[BlackGiul]

Hi All,

Just moved to Poland from Hollywood California (for many reasons...not just to buy a Guili with my Wife of 6 years (been together for 10), who is Polish. Had a Mustang GT in Cali but it's the wrong car for Polish...dare I say European roads...at least snowy ones - too much HP and ride is soo stiff that after a couple of bumps you'd have no teeth left.

Was looking for something with a little "giddy up" under the hood that looked good and was decent on gas, as well as being able to fit into these tiny parking spaces here lol. Pored over the net and recommendations and it came down to the Giuli or VW Scirroco.

My Wife pointed out that the VW looked sort'a like a smashed frog from certain angles. I wasn't happy with the trunk (boot) space nor the lame display that they touted as being "modern", but which I found no purpose for as the rear-view camera was not working/available.....something to do with post tsunami Japanese software etc.

The two stack up on bhp/torque power specs but the G has better gas mileage, looks sweeter and has decent space (for a compact) for junk in the trunk.

SO I went with the G.

I just found this forum today, which is surprising given how much I have searched the net for reviews.

Based on everything I'm reading...I'm becoming concerned now though. Faulty gear shift knob, gear box, paint, electrical....an AXLE???:wow:

Sure would appreciate any words of comfort from you dude/ette's:lol:

BTW I went for the 170bhp MultiAir with Sport and Premium packages in Black. I skipped the QV cause it was not as good on gas and I read that the ride was stiffer, not good on these roads, AND it didn't really come with anything that made it truly stand out from the other models, besides the engine...not that the engine wouldn't be welcomed...still not a GT though

Also skipped the little pop up screen because I have navi in my phone and I really didn't see the value, other than the kewel factor, of the Turbo/HP readouts on it.

BTW cars here in Poland are twice the price of other countries...dunno why. Maybe because the masses seem to mostly buy crashed rides from Germany

BTWBTW: Wassup to you all!! I can't change my mind...the car is paid for so I'll be seeing you!

 

[Guest]

Hey there BlackGiul.

Welcome to the forum. I've got pretty much the same spec as you've got and to try and put an end to your fears, i have no gearknob, gearbox or electrical problems. Oh and all my axles are where they should be, doing what they should do!!

The G is a great ride with a nice suspension set-up. Should take the corners better than the Mustang. Look forward to driving mine everyday.

 

[Alfred TI]

Hi BlackGiul,

Mine has been great so far too.
I'm sure you will be happy with yours. :thumbs:
Congrats.

 

[Guest]

Hi,

I have the multiair. No gearbox, gearknob or electrical issues. My car has 30 000kms on it and love it more everyday.

Enjoy her....

 

[BlackGiul]

Thanks all!! Makes me feel a little better. The day after my 35th B-day we went to an Auto show here in Szczecin and I was looking at the Volvos. Had thought maybe the S60....nice interior and make etc but then found out that Volvo parts will be made in China...that's a no go for me, given recent toyota issues with made in China parts. Tried the VW Jetta, per recommendations but it a: had no guts and b: was made in Mexico...another no go due to quality concerns. The VW dealer then told me that Scirroco is made in Germany, which peaked my interest. However, he didn't have one at the show.

I continued walking around and the G caught my eye. I had only a faint memory of Alfa though having seen it around in the E.U but no experience. My Wife was into it from the first moment...so I figured we had a winner. My father in law, however, pointed out Alfa's horrible history. I then began researching the G. By most accounts Alfa has addressed the issues with previous versions and JD power gave 2 thumbs up to the Multiair.

I then went to VW to try the S but they said they didn't DO test drives of the S 0.o? SO how the F*&^ do you expect me to buy such an expensive car? The dealer, somehow, convinced a current owner to bring his in and let me try it out....I'd never let some strange man put his dirty paws on my ride. But I rode it, with courtesy i.e. didn't wind it all up. It was okay. Ride was a bit stiff and I wasn't overly joyed with the interior. The display looked better when off..lol.

SO we went back to Alfa. They also didn't DO test drives of the 170bhp = second verse same as the first 0.o?

They ALSO offered a current owners ride for me to try...pffft.

Knowing that I wouldn't want to rag out someone else's car I passed and tested the 120bhp. Compared to my GT is was, of course, lacking guts BUT it took the round'a'bouts like a friggin' figure skater. I **** you not; I yelled out loud with elation when I zipped around that circle. The salesman prompted me to do it again...but faster...and, of course, I obliged. This time my Wife was even LOL'ing in the back seat. It was like a roller coaster ride. The change from N to D on the 120bhp was lackluster but there. I imagine that the 170 would offer much more though from all the reviews. So in the end the looks, HANDLING & GRIP, trunk space and general Italian not the same'ness won me over.

