Possible New Alfa Owner

TonyGr · #1 (**Post Link**) 15-12-11

Hi there. I am a 64 year old retired Civil Engineer and at present drive a Xsara VTS which is 9 years old and is starting to present reliability issues. I have looked around at replacements with similar performance and top of the list, according to my heart, is the Giulietta. However according to my head a more sensible (ie cheaper) solution is to get a Skoda Octavia (shame I know and I am trying hard not to listen).

I have just joined the forum because I may buy a Giulietta. At present I drive a Xsara VTS which is 9 years old and is starting to present reliability issues. I have looked around at replacements with similar performance and top of the list, according to my heart, is the Giulietta. However according to my head a more sensible (ie cheaper) solution is to get a Skoda Octavia (shame I know and I am trying hard not to listen).

However I have a couple of question one of which is technical which I have posted in the appropriate area but the other is more general.

For my sins I live in Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire and wondered what Lincolnshire based owners do about Dealer support. According to the Alfa website dealer locator, between Peterborough and Teesside there is only one dealer, Stoneacre at Doncaster and they are service only. For me the nearest sales dealership is either Sheffield or Chesterfield which are both a 100 mile round trip and services would involve a near 50 miles and perhaps, more importantly, having to hang around on the outskirts of Doncaster while the service is carried out.

It seems that Alfa UK have almost abandoned Lincolnshire and East/North Yorkshire.

Should I let this influence a decision to buy a Giulietta?

Nige005 · #2 (**Post Link**) 15-12-11

You have my views in your " Welcome " Post Tony, think that you'll get a few more here.

Sparkplug155 · #3 (**Post Link**) 15-12-11

Hi Tony

I live in Scotton so not far from Scunthorpe.

My current Brera and MiTo before that were bought from Chris Variava in Nottingham. I was probably lucky but the Mito never had to go back to the dealer and as I changed it just before it was due its first service at 2yrs it never went in for any maintenance.
Quite a few of us use BLS in Lincoln as a specialist for Alfa's. Phil & Tom were Alfa Mechanics who set up their own place many years ago. They have all the latest diagnostics and know all about Alfa's old and new. In fact I took my Brera there last week just for an oil change using Selina oil and Alfa filter. According to the service schedule it could have gone until next November but I decided on the oil change as a precaution.
BLS are not the only independents in the area.
I believe Martin who lives in Scunthorpe uses Piccadilly nr Knaresborough and then borrows one of their cars for a day out in the dales when he has a service.
Give me a pm if you want my email/phone number

Mike

TonyGr · #4 (**Post Link**) 15-12-11

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the info. Making a day out of it seems a good idea. The eldest son and family live at Chesterfield so Autoworld might be an option.
I live just off Scotter Road after you pass ASDA. Is there not an independent Alfa Garage in Burringham? If you use BLS for an interim service (annual oil change if low mileage) how does that affect the warranty?
At present my ideas are still nebulus. The present car has been great and is still a good drive but....... it's engine cost me a packet in Italy this year(broke a valve spring so the head had to come off and they replaced all 16 spring sets as well as a valve and the coil packs had been replaced as that was originally thought to be the problem) and then had to have a refurbished back axle when we got home . So now I am doubtful about reliability. Probably unnecessarily but trust and confidence are difficult to pin down.

Tony

Sparkplug155 · #5 (**Post Link**) 16-12-11

I have sent you an email

Mike

jillyflower · #6 (**Post Link**) 17-12-11

Hi Tony

One piece of advice......DON'T touch Donalds in Peterborough

KrisE · #7 (**Post Link**) 17-12-11

Originally Posted by jillyflower

One piece of advice......DON'T touch Donalds in Peterborough

I drove past there on Thursday and I didn't see a single Alfa outside it for sale, they seem to want to sell Mazda and non franchise cars more

solviken · #8 (**Post Link**) 18-12-11

Tony,
I wouldn't worry about dealers. Mito has only been back to Chris Variava once in 18 months. And that was for it's first service.

TonyGr · #9 (**Post Link**) 19-12-11

Thanks for the comments. Being in the very north of Lincolnshire Peterborough is not a logical place to come. If I did I think I would find it much changed from when I started my career there in 1967/72 with Mitchell Construction (if anybody remembers them).

rossogtv · #10 (**Post Link**) 11-01-12

Originally Posted by TonyGr

Hi there. I am a 64 year old retired Civil Engineer and at present drive a Xsara VTS which is 9 years old and is starting to present reliability issues. I have looked around at replacements with similar performance and top of the list, according to my heart, is the Giulietta. However according to my head a more sensible (ie cheaper) solution is to get a Skoda Octavia (shame I know and I am trying hard not to listen).

