The Alfa Romeo Giulia is one of the best new sports sedans you can buy today. Sure, it has its flaws, but it’s eager and soulful and oh-so-characterful. Mind you, these flaws mean that it’s been the exact opposite of a sales success. We’re nearly three months into the year and brand new leftover 2022s are still littering dealer lots, often advertised at heavily-discounted prices. Yes, if you’re on the hunt for a deal in today’s sky-high car market, you might want to take a brave pill and consider going Italian.
Let’s kick things off with the cheapest delivery-mileage Alfa Romeo Giulia in the country, this basic-yet-gorgeous Anodized Blue Metallic Sprint model in Van Nuys, California. It originally carried an MSRP of $45,605 and is advertised for $30,985, although that’s a red herring. This unit is loaded up with shitty high-margin options like an $1,899 GPS tracking system, a $399 charge for nitrogen-filled tires, and a $1,699 charge for “3 Year Paint Protection” which is most likely just a cheap coating. However, even with that unscrupulous package hidden in the fine print, the car still comes out to $34,982, or more than $10,000 off.
Poke around online and it’s not hard to find loaded Honda Civic Touring models retailing close to that $34,982 figure once dealer markup is added. Here’s one listed for $34,398, or just $584 less than what that Giulia costs after all the hidden fees are added. Granted, the new Civic is very economical and comfortable and spacious, but wouldn’t you rather drive a Giulia for basically the same money? Perhaps a more direct comparison on the performance side of things is the new 2023 Subaru WRX Limited which carries a suggested retail price of $38,515 including a $1,020 freight charge. That’s right, the Alfa Romeo costs less than the Subaru. What a strange world we’re living in.
Spend a little bit more and you’re able to jump up to the mid-range Ti trim. Here’s an all-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti all shiny and new up for sale in Cincinnati, Ohio for $38,685. That’s a hell of a lot cheaper than the $48,985 it originally listed for. Sure, white isn’t the most inspiring color and $38,685 doesn’t include the phenomenal optional column-mounted paddle shifters, but it’s still a great deal for a brand-new, all-wheel-drive sports sedan with 280 horsepower.
In fact, several dealerships across the country have brand new Giulias up for grabs for less than $40,000. Here’s a red all-wheel-drive Giulia Sprint for sale in Minnesota for $38,990. It’s marked down $7,785 from MSRP, and it even has the alloy paddle shifters. The Alfa dealership in Forth Worth claims to have a Sprint model with $10,000 on the hood. That’s a hell of a lot of money put on zesty sports sedans to simply move them off the lots. Oh, and if you’re willing to accept a demo unit with a few thousand miles on it, deeply-discounted selection gets even greater.
Other than perceptions around reliability, I can’t possibly see why new Giulias are this unloved. Sure, the inability to truly kill traction control will make you want to stab someone, and the ergonomics do have a learning curve, but the steering is delightfully quick, the chassis feels agile in a way most modern sports sedans don’t, and damping recalls BMW’s halcyon days with tuning that’s well-controlled yet still breathes with the road. It even has a quality feel with well-damped switchgear and lovely upholstery.
At MSRP, the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s appeal is limited. It’s just too far out of reach for enthusiast shoppers on a middleweight budget and only the most hopeless automotive romantics would pay that sort of money for something without the modern connectivity or extensive dealer network of a BMW 3-Series. However, at less than $40,000, it becomes a tantalizing proposition. The Hyundai Elantra N is as exciting as a stag night, but it’s not the most refined sedan out there and good luck finding one at MSRP. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI with the DSG is a few grand cheaper on paper than these Giulias, but it doesn’t dance like these Alfas, nor look nearly as good. You can get a Subaru WRX Limited with a manual, but if automatic comfort is your aim, the Giulia’s ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox is more tantalizing than the CVT in the Subaru.
Of course, the catch is that leftover 2022 Giulias probably won’t be around forever. Even with the extra attention I’m giving them, supply will likely run out by 2025 or so. They’re just not fast-moving cars on showroom floors. However, if you want a brand new car right now, have $35,000 to $40,000 to spend, and don’t want to pay through the nose or wait months, grab yourself a leftover 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Sure, depreciation could be horrendous, but every corner should be a grin.
