Am I Mad....Brera?

vengeance52

Ok, Im currently driving a 04 honda accord 2.2i-CTDI exec which is my pride and joy. I love it, its comfy for me, plenty of leg room for me and people behind me. Good MPG and fun to drive.

But after taking a spin in my mates 3.2 Brera ive been very interested in getting one, so im currently looking at a 2.4JTD (See here).

I know the MPG is gonna be lower, service cost is about €200 for a normal service and no one is gettin in the back of it, so im wondering if its worth changing over to one. I aint got kids so no worries there so what would be the pros and cons of gettin one.

Specs on my current accord

Specs on the Brera

Tipsy Mac

If it was me I would hold onto the Accord for another 2 years and then pick up a post July 2008 model. It's going to cost I'd say 20k plus to change from your current car to this right now, I wouldn't see that as worth it seeing as you are happy with your current car.

Bluefoam

The Brera is about more than numbers, get it...

vengeance52

well im happy with the accord but i get itchy feet and feel like a change. One thing i love is the sound of the 2.4JTD engine. Sounds sweet for a diesel, but the bad thing is ya better love the sound cos unless you get the bose stereo, the standard one is crap, thats one thing my mate mentioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLDZSUQXEY8

pburns

Have you daydreamed about the colour yet? Red or black but has to have tan leather (IMHO...:))

I have a similar debate with myself from time-to-time about the 159 JTDm. It would be hypocritical of me to advise the Alfa when I haven't taken the plunge myself. Main problem with the Brera AFAIK is excess weight - badly effects performance, handling, CO2 and economy.

Seeing as they've made a dogs dinner of the next Accord though it might be timely to change marque. At the end of the day you only live once. I love to see boardies succumb to the charms of Alfa instead of yet another boring A3/A4/3-series geek-mobile...

vengeance52

pburns wrote: »

Have you daydreamed about the colour yet? Red or black but has to have tan leather (IMHO...:))

I have a similar debate with myself from time-to-time about the 159 JTDm. It would be hypocritical of me to advise the Alfa when I haven't taken the plunge myself. Main problem with the Brera AFAIK is excess weight - badly effects performance, handling, CO2 and economy.

Seeing as they've made a dogs dinner of the next Accord though it might be timely to change marque. At the end of the day you only live once. I love to see boardies succumb to the charms of Alfa instead of yet another boring A3/A4/3-series geek-mobile...

Well i think the blue one is very tasty like this one Yea its a bit heavy but the handling is fantastic in them, and the 3.2 i drove was an absoulte dream. i know i wont have the same power but with the 2.4, but i hope the weight wont be a big issue. Plus im living in NI at the mo so tax should be about £165 for the year.

Zonda999

I would totally go for a brera.They are a car that you'll love every drive in.It is definately the nicest looking new car south of 60 grand..I also think that the days of alfa's being terribly unreliable is gone forever.BTW i'd get the alloys that are on this one..

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=658102

vengeance52

another thing i like is that there wont be many other brera's in the car park in work id love to see my mates face's in work if i pulled up in one

Redsoxfan

Have a read of what is said on www.alfaowner.co.uk - a tremendous resource.

There is a Brera GTA coming out that looks great IMHO, but will cost far too much to buy and run here in Ireland.

I have just bought a 1.9 GT JTD and am delighted with the engine (I haven't had a diesel before). I previously had a 147 (petrol) and had no serious problems with it (other than a faulty stalk for the side/parking lights)-I love Alfas and can't ever see myself buying anything else. They are not for the faint hearted though!

FWIW, finding a used GT with a Bose stereo was next to impossible. Both Alfas I have owned have had the standard Blaupunkt stereo and I have been happy enough with it-if you find one with Bose, go for it, but I wouldn't list it as a must have. Re. the sound, I wonder is that as much to do with 'wheel/tyre roar; as opposed to the engine?

I imported my GT and would advise looking in the UK as there is just so much more choice in Alfas over there.

All the best!

vengeance52

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I imported my GT and would advise looking in the UK as there is just so much more choice in Alfas over there.

