A worthy Coupe replacement - Finally!

Those of you that know me know its been many many years since I owned a coupe. Ive toyed with the idea of getting another however I decided it was time to move on and try something newer. Im a sucker for gadgets and love all of the modern convinces you get with newer cars. Since my Coupe I owned a Brera 2.4 D (remapped) which was an immensely fun car to drive - it even did a stint at SPA many years ago. After the Brera i had the wifes Mito 1.4 T - it does what it says on the tin however it was pretty sole destroying. It did a job tho and we needed something bigger as a family car.

A about 4 months ago i decided it was time, time to buy my dream car!



Its a MY2019 car (registered in 2020) - Alfa Competition Red / Comfort Pack / Carbon Steering Wheel / Tinted Rear Windows / Red Calipers / Half Leather & Alcantara with Red Stitching / Heated Seats and Steering wheel / Alfa Anthracite Comp Wheels / 5 Years Warranty and 3 Years Servicing

Regrets - Im still on the fence as to whether i should have got the Sparco Seats. They look amazing but the standard seats are by far the most comfortable and supportive ive had in a car. Also having them heated has been great this time of the year. Im on the look out for a set of Sparcos so will give them a go and see if i want to keep them. They are however very rare and expensive on the second hand market.

Bad Bits - The only thing i can fault at the moment is the Pirelli Corsa tyres the car comes with. Absolute crap in anything but a warm, sunny totally dry day. Its an everyday car for me so totally not practical or safe with those on it! I removed them after 400 miles and went for Goodyear F1 Eagles in the stock size. Many people go for pilot sports but i dont like the fact they are not the available in the recommended tyre size on the rear.

Mods - I have had the bonnet, bumper, skirts and mirrors wrapped in EXPEL PPF and the whole car has been ceramic coated. I have had the AHM Exhust valve mod to enable me to open up fully (via remote) the exhaust valves in Dynamic Mode (currently just n Race or above 3500 RPM in Dynamic) I have also fitted a hyrodipped rear diffuser, i want to go full carbon fibre but at £2,500 i wanted to make sure i liked it before i took the plunge.

Initial Thoughts - Ive only done 2300 miles in the car to date but all i can say is WOW. The car is phenomenal to drive and im sure ive not even taken it any where close to its potential yet. The power and the sound of the exhaust is amazing. The car gets a lot of attention, exactly the same as when i had my couple. Lots of questions and admirers. Its also rare, you dont see many QVs on the road and i like that! Hopefully once we are out of lock down i will be ramping up the miles and can provide a more indepth review

For now tho - Best thing I ever did

Wow.

I love the QV Giulia. So jealous.

We need some videos. Can you do a tunnel drive through with sound? Restrictions allowing obviously.

absolutely! would be rude not to

That is a really nice car Mario, very sexy

Tsk, brand new and he's mending it already!

MARIO

Love it !! congratulations ...looks stunning ,ENJOY

I've been itching to get one for ages ,been looking at them 2nd hand ,would love to change the Tesla for it .. , my concern has been
it would be my every day car ,but rear wheel drive with over 500 bhp in 'sunny Scotlands ' winter , with constantly damp wet roads ....maybe not a great idea, so sadly I keep saying nope, not practical ,
also been looking at the Stelvio Quadrifoglio ,more practical with 4wd ..... but not as convinced about the looks .


Sorry not stealing your thunder ,so well done I really hope you love it, and it meets all your expectations ..

I love them , but just can't justify it as my daily driver.....but !!!

PLEASE convince me

I'm very eager to listen

Ahh Paul! You guys have some absolutely stunning roads in Scotland! Dont deprive a giulia from them!

