[CiderPhil]

Have been taking my wife round various dealers looking for a replacement to her 147 1.9JTDm. With the low down torque of a 150bhp this was always going to be difficult. After looking at the Astra, Leon and Focus I took her to the Alfa Dealer and we test drove the Giulietta. She was completely smitten and when I took the car for a spin I was blown away by the 1.4 Multi-Air. That is some fun car to drive! My only problem is that the clutch pedal is so close to the centre console that I can't get my foot down the side. This means I have to pull the foot back and put it underneath the pedal. The alternative is to rest it on the pedal (not a good idea). This seems a serious design flaw. I can't see any other comments on the issue in this lounge. Is it me or do others have the same gripe? I only have size 8 feet by the way so it is not the feet that are the problem.
Phil

 

[Guest]

Although I would prefer a footrest, in practice I got used to having to pull my foot back to tuck it under the clutch in no time at all and I don't even notice I'm doing it now!!

 

[Alfred TI]

Quite a few people have mentioned this, me included, however after a couple of weeks you get used to putting your foot (size 9 in my case) on the floor slightly to the left and under the clutch pedal and don't even think about it now.
My 147 was the first car i owned with a foot rest and it was a nice to have, but i have done a few longish journeys in my G and havent had any complaints from my left leg.
i also found the gas & brake pedal quite close and on one occasion (at an Alfa club meet of all places) put my foot on the brake and the edge of my shoe caught the throttle at the same time so the revs lifted to about 5.5k.
I'd just crossed the 1000mile mark on my way to the meet, so was still getting used to it, but i havent done it since (4.5 months old now).
Hope this helps

 

[David P]

It's been mentioned numerous times, do a search for "footrest"
Here's just one thread http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-giulietta/280601-lack-of-clutch-foot-rest.html

 

[CiderPhil]

Thanks guys. Seems like everyone just gets used to it. The question is whether my wife will let me have the keys often enough:lol: I never thought I would be jealous but I have to say I was seriously impressed with both the handling and the engine.

 

[Guest]

You won't regret it CiderPhil, it's a blast, and it'll make the perfect pair sat next to the Brera... Enjoy!

 

[alfanano]

I really don't understand the problem with this - I had forgotten about the lack of a footrest by the end of the test drive. You can actually stretch your leg out further than you can with many footrest so I find it very comfortable.

 

[CiderPhil]

Alfanano, my issue was not the lack of a footrest but with the fact that in all other cars that I have ever driven once you have finished with the clutch you can simply turn your foot to the left and let it rest on the floor (or in some cases a footrest). With the Guilietta you have to bend the whole leg and pull your foot back in order to then push it back under the pedal. In heavy traffic I would have thought that this was tiring on the leg and, if you need to do an emergency stop, there is a danger of getting the foot tangled up in the pedals whilst you pull your leg back to get the foot back over the clutch. However, thanks to the link to another thread on this subject I accept that Guiliatta drivers get used to this quickly and find it OK. We will soon find out as we pick up the new car next Tuesday!!
Phil

 

[Hulk]

Got ot be honest. The footrest thing is a bit of a dead end now. I got used to it within days and genuinely find it more comfortable. I think it is physiological rather than physical and ergonomic!

 

[Marcl4215]

Even on my past cars which did come with a clutch pedal rest i rarely used them, preferring to stick my foot under the pedal. But i do understand what he is saying about the centre console bellowing out somewhat, i sometimes find my knee against the centre console and having to bend my lower leg around to the left a bit.