Im living in NI at the mo so thats where id be sourcing the car. The stereo isnt a main concern, but it would be the icing on the cake. After driving my mates brera i fell in love with it. even took pics of his engine :rolleyes:

Henry Ford III

Lovely car - go for it if you can afford it.

shanel23

Not mad at all - go for the Brera - my only experience of Alfa was a 156 I had from '99 to '02 and I loved every minute of it - was lucky in that I never had any Alfa troubles - except the resale value - but what the hell go for it you can always buy another boring Honda anytime ...

vengeance52

well cos im living in NI and wont be takin it up the ass from bertie, i should be able to pick one up for 17-19k sterling. tax is 165 per year, so the money i save can go on fuel and tyres. im extremely tempted but not much choice at the mo, so may wait a few months before pickin one up.

Redsoxfan

....and if you don't think the Brera is practical enough, why not go for a 159-very similar from the front, and there is a sweet Ti version.

shanel23

agree 159 is a sweet machine - practical too

voxpop

Forget all the naysayers and dont worry about the resale value - get it! why not, lovely looking car (although not too keen about the alloys) and supposedly great to drive. If you can afford the running costs of a decent petrol engine, go for it. Thinking of a 159 myself for the next car - not worried about reliability considering my vw has plenty of foibles and is still considered "solid"

vengeance52

was actually lookin at a 159 as well
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/243619.htm

I was looking at the Brera more as ive always has a saloon car and wanted a coupe or hatchback for a change. but my arm is easily twisted

voxpop

think I would go for a brera, except I need the 4 doors. Dont think the brera comes in an oil burner variant - if that makes a difference? If I had no worries about running cost, big petrol brera all the way!

Volvoboy

vengeance52 wrote: »

Ok, Im currently driving a 04 honda accord 2.2i-CTDI exec which is my pride and joy. I love it, its comfy for me, plenty of leg room for me and people behind me. Good MPG and fun to drive.

But after taking a spin in my mates 3.2 Brera ive been very interested in getting one, so im currently looking at a 2.4JTD (See here).

I know the MPG is gonna be lower, service cost is about €200 for a normal service and no one is gettin in the back of it, so im wondering if its worth changing over to one. I aint got kids so no worries there so what would be the pros and cons of gettin one.

Specs on my current accord

Specs on the Brera

Stop your messin and get a 2.4 6 speed or a euro R!


-VB-

JHMEG

Volvoboy wrote: »

Stop your messin and get a 2.4 6 speed or a euro R!

-VB-

Or a DC5 ITR. Brera size.

RichyX

vengeance52 wrote: »

another thing i like is that there wont be many other brera's in the car park in work id love to see my mates face's in work if i pulled up in one

Not the best motivation for spending €40k+ on a car...

I've seen a few Brera's around Europe & I've been disappointed with their looks.
The back end really lets them down imo, quite bulbous and odd looking.
I'd go for a 159, looks even better than the Brera.

I'd be far more interested in one of those beauties - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=810624.
They've aged fantastically, look better now than ever.

smash

get it get it get it!

quarryman

RichyX wrote: »

I'd be far more interested in one of those beauties - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=810624.
They've aged fantastically, look better now than ever.

i'd be interested in getting one of those from england in a year or so but looks like they are Band F on emissions. Tax goes up to 1000 from 600 or whatever it is. So much for that...

pburns

RichyX wrote: »

I've seen a few Brera's around Europe & I've been disappointed with their looks.
The back end really lets them down imo, quite bulbous and odd looking.
I'd go for a 159, looks even better than the Brera.

I thought it was just me!

Yeah, personally I think the 159 is better looking.

As a coupe I actually think the GT is nicer but as it's based on the 147(?) it seems a bit more 'old school' Alfa. Certainly the interior is not as nice as 159/Brera...

endplate

The GT is based on the 156 chassis with the same interior as the 147. Read on a review somewhere the wheelbase is exactly the same on the GT and the 156

Just purchased a '06 GT waiting to pick it up am really really excited

RichyX

endplate wrote: »

Just purchased a '06 GT waiting to pick it up am really really excited

Nice, those are sweet little coupe's.

Used to pass by a lovely light blue one each day on the way to college.
It was only when it drove past me one evening that I realized it was a diesel!

Zonda999

RichyX wrote: »

Not the best motivation for spending €40k+ on a car...

