Hi
In market for a new (used) car. Budget TBC but looking top end @ £14k.
Golf is preferred route, but really like the idea of the Gulietta as something a bit different.
Has to have been MPG - some of the newer Golf have a claimed 70+MPG so anything above 60 would be where I'm looking.
Golf would prob be 1.6 TDI (motorway driving) - some come with Bluemotion, some don't.
I know Alfa had a dodgy rep years ago but are they sound now - any reason NOT to buy one?
If you have real-life user experience of anything in this camp please feel free to impart your wisdom this way.
Cheers
Head - VW
Heart - Alfa
Purely on a financial footing the depreciation on the golf will still be lower. Not had spanners on any Gulietta's yet, but if it's anything like past Alfa's you would be buying it with your heart not your head, 147, 156, 159 all seem to eat suspension components, and rust underneath very quickly, hopefully the Gulietta is better, but haven't had one in.
Golf well proven chassis, plentiful parts with lots of independent specialists if you have something big go and don't fancy the main dealer experience. Regular servicing and don't see many issues with them.
Just re-read post...
🙄Has to have [s]been [/s] good MPG
Alfa 147 owner here.
The Gulietta would be the obvious next car.
But.........
No left foot rest next to the clutch pedal! Deal breaker for me.
Goes back to drooling over V6 Breras on Autotrader.
Thanks to those who have replied.
I think the Golf is the route I'll go down for the reasons mentioned.
Anyone else pretty please? Surely there's a few more of you out there who drive one of these ❓ ❓
Pete has the right idea v6 brera please.
The mk7 2.0 TDI Golf 150 will still offer good economy and be a chunk quicker if you want to use the power.
If (your) work is paying for car and REPAIRs then Alfa, if not Golf. Had a 156 now have a Golf, there is only so much 'character' you can take!
My wife has had a mk6 1.6 TDI for about 4.5 years now and it's been faultless. It has about 65k on it. Regular servicing has been reasonable even at a main dealers and it takes all the kit for two kids under two.
I've had the bike in it and it fits fine with one wheel off. Regular mpg is about 55 and can hit 62 on a run. That's my calculated figures. I really cannot fault it and we will prob get another when finances allow.
As an aside my Insignia is younger and is never out of the garage and has had some very big bills!
Edit the golf is not the blue motion version
Had a Giulietta 2.0 JTD as a hire car (apparently "Golf or equivalent"). I used to drive a golf GTI.
If I lived in a place that has tarmac everywhere I need to go, I'd have one over the Golf. I reckon the smile you'll have driving it is compensation enough for when it eventually breaks
We had this choice for my wife's new car. Also Merc A-class, A3, Seat Leon and Ford Focus.
Golf was boring. Just boredom personified. Like really, really, boring. Grey, plasticy, boring. Unless you bought the GTI.
The Alfa had a stupid handbrake and centre armrest. You can't put the handbrake on easily with it down, and when it's up, your elbow hits it as you're putting the handbrake on. The general ergonomics of the car were just rubbish. It was pretty though.
We bought a new Mazda 3 Sport Nav. As pretty as the Alfa, as reliable as the Golf. Same price as the Alfa, cheaper than the equivalent Golf.
Took a 1.6D Guilietta for a test drive today.
Really nice drive and surprisingly pokey.
Mint condition and feels special inside - 11 plate with 44k on the clock (one owner, FSH) for @ £10k.
Thing is, as much as I like it there's still a nagging 'but it's an Alfa' feeling that I can't quite shake off.
Feels like more of a gamble than getting a Golf...some of the replies would seem to suggest that too 😕
Had my Alfa 12 months now, 1.4 turbo with auto box, love it, makes me grin every time I drive it
Much as I like the drive and the look of the Alfa I've decided that it's now off the contender list.
Still can't shake that nagging feeling and while there are many that say they are fine, there are a lot more with negative things to say/experiences by reading reviews and knowing a few bods who have been Alfa owners previously. If I got one it could be fine but the minute something went wrong I'd be cursing and wishing I'd gone down the more predictable Golf* route.
Thanks for the input - it kind of helped shape my decision 🙂
*or similar
