What is the big deal with Alfas on TG?

[teeb]

Originally Posted by argatoga

Hey GM knows how to make a heavenly sounding four banger, don't forget the Iron Duke!

I'm not saying GM engines sound crap, I'm just saying it takes some doing to turn a GM engine into something that sounds Italian.

[katwalk]

Originally Posted by BlaRo

The way the three went on about Alfas didn't seem satirical or tongue-in-cheek at all; it almost felt like they had been paid to say it. The company's still subject to the niggling faults as any other, its products are just as falliable, and to suggest that little problems such as squeaky glovebox lids and left rear lugnuts shearing off at 86 miles per hour are the cutesy little engineering quirks distilled by Luigi to instill a sense of character and heart and whatever is hilarious.

D:
Lets go over the meaning of "quirky"
I think it's more of "the car is alive and playing tricks on me" sort of things, ie: the radio constantly spiting out the ipod adapter but takes it after 3 tries, turning the radio off and on randomly, having the right break light go out only some of the time, even after getting it looked at and fixed. Looking for something you put in the car and not finding it, but looking in the same place later and it's there.
That is a sense of humor in the car, falling apart and killing you is not.

also german cars having no personalities is bullcrap because all of those examples are from my little VW
She's such a prankster

[jayhawk]

Why Alfa Romeos?

Henry Ford was once quoted as saying "I always tip my hat when an Alfa Romeo passes by".

The man who took engineering and efficiency to a whole new level understood what Alfa Romeo was about. They are the soul of the motorcar industry.

Originally Posted by teeb

I'm not saying GM engines sound crap, I'm just saying it takes some doing to turn a GM engine into something that sounds Italian.

My Sunfire had a 2.2 ECOtec that sounded great!...if it was labeled Hoover Industrial.

My current vehicle...well, hate or love them, a Subaru four banger boxer is totally unique*. I love that.





*This is so KaBOOMn will not come here arguing the Alfa boxer engine. Yes, I know it exists, but no one has ever heard of it. It is not mass produced, so therefore does not exist in the minds of the masses. So there.

[M_Bolc]

OK, as the many few on here that actually has had an Alfa I can answer the question.
My dad had a 166 from 2003 up to a couple of months ago. He put it up for sale after getting a new car, yet decided not to see it leave the family and now I have it.
The car has 90.000km more or less and nothing has gone wrong on it. The engine is a lovely thing, sure it does burn some oil (you have to top it off like every two months or so), but it has awesome torque, power, and, yes, sound (3.2 V6).
The gearbox (six speed manual) is a joy to use, the gear ratios are perfect, and it goes well with the engine. I can actually do 40 kmh in sixth and the engine barely hesitates.
Brakes, oh boy, they work, and beautifuly, of course the fronts are huge and are clamped by big brembo calipers.
The interior crap? There's no plastic on the dash, its all wood, leather or rubber. The gaplines are minimal, and the equipment is right up there with the best of them.
Down here in Costa Rica we don't have very good roads, yet this car has no squeaks or rattles.

Now, the drive.
Everytime you come up to the car, see the beautiful lines, how long and wide it is, see how the interior lighting is just right, and then sit in it, and everything is where its supposed to be, you know this car has some driving thought into it.
Put the key in the ignition and turn the V6 in, it stars with a rumble sound, sort of takes a bit to get to idle, and then settles into a loudish sound. Engage first, let the clutch out and drive.
The engine is quiet and restrained, smooth, gearbox is great (and I already mentioned the ratios), the ride is sublime, not even the biggest of potholes are felt in the cabin (I still do avoid them, but sometimes I can't just help falling in).

Find a little straight and open the taps, that low toned growl now turns into a screem, and the engine really shoves you in the seat at around 3500 rpm.

I could write some more, but I just remembered I have to run an errand. Now, will I take the A3 or the 166? Your guess....

[the Interceptor]

Yeah, that sounds Alfa.

[_HighVoltage_]

Why? For the same reason we like Ferrari and Lamborghini. If you were to use a Lambo or a Ferrrari as a daily driver you'll see that even the latest models will break down in a couple of years.

We can twist it around as long as we want but the only reason we like Alfa Romeo is their looks.

[the Interceptor]

Originally Posted by _HighVoltage_

the only reason we like Alfa Romeo is their looks.

Can you please speak only for yourself?