I configured one online but the dealer only had a few...on the way. Nothing was exactly what I wanted but the one I got is nice. It's the version just under the QV (in Poland Distinctive) with additional Sports and Premium packages and tinted windows. Was going to do red calipers but the service tech said that the red has a tendency of chipping and cracking in the extreme Polish Winters. So I skipped it.

Looking forward to collecting her tomorrow at 3pm

 

[braddersR]

Hello BG and welcome to the world of AO

Enjoy your new ride :thumbs:

 

[Guest]

Blackgiul, let us know of your driving impressions of the 170bhp as soon as you get her... A lot more shove in D than in N in the MultiAir... The exhaust note is more pronounced and the dump valve is a nice sporty touch...

 

[AlfaMartini]

Congratulations on the delivery of your beautiful Giulietta
Hopefully you should not have any issues with regard to reliability & after-sales service etc.

My 147 GTA is my first Alfa (purchased new in 2005), and to date with the exception of one or two issues related to the Selespeed Software it has proven to be by far the most reliable car I have ever owned

 

[BlackGiul]

Just a few hours to go now...tee hee

I wonder how many owners of the G's with problems have the steering wheel on the right hand side? Do you think that could be the issue? Italians drive on the left, right? If so, maybe the pressure on the gear shift is from a different angle than the one tested in Italy and maybe moving everything to the right caused some other internal problems?

Probably a silly assertion. I admit I know very little about the workings of modern cars. My first car was a 1967 Mustang with a 289 bored out to a 302 (somewhere around 350bhp...no idea about torque...alot). My fav was driving through a fancy restaurant in San Diego, at age 16, called the Rusty Pelican and gunning the engine...all the Porches and Mercs alarms going nutz and Valets running wild trying to find the keys to shut them off, so as not to spoil the $500 meal the diners were having = yeah I was a little **** (but the look on the Valets faces when I would come back around for a 2nd time and NOT gun the engine = Priceless.

I had a Chilton's manual for it and together with the local junk yard could build and rebuild, something that took place often, without a hitch. But once fuel injection came around I was lost.

Will post a review and pics later

 

[BlackGiul]

WOW!!!

I couldn't help but try the D and per other posts I've seen...life IS too short not to drive in D!! The torque on this little gem is truly exciting!! People stared at me everywhere I went...including the Police that I almost blasted by, but saw just in time Got home and there was a slight burning smell but I guess that's just "new stuff" burning off 0.o?

I have a 12" foot so I think the brake pedal and gas are a little too close but it really doesn't matter. I love this car!!

Question though. Here in Poland you have to drive with your lights on...during the day. According to the dealer, the LED daytime running lights aren't enough. I have those expensive lights that turn when you turn and such but should I turn off the first two horseshoe switches on the dash i.e. fog lights? Or do you just run with everything on?

Also, when turning on the Airconditioning internally i.e. the air circulates...rather than sucking up the exhaust from the car in front of you, how do you know it's on? Is the little light on top (of the dial) or bottom (near the arrow) supposed to come on? I have the dual zone climate thingy.

Also, Also; should I not run in D before 1000miles? I saw this posted somewhere else but the dealer said he hadn't heard of that. He only said I should wait until the temp of the car warms up before switching into D.

This car is sooo much fun. Will post some pics when it stops raining here

 

[Ralf S.]

Glad you're enjoying it..

While running in, you should only treat the car reasonably gently.. so let it warm up before you give it too much stick and then vary the load and the revs, rather than just cruising at the same speed for hours on end.

I'd keep the beast below 4000 rpm for the first 2-3000km's..though you can nip above that briefly for a few seconds. You'll feel the car getting looser (and fuel consumption should improve) so you'll know how much abuse to give it.

Running in is a purely mechanical bedding in of components, so you don't need to avoid "D".. but keeping the beast in "N" will just make everything more relaxed and less frantic, so you can remember that you're running in.

The daytime running lamps rule is utter EU gayness.. but they have the same rule in Italy, so the beast ought to have the ability to turn on just some front lights (no rear lights and no instrument lights). I thought that's what the LEDs did.. but obviously the simplest way for a car manufacturer to comply is to have all the lights on (rear and instrument) as well as the front lights, so don't panic if your Giulietta doesn't have a front-lights only mode.

The foglamps is not part of the daytime lights question, so turn those off (esp. the rear) or you'll have a hit-from-behind accident and/or the rozzers will be bothering you for an on-the-spot fine or something.. (another bad EU habit..)


Ralf S.

 

[BlackGiul]

Ralph you think she needs "running in"? I only ask due to the dealer saying he hadn't heard anything about that and this thread: http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-giulietta/277400-new-g-running-in.html

Only thing I don't like in N is that the response is not quick i.e. a lag between the gas and the friction point on the clutch... so I feel like I'm not shifting properly. I'm sure it's just to prevent you from speeding off and wasting gas but...I REALLY like D LOL..

I've been a Mustang fan all my life but you can deffo add me into the realms of Alfisti now as well!!