Alfa Brera

Author
Discussion

Gwagon111

Original Poster:

4,422 posts

176 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
On my drive home last night, I passed a used car dealer. He had a silver Brera parked out front. I checked his website today, and discovered it's a 2007 3.2 V6 JTS with 27000 on the clock.My question is, to any owners out there, are they as nice to drive as they are to look at? Also what sort of servicing costs do they incur

kambites

69,497 posts

236 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
I'm not an owner but I have driven a couple and the simple answer is "no", at least if you're expecting it to be a sports car. The 159 saloon somehow manages to be a better drivers' car in my experience.

JR

13,094 posts

273 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
kambites said:
I'm not an owner but I have driven a couple and the simple answer is "no", at least if you're expecting it to be a sports car.
In your case but after driving a Gwagon who knows?

Pat H

8,058 posts

271 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
I've never driven one, so I can't really comment.

But they have a poor reputation.

Shame they don't have the Arese V6.

Try an Alfa GT 3.2 V6 instead.

drink

Gwagon111

Original Poster:

4,422 posts

176 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
It's a Q4 SV as well, is that good? I don't speak Alfa unfortunately hehe.

freakynessless

473 posts

197 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
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Where do they fall down? I look at them and cant help but get a semi.

RicksAlfas

14,063 posts

259 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
Most people don't like them whether they've driven them, or more usually not driven them, but I've had mine over 4 years now and still enjoy it.

It's NOT a sports car, and was never intended to be but it is a very comfortable, luxurious grand tourer. The interior is a lovely place to be with a glass roof, leather and some great details. The back seats are very cramped, although the boot is pretty good. However I do know tall people (over 5'8" hehe ) can find it hard to get a comfortable driving position.

The one you have seen will have permanent (rear wheel biased) all wheel drive (Q4).
SV = Sky View or glass roof.

Why not give it a go and make your own mind up?

FamilyDub

3,587 posts

180 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
freakynessless said:
Where do they fall down? I look at them and cant help but get a semi.
Mate has one.

Getting a Brera V6 onto a nice B-road, it's like getting the most beautiful, buxom, curvy woman, into bed for her to turn her head away and say 'get it over with'. Disappointing.


Gwagon111

Original Poster:

4,422 posts

176 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
It sounds like it might be just what I'm after. I want a car that's more GT, than Tarmac shredder TBH. I am about 6ft2 though and used to play Rugby a lot. I think I'll go and have a play, on Friday and see what's what.

FamilyDub

3,587 posts

180 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
A lex said:
FamilyDub said:
freakynessless said:
Where do they fall down? I look at them and cant help but get a semi.
Mate has one.

Getting a Brera V6 onto a nice B-road, it's like getting the most beautiful, buxom, curvy woman, into bed for her to turn her head away and say 'get it over with'. Disappointing.
Did your 'mate' tell you that? Or did, you know, actually drive one and form your own opinion?
rolleyes

No, I drove his Brera on a PH meet day and I chased him in my GTI. Couldn't keep up.

Sounds nice & looks epic though.

kambites

69,497 posts

236 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
If you're 6'2, good luck fitting. It probably depends on how you're built, but many taller people have problems getting comfortable in them.

Zod

35,295 posts

273 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
I'm 6'2". I hired one, thinking it would be fun. Apart from being gutless and having vague steering, I could not get a suitable driving position.

Zod

35,295 posts

273 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
A lex said:
Zod said:
I'm 6'2". I hired one, thinking it would be fun. Apart from being gutless and having vague steering, I could not get a suitable driving position.
Was the hire car the V6 or the 2.2 4-banger? Of all the criticisms of the Brera the V6 being gutless is not one ive heard before!

BTW if you dont fit and you really want one, try to search out either the Prodrive S edition, or an early non-SV, as these cars do not have the Sky-View glass roof and thus give a little more headroom.
No, it was the crappy 2.4 diesel.

I have no desire whatsoever to own one.

kambites

69,497 posts

236 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
I suppose it depends on what you're used to. Even the 3.2 takes around seven seconds to get to 60. It's only got about 160bhp/tonne and permanent 4wd is always going to give high transmission losses.

RicksAlfas

14,063 posts

259 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
A lex said:
BTW if you dont fit and you really want one, try to search out either the Prodrive S edition, or an early non-SV, as these cars do not have the Sky-View glass roof and thus give a little more headroom.
I think the most headroom you can get is in an SV with the blind open as there's just glass above your head.
Electric seats steal headroom too.
Either way, I don't think the OP will fit comfortably.

The V6 can feel gutless due to the very long gearing.
I'll probably get driven off Pistonheads for saying it, but the 2.4 JTD is the best choice for oooomph.

RicksAlfas

14,063 posts

259 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
rofl
Just read Zod's reply.
rolleyes

Zod

35,295 posts

273 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
RicksAlfas said:
I'll probably get driven off Pistonheads for saying it, but the 2.4 JTD is the best choice for oooomph.
The others must be bloody awful then.

RicksAlfas

14,063 posts

259 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
Zod said:
RicksAlfas said:
I'll probably get driven off Pistonheads for saying it, but the 2.4 JTD is the best choice for oooomph.
The others must be bloody awful then.
Maybe you weren't driving it correctly?
biggrin







getmecoat

Tsippy

15,078 posts

184 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
Are they all 4wd or is it only certain models? And are they fairly reliable? I know Alfa have a bad rep but is it deserved with their newer cars?

RicksAlfas

14,063 posts

259 months

Wednesday 19th January 2011
quotequote all
Tsippy said:
Are they all 4wd or is it only certain models? And are they fairly reliable? I know Alfa have a bad rep but is it deserved with their newer cars?
It's only some models of the 3.2. The majority are FWD only.
They are pretty reliable these days but still not without their faults (as most modern cars really).