2.2JTDM-2 180hp Speciale Auto 4dr

Nightmare experience. Joke brand still. Buy a Maserati instead??????

First Alfa.
20k miles FSH dealer approved vehicle in most beautiful colour combination - dark grey/tobacco leather/Speciale edition so fully oaded ++++++++++.

I have wanted an Alfa for years but never trusted the old ones - Brera was a model I hankered after - also GTV/156/159.

I had previously looked at a used /approved Maserati Ghibli diesel in the same colour combination.
But the boot was just too small so decided to give this newer Alfa a try. (Maserati diesel sounds amazing BTW and wasn't much dearer 2nd hand).

In 9 months of ownership the Alfa has so far spent 4&1/2 months in the dealer workshop.
They keep fitting new parts but really don't seem to be able to diagnose it.
Said parts seem to be in short supply from Italy with ridiculous waiting times.

Recurring issue with cutting out.
Not a limp mode - engine stops without warning and goes into neutral.
Usually won't restart for up to 12 hours thereafter.
Engine check light seems to decide to switch off then.
Haven't had the catastrophic accident yet but this has all become more than I can bear now .

3rd episode a few days ago - at 40mph on dual carriageway in traffic - just 70 miles after collection after last repair "completed".
Partner refuses to get into it again.

I might have bought a lemon but I see lots of owners talking about having OBD readers on their Alfa key fobs (rather unusual practice I thought) and I've never seen an Alfa with more than about 100k on the clock.
Also just try getting a quote for additional years warranty from any independent warranty source.
Google "Giulia cutting out" and read the litany of owner forums talking about this.

Lovely when driving but a 15-20 year old Jaguar would be more reliable.
Perhaps even a 40 year old Citroen 2CV ( my first car was one of them and it never put me in danger like this Alfa).

Diesel is swift but distinctly agricultural sounding compared to premium brands.
Alfa just don't seem to want to make a good diesel like Peugeot.
Noise from door seals,bonnet area and wing mirrors.
Boot door springs sagging like a 10 year old Insignia.
Chassis is distinctly driveable but not in realms of fun to be had from anything like a Boxster, MX5 or even a modern Fiesta.

Infotainment system barely adequate for a car at this price.

I guess there are reasons why people choose Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Volvo/Jaguar/Lexus in their droves instead.

It does look lovely but not with an RAC van parked beside it or when it's on the back of a low loader.

Stellantis brands are still just mainstream cars and the tragedy of Alfa Romeo continues.
If you insist on buying one of this groups cars then a base 1.2 Fiat 500 is probably the pick of the bunch - just drive it like you stole it.



The 2.0T petrol Giulia (that I had as a courtesy car for 4 months) also eats petrol like a V6 3.2 Mercedes I used to own - at least the Mercedes sounded great and felt fast.

Did AR pull the diesel engine from this car because they didn't want to recall it instead????

I can't recommend this car. I loved it for a while but it was like a beautiful blonde girlfriend - high maintenance, impractical to own, did not perform it's primary function (getting all the way from A to B) regularly) - and it wasn't worth all of the compromises needed to own it.

Hey ho.
There are some pretty nice looking Lexuses(?Lexi) which never ever break down.
Or an Infiniti???

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