Alfa Brera 2007.. Opinions?

Wexford Blue

I've seen a few 2007 Breras on various car websites recently around the 25 to €27,500 mark, less than 15,000 miles, 2.2L.

I admit to not knowing a whole lot about cars but seems fantastic value to me. I know Alfas generally depreciate heavily for the first few years, but seems a very good deal for a car that's probably €55,000 new.

Would be interested in hearing some opinions.... is there something I'm missing?

agent_smith

Well brand new, I have often heard the common complaint that they do not drive as well as an equivalent audi tt or rx8. You would probably enjoy driving either of the aforementioned a lot better. Obviously they do not hold their value either as well as the afore mentioned. So probably do represent good value. having said that they are absolutely beautiful machines. I have heard that there are tracking problems with the 159. Not sure if it affects the brera which shares a similar platform.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=988

Personally i would love to buy one in a heart beat. My only concern is that they appear hard to shift on carzone and a few years down the line you may find it a harder car to shift than a 159 or a jap/german equivalent.
Just my 0.02

agent_smith

woop

oh dont buy a brera theyre italian and break down

get yourself a camry



theyre lovely cars and if you see a car as an enjoyment rather than and investment/necessity, go for it

Hotwheels

Here's a good spot for any Q's you might have....
The Brera is a fab looking car

Bluefoam

Fantastic car & the issues about the drive compare to the TT & RX8 are true if you intend only to drive it around a race track at its limit 100% of the time...

There is nothing like owning an Alfa !

See the Top Gear Brera/TT/RX8 test
http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/coupe-shootout#/uk/video-search?Phrase=brera

Luke Crowley

Hotwheels wrote: »

The Brera is a fab looking car

You obviously haven't looked at the back of one too closely. I'd leave it, and go for the much prettier and generally better GT instead. You'll save a few pennies too.

qz

Luke Crowley wrote: »

You obviously haven't looked at the back of one too closely. I'd leave it, and go for the much prettier and generally better GT instead. You'll save a few pennies too.

I admit that both cars are very good looking. But the GT more so than the Brera? What have you been smoking?

mik_da_man

The Brera is a lovley looking car, and they are going relativley cheap to what they cost.
I know the Garage around the corner from me just knocked €2K off their one.
However IMO they (2.2 version) are not great to drive.
Depends on what you want from a car really.
It's smooth and comfortable but does not feel fast and throttle responce is lacking. I felt a bit detached from the car driving expierence.

What do you drive currently?

Hotwheels

Luke Crowley wrote: »

You obviously haven't looked at the back of one too closely. I'd leave it, and go for the much prettier and generally better GT instead. You'll save a few pennies too.

been behind one a good few times in my 159, still say they are a fab looking car...:)

Wexford Blue

Thanks for the info!

mik_da_man wrote: »

What do you drive currently?

Currently a landcruiser - work motor - very bored of it.. probably mad to think about giving up free motoring but the amount of bargains around has turned my head.

Lex Luthor

I never really took to the Brera...found the back end far too ugly imo. However I prefer the front end on it to the GT, but overall the GT makes a lot more sense than the brera. Cheaper, more space in the back seats and looks better. Only thing I think the Brera has over the GT is the availability of the 2.4JTDm.

The reason you are probably seeing the 2.2 Breras at the prices you are seeing is that its not the best engine for that car. 2.4JTDm or the 3.2 V6 are the ones to have.

Same goes for the GT....its the 1.9JTDm or the 3.2V6 for that one.

?Cee?view

I've got a 3.2 and have to say I love it. Test drove the 2.2 once and found it a bit dead. The Diesel is supposed to be very impressive.

One thing to be aware of is that they go through a lot of tyres. Apparently it's a common problem. Check out Alfaowner.com which is packed with info.

agent_smith

Doesn't the GT share a lot of components and chassis with the 156 if memory serves? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
That being the case, (and no disrespect to the 156) I would much prefer to have a car based on the newer (albeit shortened) 159 platform.

HashSlinging

Wexford Blue wrote: »

Thanks for the info!



Currently a landcruiser - work motor - very bored of it.. probably mad to think about giving up free motoring but the amount of bargains around has turned my head.

Would you not keep the 'cruiser for work, get a Brera 3.2 for play...

stealthyspeeder

I think the Brera is fantastic looking! If it was a bit quicker (and a good bit cheaper!) I would have bought one over my car. Their good and rare too, I saw one in Belfast a few month back an took a wee detour to follow and perve on it! (no comments about haw sad that is! Im well aware!)

HashSlinging

Jes' the BMW lads know M3's by address..

Lex Luthor

agent_smith wrote: »

Doesn't the GT share a lot of components and chassis with the 156 if memory serves? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
That being the case, (and no disrespect to the 156) I would much prefer to have a car based on the newer (albeit shortened) 159 platform.

GT is based on the 147

Luke Crowley

qz wrote: »

I admit that both cars are very good looking. But the GT more so than the Brera? What have you been smoking?

I haven't been smoking anything. I'll freely admit that the Brera looks much more dramatic, but the proportions are all wrong. The overhangs are horrendous, the doors look like they were taken off a Maybach and forced to fit and it has an epically fat arse. The GT is less attention-grabbing, but if you study it for a few moments, much prettier. If the Brera is Paris Hilton, then the GT is your friend's-girlfriend's-best friend, that you've always had a major crush on. And deep down, which one would you rather be with?

Also, while I haven't driven either car, I did recently spend an afternoon drooling over the stock in the local Alfa showroom, and had a good poke around both the GT and the Spyder (identical to a Brera but minus the roof).
The Spyder's seats are pretty hard and unsupportive, and it feels like you're sitting on, rather than in, the car. On the other hand, the GT's seats hug you in a way that's unlike anything else I've ever sat in (and I've sat in a lot of cars over the years).

stealthyspeeder

I saw an Alfa GT at lunch on the Malahide Road today, managed to get a pic, its more subtle than the Brera but I think the Brera is just better looking!

NewApproach

agent_smith wrote: »

Doesn't the GT share a lot of components and chassis with the 156 if memory serves? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
That being the case, (and no disrespect to the 156) I would much prefer to have a car based on the newer (albeit shortened) 159 platform.

The GT/147/156 all share a similar platform

unkel

I'm with Mik and Lex on this one. The last engine you'd want in a Brera is the 2.2l Opel engine

vengeance52

I drove the 3.2V6 Brera a few months back. Fun to drive, but the car is heavy and you can feel it when you floor it. It corners quite well and the 4wd system keeps you very planted.

Its a lovely car, nice sound from the 3.2, just the weight is its downfall.

Lex Luthor

unkel wrote: »

The last engine you'd want in a Brera is the 2.2l Opel engine

its the runt of the litter, alright....if you read AO.com most of the UK lads who drive Brera's have the 2.4JTD

Its not a bad engine (the 2.2), especially if you stick a turbo on it, its just in the wrong place

RoundyMooney

Hotwheels wrote: »

Here's a good spot for any Q's you might have....
The Brera is a fab looking car

Sadly, that site appears to have broken down at the side of the road.