Hi guys

I love the look of the Brera and as I've neve owned an Alfa am thinking about one as my next car. The only model that appears to have any level of performance is the 3 ltre V6 version.

I havent done any research yet but wondered if anyone here has any experience of them.

Thanks
Gary

 

A car this good looking really deserves a picture being put up...here you go.

Its not the best car to drive, apparently, but when it looks like this do you care?

 

Sexy

 

Everyone has to own an Alfa at some point That`s the one I`d go for if I was ever to buy another one

 

I wouldn't say no.Seats and cockpit always seem rather nice in Alfas

No idea about the engines I'm afraid.Do they use Fiat stuff or is that way off the mark??!

 

Some models do but that isnt a bad thing nowadays. I think the turbo petrol models won some award a few years back.

 

Cheers for the comments guys.

As has been mentioned the reviews have been pretty average which is a shame as it looks amazing. I may have to take one for a spin and see how it goes :-)

 

The downside of the Brera is its weight - 1680kg for the 3.2 V6 i.e. twice that of a 205 GTI. And the reason for the weight is that it's based on the 159, whereas similar sized coupes e.g. Scirocco are based on a smaller platform. With a 3.2 V6 and FWD (or FWD-biased Q4) I guess it will understeer. The 3.2 V6 is a derivative of a Vauxhall (Holden) engine. The previous V6 in the Alfa 147 and 156 GTA was the last of the Alfa V6 engines. However, nobody can deny the Brera's looks, especially with the panoramic roof, red paint and the alloys as shown above.

 

I've got a 159 2.4 jtd that's now approaching 130k, the 159 / Brera build quality is a long way from the 156 era and mine still feels very solid. The main issues with the 159 / Brera are front tyre wear with the inside edges wearing quickly. If you overrule that factory settings and set the toe to zero and you should get c.18k out of the fronts. The steering can get creaky, Alfa changed the fluid from red to green (stop me if I'm getting too technical ) which needs doing on some of the older cars. Mpg is poor but you get a cracking looking car and great car in exchange. What is critical is to find a good independent agent for servicing, and if you take your car to garage every time a warning light illuminates appears, an Alfa isn't for you!
D

 

They aren't The fastest cars ever, but my god they look good...really good, it's a shame they didnt do a lighter weight version with rwd!

 

Stunning looking car.

I've had 3 Alfa's over the years and would happily get another.

 

Thanks guys its a difficult one. Alfas are a purchase with the heart rather than the head and when I compare it to a similar priced BMW 325 the BMW comes out on top as the more sensible option.

Maybe I'll feel different after driving them both

 

The only Alfa i had was a Mito - at 11000 miles it needed a new heater motor, rear shocks, had rattles but worst thing was it needed a respray
The Alfa red paint (and some black cars) was dodgy from the factory and the rear wide arches were peppered with chips as the paint would fall off. Alfa would respray all the bodywork (except roof) if it was proved the paint was at fault (so not too many chips on front bumper to indicate driving on gravel).
I had the car 4 weeks before i gave up on it - shame as it was a fun car to drive.

Check on Alfa forums to see if the paint fault is on Breras as well as Mitos

 

Gary,

I was in exactly the same position as you. Saw a Brera and thought wow! Fully expected it to be a driver's car being an Alfa and all that and set my heart on one. When it came to it I found a low mileage red one about 100 miles from where I live and I set off fully with the thought I would be coming home in it that day..... then I drove it I don't think I have ever been so disppointed by a car (well aside from the first time I saw the Impreza hatch of course). It felt heavy and ponderous and like it can't decide what it wants to be.... sad becuase it looks even more amazing in the flesh. I walked away as I knew I would never be happy with it as it was not what I expected. All just my opinion of course.

 

I love the looks but would never dare buy one, i have a fear of owning an Alfa for some reason.......

 

What? A fear of not being able to spell Alfa or something?

 

ooops, i have had a few John Smith Smooths though, it is Christmas after all

 

When alfa were alfa they would of course never have allowed such a monstrosity to exist

its a 159 front grafted onto the rear of god knows what

dynamics - who cares the pubic will lap it up , theyve no choice

 

I love the looks of these cars.

Never owned an Alfa and would be scared to.....LOL

 

Well I drove one earlier today and have to agree with your experience. It may just be the car I drove but it felt a little more sluggish than I was expecting and felt heavy in the corners.

Such a shame as I love the looks and I really want to own an alpha at some poin but sadly will not be buying a Brera

 

Yes, that is exactly what I felt with it. So sad when the car looks so good

 

I recently test drove a Mito and it was a great step up from my Alfa but it had one seriously flaw it drove like a Golf, how awfully boring. It didn't hit me how dull it was to drive until drove my car home.

 

We are an independant specialist & have supplied & serviced many Brera's & Spiders. The V6 is a fantastic car but be prepared for around 18 mpg.

In the diesels we see around 32/34 mpg.

I drive an Impreza..

 

Now this is a thing of great beauty!

 

Much prefer the GT to the Brera. The GT looks a lot sleeker were as the Brera look a bit dumpy looking. Plus the GT has a proper Alfa V6.