I've seen a few Brera's around Europe & I've been disappointed with their looks.
The back end really lets them down imo, quite bulbous and odd looking.
I'd go for a 159, looks even better than the Brera.

I'd be far more interested in one of those beauties - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=810624.
They've aged fantastically, look better now than ever.

Looks great but deffo one of the most UNreliable cars EVER

vengeance52

Volvoboy wrote: »

Stop your messin and get a 2.4 6 speed or a euro R!
-VB-

when im young and no major bills i wanna try as many diff cars as i can, hence why im changing from the accord. Ive never owned the same car twice and until i either find perfection with one car, or the girlfriend wrecks my head, i wanna try as many tasty machines as i can.

RichyX wrote: »

Not the best motivation for spending €40k+ on a car...

I've seen a few Brera's around Europe & I've been disappointed with their looks.
The back end really lets them down imo, quite bulbous and odd looking.
I'd go for a 159, looks even better than the Brera.

I love the looks of the Brera, i think its stunning from all around and as long as i like it, thats what matters. the 159 is still in the running but if i have the dosh, id prob go for a brera first (then maybe the 159 )

prospect

Zonda999 wrote: »

Looks great but deffo one of the most UNreliable cars EVER

Source?

Zonda999

prospect wrote: »

Source?

Its an alfa from the mid nineties!!!!!I know you're an alfa fan but surely you'll even admit its not a corolla for reliablity.MUCH more interesting though.Well maybe its not one of the MOST unreliable cars ever like i said but i deffo remember seeing pretty near the bottom of reliability surveys a few years back

prospect

Zonda999 wrote: »

Its an alfa from the mid nineties!!!!!

My Apologies, I thought your statement was in reference to the Brera.

Lex Luthor

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Have a read of what is said on www.alfaowner.co.uk - a tremendous resource.

There is a Brera GTA coming out that looks great IMHO, but will cost far too much to buy and run here in Ireland.

I have just bought a 1.9 GT JTD and am delighted with the engine (I haven't had a diesel before). I previously had a 147 (petrol) and had no serious problems with it (other than a faulty stalk for the side/parking lights)-I love Alfas and can't ever see myself buying anything else. They are not for the faint hearted though!

FWIW, finding a used GT with a Bose stereo was next to impossible. Both Alfas I have owned have had the standard Blaupunkt stereo and I have been happy enough with it-if you find one with Bose, go for it, but I wouldn't list it as a must have. Re. the sound, I wonder is that as much to do with 'wheel/tyre roar; as opposed to the engine?

I imported my GT and would advise looking in the UK as there is just so much more choice in Alfas over there.

All the best!

Redsoxfan, I just picked up a '07 GT Monza 1.9JTDm over here with the Bose system and have to say it is a superb sound system. The stereo sounds good too.

Wouldn't mind getting to see some pics of your GT. What did you get in the end?


As to the OP, go for the Brera. I'd have had one but too much for me but if you can afford one, then go for it. The GT is a super car for the money and probably a bit more practical than the Brera, but who cares about practicality when you have a car as good looking as the Brera

galwaytt

Zonda999 wrote: »

Its an alfa from the mid nineties!!!!!I know you're an alfa fan but surely you'll even admit its not a corolla for reliablity.MUCH more interesting though.Well maybe its not one of the MOST unreliable cars ever like i said but i deffo remember seeing pretty near the bottom of reliability surveys a few years back

Nicer, and cheaper.... http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=41770&cat=2

btw, I had an '80's Alfa, supposedly awful - quite apart from the broken indicator switch, I drove the nuts of it for 2+ yrs and it never missed a heartbeat.

Giulietta 1.8, btw........

Silent Partner

OP, yes you are mad. But sure why not? You only live once. I would have a Brera in the morning if I could. Stunning car.

Redsoxfan

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Redsoxfan, I just picked up a '07 GT Monza 1.9JTDm over here with the Bose system and have to say it is a superb sound system. The stereo sounds good too.

I know the car you bought and am not surprised that it has BOSE. That fella has had some quality cars! Btw, I wasn't knocking BOSE at all, I just found it hard to find one and regardless of the sound quality, I didn't feel that it was worth holding out for...but would have liked it. I don't even have a cd changer or MP3 headunit!

