Since 2017, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio has been as fast as it is striking. As a result, the marque’s luxury performance car offers used options for fans and car hunters. However, the clover-toting sports sedan might sour your la dolce vita with pesky electrical and mechanical gremlins. 

What are some of the worst issues of a used Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio?

While Alfa Romeo’s range-topping sports sedan offers ballistic power and thrust-happy launches, it has a few bothersome issues. For instance, a used Giulia Quadrifoglio could exhibit electrical problems, unexplained mechanical issues, and expensive, time-consuming upkeep. 

A used 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio could cost around $35,476 with average mileage, per Kelley Blue Book. That’s a serious performance bargain, considering the sports sedan model will hit 60 mph in as little as 3.6 seconds and initiate tail-happy slides at will. However, like all too many cautionary tales, it could be too good to be true. The top-tier Giulia has the potential to put owners through patience-testing issues spanning from faulty sensors to expensive service charges. 

Do Alfa Romeos have electrical problems?

In a 40,000-mile test of a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, the sports sedan didn’t just disappoint the Car and Driver team; it “broke their hearts.” The Alfa Romeo model exhibited electrical problems like an electronic throttle control warning light at just 2,400 miles. 

In addition to the faulty warning light, the evaluators ran into a faulty oil level sensor that prompted them to return the test vehicle to a service center. Furthermore, the model’s unprompted warning lights don’t exactly inspire confidence in the Giulia QF’s wiring.   

Does the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio have a Ferrari engine?

Fortunately for performance fans who want a used sports sedan with presence, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio packs a Ferrari-derived 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 with a tire-roasting 505 horsepower on tap. Unfortunately, the model’s fuel system pops up in owner reviews and forums as being less than dependable.   

Is an Alfa Romeo Giulia expensive to maintain?

If you’re fortunate enough to avoid some of the issues Giulia and Giulia Quadrifoglio owners lament, you still have to contend with the model’s maintenance costs. For instance, Jerry says a routine oil change and service could cost $500. 

Is a used Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio reliable?

A used Giulia Quadrifoglio could be reliable enough with rigid adherence to service intervals and recall notices. However, the frequency of the model’s issues makes it less than dependable. 

Moreover, during the 40,000-mile ownership test, the test Giulia QF spent nearly three of 14 months in the shop. “This a compelling toy for enthusiasts. Too bad its atrocious reliability makes it a poor transportation device,” said Car and Driver’s Rich Ceppos of the Alfa. Harsh words to the ear of a Giulia Quadrifoglio fan, but rooted in disappointing test results. 

Is an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio worth it?

If you can afford to contend with expensive maintenance costs, possible long service wait times, and the occasional gremlin, a Giulia Quadrifoglio could be a whimsical and blisteringly fast BMW M3 alternative for your driveway. 

However, if turn-key dependability is of utmost importance to you, a luxury alternative like an Audi RS 5 or BMW M3 is the better bet.