All, Well I've owned my Giulietta for just on two weeks and as promised (threatened :--) here are some thoughts on modern Alfa ownership
Let's start with the good news - I'm in love with a car in a way that hasn't happened since I took home a brand new GTV-6 in `985. I've owned a number of new cars since (1999 Mercedes Benz A-Class, 2005 MB A-Class, 2008 Fiat 500) but the first two were cars to use but not drive and the Fiat whilst having lots of style and a great city car wasn't a drivers car by any means. I'm still looking for excuses to go for a drive (and will do as soon as this e-mail is consigned to the Internet!). OK, so onto the irritations. Stop start - I know that it's good for me (more particularly the fuel consumption) but on a hot day having the car stop isn't exactly what I need (it's 38C today and I need every moment of cooling). More worryingly, waiting to turn into another busy road, the last thing I need is the engine to stop just when I decide to nip. I know I can turn it off but I want to save fuel too. Consumption over the first two weeks is around 6.2L/100Km with a mix of drive to work stop/start and escapes on the weekend down to the beach which is mostly freeway driving. I've left the car in N most of the time (rather than D for when I'm on the twisties) for the relaxed ride. There are three options in the DNA system (D for dynamic - full power, firmer suspension and steering and more aggressive shifting in the gear box; N - normal, softer all round, less power, better fuel consumption; A - all weather, sets the car up for wet, cold, icy roads - not really what we need Down Under and I've not tried this setting out yet). Gearbox - I have the DSG box and it works great when we're underway with smooth changes both up and down - you can tell from the engine note that the box has changed but that's about all. Slow speed manoeuvring is, on the other hand, jerky to say the least - parking in my garage which requires stopping, reversing, slow forward movement is most unsatisfying - it's getting better as I get used to it but still not anything to be proud of. I've used the "flappy paddles" a few times and the manual gear lever shift even fewer - I find using the lever counter intuitive but that's probably because on my second A-class it worked the other way around. Fit and finish - pretty good - certainly as good as my second MB but not probably as well built as the Fiat which remains the best built car I've ever owned. I also have the soft plastics problem I had with my second A-Class - white spots appear if you hit them too hard. I'll moan when I take it in for it's first service early next year but don't expect to get far. Sound system - really good and powerful and it works well with my choices of music (mainly classical with an eclectic mix of other music). One question, who redesigned Blue&Me's menus? In the Fiat I could use voice control to go directly to Albums and Playlists (by saying "Albums" for example). This version, to get to Albums, it's "Media Player", wait for the whole list of options, then "Advanced USB Options", wait for the list of options, then "Albums". Just does't work for me at all! I'll have to see if I can do it from the steering wheel controls any faster. Not happy. I know it's a car for driving but I have to commute in it too. Handling - haven't done enough driving to comment - better go do some more and test out the air-conditioning some more - still far too hot outside and the car's been in the sun all day Wishing all of the digest members best wishes for the holiday season and good driving. Another update in a while. Huw Davies | e-mail: [email protected] Melbourne | "If soccer was meant to be played in the Australia | air, the sky would be painted green" -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