I have just joined the forum because I may buy a Giulietta. At present I drive a Xsara VTS which is 9 years old and is starting to present reliability issues. I have looked around at replacements with similar performance and top of the list, according to my heart, is the Giulietta. However according to my head a more sensible (ie cheaper) solution is to get a Skoda Octavia (shame I know and I am trying hard not to listen).

However I have a couple of question one of which is technical which I have posted in the appropriate area but the other is more general.

For my sins I live in Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire and wondered what Lincolnshire based owners do about Dealer support. According to the Alfa website dealer locator, between Peterborough and Teesside there is only one dealer, Stoneacre at Doncaster and they are service only. For me the nearest sales dealership is either Sheffield or Chesterfield which are both a 100 mile round trip and services would involve a near 50 miles and perhaps, more importantly, having to hang around on the outskirts of Doncaster while the service is carried out.

It seems that Alfa UK have almost abandoned Lincolnshire and East/North Yorkshire.

Should I let this influence a decision to buy a Giulietta?

I, like you ,had the same thought process nearly 3 years ago now when I bought my car.As you rightly say Alfa have abandoned this part of the world ,albeit a new Dealer has opened up in Sheffield recently (I regularly state the fact on their website).However, as some folks have alluded to,and contrary to public perception, most modern Alfa's don't spend all their time laid up in Dealerships!
I did have some minor issues after buying my car which meant returning to the Main Dealer and they are based in Knaresborough.......Although this is a very easy trip from here.
They were/are very good and since then I have only needed to return for servicing.I find them extremely helpful and accomodating and have lent me various cars to enjoy a blast around the local area whilst my car was with them,usually making a day of it with my Wife.If you would like to PM me I would be more than happy to discuss more details about my experiences with you.Good luck with your decision.
Martin

TonyGr · #11 (**Post Link**) 11-01-12

Martin,

Many thanks for that. I thought about Autoworld at Chesterfield because the eldest son and family live there but Knaresborough is about the same distance and a recommendation is always worth having

rossogtv · #12 (**Post Link**) 11-01-12

Tony,

I initially visited Autoworld (friend bought an Abarth) however when it came down to the 'nitty gritty' they were not competitive on price,also I was recommended to Piccadilly !! I do see though, that having Family near Chesterfield is tempting. It usually takes me (depending on traffic) about 75 mins to get to the Dealers ,door to door.
As a matter of interest where is the Skoda Dealer locally, Hull?

Martin

TonyGr · #13 (**Post Link**) 11-01-12

Skoda is Hayselden, Doncaster. As far as price is concerned I intended using the internet (Broadspeed or Autoebid). I can only afford it if I don't pay list price

rossogtv · #14 (**Post Link**) 12-01-12

My own experience of the Cloverleaf Guilietta price wise ,was that there was very little room for discount on the car.However that was when the model was brand new and dealers were a bit precious about them ! I would think times have changed somewhat ,given the current economic climate.

TonyGr · #15 (**Post Link**) 12-01-12

Martin,
Autoebid are currently suggesting a saving of £2660 on the MA Lusso at £20500 list price. On the Cloverleaf it is £3306 on £25495 list. Apparently they operate a Reverse Auction where dealers bid down against each other.
However I would prefer an ex-demonstrator if possible.

rossogtv · #16 (**Post Link**) 12-01-12

Have you decided on the model or test driven the car yet Tony ? If so, and you know what you want then it may be worth contacting the Dealers to see if they have a demo available or due to come onto sale shortly.Sometimes you can bag a car that way before its actually advertised.

TonyGr · #17 (**Post Link**) 12-01-12

Martin
I am in the process of arranging a test drive. Chosen model at present is the 1.4TB Multiair Lusso with no added options. This could all change after a test drive. At present I have three weks before I can get at the car fund. The money was salted away in Fixed Period Bond to get the best interest rate (and to stop me spending it). So at present I can't even put a deposit down.

rossogtv · #18 (**Post Link**) 12-01-12

OK, enjoy the test(s).

TonyGr · #19 (**Post Link**) 23-01-12

Had a test drive in the 1.4 MA on Friday.

Went To Autoworld at Chesterfield but in terms of discount all they would offer was metallic paint for free. I am sure I can do better than that for a cash sale.

TonyGr · #20 (**Post Link**) 08-02-12

Well, as of 2pm yesterday I am now an Alfa owner. I have bought an ex-demonstrator Giulietta 1.4TB Multiair 170HP Lusso (1.4MA G Lusso) from Bauer Millett. Came back over Woodhead in the usual convoy but once we got to Stocksbridge it whipped up the three lane sections.
It has about 2400 miles and I am wondering how many miles it takes to get the engine fully loosened up. I've found the difference between Normal and Dynamic

but wondered if it got even better with more miles.