For me the car is my daily drive - although the lack of milage is down to the pandemic (working from home) than anything else. Ive had both kids in the back (baby seats) although the Mrs finds it hillarious that i take their shoes off before getting into the car so they dont scuff up the seat infront - she doesn't understand

Im so surprised how popular the QV is in the states and canada
Check out the international facebook group for them:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1892344594362807/



So many of the guys there using the car daily in the snow with no issues. The key thing that prevents this car being a daily drive is the tyres. If you are buying second hand i can almost guarantee the corsas will not be on the car and it will be either goodyear F1 or Pilot Sports. A set of Pirelli Sottozero Winter Tyres is all thats needed to transform this car into an absolute snow beast Also dont forget that there is the Alfa R-DNA system (Active / Normal / Dynamic / Race). In the harshest of weather you can switch the QV into its economy mode which shuts off 2 of the cylinders and dials the boost right down to make it far more manageable in the worst of conditions.

Dont get me wrong the stelvio is a lovely car and the Stelvio QV in 4 wheel drive is an absolute blast to drive however its not a patch on the giulia in terms of driving experience and looks in my opinion. The Giulia is a great every day car. Good sized boot (back seats go down too but check on earlier models (2017) as this was an "Extra" - crazy i know) Lots of space in the back. Most come with a 5 year warrenty which is transferable so you should have some piece of mind even if you go the second hand route.

Go drive one if you havent already - guarantee you will buy one after

thanks for the info

yes agreed about the Stelvio
ah I wasn't aware you could turn the power down that much

keep going I can be easily swayed

Congratulations Mario, what a car!

For a second, ignoring price and badges - which is the more special car? Your Coop or your Alfa?

Or are they just too different to compare?

Really good question

I think the coupe for me will always be the most special car ive ever owned despite giving me the most stress and putting me off cars for a bit!
The main thing with the coupe, aside from all the reasons i list below about the alfa, is the community and the life long friends ive made as part of my ownership. For that alone the coupe will always win hands down in my memory of cars ive owned.

The alfa for me is a special car;
im constantly looking at it
always turn around for another look when walking away
you feel like you are driving something special
i never turn on the radio lol
Paranoid about parking it
Paranoid about oil

Basically all the things i used to do with my coupe i do with the alfa (the brera and the mito did not get the same treatment)

Nice to know that in some ways at least, the Coop can hold its own against even the most modern of cars!



Well, with it being an Alfa, I think you should still turn it on from time to time, just to make sure it's working.

I remember you once did that very professional photo shoot with the Coop in a studio setting. Do you reckon you'll ever do something of that kind of high level quality with the Alfa?

Also, does the Alfa have a lot of road presence? Obviously it's a beautiful car and turns heads, but I mean more in terms of actual physical external size. I imagine it will no doubt be bigger compared to the Coop (which is on the small side anyway) but how does it compare physically to other high end cars?

Wow stunning car, you have the best wheels on it too. I took a test drive in one in Nov 2018 on a cold wet day. I had the car for half a day and fully understand what you mean about the tyres, even in nanny mode the car felt like it was going to tear my privates off

hahaha! yeah its night and day since taking the corsas off. Dont get me wrong fantastic track tyre but in the UK on our roads and weather they are a death trap! Hope all is well Bob!

Beautiful car mate! Very jealous! Had the diesel in Tuscany a while back and awesome drive !
Bet this is a beast! Think a reunion is needed fella!

When does the purple wrap get applied?

100% overdue a reunion mate

Great choice Mario, on my ‘possibly next’ list!

Apologies for not joining in earlier Mario, it is an absolute cracker and incredible to think it came with its own valet

I feel sure that clingfilm is the way to go...

I wouldn't know anything about that.

Marco I hope you have more luck than me

I bought a Stelvio QF 2 weeks ago today , it ran properly for all of 1 hour !! it's been in the Alfa dealership 5 times now for engine management warning light on - so it's locked in Eco mode
because of it

Just called the dealer purchased from, they have been brilliant ...car has been rejected by me going back for full refund on Monday ....... the Afa dealership in Glasgow is a total joke have not got a clue ...

simply the worst dealership I have ever set foot in in my whole life !!! and at 63 I have been in a lot

So long as Arnold Clark is the Alfa dealer I won't consider one ever again !!

yes that bad