The Car Thread.

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Like you, I sometimes get bored with EVs and supercars, when the best fun is often a basic Clio!

evo is worth a look, and it's telling that there's an increasing focus (no pun intended) on older cars.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

There's a test of the BMW M4CS in this week's Autocar. 0-60 in 2.9s, 0-100 in 6.7. The McLaren F1 did those in 3.2 and 6.3. Barking.

Still, at £122k pre-options, it ain't a cheap car. Or a handsome one...

 

[plastic penguin]

There's a review comparing the new BMW with the Giulia Cloverleaf. The new BMW M3 is faster but I'm not one for speed is everything.

Also why are a lot of new cars have a cyber look? I noticed it with the new Mini. They look far from pretty.

This review says the M3 can be driven at 10/10th, whereas the Alfa is a 7/10th. But who wants or needs to drive a car at full whack, unless you are using them on a track day?

The Alfa is prettier and doesn't look like it was designed by a robot. And the Alfa is more soulful and sounds more natural. As always, a fast Beema is needlessly over complicated with settings.

The Giulia still gets my vote. You can keep your Beema.

View: https://youtu.be/qALGeNSRxqA?si=pXfenVG4K1rJa5og

 

[Al ears]

There's a review comparing the new BMW with the Giulia Cloverleaf. The new BMW M3 is faster but I'm not one for speed is everything.

Also why are a lot of new cars have a cyber look? I noticed it with the new Mini. They look far from pretty.

This review says the M3 can be driven at 10/10th, whereas the Alfa is a 7/10th. But who wants or needs to drive a car at full whack, unless you are using them on a track day?

The Alfa is prettier and doesn't look like it was designed by a robot. And the Alfa is more soulful and sounds more natural. As always, a fast Beema is needlessly over complicated with settings.

The Giulia still gets my vote. You can keep your Beema.

View: https://youtu.be/qALGeNSRxqA?si=pXfenVG4K1rJa5og

The Alfa certainly is a looker, however I would need an estate so that's Alfa out of the question.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Alfa certainly is a looker, however I would need an estate so that's Alfa out of the question.

Yeah, that's the only fault. Alfa have always made very pretty Sportwagons (estate) but Alfa have said they didn't want a SW otherwise it'll take sales away from the Stelvio SUV.

I still say there's a place for an estate version. That would look wicked 😍

 

[Al ears]

Yeah, that's the only fault. Alfa have always made very pretty Sportwagons (estate) but Alfa have said they didn't want a SW otherwise it'll take sales away from the Stelvio SUV.

I still say there's a place for an estate version. That would look wicked 😍

Certainly would.
They are missing a trick by not producing one, not everyone wants an SUV......
And this is where BMW / Audi come into their own.

 

[plastic penguin]

There are other BMW vs Alfa comparisons, and it pretty much mirrors the above video.

It's a BMW M135i vs Alfa 147 3.2 GTA. The Beema is more up to date, running costs are lower, petrol consumption is better. The steering is super quick but feels dead compared to the Alfa. The exhaust note on the Beema sounds artificial.

It's really good to drive on the limit.... but there's a disconnect, almost isolated between the car and driver.

The Alfa is the polar opposite: Not quite as fast, not as good on petrol, the ride is less comfortable but the driving experience is leagues above the Beema. The steering is just as quick but you feel apart of the car -- lots more feeling. It's more gratifying as a drivers car. And that Busso V6, although older, sounds more natural.

This filters down to their smaller engine variants. My 2.0 Alfa feels great to drive.

Beema = great to drive on the limit
Alfa = More fun to steer and drive

 

[plastic penguin]

My daughter & I had a day out at Brooklands Museum Auto Italia day. Some great and bonkers cars on display.

Here's a few pics.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Love that Maserati.

 

[Dave_]

The wide body Fiat 500 or the Lambretta, sans the Quadrophenia spec lamps, obviously, are more interesting, to me at least than the Maserati, and much, much cooler.

 

[Al ears]

Int

The wide body Fiat 500 or the Lambretta, sans the Quadrophenia spec lamps, obviously, are more interesting, to me at least than the Maserati, and much, much cooler.

Interesting, as both me are ugly and useless.

 

[Al ears]

evo is worth a look, and it's telling that there's an increasing focus (no pun intended) on older cars.

I have just had to junk my Focus....

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I have just had to junk my Focus....

What happened?

 

[Al ears]

What happened?

Died of old age... Not worth the price of recovery.
I do tend to run mine until they drop.....

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Died of old age... Not worth the price of recovery.
I do tend to run mine until they drop.....

Makes good sense!

 

[plastic penguin]

Love that Maserati.

It's very much a poster car, rather than one you'd drive. Same with the Lambos, hence why I took no pics of them.

The car I prefer is the Lancia Delta Integrale next to the Maserati. Far more interesting and people will think you've "thought" about it.

 

[plastic penguin]

My daughter called the cream coloured Fiat 500 with a matching trailer & scooter "Luigi". 🫣 That was quite sweet.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

About half way through Adrian Newey's autobiography. Definitely more about career than the man himself, but thoroughly enjoying it.

 

[plastic penguin]

Look who's won awards this year in Germany & Switzerland. This'll pee off Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and the likes.

 

[plastic penguin]

I thought I'd pop into a local Alfa dealership as i was passing by. Had a look at the new Alfa Junior. I was very disappointed 😞. Not because it's an EV, but there's nothing Alfa about it. Stellantis have sucked the Alfa DNA right out of it, other than the rear door handles, and it's just another faceless Peugeot/Vauxhall. It isn't even built in Italy, instead some smart Alec decided that Poland was a great idea.

"Stellantis is trying to attract a different client base. At least they've kept the brand alive."

I responded, "well, they haven't apart from the name."

In 2026 they are bringing out a new hybrid Giulia. It has 1000 HP, the salesman grinned.

Is it going to be powered by an Italian power plant? Nope, a redesigned Dodge Viper engine.

R.I.P. Alfa Romeo

 

[Friesiansam]

I thought I'd pop into a local Alfa dealership as i was passing by. Had a look at the new Alfa Junior. I was very disappointed 😞. Not because it's an EV, but there's nothing Alfa about it. Stellantis have sucked the Alfa DNA right out of it, other than the rear door handles, and it's just another faceless Peugeot/Vauxhall. It isn't even built in Italy, instead some smart Alec decided that Poland was a great idea.

"Stellantis is trying to attract a different client base. At least they've kept the brand alive."

I responded, "well, they haven't apart from the name."

In 2026 they are bringing out a new hybrid Giulia. It has 1000 HP, the salesman grinned.

Is it going to be powered by an Italian power plant? Nope, a redesigned Dodge Viper engine.

R.I.P. Alfa Romeo

Stellantis has done the same with Citroen, now reduced to being a budget brand to compete with Dacia.