Alfa Giulietta 1.4 Multiair Veloce or VW Scirocco 2.0d 170bhp sport

Twin-go · 15-12-2010 06:11PM #1

So the car loan is up in January and I'm getting itchy feet about changing my car. I have narrowed it down to 2. Budget of €32k.

Currently Driving a 2004 BMW 318 with the Msport pack.

Which one would my fellow Boardsies choose, and why?

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Multiair Veloce 170bhp

http://www.carzone.ie/new-cars/Alfa-Romeo/Giulietta/1.4-MULTIAIR-TB-170HP-VELOCE/795122920100805/

€28,695 with probably €4k of extras (Leather, satnav, xenons) to bring it up to €32k ish

or

VW Scirocco 2.0 TDI Sport 170bhp

http://www.carzone.ie/new-cars/VOLKSWAGEN/SCIROCCO/2.0-TDI-170BHP-SPORT/780498320100622/options/

€31,995 - No room in budget for the extras but will to go to 12months/20k kms old if I found one with the right Colour/spec combination.

johnos1984 · 15-12-2010 06:24PM

Personally having seen the Alfa on the open road it would be my choice looks wise.

I've not driven one yet tho

R.O.R · 15-12-2010 06:29PM

Why not the 2.0d Veloce? Suppose it's a big premium to pay over the 1.4, but fuel costs and resale would narrow the overall ownership cost.

Haven't driven the Scirocco, but that engine is very pokey. Seem to remember a lot of lag at start off though.

I have driven the Giulietta 1.6d. It's sluggish but frugal in normal mode, but a totally different animal in dyamic. I actually thought it was a great car, but with that engine I don't think it's worth the premium over the Focus.

mickdw · 15-12-2010 06:30PM

If you need the alfa, well the VW wont do.
I think you would be stone mad to spend that kind of cash on a small alfa. If you want to get some of that money back when you sell, get the vw.

Zubeneschamali · 15-12-2010 06:38PM

I like Alfas (ran one for 6 years), but I don't think I want a Giulietta. Even the normally Alfa-mad Car magazine say it doesn't stack up against the opposition.

Not sure I'd buy a diesel Scirocco either, mind you.

A 2.0 TSI, yes, I'd buy that. Is this some sort of Road Tax aversion thing?

EPM · 15-12-2010 06:51PM

I'd probably go with the VW but I'd want the Alfa. I think 32k is mad on a small Alfa. If I was going the Alfa route at that money I'd be searching out a demo 159 in Ti spec

Nonoperational · 15-12-2010 06:52PM

From the reviews I've read I think it's harsh to say it doesn't hold up against the opposition.

I'd go for the Alfa. I don't like the Scirocco. But I'd try get the Diesel.

Edit: I agree on the 159 Ti. I think it's amazing but it's around a while now.

-Chris- · 15-12-2010 07:12PM

I like the Scirocco, but often the boot is a deal-breaker. Have you been up close and personal with one yet?

mailforkev · 15-12-2010 07:24PM

If it was my own money I'd really really struggle to buy the Alfa over a Scirocco (or even a decent Golf to be honest).

I know I'd just feel the Alfa depreciating every time I drove it, let alone adding 3 or 4 grands worth of extras on top of it.

Drove a 2.0 TSI Scirocco and it was a nice piece of kit, haven't tried a diesel one though.

mcwhirter · 15-12-2010 09:39PM

I have read reviews that the scirocco is a much better drive than the alfa.

mondeo · 15-12-2010 10:49PM

I'd be concerned about depreciation with the Alfa. I think Alfas as a second hand buy are pretty good. I'd more than likely go for the VW.

-Corkie- · 15-12-2010 10:51PM

Buy the VW. It will be worth more than 4k in 3 years time..;)

johnos1984 · 15-12-2010 10:51PM

-Corkie- wrote: »

Buy the VW. It will be worth more than 4k in 3 years time..;)

If people don't buy them new than nobody will have one in a few years time

unkel · 15-12-2010 10:52PM

Twin-go wrote: »

I have narrowed it down to 2. Budget of €32k.

Interesting shortlist of cars, coming from a BMW. You not that bothered then about having RWD again? Or do you not like any RWD car in that budget (and granted, there's not much RWD choice within budget). Have you considered a 118d coupe? Or other FWD cars - How about A1? MINI?

Lex Luthor · 15-12-2010 11:14PM

EPM wrote: »

I think 32k is mad on a small Alfa. If I was going the Alfa route at that money I'd be searching out a demo 159 in Ti spec

^^^^
What he said...:D

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201027198749840

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201050200567467

maddness · 15-12-2010 11:18PM

Alfa all day long. Far cooler and the Scirocco is really nasty looking.

