Alternatives to G70?

[Toddasaurus]

Test drove a Giulia Ti Sport today, along with a Volvo S60 Polestar, and a Kia Stinger GT - each was the AWD model (though polestar only comes in AWD). It was interesting.

Few things stood out after driving all of them...
-The Giulia has exceptional road feel. It's definitely a driver's car. I was surprised by how aggressive the tranny was (ie very quick shifts) . I must admit I'm in love with that thing; BUT, while the power isn't bad, it's just not enough. Beautiful interior, excellent seats, and amazing shift paddles. I'm sad the Quadrafolio is out of my price range (maybe I could snag a deal on a used one in a year or two?). Alfa has a pretty solid 4 year warranty here in the US, though nothing compared to Kia's warranty.
-The Volvo S60 Polestar has some really cool safety features, and that thing is STRONG for just a 2 liter engine! The steering feel and road feel left a bit to be desired, especially after driving the Giulia, but it wasn't bad at all. I was not impressed by the interior, though, but at least the seats were decent. The shift paddles seemed like an afterthought - tiny, very little room to put your fingers in place.
-The Kia Stinger feels pretty strong. The tranny shifts aren't as quick as the Giulia, but I think they're a tad quicker than the S60 Polestar. I don't like how it automatically shifts for you when coming up on the redline (unsure if you can disable that?). The steering is numb, which I was really turned off by, but the car, surprisingly, hides its weight relatively well. Shift paddles were better than the Volvo, but not as good as the Giulia (which, to be honest, are very hard to beat). Seats weren't bad at all, but probably the worst of the bunch.

On a side note, the Kia salesman had never heard of the G70. I'm excited to test drive the G70 when it comes available and see how it compares to these. I still need to drive the M2 and the RS3, as those are other cars I'm considering.

 

[Blue Train]

-The Kia Stinger feels pretty strong. The tranny shifts aren't as quick as the Giulia, but I think they're a tad quicker than the S60 Polestar. I don't like how it automatically shifts for you when coming up on the redline (unsure if you can disable that?). The steering is numb, which I was really turned off by, but the car, surprisingly, hides its weight relatively well. Shift paddles were better than the Volvo, but not as good as the Giulia (which, to be honest, are very hard to beat). Seats weren't bad at all, but probably the worst of the bunch.

I think for 2019 Kia is changing the auto shift logic so it hangs in the gear. Hopefully they're also adding the 360 camera and wireless charging that were deleted for the US market. I want to check this car out, I'm just nervous for the price that it's not quite as refined as it should be (e.g. road noise, rattles.)

 

[EdP]

On a side note, the Kia salesman had never heard of the G70.

That is a sad commentary about a guy in the business.
Thanks for the interesting report though.

 

[Mcc]

That is a sad commentary about a guy in the business.
Thanks for the interesting report though.

Actually I am guessing that he pretended not to know of the G70. That way he does not have to answer any comparison questions and keep the focus on the Kia.

 

[ACCHRM]

That is a sad commentary about a guy in the business.
Thanks for the interesting report though.

I also sell cars for a living, you got no idea how many co-workers I have that have no clue about anything else outside of the brand that we sell. They see me as a car guru at my job, always run up to me with questions, even my managers.
I wonder if he was an old guy

 

[Toddasaurus]

I also sell cars for a living, you got no idea how many co-workers I have that have no clue about anything else outside of the brand that we sell. They see me as a car guru at my job, always run up to me with questions, even my managers.
I wonder if he was an old guy

He was pretty young, actually... That said, I was surprised at the lack of knowledge both he and the Volvo salesman had about cars. I figured if you were a car salesman you'd also be a car guy, am I right?

 

[Toddasaurus]

I think for 2019 Kia is changing the auto shift logic so it hangs in the gear. Hopefully they're also adding the 360 camera and wireless charging that were deleted for the US market. I want to check this car out, I'm just nervous for the price that it's not quite as refined as it should be (e.g. road noise, rattles.)

It (the stinger) really wasn't bad, in terms of build quality and refinement. The chassis felt solid, and the interior seemed well put together. Also, the roomy back seats are tough to beat. I can certainly understand why it has been received so well thus far.

I'm interested to see how the G70's gear shifts feel compared to the stinger. I assume it will be the same, considering....well...that it's the exact same tranny. Even so, I'm hopeful the software is a bit different.

 

[CoconutRob]

I also sell cars for a living, you got no idea how many co-workers I have that have no clue about anything else outside of the brand that we sell. They see me as a car guru at my job, always run up to me with questions, even my managers.
I wonder if he was an old guy

Lol I have talked to 2 Kia salespeople and neither have proper info on the stinger. I has been on sale for more than 6 months and my inquiry about a gt2 RWD (the lack of ever getting any in my area) they tell me RWD only offered on a few models. To my conclusion Kia sales sucks. Hopefully I will ring genesis to be much better

 

[CoconutRob]

Test drove a Giulia Ti Sport today, along with a Volvo S60 Polestar, and a Kia Stinger GT - each was the AWD model (though polestar only comes in AWD). It was interesting.

