When not driven, today’s Nice Price or No Dice Alfa is claimed to have been safely garage-kept. Let’s see if its price might make it a keeper.
Yesterday’s 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL 500 looked well-kept and without major issues. With a $5,000 asking price and dreams of summer cruising dancing in our collective heads, that resulted in much rejoicing and an overwhelming 87 percent Nice Price win for the Benz.
Speaking of over and underwhelming, it’s arguable that the return of Alfa Romeo to America — something eagerly awaited for decades by rabid fans — certainly ended up being a bit of a wet noodle for all involved. Despite a strong front guard made up of the Stelvio crossover and Giulia mid-size saloon, neither sales nor the company’s place in the consumer zeitgeist has ever really taken off. That’s likely owed to Alfa’s prior reputation still stinking up opinions about its present products no matter how much better the modern stuff is in relation to the older iron. For true believers, though, owning an Alfa can be a transcendent experience.
Take the present owner of this 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Q4 as an example. They describe the car as “beloved” and have seemingly pampered it its entire life as a result. They claim only to be selling the sedan now due to a change in living arrangements. Could a modern car engender such passion if it were in any way all that bad?
When introduced in 2016, the Giulia represented a return to form for Alfa Romeo. A proper front-engine/rear-drive car, from the get-go, it offered a slew of four and six-cylinder engines, a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, and rear or — like this car — all-wheel-drive. Sized and priced to straddle the line between BMW’s benchmark 3 and 5 Series, the cars have engendered a loyal following among those who have taken the chance to experience and live with the car.
This one looks as-new and is, appropriately enough, Alfa Rosso red. A handsome set of 19-inch Giulia Quadrifoglio wheels wearing low-mileage Continental all-season rubber is matched to that. According to the ad, the car has just enjoyed a “massive 30K service” and now, with just 2,000 more miles on the clock, is claimed to drive “flawlessly.”
In addition to the fancy wheels, this Giulia rocks the Sport package, a slew of driver assist gewgaws, and all-weather floor mats. A set of Yakima roof rack crossbars can also be included with the car should the buyer be interested.
Power here is provided by a 2.0-liter turbocharged “MultiAir” four that gives it up to the tune of 276 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That all gets routed through a standard ZF eight-speed automatic and onward to all four wheels through Alfa’s when-you-need-it Q4 system.
The interior has all the bells and whistles you could want, all wrapped in a serious, almost German, monotone black cabin. There’s no obvious wear in here, nor any stomach-sinking lights on the dash. The title is clean, and the car comes with all its maintenance records and a $20,250 asking price.
That price is just about half what the car most likely sold for when new. That shows one serious issue with owning an Alfa: the requirement to be in it for the long game. This car’s seller seems eager to “move the metal” as they have priced it below KBB for the model and condition. They still require cash or a certified check on hand for a test drive and warn that they aren’t interested in engaging with any lowballers. You know who you are.
What’s your opinion of this Alfa and that $20,250 asking? Does that seem fair for a car that’s likely as nice to drive as it is to look at? Or does Alfa’s reputation and the Giulia’s depreciation make that risky move?
You decide!
San Francisco Bay Area, California, Craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to Michael Morrison for the hookup!
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