(Photo credits: Alfa Romeo, Russell Westbrook Alfa Romeo, Cincinnati North Alfa Romeo)
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I sat in one at NAIAS when the year they came out…2016? The one I sat in, the blinker stalk fell off. Now I know these are abused by people getting in and out of them all day long, but that kinda stuck with me. Comfortable, sexy as hell, but at the end of the day still Italian reliability…
No manual, absolutely not interested.
I would rather drive any other car and smile as I shift gears.
Under $40k new is a good deal, i agree. I didn’t buy new, but as an Alfisti said this morning, I “jumped to the dark side” last September with a used, off-warranty $30k 2018 Ti Lusso Q2… i too considered the Elantra N and Genesis G70 (yes, cross-shopped), but the Italian’s beauty won me over despite my apprehension. Six-months in and there’s a LOT to like, and it is lovely, but i am not *in love* with it; i just don’t trust the electronics TBH, so i likely won’t keep it past 60k miles (bought w/ 37k, now 44k). I came out of 10 years in an E86 Z4 Coupe and this is a luxury-leaning sport sedan which drives well on all-season tires, but i am looking forward to its next set which will be sportier & hopefully tamper its luxury tendencies a bit.
My theory on these living in the Detroit area and working in Automotive is that only FCA/STLA employees drive them because they get sick discounts on them (presumably).
At least in Detroit, this theory has yet to be proven wrong.
My friend had the SUV, and it was ok. Weird cars, weird company, but probably nice/fine?
I keep looking at that front end and keep seeing Pontiac.
I would definitely prefer to drive the Alfa over the Civic. The problem is i would rather drive the Civic than look at the Alfa sitting in my driveway leaking oil because waiting for parts and repairs. The cost of thes two vehicles may be the same at purchase. However, the Alfa barely lasting out the warranty with a resale value of $3.50 and the Civic lasting until you are so tired of it you prefer paying $650 a month to drive something else because they offer you half what you paid for it 8 years ago. Well thats a different story. HOWEVER Thomas Hyundai, if thats IS your real name I will wait read your stories about the Gulia you own and maybe by one next year.
Even as someone who loves old Alfas and has been known to let Italians get away with far more than anyone else ever could (wait, that’s right, we’re talking about cars), I think the article sums it up: no manual, no defeatable TC, and reliability reputation that a sedan is just not special enough to take a chance on. I’d rather get a used Cadillac (not that I’d likely find one with a manual).
In 10 years of Italian car ownership, I’ve found the “perceptions of reliability” to be just that, perceptions. When cared for properly, an Italian car is a-ok, the trick is caring for it properly. That has been the trick since about the dawn of automotive time. Italian cars tend to have a different maintenance schedule from most other cars and they always have. Decades ago people would try to treat an Italian car like a big lazy American car and they would run it into the ground. Yes, the maintenance schedule is best described as “accelerated.” I quote spark plugs at 60k all day long on German cars at work. My own plugs, pretty much the same NGK Iridiums, came due at 30k. Now for the 2019+ Giulias they updated the recommendation to 60k but I have a 2018 and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s do your maintenance on time, even if it seems silly.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. I adore my Giulia, she drives incredibly well. Yes, I do want to strangle whoever decided to keep traction control permanently on, but other than that the car is fantastic. If you’re shopping for an awesome daily that will make you feel just a little bit cooler than everyone else in traffic, get a Giulia.
I’ll second that the perceptions of Italian reliability are quite overblown. I feel like it’s just regurgitated from people who have heard it before somewhere from someone who knew someone who had one in the ’80s or ’90s and just take it at face value with no experience. Between my wife and I we have a ’21 Giulia and a ’12 Fiat 500 and we’ve never had reason to feel they can’t be trusted. They’ve been quite loyal. Not A+, but right around the top of the bell curve of past cars we’ve owned and those of close relatives.
It would have been nice if the Giulia came with a stick but wasn’t a deal breaker for me. I really liked the style and driving ethos that Alfa presents and I was not disappointed. I’m not quite sure what the ergonomics comment is referring to, I found it pretty intuitive.
