After many months [years] of decision making and huge swings from German to Italian... the decision has been made by a chance encounter with a Giulietta QV line, JTDM-2 (150bhp).

Was just thinking they are too expensive, when this ex-demo caught the corner of my eye, offering around £7k off list price.

Test drive completed, and Mrs Gripped is due to complete, subject to the dealer repairing the scuffed 18" alloys, and fixing the dashboard cubby hole lid which refuses to spring up.

We weren't even thinking of a high spec model, but this seemed to be much better value, being 6 months old.

So. Own an Alfa once in your life....... well, here goes !!!





One downside is that it's going to compete with the Coupe for my affections on the drive.

Mmmm. That looks lovely.

I was sure you were going to go for a Leon FR

Glad you saw the light

Let us know what it's like to live with.

Huw

Awesome.

Thanks Guys.

Yes, Huw. The Leon FR was high up on my list. Unfortunately (as Mrs G reminds me) she's had two Leons already. A Mk1 Cupra and the current MkII TDi.

The new Leon is very accomplished. However, they have dumbed down the styling, and the hidden rear door handles (one of my fav features) have been replaced by boring normal ones.

So, Mrs G doesn't like 'em. So Alfa it is.

The poor old Leon looks so good at the moment, having been washed and hoovered, but is only worth £2k part ex.

Such a good car to go for such a pittance. But ultimately, it is a 9 year old car with 130k miles.

I'll shed a tear when it goes. A lot of memories with that car.

Excellent - don't follow the crowd

The Alfa has a lot to live up to, then.

Your Leon - is it still on the same turbo, clutch and DMF?
How reliable was it?

I may have to go dieselly in the near future as we are thinking of buying a cheap touring caravan and my petrol Scenic couldn't pull in a brothel

Leon is still on same turbo, clutch and DMF indeed.

Drive train has been faultless pretty much. Turbo did have a problem with the variable vanes "sticking" but has since sorted itself out.

Only niggles were ABS fault (common to all VW/Audi at the time) the climate control did recently throw a wobbly - now fixed, both rear wheel bearings and ABS sensors, a spring, new radiator. A new battery... not much really in 130k miles.

I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Great choice, I am sure you will get on well with it.

The Diesel G's are very reliable apart from a couple of issues on earlier models.

Mine is a 2010 2.0 170 Lusso (but I am slowly adding the veloce bits)

I have lowered it on Eibach's and Bilsteins because as standard I didn't like the ride height.

The springs and dampers actually make the car ride better as well as improving the looks and handling.

Hey Toby. Looks like you've got the Mrs' Christmas present sorted then

Ha ! Yes, well I am already planning to remap it once we've had it a few years. 185bhp is an easy gain on the 150 version we have.

Other than that, I think it'll stay the same. Not sure how we'll get on with the 18" alloys though. We'll be driving around like saints avoiding curbs and potholes.

I think you can add a few of the 170 version bits to make even more power.

The turbo is bigger on the 170, and I think the intercooler may be as well, but unlike the 140 version the 150 doesn't have a restricted intake manifold.

I am planning on getting mine remapped as well once funds allow. It would be rude not to, power will be about 215bhp. I will also get the EGR blanked and switched off to save problems with it later down the line.

Before I bought the G I was planning on getting a Ford Focus ST. But I went for the G because with a remap it will have nearly as much power, but do nearly twice the MPG.

Plus I could get a newer, lower mileage car for the same money.

Are you picking it up this weekend, Toby?

Good news for you there Toby.
Hope all goes well with the Alfa experience....

Picking it up on Thurs. Will let you know my impressions after we've given it a proper shake down !

Cheers