old thread, but hey, no new discussion on these models really so I'll post here. Just bought a used Stelvio QV and drove it 1400km home. I haven't driven a 105 or earlier Alfa - the 116 and 160 is more my area of expertise. Didn't have any windy roads to try out either, unfortunately. I don't want to be negative (I just spent a lot of money on it!), but a heavy SUV will never feel like an Alfa of old. Throwing a light well balanced car into the corners and snicking through the (manual) gears is something alien to modern car buyers, I think (or maybe that's why they rave about the MX-5). But. few build cars like that, and fewer people buy them apparently. We need to keep the old cars going as a benchmark - my '79 Alfetta 2.0 surprises with it's daily practicality. The Stelvio has enormous power but I felt a bit disconnected from the controls. The auto gearbox, is an auto gearbox, and I haven't explored driving it with the paddles much to see if that improves the experience. I keep wanting to use my left foot! The steering is surprisingly heavy and is direct. Due to alignment set up and tyre width there is some tramtracking - it is nervous on our bumpy country roads,. I'm going to experiment with the setup when I get a chance and de-sensitize it, as I don't plan lapping the 'ring any time soon. The brakes are incredible, but difficult to modulate at low speed about town (steel not C), and both pedals a bit light cf. the steering. I went with the Stelvio over the Giulia as I live west of the ranges and the extra ground clearance is handy, as is the AWD when required, plus the load space. And, as we get old climbing up out of the 'daily driver' wears thin - I plan to keep it a fair while. I might have bought a fuel guzzling dinosaur, but you won't be able to buy a car like this in a few years I suspect. Forza Alfa!
