Alpha Stelvio for college car? | FerrariChat

Alpha Stelvio for college car?

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by Husker, Apr 30, 2020.

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  1. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,788
    western hemisphere
    We are getting my daughter a college car in probably a year. Right now she has an LR3 which is a fun vehicle, but I am not comfortable sending her 400 miles away in a 10 year old Rover. Of course we can go with the reliable Toyota, Lexus or Nissan, but I was wondering about the Alpha Romeo Stelvio. Their resale values are dropping like a stone, which means I might be able to snag a gently used one for mid $20s. Does anyone have experience with these? Are they reliable? I kind of like the uniqueness of it.
     
  2. bcorner

    bcorner Karting

    Aug 25, 2017
    63
    The quad version is a blast to do drifting. Sooo get her the standard one. Lots of room. And they are a looker.


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  3. Alcav5

    Alcav5 F1 Rookie
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    Jul 28, 2012
    3,969
    Scarsdale, NY
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    Al
    I am leasing one for my college son. We are pleased so far.
    Simple, yet unique, solid , perfect size.
     
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  4. VGM911

    VGM911 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2007
    1,379
    New Jersey
    A car for your daughter should clearly be reliable and safe. I don't know why you disqualify Toyota and Lexus; it seems like you are showing a bias towards a car that YOU would like to enjoy vicariously through her.

    In my humble opinion, cars like the Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Fiat, and other cars that score at the bottom of JD Power's rankings (or Consumer Reports) should be carefully considered as not acceptable for your daughter...leave Car and Driver or Road & Track recommendations for adults and those who are mechanically inclined.

    By the way, I'm a father, too. :)
     
  5. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,788
    western hemisphere
    Clearly the Toyota or Lexus would be the wisest choice. I don't always choose wisely. She's really enjoying reading up on the Stelvio.
     
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  6. Makuono

    Makuono Formula Junior
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    Feb 15, 2014
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    Ricardo
    Clearly you raised you daughter well!
     
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  7. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,788
    western hemisphere
    poor kid
     
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  8. Dragster

    Dragster Formula Junior

    Jun 8, 2007
    478
    Charlotte, NC
    One thing to consider is the proximity to a dealer or good independent shop should the car need service or maintenance. That’s easy to find for a Toyota or Honda, but not so much for an Alfa.
     
  9. TheMayor

    TheMayor Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 11, 2008
    98,533
    Vegas baby
    Just make sure there is an Alfa dealer not too far away. Dealers are few and far between.
     
  10. leeber

    leeber Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 21, 2012
    247
    Charleston, SC
    i like this thread because i am in market for a daily driver and considering leasing a stelvio for 36 months. is the 2019 and 2020 sorted. other option is macan. havent driven stelvio yet because covid disruption. should i scratch it from list to testdrive or keep it on list? the stelvio in stromboli gray with black/red interior is pure italian and sweet. but looks arent everything, right!
     
  11. CETH

    CETH Karting

    Nov 3, 2015
    220
    Poland/France
    Test drive it! FWIW, had mine (QF) for 2 years and done some 25,000 kms. It drives very well and I've had no problems
     
  12. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
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    Bill Tracy
    Alfa Romeo has the fourth highest initial quality score of all manufacturers according to JD power. Unfortunately, it is like golf, where the higher you score, the worse you are. Alfa has roughly twice as many complaints per vehicle as the top scoring brand.
     
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  13. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    May 27, 2004
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    I would wonder about those scores. Got a 19 Gulia, zero issues. Car feels to be really strong. Its way way way better to drive than any toyota snoozemobile.
    One is an appliance that goes from a-b, the alfa does that too, but its actualy enjoyable.
    From what I read anything that goes wrong with a 18 or newer alfa is not he type of thing that causes the vehicle to fail to proceed.
    If youre a car person, frankly there is no other choice, except maybe a porche and even then the alfa is a nicer drive.

    My only caveat for a younger person is that even the 4cyl 280 hp motor yeilds a really quick machine, esp compared with a CVT honda or toyota.
    If youre thinking Asian reliability vehicles then I would look at KIA or Hyundai, they too drive really well.
     
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  14. cls

    cls Formula 3

    Jun 12, 2007
    1,663
    Los Angeles/Montreal
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    Chris
    Alfa’s have a pretty well documented problem with batteries that can cause total failure, albeit temporary. But I agree they are the best drive / $ out there.
     
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  15. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
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    Sep 28, 2010
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    Fred C
    About a month ago, i watched my 40 yo daughter hop into a Huracan spyder on Collins Ave in Miami. She drove out of sight, pulled a quick huey and NAILED it.

    I just looked at my SIL and grinned.
    He knows what he's got. LOL
     
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  16. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

    Jun 30, 2007
    10,533
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    Is, Izzy for Australians
    JM2 has one, believe he could mention a few things but read only positive comments to date. I’m shopping too, btw.
     
