Buy a Alfa Romeo Giulia A 510 ch Quadrifoglio for the price of a well-equipped Fiat Grande Panda—that’s an offer hard to ignore. Yet that’s exactly what one British buyer did, paying just £21,000—about €24,000—for a model with nearly 120,000 miles (193,000 km) on the odometer. A deal that seemed almost too good to be true… and which did indeed hold a few surprises.
Quadrifoglio at a bargain price
When this 2018 Giulia Quadrifoglio went on sale, it was one of the least expensive models in the United Kingdom. It’s worth noting that with its 510 ch twin-turbo V6 and a new price exceeding 80,000 €, it was in a league of its own. Even today, models with more reasonable mileage often sell for well over €30,000.
Why such a low price? There are two main reasons for this discount. The first is obvious: very high mileage. The second is more concerning: the seller reported a problem with the rear suspension accompanied by a clunking noise.
A car that looks almost new
Contrary to expectations, the inspection revealed a wonderful surprise. Despite its 193,000 km, the body is remarkably well-preserved. The panels are perfectly aligned, the headlights are in excellent condition, and the interior shows surprisingly little wear. The seats, steering wheel, and controls give the impression of a car that has traveled 50,000 km rather than nearly 200,000 km. The maintenance history is also reassuring. All maintenance has been performed almost every year, sometimes even at shorter intervals due to the high annual mileage. The accessory belt—known to be expensive to replace on this engine—has already been changed, and oil changes have been strictly adhered to.
But the first flaws soon become apparent
However, the initial excitement of the first few kilometers gives way to some concerns. The car is equipped with short springs that significantly lower the ground clearance. The owner is already planning to revert to the stock suspension in order to protect the active front splitter, which is particularly vulnerable on speed bumps.
The real issue, however, is the rear suspension. A persistent noise suggests that an adaptive shock absorber may be nearing the end of its service life. A suspension warning light even came on before disappearing after a wiring harness was reconnected. If a shock absorber needs to be replaced, the bill could quickly add up, especially since it’s recommended to replace both at the same time.
Behind the wheel, a car that reminds you why it has become a benchmark
Despite this, first impressions behind the wheel are excellent. The V6 still packs a punch, the steering remains one of the best in its class, and the handling is impressive—even with nearly 200,000 km on the odometer. Accustomed to sports cars, he explains that he previously owned an Alfa Romeo 159, a BMW 3 Series E46, and even an Alpine A110.
The comparison is flattering for the Italian car. In his view, the Giulia Quadrifoglio offers exceptionally precise steering—probably among the best he’s ever experienced. The 510 ch twin-turbo V6 delivers impressive performance, and despite its high mileage, the car still handles exceptionally well. He even believes that, in some respects, this Alfa Romeo offers more driving excitement than his Alpine A110, which is often considered the benchmark for driving pleasure.
However, not everything is perfect. He wishes the engine sound were a bit louder for a V6 of this caliber, believing that a sportier exhaust would do it a world of good. He also criticizes the gear selector, which he finds uninspiring. The new owner drives away satisfied… while planning to have the car thoroughly inspected by a specialist to see if this incredible deal is truly the bargain of the century, or simply the start of a costly mechanical nightmare.
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