up for the weekend. Now I mean this in a nice way, I've had two Italian motorcycles and might get another one this weekend. The Alfas in the press fleet seems to all have issues with electrical problems and CEL doing random things. I would not use one for a DD. For 50K or so, you can get a nice 997.2 911S.

Most think like you and I understand why. I'm looking at this purchase from abstract aspects.

1. Alfa Romeo was desperate for an American comeback and they KNOW the heart of a comeback being successful is in making a reliable car.

2. The 952 (Giulia), came out in 2015. It took 2 years to bring it here cuz they went over ALL their gremlins with a fine tooth comb before bringing it here.

3. Reliability was concern one from its inception. The conglomerate of engineers they used for this design study from Ferrari, Alfa and input from the Germans make me confident they are trying to build a better product.

4. When you are at the dealer and going thru a $45,000 Alfa. You think you're sitting in a $70,000 car. Though, BMW & Mercedes surpass interior quality, but exterior? It's truly wow! Especially in volcano black, trifecta white, vesuvio grey, rosso competizione (red).

When you're test driving them within a recent time period, with infiniti's gotcha packaging scheme n front heavy handling at 7/10ths.compared to the Alfa's mid engine feel at 7/10ths. It's hard to pass it up.

If at the end of my warranty? I've had obnoxious bugs and issues concerning this car? I'll leave the brand. But if not? Model 2020...

I WILL GET A QUADRIFOGLIO!!

Somebody has to buy them to know if they're reliable or not?
NOTHING drives like it. And as a TRUE auto enthusiast. I gotta.... I just gotta!!! Lol

It is said in the culture. To be a true enthusiast, you have to own at least one Alfa in your lifetime. Lol. So be it!!!

I think I'll keep the electrical options down. I'd rather do that than drive a lesser handling car.

I'd still rather drive a new WARRANTEED Alfa for my money, than trust a 10 year old Porsche with 80,000 miles on it. It sounds like the same gamble. Just one has a warranty n one doesn't.

You also, have to trust the previous owner wasn't trying to do the cannonball run every third Saturday. Lol

I missed this thread before. Congratulations, and WELCOME to the Dark Side!

There is something about the Alfa that will get under your skin. You'll find, on the Giulia forum, several members who bought one after their good experience with the 4C. I think that having this car and the Z in your stable, you have the perfect set (and perhaps a tough decision every day!!!!).

The only caveat is that Alfa (the company) can be a pain to deal with. Some dealerships are amazing, but there are a number that don't get a good rep. Head office in Italy is terrible. Sounds like you found a good store to work with, but don't get frustrated when you don't hear back about the status of your order, delivery date, etc. That's corporate's issue. They just haven't got their head around this whole "communicate with the customer" thing. After all, it's the 1950's, right? ;-) Want to see them have a total breakdown, ask them about the "European Delivery" option. Hint: there isn't one.

But I promise you, once they give you the keys, you'll forget any difficulties you might have had with pre-delivery service.

Now go out and print yourself one of these tee shirts (see attachments), to celebrate!

Lol.... thanks. You are seriously right about which will be the car to choose? The driving experience of the Alfa is second to none. N the Z provides that feel behind the steering wheel that's irreplaceable for a sports car as well. Two different versions of driving perfection.

That ordering process sounds like a nightmare. I've been on my job, checking every Alfa dealership across the country to see if I can find an exact spec Alfa. I'm flexible with colors, but I gotta be on point with the wheel package as Alfa sport package has the SAME EXACT wheel in non-staggered and staggered.
That extra inch of tire will matter. I really want that panoramic sunroof. It adds character to the non clover car.
In the Alfa is be concerned with my tech pkg as I'll use the car to go long distance.

What upsets me is, you have to go Lasso for the seats to recline. I do not want the Alfa as a luxury car. I don't like luxury cars and the chrome accents n loud wheels kill me on the Lusso. Ti sport or bust. But at the same time. This car will be going from Dallas to NY or Dallas to fort Lauderdale often. N this has created quite the dilemma for me. Should I bite the non reclining bullet or what?

It's crazy how when u find perfection, there will always be a caveat to have you in a dilemma. I may buy aftermarket Recaros? This car is too good to pass up!

I decided to run a second test drive of the Q60. My BIGGEST complaint has to be, the lack of connection to the road. And this is not even DAS. I should test drive a DAS back to back but I'm sure it only gets worse. It was pretty bad when I did a while back.

The engine sound is kinda cool, but understated compared to a Z, for sure. I know our Z's are a tad bit raspy, so most cars sound better, but you know what I mean. The Q60, if it's meant to be a sport offering feels incomplete. The MOST impressive thing about it is... acceleration. It handles well, but doesn't put it down in the corners as you're getting no real communication except the seat of your pants. And even that is more limited than say a Giulia. Maybe cuz NASA? They really need to come out with that black sport. And use the hydraulic rack from the AMG GTS.

Something is calling me and telling me... retest the Camaro. Or even possibly buy a 2SS but make a 1LE conversion out of it. And then tune it for 3:36 gears in the automatic? I'd live to do an N/A build with body bracing and 550HP.

Saw one of these on the road last week, very exclusive in the UK.

New Alfa Romeo 4c 1.75 Tbi 2dr Tct

I was considering a QF Alfa for sometime, but still not available locally. Last year I got a Charger SRT 392, it was a strange buy after I looked at luxury sedan segment, couldn't resist the price. I test drove a Q50RS and to be honest I liked the engine but not the chassis, I feel it is over computerized and lack feel. Even the SRT is better from this point of view. I got the SRT on track, so I know what it is capable of, and I think the Q50 wouldn't surpass it especially braking power.

After I read your review, you ignited the interest in 2.0L Alfa, but your drive experience describe the car that I want to be in everyday driving, a much better version or alternative of G35 sedan which I owned and was very happy with it. I will try to drive any model that will arrive locally and maybe next year after looking at all reliability issues will decide.

Was it white?

There's a fairly new member of the 4C forum from Hampshire. Probably his car you clocked.

See also:
http://www.the370z.com/other-vehicle...-romeo-4c.html

;-)