I like the sound as well for example:

+ YouTube Video

EDIT:

+ YouTube Video

[_HighVoltage_]

Ok maybe sound as well

[M_Bolc]

Interiors??

That's mine (dad's, whoevers car...)

[Adunaphel]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

*This is so KaBOOMn will not come here arguing the Alfa boxer engine. Yes, I know it exists, but no one has ever heard of it. It is not mass produced, so therefore does not exist in the minds of the masses. So there.

You mean apart from the units featured in the Alfasud, 33, 145 and 146 from 1971 up to 1996?

[EJ25RUN]

Watch the Victory By Design on Alfa Romeo to understand

http://www.victorybydesign.com/movie...meo_video.html

[matt2000]

Originally Posted by EJ25RUN

Watch the Victory By Design on Alfa Romeo to understand

http://www.victorybydesign.com/movie...meo_video.html

I watched that last night, 'tis very good. Alfa Romeo has the sort of history that can only be matched by the likes of Aston Martin. Even Enzo Ferrari himself was having cars built by them. I also love the parts where that bloke with the poncy name opens the bonnets on the cars.

[EJ25RUN]

Originally Posted by matt2000

I watched that last night, 'tis very good. Alfa Romeo has the sort of history that can only be matched by the likes of Aston Martin. Even Enzo Ferrari himself was having cars built by them. I also love the parts where that bloke with the poncy name opens the bonnets on the cars.

Excellent series and Alan De Cadenet is brillant for making it. I hope they add new ones in the future, i have seen all except the special on select Grand Prix cars like the Auto Union.

[matt2000]

Originally Posted by EJ25RUN

Excellent series and Alan De Cadenet is brillant for making it. I hope they add new ones in the future, i have seen all except the special on select Grand Prix cars like the Auto Union.

*Nod's in the direction of the FTP section of forum, and in particular Tweeke's FTP thread.*

[Dsemaj]

Originally Posted by teeb

A minor miracle in itself, seeing as (if memory serves) they're using a GM four-pot in a lot of the range.

As far as I know, they use the Global V6, albeit with most of the internals ripped out and replaced.

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by teeb

I'm not saying GM engines sound crap, I'm just saying it takes some doing to turn a GM engine into something that sounds Italian.

I fail at sarcasm.

[Ottobon]

Originally Posted by teeb

A minor miracle in itself, seeing as (if memory serves) they're using a GM four-pot in a lot of the range.

The only thing that really matters when it comes to sound (but ohhhh my god does it ever matter) is the design of the intake and exhaust ports (as well as valve sizing.) Seeing as Alfa redoes the heads it really would matter less whether the guts of the engine were a Hyundia. Alfa knows beauty, even in the darkest and most hidden of places.


On a side note: Since when where Alfa Romeos shit handling cars? To be honest the only problem with current Alfas is that their all FWD and heavy, so of course the handlings not going to be razor sharp, but does that really justify ignoring and forgetting all the great handling cars they made in the past?

[kaBOOMn]

Get me a gun! I need to shoot this infidel!

My very first post/thread I tried to explain....

http://forums.finalgear.com/top-gear...osition-11849/

[zeoniks]

I find Alfas terrible cars. My friend's dad gave him his Alfa 75 (the same one on the TG, but in red) and hated it so much he sold it through craigslist and bought himself a cheap motorcycle. I'm sure if the car was in better condition, it would be nice, but the feeling of imminent breakdown is forever ingrained in my head after being a passenger in his car for a two hour drive.

The new Alfas look amazing. I would like to see their cars go stateside. Their line looks amazing right now. The Brera, Spider, 8C. I want them all....

[MP5A4]

First, Alfa is a love and hate thing
Old Alfa, I love them cause it takes so much work just to get it running.
it takes so much care just to keep the rust from eating the car,.
so when everything runs and it looks new, it gives a very warm feeling. well then everything breaks and you have to go back to sqare one.

New alfa, i love them so much that i own a 147 Twinspark , 156 GTA and a spider.
The sound, the looks, the performence on track, the soul, the passion.
Its never boring to drive one. (cause u dunno what:s gonna break down where and when)
and it makes every Alfa unique (like JC said, no other Alfa had the same problem as my Alfa)
(my 156 GTA have sunroof and a face-lifted bootcover with non-facelifted front. XD you gotta worship the Italian QC for letting this go on sale)

And here is the soundtrack of my GTA, its not original, but still Italian.

+ YouTube Video