 

[cas]

Phil:

I switched between my Brera and the Giulietta quite frequently (a few times a week at least), and would always clout my foot off the centre console once each journey, and then get used to tucking it under the pedal

(Conversely, when returning to the Brera, I'd find myself doing the same until remembering I had a footrest :lol

 

[CiderPhil]

Cas, so you have experienced the Brera and the Guilietta? Have you found yourself enjoying the Guilietta more than you think you should? !! After the test drive I had a feeling I might be wanting to borrow the wife's car a bit more often than I do now.
Phil

 

[Munco]

This was my major concern when I placed my order. I have Size 10 feet and like my space. But I can honestly say that within 5 mins I never noticed I did not have one.
My foot sits really nice under the peddle.
One thing I do though is remove everything out of my pockets, wallet in the arm rest, phone in the space next to the gear stick. This removes the bulk out of my trousers and gives a better leg movenet

 

[CiderPhil]

Thanks Munco, thanks to this thread I am now confident that this really is a non issue.
Phil

 

[cas]

Cas, so you have experienced the Brera and the Guilietta? Have you found yourself enjoying the Guilietta more than you think you should? !! After the test drive I had a feeling I might be wanting to borrow the wife's car a bit more often than I do now.
Phil

Yes I was using both for four months, until I smashed up the Brera

I love the Giulietta It feels really nimble in comparison with the Brera (mine was a 3.2 Q4), very light turn-in, very well-balanced in corners, stiff chassis and well-sorted suspension makes it the best Alfa I've driven to date Reminds me a lot of the 147 I had, but has better suspension and so inspires greater confidence while driving.

I preferred the 2.0 diesel 170 to the 1.4 MA 170, as I felt it was more substantial at lower revs -- the additional low-down torque really helps it out.

As I've said before in other threads, I loathed the Lusso suspension -- it could just have been the one I drove, or my taste, but I felt it didn't cope with being driven enthusiastically (and as we were being bouncing all over the place, it made my mother say "it's making me feel sick").

It really is such a fantastic chassis. It was a tough call between a Giulietta (of my own) and the Abarth... but the Abarth won it in the silly fun stakes The Giulietta is too mature for me, who's trying to pretend he isn't a 45 year-old trapped in a 25 year-old body

 

[CiderPhil]

Cas,
Current 147 is the 1.9 16 valve and the low end torque is great. Pulls like a train. However, the dealer only had a 1.4 Multiair to test drive and it was the Veloce with the sports suspension. For some reason the dealer trusted me (maybe because of the thinning grey hair!) and let me go for a spin on my own. Only drove a few miles but did push the envelope a bit on some country roads and she was so sure footed compared to the heavy 2.4 Brera I couldn't believe how much fun it was. Still love the Brera looks but, as I said, I might be stealing the wife's keys on occasion.
Sorry to hear of the demise of your Brera, they are likely to become even rarer now Alfa have stopped production. In fact the dealer said mine should hold its price. Not bad for an Alfa!
Cheers, Phil

 

[PheoUk]

Got one on test, thought I would find this a major issue; in short so far, I've not even noticed, my brain is just putting my foot wherever it finds it to be comfortable...

 

[WTFH]

Cas, so you have experienced the Brera and the Guilietta? Have you found yourself enjoying the Guilietta more than you think you should? !! After the test drive I had a feeling I might be wanting to borrow the wife's car a bit more often than I do now.
Phil

Phil, I had a 2.2 Brera, which I loved, now I have the 170 JTDm Giulietta.
I miss:
1. The view from the front.
2. The way random strangers would talk to me at petrol stations, etc, about my car.

I don't miss:
1. Stopping at every petrol station.
2. Looks that were way above it's performance.

I think the Giulietta's handling is better than the Brera's, the performance and economy certainly are. My biggest gripe when comparing them? I don't think the seats are as supportive on the sides (but at least they don't wobble )

 

[CiderPhil]

I miss:
1. The view from the front.
2. The way random strangers would talk to me at petrol stations, etc, about my car.

I don't miss:
1. Stopping at every petrol station.
2. Looks that were way above it's performance.

I know what you mean about the random strangers engaging you in conversation. It does make you feel good. I have the 2.4 diesel Brera and enjoy the performance. However, it is a heavy car. The Guilietta was noticibly lighter and more nimble and I think that is what attracted me. However, it was the wife that made the decision.:thumbs: