Overview of used Alfa Romeo Giulietta: 2011-2015

Content

What to look for
car buying advice
Have you ever owned an Alfa Romeo Giulietta? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is a very nice Italian SMB sedan that will appeal to those who are looking for more than just a vehicle for everyday driving.

These days, Alfa Romeos aren't built just for Italian drivers. Many settings are offered in the form of a height-adjustable driver's seat and a steering column that can be adjusted in four directions.

This five-door hatchback is stylized as a sports coupe thanks to cleverly "hidden" rear door handles. If tall passengers in the front seats don't want to give up legroom, they'll be cramped in the rear seats. Headroom may also be limited for tall rear seat passengers, although this depends on body shape.

The rear seat armrest has fold-down cupholders and gives the feel of a luxury sedan. The rear seats fold 60/40 and there is a ski hatch.

Alfa imports the Giulietta to Australia with a choice of three engines. One of them is a 1.4-liter MultiAir with a capacity of 125 kW. Giulietta QV with a 1750 TBi turbo-petrol unit develops 173 kW of power with a torque of 340 Nm. When dynamic mode is selected, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

There's also a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine if you're so inclined. Can't say yes... there's something really annoying about an engine that revs around 4700 rpm and then screams "enough".

Alfa Romeo's build quality has improved a lot since the bad old days.

The Alfa Romeo Dual Clutch Transmission (TCT) is shocking at very low speeds, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Throw in turbo lag and a start-stop system that doesn't always seem to interact with other transmission computers, and the driving pleasure of this beautiful Italian sports car is gone.

Drive out of town to your favorite sections of highways, and the smile will soon return to your face. Forget the dual clutch and get a slick six-speed manual transmission.

In early 2015, Alfa Romeo added a new engine design to the Giulietta QV, this time with 177kW. The car was presented in a special version of the Launch Edition with a body kit and a modified interior. Only 500 cars were built worldwide, 50 of which went to Australia. Our distribution was 25 units in Alfa Red and 25 in the exclusive Launch Edition Matte Magnesio Grey. In the future, these may be collectible cars. No promises though...

The build quality of the Alfa Romeo has improved a lot since the bad old days, and the Giulietta rarely has any build problems. They don't quite live up to the very high standards of the South Koreans and Japanese, but are quite up to par with other vehicles from Europe.

Currently, Alfa Romeo is well established in Australia, and there are dealers in all capitals and some major centers of the country. We haven't heard any real problems getting parts, although as is often the case with vehicles sold in relatively small quantities, you may have to wait a few business days to receive unusual parts.

Giuliettas are cars that enthusiastic hobbyists love to tinker with. But if you really don't know what you're doing, it's best to leave the job to the professionals, as these are complex machines. As always, we warn you to stay away from safety items.

The insurance is above average for this class, which is not surprising, since these Alphas - all Alphas - appeal to those who like to take big money and can take too many risks. Take a closer look at politics, but make sure your comparisons are accurate.

What to look for

Check the service books are up to date and make sure the odometer reading is the same as in the books. You'd be surprised how many scammers this gets.

The Alfa Romeo's build quality has improved a lot since the bad old days, and the Giulietta rarely has real problems.

Look for body damage or signs of repair. Cars that attract enthusiasts tend to run into things from time to time.

Inside, check for loose items in the trim and dashboard. While driving, listen for a rumble or squeak before buying, especially behind the dashboard.

The engine should start quickly, although a turbodiesel may take a second or two if it is quite cold.

Check the correct operation of the start/stop system and the dual clutch automatic manual control. (See notes in the main part of the story.)

Manual transmissions can have a tough life, so make sure all changes are smooth and easy. Downgrading from third to second often suffers from the first. Make 3-2 changes quickly and be careful if there is any noise and/or freezing.