That said, the Giulia’s tech is slightly little behind competitors at the moment. But it makes up for it by fulfilling the other Alfa stereotype: providing an incredible driving experience and good looks. I believe if someone loves driving, they will love this car.
If only some organization that didn’t accept payment from the OEMs was willing to collect and analyze reliability data. But no, we only get perception. OH WAIT! I HAVE A CR membership!
Based on an average of the last three years reliability data and brand data CR shows the Giulia in a three way tie for DFL among similar sedans.
Okay. Stick with your 2005 Legacy GT then, which I also owned and was, unfortunately, the least reliable car I’ve ever had. A head gasket blew, the climate control couldn’t figure out what vents weren’t the floor, the heated seat stopped working, a belt jumped it’s track and messed up several things in the engine, for some reason it would pipe in smoke in the interior with the heater on which the dealer couldn’t figure out, and for some reason it seemed to collect flat tires which, I theorize, led to three broken wheel bearings. You must have better luck with yours.
It is at 135000 miles and 18 years, so I’m not mad that it’s needed 3 wheel bearings, front control arms, brake work, a radiator, and CVs. My only gasket replacement was the valve cover (near the turbo so it cooked). The wiring bundle to the hatch made me mad. I’ll need to do the steering rack soon. Sorry yours was that way.
I want the stupid new Prius.
You have to admit, that’s a shitload of work to have done on a modern car with only 135,000 miles.
I don’t think I’ve ever owned a car that needed anywhere near that much work in 150,000 miles, and I’ve owned several german autos and more than a few Chrysler products.
Subarus may have great initial quality, and they definitely have dedicated owners. Every owner I know has stories like yours, yet almost to a person, they all intend to buy another Subaru.
Buy the new Toyota Prius you’re tempted by. I doubt you’ll have a single unscheduled repair in the first 135,000 miles. Neither of my Toyotas have.
I like the tech being old. It was hard enough just for me to accept having an infotainment screen in a car when I bought mine a year and a half ago. Aside from being forced to use it to check the oil level, I literally only use it for the stereo. I’ve never used the nav or any of that. I don’t want a big fancy iPad in the dash, I want a car with minimal fuss.
Of course the first thing I did was check out autotrader.ca, and the cheapest new Guilia up here is still over $60kCAD (even the ones that clearly had 6+ month old pictures) – even worse, it’s also over the configured MSRP for a loaded Sprint (nevermind that there appears to be a $1k manufacturer discount right now).
Looking used, they also don’t appear to have depreciated any more than a Jag XE, which also drives great, can be had with a supercharged six (even for the affordable money), and I might barely, marginally trust more than the Alfa.
> Other than perceptions around reliability, I can’t possibly see why new Giulias are this unloved.
Fear that the brand will dwindle further or fold altogether and parts and service will become more difficult to acquire?
My local Fiat/Alfa dealer closed, leaving just one in the state. And if that one goes then it’s a realllly long haul to have a dealership to take it to. I’m sure there are independent shops that would work on it, but for recalls, warranty work, etc…
I was excited and interested as long as the sentence “Sure, the inability to truly kill traction control will make you want to stab someone”. Yeah, that is a total turnoff in a sport oriented sedan. Yeah, I guess you can propably fix that pretty easy via programming, but it is a real shame car like that can not be had without nannies in factory form.
And this is not problem only with this car but industry wide plight. Let us have a chance to be in control at least sometimes, please!!
Just checked my local dealer. No such luck. Just a bunch of used Ferraris, Bentleys, McLaren’s. They even had a McLaren speedtail for 3.1 mill. G-Wagons a couple Bugatti’s, Oh and a couple Zonda’s.
Interesting that you compared the price to a Civic Si and a Subaru WRX. A Honda is definitely more reliable than an Alpha, but the way Subaru has been doing things lately, the Alpha might actually run longer before you have to cough up coin for an engine-out repair.