  17. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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    Aug 19, 2002
    17,894
    michigan
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    Correct, I had one, the lease ended back in Jan and I did not replace it with another Alfa.
    The Stelvio was great. I had absolutely 0 problems/issues. My personal issue was driving a CUV/SUV. Just wasn't me. The Alfa 'experience' left something to be desired, in that for a Premium Brand, the dealer/service situation wasn't very Premium in my mind. My wife's Chevy SUV is/was a better experience regarding the dealer/service situation.
    The interesting dilemma is the FCA Corporate HQ is several miles away, so you'd think FCA would have a showcase Alfa presence locally. Not quite.

    BUT, the car itself was awesome. I got routine compliments wherever I went. Mechanically, performance wise it delivered the goods. But the competition these days is brutal. Sometimes it's more than just the car.

    I wound up getting a sedan again. Old habits die hard. ;)


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  18. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,788
    western hemisphere
    She’s still interested in a Stelvio. I’m thinking a 3 year old certified one a year from now in the mid $20s.
     
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  19. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    May 27, 2004
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    Yes their technical response is like it’s from some consulting company. The dealers are a mixed bag

    I drive a gulia and the. The stelvio back to back. Good as the stelvio may be to drive. In the end it’s still taller wider and bigger than the sedan, the difference felt vast to me when pressing on.

    there’s always that dilemma of an suv for snowy clines, but an awd sedan works great and puts a smile on ones face.

    for a college car a stelvio is awesome, Roomey quick without being too fast, fun, still does the practical suv stuff, rides talk which many prefer. yet does not have the negative stigma of some German brands. Can’t think o of something that would be better.
     
  20. vjd3

    vjd3 F1 Rookie
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    Jun 3, 2005
    2,565
    Massachusetts
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    I think the dealer experience is dependent on whether or not they are already a high-line dealer ... I got my Giulia from a dealer who handles Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati out of the same facility, so I anticipate my experience will be in line with my expectations. It could be very different from a stand-alone dealer, or someone who has brought it on along with Jeep, Chrysler, etc. etc. My bigger fear would be whether or not Alfa makes it work in the US, which is why I leased for 2 years instead of buying or taking a longer lease, or seriously considering a preowned car ... last thing I wanted to do was wind up with an orphaned brand. A lot of dealerships seem to be closing or on shaky ground depending on where they are located, but I felt pretty safe here in Boston, there are two Alfa dealers and the one I bought from is a huge group with just about every car imaginable ... except Ferrari ;)
     
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  21. jm2

    jm2 F1 World Champ
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    The viability/success of Alfa in the US is indeed a big question mark. My pals at FCA say otherwise, but it’s going to be a big ‘we’ll wait and see’
     
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  22. Dai Baracca

    Dai Baracca Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2007
    572
    NY
    Full Name:
    SB
    I have had my QV since Dec. of 16, and from day one I said the only thing that will sink Alfa is their dealer network. It is few and far between in some parts of the country and being linked to FCA Dodge/Chrysler dealers can pose another problem as well. While my dealer is a Ferrari/Maserati/Alfa dealer, I believe that my dealer's service culture is what makes them good. If a dealer has a mediocre service culture to begin with, it doesn't matter how many brands they represent or who they represent, the service will be sub-par. My son just got a 19 Giulia in January, he leased it from my dealer in CT, but lives in Boston. The service he received in Boston has been very good, even though he has not driven his car for sometime. But when he got it, a week later someone backed into his car causing damage to some sensors. The Alfa dealer he brought it was professional & timely, the body shop they recommended and brought the car too did a great job.
    Unfortunately for Alfa they have a perceived reputation for lousy reliability and initial cars played into that. But worse than that, the dealer network was suspect. It seems that many of the dealers people complained about have closed, which is a good thing. Alfa can never be Chevy or Toyota in the volume department, nor should they be. They should concentrate on tightening up the dealers they have and make sure that the service experience in on par with other recognized brands.
    net net, right now the only advice I give people interested in an Alfa, your buying the dealer as much as the car, make sure the one near you is quality. IF your buying out of state because you don;t have a local to you dealer, don't buy the car.
     
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  23. Makuono

    Makuono Formula Junior
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  24. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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  25. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    May 27, 2004
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    Sean
    For servicing I visited 3 dealers. One was Fiat Alfa and i wouldnt leave a 10 yo Fiat there by the looks of the service cave. The next was a maserati dealer too, and it was marginaly better than the first.
    Drove 15 miles to a dealer who is part of a larger enterprise selling and servicing aston to Maclaren to mercedes. The experience was great.

    BTW if you call the Alfa service hotline you're talking to a marketing company consutancy, what theyll do is make a booking at a dealer, as place to call they're clueless.

    Car is the best new car I have bought by far and simply a joy to own and drive. No regrets or questions, in fact it continues to be better than I imagined. But as others have said you're buying the dealer as much as the car.

    If Toyota figured out in the 90s that the dealer experience was paramount, you wonder why that is still a mystery to FCA 25 years later.
     
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