Made a friend in the parking lot
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 56
From: los angeles
i'm a fan of the Alfa cars...especially of the 4c design.....i owned a Milano Verde at one point.....loved its looks, cabin, and speed, but man was it a crappy car otherwise. the upcoming 505hp Giulia Quad is a looker in my eyes as well. my only problem with it is that it looks just like a BMW sedan.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 382
It's a beautiful car- carbon fiber tub but really, really harsh suspension. At 6' 2" I can only fit in the targa version - and not safely to be honest. I seriously considered it as I have a Ghibli for a daily driver.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 381
Likes: 40
I'm curious about your experience with Ghibli. Can you say a few words?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 382
Sure. I have the SQ4 which is the AWD model with slightly more hp and torque - 400hp/404 ft lbs or thereabouts.
The car is just a fantastic driver. It has a ZF 8 speed and drove dung in the mode you have it in shifts very fast - not PDK fast, but faster than AMGs as I had a 2012 C63 with a development package.
I have the sport package which comes with PZero Summer tires . The ride was a little too firm for daily driving and I put some Perrelli All-Eeasons rated for the Ghibli on and it's really dialed in nicely now. The sport package also has Koni shocks which have been the only thing the dealer replaced because the original set-up had the car running too low.
I have almost 14k mikes in it - no mechanical issues other than software reflashes.
The only complaint I have is the "premium stereo" which I opted for that stinks - like transistor radio bad. I tried to live with it but I can't so I'm having it upgraded with a higher- end aftermarket shop.
The car is solid, 5 star crash rating. Doors close with a thud. Maserati bought the old Bertone factory, gutted it and now makes the Quattroporte and Ghibli there. They've also come out with an SUV the Lavante and have plans for a 911esque coupe.
The only word of caution is that unlike a German car, anytime you want to access something - like a heated seat you have to go through the information touch screen. All the electronics in the car are Dodge, which is part of the reason the stereo is so bad -that's how they keep the cost down and frankly the only weakness if the car. The switches are Dodge derived too but you opulent know it - they're solid.
In 2017 the "premium stereo" will be a Harmon Karden unit and will be fine.
Depreciation is also big but starting to level off. A lot if 14 cars had software not mechanical issues which have been addresses. Finally there's a world of difference between the interior on a 65k Ghibli and a 85K Ghibli.
Good luck!
The car is just a fantastic driver. It has a ZF 8 speed and drove dung in the mode you have it in shifts very fast - not PDK fast, but faster than AMGs as I had a 2012 C63 with a development package.
I have the sport package which comes with PZero Summer tires . The ride was a little too firm for daily driving and I put some Perrelli All-Eeasons rated for the Ghibli on and it's really dialed in nicely now. The sport package also has Koni shocks which have been the only thing the dealer replaced because the original set-up had the car running too low.
I have almost 14k mikes in it - no mechanical issues other than software reflashes.
The only complaint I have is the "premium stereo" which I opted for that stinks - like transistor radio bad. I tried to live with it but I can't so I'm having it upgraded with a higher- end aftermarket shop.
The car is solid, 5 star crash rating. Doors close with a thud. Maserati bought the old Bertone factory, gutted it and now makes the Quattroporte and Ghibli there. They've also come out with an SUV the Lavante and have plans for a 911esque coupe.
The only word of caution is that unlike a German car, anytime you want to access something - like a heated seat you have to go through the information touch screen. All the electronics in the car are Dodge, which is part of the reason the stereo is so bad -that's how they keep the cost down and frankly the only weakness if the car. The switches are Dodge derived too but you opulent know it - they're solid.
In 2017 the "premium stereo" will be a Harmon Karden unit and will be fine.
Depreciation is also big but starting to level off. A lot if 14 cars had software not mechanical issues which have been addresses. Finally there's a world of difference between the interior on a 65k Ghibli and a 85K Ghibli.
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,464
Likes: 311
From: Midtown Atlanta
Hmmm... Taste is a personal matter, but I think anytime you look at a 991 from a side angle, and especially sitting within sight of a car like the Alfa, the massive front (and rear, but more front) overhang is brought into context. I think wheels pushed out to the corners looks much better than two feet of trunk hanging out ahead of them.
I'm happy to have that storage and I get that in order to have it as well as comfortable leg room inside you have to have those overhangs (or go to a wheelbase that's 18" longer, which would be terrible for dynamics.) But just speaking visually, I am always wanting to view the water-cooled Porsche's from front or rear 3/4, and not from any angle that shows the overhangs.
I'm happy to have that storage and I get that in order to have it as well as comfortable leg room inside you have to have those overhangs (or go to a wheelbase that's 18" longer, which would be terrible for dynamics.) But just speaking visually, I am always wanting to view the water-cooled Porsche's from front or rear 3/4, and not from any angle that shows the overhangs.