We live in strange times. I think a used BMW is cheaper to maintain. How. What… I wrote that?? (walks to bar cart)
A few things…first and foremost you can easily get an Elantra N at MSRP. Within 100 miles of me there are 4 listed at MSRP, and if you’re willing to go with a lightly hooned one they can be had for 30-33 or so. In the off chance that you still can’t get one you can find my car (the Kona N) with money on the hood in most places and as someone who’s driven both you’d be surprised at how close they are performance and feel wise. Hell the Kona N finished Car and Driver’s lightning lap ahead of the Elantra N.
Alright now that my resident N dude spiel is out of the way there’s a reason that these are so cheap. Their reliability reputation is putrid…and while I think some of it is overblown due to Car and Driver’s well documented nightmare with their long term Quadrifoglio it’s still a risky car…not to mention the scarcity of these dealerships makes it even riskier. For a lot of potential customers their closest Alfa dealership is hundreds of miles away…and what are you going to do if it leaves you stranded on a road trip through a flyover state? Good luck! This isn’t something your average mechanic can work on.
It’s also hard to understate just how much a front plate ruins the look of these. I live in a front plate requiring not-state (DC) and these things just look awful when you have to slap a plate on the nose. There’s no good place to do it. The best I’ve seen rigging it to the bottom of the front bumper and even that still looks like crap. I often seen them mounted between the headlight and the lower grilles and it’s a crime that’s worthy of The Hague.
And finally…what brand cache do you get with an Alfa Romeo? Obviously us weirdos get them and like them, but if you’re a normie looking to stretch your budget leasing your first $40,000-$50,000 car to flex on the poors, who the hell knows what an Alfa Romeo is? You’re definitely going to BMW, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes, Tesla, etc. because those badges carry more weight.
In conclusion-these depreciate hideously for a reason, and at the end of the day they’re a Stellantis product with questionable reliability. Would I personally rock one? Maybe, because there’s a dealership in my area and despite my ramblings here I do think they’re neat cars. But I get why no one wants them.
Yeah, that pretty much nails it
I think Giulias are going to be valuable in the 20 years. They handle great, and they’re fairly rare. I don’t know if that makes it worth buying one now, though.
Those that survive until then will be the good ones. Better to let others learn which ones those will be.
Perhaps your own article can help answer why “I can’t possibly see why new Giulias are this unloved.” Let’s see…
“It has its flaws” (in the first 25 words of the article)
“Other than perceptions around reliability”
“The ergonomics do have a learning curve”
“Only the most hopeless automotive romantics would pay that sort of money”
“Without…modern connectivity or extensive dealer network”
“Depreciation could be horrendous”
Aside from that, I’ve got nothin’.
(Lest you assume I’m a complete curmudgeon, a family member bought a new Maserati Biturbo back in the day. Compared to that, an Alfa is a paragon of reliability. I have stories.)
I’m not sure where the ergonomics come in. I had an ’18 Ti and that interior is simple AF. Knobs for volume and A/C. A knob with 3 settings for drive modes. A regular electronic shifter. My biggest gripe with that car was that the interior felt like $30k, not $45k. That has nothing to do with ergonomics though.
It has a steering wheel. I hear we’re all doing yokes now.
I was kinda wondering about that too. The ergonomics are fine, I’ve never had difficulty with my Giulia. I’d also say the interior is correct for the price point, but I have a loaded Ti Lusso with the light wood interior that makes it feel vaguely like an architect’s office. My only complaint is it’s cream so keeping it clean is a challenge
Buying one will leave me with a topic for discussion with my Uber driver
For curiosities sake I checked the dealers around me and if a 2022 is just too old for you you can get your hands on a 2023 for $5000 off MSRP. It comes in blue and I’m kind of in love with it. Not enough to actually buy it but definitely enough to think about buying it before I came to my senses.
https://www.westburyalfaromeo.com/new/Alfa+Romeo/2023-Alfa+Romeo-Giulia-21b640f10a0e087f7587a12c2d7d1507.htm
I wasn’t in the market to replace my car, but now…
The Stelvio and Giulia are by far the best kept secret in the industry right now.
Both are phenomenal values and are legitimately the best handling vehicles in their respective segments.
The one challenging thing is the Alfa dealer network is sparse. You don’t want to be in a position where your nearest dealer is four hours away. If you have a couple dealers in your vicinity, (meaning you live in a major metro), its not an issue. In rural Montana, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
As for the quality concerns, I would argue that whole “in the shop all the time” myth is wildly overblown.
