What will Alfa have to charge?

dretceterini · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 04:17 PM

The 156GTA is about $40,000 in England and the 147GTA is about $34,000. At these kinds of prices, can Alfas sell when they arrive here?

The 156 has only 10 more horsepower than a Nissan Altima, and the Altima, fully loaded, is $10,000-$12,000 less money. Yes, a Nissan is NOT an Alfa, but is the Alfa really worth that much more?

The 147GTA will have to compete with a number of similar cars which are a LOT cheaper too...

Azzurri GTV · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 05:59 PM

I believe that whoever can afford a Alfa will get one. Eventhough powerwise the Alfa will have 10hp less than the Nissan Altima, NOBODY can touch the Alfa in handling abilitys. So basically it is breakin down like this, pay less money for a 10hp more Japanese car (that is ok in handling) or pay 10 grand more for one of the best handling street cars around and that has ONLY 10hp less. It really is the consumers choice.

dretceterini · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 08:34 PM

In today's word, $1000-$3000 probibly won't make a difference, but I think $10,000-#$12,000 will.

By the time Alfa comes back, there will also be a number of competitors at a similar or less expensive price, like the quatro version of the VW Golf, with 260 horsepower, and the Subaru WRXE with about 260 horsepower.

The Mitusbishi Evo (quatro) is already here, with 271 horsepower..

and all of these have a better reputation for reliability than Alfa...not to say Alfa won't sell some cars, but there best year ever was about 8500 units, and they think they can sell 50,000!

**Sniady** · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2003, 10:21 PM

I think people will buy GTA's. The same reason people buy the S4's, m3's.

By the way, Subaru just launched the WRX STi, which pump's 300 horse and 300 pounds of torque, for 31k.

**ar1750gtv** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 09:32 AM

If the Lexus IS 300 is selling for $30K. I would think Alfa would have to sell the 156 for about the same price. Certainly not more than a $5K premium over the IS 300.

I think the 156 vs the IS 300 is a reasonable comparison that the average (non-alfista) car buyer would look at.

Any other thoughts?

Garrett

dretceterini · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 11:51 AM

is also a vehicle that the 156 could be compared to, although the Maxima is a bit larger in physical size....The Maxima does, however, have 265 horsepower...and it is about $34,000 fully loaded.

I think the 156 GTA will need to be around $28,000-$30,000 to sell well here, although I'm sure that some will pay $40,000 if that is what it costs...

Manu · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dretceterini
In today's word, $1000-$3000 probibly won't make a difference, but I think $10,000-#$12,000 will.

By the time Alfa comes back, there will also be a number of competitors at a similar or less expensive price, like the quatro version of the VW Golf, with 260 horsepower, and the Subaru WRXE with about 260 horsepower.

The Mitusbishi Evo (quatro) is already here, with 271 horsepower..

and all of these have a better reputation for reliability than Alfa...not to say Alfa won't sell some cars, but there best year ever was about 8500 units, and they think they can sell 50,000!

dretceterini · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 04:41 PM

The XG 350 is about $27,000-$28,000 on the window, less a $2,500 factory rebate (discount). Pretty much everything is standard on the car. The motor is a 3.5 liter, 190 horsepower V-6, with a 5 speed automatic. Stick shift is NOT available.

The Sonata (basically, a Korean Toyota Camary) is about $7,000 less than the XG, with all available options including leather seats and a sunroof.

Both of these cars are several thousand less that the competitors prices for similar cars with the same amount of options.

Even though I work for Hyundai, of course I rather have an Alfa...BUT...

a 156 2 liter with leather and other options is about $22,000. The 2 liter, Hyundai Elantra GT with the same options is only about $15,000. I don't know that the Alfa is 25% better...and I can personally buy the Elantra GT for around $12,000...a 40%+ savings over the Alfa...

Again, I rather have the Alfa...but not for 40% more money....

**75evo** · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 06:15 PM

I would still get the $22K Alfa. No way I'm getting a Hyundai. They can throw in a 5.0 V8 for free. I'd still get the Alfa. The thing with most Hyundai cars is that they are very ugly. I'm sure they are good cars, but still, ugly stuff.

dretceterini · #10 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 08:34 PM

is in the eye of the beholder. I don't think Hyundai's are beautiful by any streach of the imagination, but not any more ugly than any other Asian car.

**67GTV** · #11 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dretceterini
is in the eye of the beholder. I don't think Hyundai's are beautiful by any streach of the imagination, but not any more ugly than any other Asian car.

dretceterini · #12 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 07:30 AM

with a Honda, but a Hyundai that is equivalent, with the same options, is probibly $3,500 less money...and, if I had it, I could buy a 105 series car (or similar) that needed restoration for the difference..

**ar1750gtv** · #13 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 12:20 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Sonata designed by ItalDesign (Giugiaro)? I think it's a great looking car and definitely a bargain. But...

Hyundai just has no character. How many Mille Miglias, Targa Florios, Le Mans, Grands Prix, etc have Hyundai competed in much less won.

Hyundai will never have the heritage, the soul or the passion that Alfa-Romeo has accumulated and earned in its 93-year history! This can never be taken from the marque regardless of who owns them (Fiat, GM, others?).

I drive an Alfa everyday because of the above-mentioned intangible assets. I need more in my daily drive than just basic transportation.

Garrett

**67GTV** · #14 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dretceterini
with a Honda, but a Hyundai that is equivalent, with the same options, is probibly $3,500 less money...and, if I had it, I could buy a 105 series car (or similar) that needed restoration for the difference..

dretceterini · #15 (**permalink**) 06-10-2003, 02:32 PM

do not mean the same thing.

I am talking about comparing (for example) a Hyundai Sonata V-6 with all options including leather and sunroof to a Toyota Camary with V-6 and all the same options; in this case the Toyota is over $4000 more.

Is the Toyota is a "better" car? I think not! The substantially better warranty on the Hyundai, plus the lower price MORE than covers the better "quality" of the Toyota (or Honda).

Hyundais are also now rated by J.D.Power as equals to Honda and both are rated better than Mercedes! The Hyundai of 15 years ago has NOTHING to do with the Hyundai of today...