Few things stood out after driving all of them...
-The Giulia has exceptional road feel. It's definitely a driver's car. I was surprised by how aggressive the tranny was (ie very quick shifts) . I must admit I'm in love with that thing; BUT, while the power isn't bad, it's just not enough. Beautiful interior, excellent seats, and amazing shift paddles. I'm sad the Quadrafolio is out of my price range (maybe I could snag a deal on a used one in a year or two?). Alfa has a pretty solid 4 year warranty here in the US, though nothing compared to Kia's warranty.
-The Volvo S60 Polestar has some really cool safety features, and that thing is STRONG for just a 2 liter engine! The steering feel and road feel left a bit to be desired, especially after driving the Giulia, but it wasn't bad at all. I was not impressed by the interior, though, but at least the seats were decent. The shift paddles seemed like an afterthought - tiny, very little room to put your fingers in place.
-The Kia Stinger feels pretty strong. The tranny shifts aren't as quick as the Giulia, but I think they're a tad quicker than the S60 Polestar. I don't like how it automatically shifts for you when coming up on the redline (unsure if you can disable that?). The steering is numb, which I was really turned off by, but the car, surprisingly, hides its weight relatively well. Shift paddles were better than the Volvo, but not as good as the Giulia (which, to be honest, are very hard to beat). Seats weren't bad at all, but probably the worst of the bunch.

On a side note, the Kia salesman had never heard of the G70. I'm excited to test drive the G70 when it comes available and see how it compares to these. I still need to drive the M2 and the RS3, as those are other cars I'm considering.

About the same page as me. Except I like the stinger interior and can't afford a M2 (plus think it may be too small. There were rumors of giulia getting a 350hp v6 that would be nice but not waiting another year.

 

[EdP]

Actually I am guessing that he pretended not to know of the G70. That way he does not have to answer any comparison questions and keep the focus on the Kia.

Possible. Just look at the speculation here that he is avoiding.

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[randian]

About the same page as me. Except I like the stinger interior and can't afford a M2 (plus think it may be too small. There were rumors of giulia getting a 350hp v6 that would be nice but not waiting another year.

Recent press releases in the UK suggest every model but the Giulia gets the 350hp V6.

 

[KDX]

Recent press releases in the UK suggest every model but the Giulia gets the 350hp V6.

Do you also get your own personal mechanic? Supposedly during their initial release there were a lot of mechanical issues that had to be resolved for the journalists to complete their tests. If I find the article again I will link it.

 

[stingermang]

Do you also get your own personal mechanic? Supposedly during their initial release there were a lot of mechanical issues that had to be resolved for the journalists to complete their tests. If I find the article again I will link it.

Probably on Jalopnik. They threw a lot of shade on the QV. I'm with Toddasaurus on being in love with the feel of the Giulia...I was very close to pulling the trigger on a vesuvio gray 2017. In the end, I just couldn't get over stories about long lead times for parts and FCA's well-earned reputation for build quality variability.

I hope time proves me wrong (kind of!! I don't really feel compelled to kick my future self just yet).

mang.

PS - ...then one of my coworkers shows up in a tri-coat red QV, but he's able to afford the financial risk if it doesn't go well.

 

[Beefer]

Probably on Jalopnik. They threw a lot of shade on the QV. I'm with Toddasaurus on being in love with the feel of the Giulia...I was very close to pulling the trigger on a vesuvio gray 2017. In the end, I just couldn't get over stories about long lead times for parts and FCA's well-earned reputation for build quality variability.

I hope time proves me wrong (kind of!! I don't really feel compelled to kick my future self just yet).

mang.

PS - ...then one of my coworkers shows up in a tri-coat red QV, but he's able to afford the financial risk if it doesn't go well.

Well...just think...the G70 with a piggyback is a smidge slower than the Gulia Quad!!! For ~$30k USD less!!!

 

[randian]

Does Alfa Romeo give you a loaner car for warranty work? Presumably the financial risk of mechanical failure is Alfa’s not yours.

 

[stingermang]

Well...just think...the G70 with a piggyback is a smidge slower than the Gulia Quad!!! For ~$30k USD less!!!

QV is 505hp Ferrari-derived V6. The thing both the Stinger and the G70 lack is that sound.

I would encourage everybody on these forums to go to an Alfa dealership and just sit in an idling QV with normal mode...then turn the dial to sport. The exhaust gets an entirely different note.

(Glad I wasn't asked to step out of the car too fast...would've been a flashback to gradeschool: being asked to write the answer to a math problem on the board after seeing a cute girl...)

mang.

(EDIT: My wife found her inner car nerd when I turned that dial, too.)

 

[stingermang]

Does Alfa Romeo give you a loaner car for warranty work? Presumably the financial risk of mechanical failure is Alfa’s not yours.

I don't recall hearing anything like that from my discussions with the dealer. If they do, it's not the same as the care Genesis allegedly would provide. (Show up to your place of business to provide a replacement, that sort of thing.)

mang.

 

[Beefer]

QV is 505hp Ferrari-derived V6. The thing both the Stinger and the G70 lack is that sound.

I would encourage everybody on these forums to go to an Alfa dealership and just sit in an idling QV with normal mode...then turn the dial to sport. The exhaust gets an entirely different note.

(Glad I wasn't asked to step out of the car too fast...would've been a flashback to gradeschool: being asked to write the answer to a math problem on the board after seeing a cute girl...)

mang.

(EDIT: My wife found her inner car nerd when I turned that dial, too.)

Exhaust will EASILY remedy that.

 

[Buckdes]

I dont realy think the Alfa QV is in the same class, its RWD and $30000 more lol
If you dont need AWD and have the extra money just get the guila or c63 but they realy are not in the same group

 

[stingermang]

Exhaust will EASILY remedy that.

You might not walk away believing that.

I also *might* believe the QV was worth $30k more if it was made by something other than FCA.

mang.