Lex Luther wrote:

Wouldn't mind getting to see some pics of your GT. What did you get in the end?

2004 1.9JTD Brunello Rosso (I was surprised that I went with that colour over say, Black, Red, or some variant of Grey, but combined with the tan leather, it looks great), pics on www.alfaowner.com and will be on www.alfaireland.ie when I have enough for an album. Bought in Kent.

Glad you found a buyer for your 156 btw. I sold my 147 within a week, but did drop the price at the drop of a hat (need to pay VRT...)

ciarsd

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I know the car you bought and am not surprised that it has BOSE. That fella has had some quality cars! Btw, I wasn't knocking BOSE at all, I just found it hard to find one and regardless of the sound quality, I didn't feel that it was worth holding out for...but would have liked it. I don't even have a cd changer or MP3 headunit!



2004 1.9JTD Brunello Rosso (I was surprised that I went with that colour over say, Black, Red, or some variant of Grey, but combined with the tan leather, it looks great), pics on www.alfaowner.com and will be on www.alfaireland.ie when I have enough for an album. Bought in Kent.

Glad you found a buyer for your 156 btw. I sold my 147 within a week, but did drop the price at the drop of a hat (need to pay VRT...)

Thanks Redsox!

I was devastated to see it go at the weekend, the BMW I'm driving for the moment is just so, erm, well I dunno, it's just not my Alfa. It just gets me from A to B - nothing more I can say about it really

Anyway, good luck to you and to Lex and the new GT's - they are a super car :cool:

To the OP, do it - you wont regret it!

Redsoxfan

FWIW

New Brera specs for 2008

Brera is one of Jeremy Clarkson's 25 greatest hits

Redsoxfan

ciarsd wrote: »

I was devastated to see it go at the weekend, the BMW I'm driving for the moment is just so, erm, well I dunno, it's just not my Alfa. It just gets me from A to B - nothing more I can say about it really

:eek:

No new Alfa?

Please tell me:

(a) you are getting a GT Blackline
(b) you are waiting for them to bring out the 169; or
(c) you have an 8C ordered

ciarsd wrote:

Anyway, good luck to you and to Lex and the new GT's - they are a super car :cool:

Cheers. So far I am delighted. Bringing it to Gerry Campbell tomorrow-1 or 2 things I didn't trust the seller to fix. But nearly 600 miles of wonderful driving done so far!

unkel

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I just picked up a '07 GT Monza 1.9JTDm

Nice one! Well wear!

ciarsd

unkel wrote: »

Nice one! Well wear!

Rub it in why dont you unkel

ciarsd

Redsoxfan wrote: »

:eek:

No new Alfa?

Please tell me:

(a) you are getting a GT Blackline
(b) you are waiting for them to bring out the 169; or
(c) you have an 8C ordered

Nothing as of yet - the BMW I'm driving is loaned from a friend of mine until I get sorted out and make some decisions.

a) the Monza was a 'Blackline' - just wasn't black & I managed a non-standard interior with the black/red leather combo Lex will fill ya in!
b) too grown up for me
c) well I've done the lotto for the next 2 draws...

C.

Lex Luthor

ciarsd wrote: »

the BMW I'm driving for the moment is just so, erm, well I dunno, it's just not my Alfa.
Anyway, good luck to you and to Lex and the new GT's - they are a super car :cool:

at least you can have some rear wheel fun for a few months...just don't tell your mate
I have to say Ciaran, the car is much more than I was expecting. To be honest yours was the first GT I really had a good poke around and at the time I was going to hold off for a few months, but after that first drive, I knew I had to get one. Sorry it had to be yours but I know you'll have one again soon.

ciarsd wrote: »

a) the Monza was a 'Blackline' - just wasn't black & I managed a non-standard interior with the black/red leather combo Lex will fill ya in! .

I thought the black/red was teh standard interior on the Monza? It is on the alfaromeo.ie site anyway. The UK Blackline has an all black interior.

ciarsd wrote: »

c) well I've done the lotto for the next 2 draws...

C.

Haven't we all.