They are modern cars and don’t have any more issues than any modern Audi or BMW, etc. In particular, cars built after the 2020 mid-cycle refresh have been very solid.
And full disclosure, I have a ’22 Stelvio Veloce. It’s been both fun and flawless so far.
I think the Genesis G70 is the Alfa’s biggest problem.
Virtually no one would cross shop a G70 with a Stelvio or Giulia. Completely different animals, driving wise.
Is it? Like all Genesis products the base price is extremely enticing but you’re never finding a base one/wouldn’t want one anyway. I’ve messed around on their configurator a few times and to get the desirable options you’re looking at spending about $10,000 more than the base price on either the G70 or GV70…not to mention the base G70 engine sucks.
For whatever reason they don’t use the corporate 300 horsepower 2.5 liter turbo, it’s an older one that has around 250 horsepower. It’ll be way, way behind any sports sedan competitor without the turbo 6, and that thing is horrendous on gas and increases the price a ton. At that point you’re in M340i/S4/TLX Type S range and all of those cars are much more refined and better on gas.
Don’t get me wrong, I like what Genesis is doing but to me it seems like when you dig in a little deeper they aren’t as great as they appear.
I drove one and ended up with a TLX A-Spec, so I do agree there are better buys out there. I mentioned the Genesis since they both showed up around the same time and are around the same price MSRP wise… and one comes from a company that’s been on the upswing for the past 20 years while the other is from a company that left the US a long time ago and has zero name with the young affluent buyer who shops for sedans this size. Trading up from your trusty early career Sonata to a G70 vs buying a sport sedan from the brand your dad said your uncle had a ton of trouble with in the 80’s… I can see why these don’t sell.
Valid, especially considering G70s are on the same lots as Sonatas
It’s one of the many cars that I look at and say “If they imported it with a manual I would already own one.” Kia Stinger GT was another one.
The Venn diagram of enthusiasts who still want a sport sedan in 2023 and who want an autobox is vanishingly small.
*raises hand confidently*
I am in that small overlap, apparently.
The only purpose of a sports sedan over a coupe/two-seater is that it can pull daily duty by hauling kids, groceries, luggage, etc better. And sometimes daily duty means your significant other needs to drive it. Mine has no desire to ever learn to drive a stick.
Getting a manual transmission in a sports sedan actually defeats the purpose of getting the sedan at all in my mind. Even if I was single still, I’d get a toy to row and a sedan to commute. A car like a Guilia or a Stinger (or my old LGT… rest in turbo shrapnel pieces) is something I’d get if I wanted a car that could do everything a track toy can’t. That includes being used by family members if need be.
I cannot work out why people think a manual somehow is bad for commuting. It makes an otherwise boring grind ever-so-slightly less boring. That seems like a win, right? Right? Ok
Well, my last commute (I now work from home) was about 45 minutes, and 40 of those minutes were on a highway. I think I would have shifted maybe a dozen times. The only times I would have to shift more than that is because of traffic on the highway. In which case, it would be a PITA, not fun.
If your commute has some interesting roads and no traffic then sure. But the “commute” part of my comment above was not really the focus. I’d still not get a car for the purpose of utility that no one else in my family can/wants to drive… which decreases its utility.
I wonder what you could lease one of these for.
I wouldn’t have much interest in owning one (and with 3 little kids a small sedan makes no sense for me anyways) but getting one of these for $399-$499 a month would be a good deal for somebody.
The cash on the hood might not apply to leasing, but at any rate based on these sale prices and demand for Alfas the residual is likely horrible, which pushes the lease price up significantly compared to its competitors.
Local dealer has a 2023 sprint AWD for lease at 450$ a month.
A steep discount on a car with a urinal for a face still leaves you with a car with a urinal for a face.
I think they look better in person, but you wouldn’t catch me being one of those journalists that casually refer to it as “beautiful” just because it’s Italian
Too much mid 90’s Daewoo sedan. Overstyled to attract the nouveau-riche.
It may not be “beautiful”, but boy does it have “passion” and “soul”
“It’s a fountain” – R. Mutt
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