Alanstrainor · 15-12-2010 11:20PM

Lex Luthor wrote: »

^^^^
What he said...:D

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201050200567467

I don't think i've seen an estate 159 before, awesome looking car!

maddness · 15-12-2010 11:27PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I don't think i've seen an estate 159 before, awesome looking car!

+1. Best looking car Alfa make.

colm_mcm · 15-12-2010 11:53PM

I'd go with the vw but is respect anyone who bought the alfa.

Personally I love the sciroccos looks and the heritage from the old model. I reckon the alfa will be bought by petrolheads rather than purely on looks.

bmw535d · 15-12-2010 11:57PM

white vw, 19 inch bbs lm's, remap

/thread end:D

Bluefoam · 16-12-2010 12:21AM

I'm driving a 159. I used a Mito 155hp with all the extras for a week. I'd be tempted to go for a top of the range mito cloverleaf with every extra and 170 brake will offer more than the other larger cars and it'll save you about 7k. Plus, resale on the mito is good

STForSale · 16-12-2010 09:03AM

Scirocco all day, the alfa itch is an expensive one to scratch.
The vag is the better car and still a rare sight on irish roads.
Or by a MKV Golf Gti and put 15K in the bank mattress.

Twin-go · 16-12-2010 09:25AM

Thanks for the feedback Guys.

Twin-go · 16-12-2010 09:31AM

-Chris- wrote: »

I like the Scirocco, but often the boot is a deal-breaker. Have you been up close and personal with one yet?

Not too bothered by the boot as it will be a second car. To other car (wifes) has a plenty big boot for shopping (golf clubs:D).

I have test driven the 1.4 TSI VW and I was impressed. Unfortunitly been based in Limerick/Shannon there is no Alfa dealer around to view the Giulietta. I'll be down in Glanmire in the new year and will arrange a TD in Grandons for then. I did own a 147 a few years ago so I well versed in the ups and downs of Alfa ownership:p.

Twin-go · 16-12-2010 09:34AM

mondeo wrote: »

I'd be concerned about depreciation with the Alfa. I think Alfas as a second hand buy are pretty good. I'd more than likely go for the VW.

Unfortunitly it would probably be a long wait to get the Alfa I would like second hand. They are still very new on the market and most Irish have a habbit of buying the bog standard spec on engine and trim:(.

Twin-go · 16-12-2010 09:38AM

unkel wrote: »

Interesting shortlist of cars, coming from a BMW. You not that bothered then about having RWD again? Or do you not like any RWD car in that budget (and granted, there's not much RWD choice within budget). Have you considered a 118d coupe? Or other FWD cars - How about A1? MINI?

Not too bothered in the short term (318 is so underpowered you hadly get to enjoy RWD, granted they do feel better balanced). We will change the wifes car in 2012. Hope to get a good pre owned 5series then.

Mr.David · 16-12-2010 09:39AM

The heart says Alfa but the head VW. And the wallet.

I think that despite recent improvements from Alfa they are still some way off the mark and make interesting alternatives for the enthusiast as opposed to class leaders. They just cut too many corners.

VW.

Twin-go · 16-12-2010 09:40AM

Lex Luthor wrote: »

^^^^
What he said...:D

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201027198749840

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201050200567467

Thanks Lex, 159 is worth a look.

The Recliner · 16-12-2010 10:02AM

STForSale wrote: »

Scirocco all day, the alfa itch is an expensive one to scratch.
The vag is the better car and still a rare sight on irish roads.
Or by a MKV Golf Gti and put 15K in the bank mattress.

There seems to be a fair few of them around dublin though, I see a lot of them out and about, certainly wouldn't call them rare

I love the look of the Scirocco and then I look at the back of it and vomit, it looks like a van from the back and an ugly one

I test drove a basic 1.4L one a while back and couldn't really fault it, it was a nice car but you could be sitting behind the wheel of any Volkswagon, the interior in basic trim (which sadly most in this country will be) is very boring
A well specced one on the other hand can be a nice place to be

I agree the Alfa is over-priced but it is a much nicer place to be, the back of it doesn't make me vomit and while not as masculine looking as the VW it is a good looking car imo

Persoanlly I would choose the Alfa, mainly because I don't think you should put a diesel engine into a good looking car like these

it is a difficult choice Op, I don't think you will be unhappy with either but it is a nice quandry to have

Veloce · 16-12-2010 10:19AM

Definitly the Alfa. I find the VW a bit boring TBH.

STForSale · 16-12-2010 11:08AM

The alfa is a fantastic looking car but it's a 15K kick in the ar5e waiting to happen, for this reason I could never even consider it.
It's way too pricey for what it is.

Alfa Giulietta 1.4 Multiair Veloce or VW Scirocco 2.0d 170bhp sport

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