I have seen my old 156 this morning. I probably did a stupid thing and sell it to someone at work so now I have to look at it everyday. AT least I get to say hello once in a while. I could see a small tear from the headlamp as I drove past....she knows she has been dumped for a younger model which is hard for any woman to take

endplate

Horray pick up my first alfa last night a '06 GT sportivo with the JTDM engine and the Bose sound system and so far what can I say but WOW the car feels great goes great so hopefully heres to many years happy motoring for me. To the Op do it you won't regret it

Lex Luthor

endplate wrote: »

Horray pick up my first alfa last night a '06 GT sportivo with the JTDM engine and the Bose sound system and so far what can I say but WOW the car feels great goes great so hopefully heres to many years happy motoring for me. To the Op do it you won't regret it

well done endplate...

seems like there is a lot of GT diesels out on our roads now....

vengeance52

Well ive been lookin at a good few Brera's at the mo, and i can just about afford it, may have to push the boundries of my overdraft, but all i gotta do is show the bank manager a pic of the car, and im sure there should be no probs.

Gonna try and take a few for a test drive at the end of the month.

Redsoxfan

VRT will fall by 2% on the 2.4JTDM from July if you would think about going to the UK.

what_car

vengeance52 wrote: »

Ok, Im currently driving a 04 honda accord 2.2i-CTDI exec which is my pride and joy. I love it, its comfy for me, plenty of leg room for me and people behind me. Good MPG and fun to drive.

But after taking a spin in my mates 3.2 Brera ive been very interested in getting one, so im currently looking at a 2.4JTD (See here).

I know the MPG is gonna be lower, service cost is about €200 for a normal service and no one is gettin in the back of it, so im wondering if its worth changing over to one. I aint got kids so no worries there so what would be the pros and cons of gettin one.

Specs on my current accord

Specs on the Brera

MAD TED... talking bout going from extremes! you only have the accord a short time!!!!

going from ultra reliable ( Honda ) to ultra unreliable (:eek:Alpha) if you get the alpha make sure they throw in AA cover!!

im trying to hold on until july to buy a new motor , but its hard im tempted to go in next week and buy a new one anyways.......

was considering

a new S60 D5... or the new xc70 or even an a6.. i just dont know what to buy....

bazz26

what_car wrote: »

MAD TED... talking bout going from extremes! you only have the accord a short time!!!!

going from ultra reliable ( Honda ) to ultra unreliable (:eek:Alpha) if you get the alpha make sure they throw in AA cover!!

im trying to hold on until july to buy a new motor , but its hard im tempted to go in next week and buy a new one anyways.......

was considering

a new S60 D5... or the new xc70 or even an a6.. i just dont know what to buy....

Just curious, have you any personal experience of an unreliable Alfa Romeo? They are probably just as reliable if not more than the cars you mentioned at the end of your post.

what_car

bazz26 wrote: »

Just curious, have you any personal experience of an unreliable Alfa Romeo? They are probably just as reliable if not more than the cars you mentioned at the end of your post.

NO do you?

both my neighbours have them one a 147 that has given electrical problems from time to time, and the other neighbour up the road had a saloon one that had serious gearbox problems. both newish cars.


quote
from parkers.co.uk
Engine/Gearbox: Engine damage; faulty clutch.
Other: crashy suspension.
Did you realise that 147 owners may have to fork out up to £2000 to repair engine damage induced by cambelt failure....
etc etc....

cosman9373

have owned 3 alfa's now, only minor problems same with any car i've driven. Going for 159 1.9 jtdm this week. Alfa's are about the drive, as was said earlier in the thread it's not about numbers. Any alfa driver will tell you that. My advice is just drive it, test drive in every garage you can and you'll see what i mean.

prospect

what_car wrote: »

NO do you?

both my neighbours have them one a 147 that has given electrical problems from time to time, and the other neighbour up the road had a saloon one that had serious gearbox problems. both newish cars.


quote
from parkers.co.uk
Engine/Gearbox: Engine damage; faulty clutch.
Other: crashy suspension.
Did you realise that 147 owners may have to fork out up to £2000 to repair engine damage induced by cambelt failure....
etc etc....

Oh, get a life and try talking about something you actually understand. :rolleyes:

Next thing is you'll be preaching about how good 'BWM's' and 'Mercbenz Cedes' are by comparison....