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After a bit of a flap (see below), I traded in the WRX STI for this, which is in a completely different league.
A June 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio with a 2.9L Twin Turbo V6 producing 510 PS, 0-62 in 3.9 secs and a top speed of 191 mph. The (ex demonstrator) car had only 2,900 miles on it when I bought it from a dealer in Doncaster. I had to travel down there because the car I had originally had an offer accepted on was binned by a mechanic who took it for a "test drive" when the owner sent it to Arnold Clark Alfa in Edinburgh. It all worked out in the end as I got more money selling the Subaru independently of the purchase and the Giulia I'm now driving has the Rosso Competizione paint and Teledial-esque alloys, both of which are options and which weren't on the original car. Unfortunately my nearest dealer is Arnold Clark near Glasgow so I'll need to make it clear to them that there will be no test drives. It's one thing to worry about the cost of a service but quite another to worry about whether you'll ever see your car again. I guess that's the problem with brands that only have a few genuinely quick models meaning they attract undue workshop attention ...
Needless to say it goes like stink, sounds awesome, and is just a special thing to sit in. Of course I expect plenty of Alfa-isms on the way but I'm sure these will only enhance the ownership experience ... .
Early days but the P Zero Corsas it came fitted with are woeful in the cold and damp. The Alfa forum is full of owners' struggles with them in anything other than warm conditions. I'd feel happier giving up some grip at the limit for something that is more usable day to day, particularly in Scottish conditions!
The ZF 8 speed gearbox is brilliant despite not being a dual clutch box and there is something wonderful about popping it in race mode (for the extra loud exhaust) and then cruising up to traffic lights in town and listening to the blips on downshifts. Childish but fun.
Of all the reviews, I think this is the most entertaining and representative of the car.
The Alfa owners' forum mentioned that Lexus in Glasgow have an Alfa technician and can service my car. I'm going to pop in there this morning to confirm if that's the case. Anything but Arnold Clark, please ...
Got some excellent runs in this weekend and those tyres, whilst not great, aren't exactly lethal. I've found that if I push too hard, the car is much easier to control with ESC off rather than on, where it cuts in quite abruptly. Still leaving it on most of the time though. Wimp that I am ...
EDIT: Called into Lexus Glasgow (on the former site of Western Alfa) and yes, they are servicing (and indeed selling) Alfas. Registered on their system and should get a call before it's due in June next year. Dealt with in a reassuringly professional way, which augurs well.
11-20-2018, 11:43 AM
UHS 19 - An Upgrade
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