RE: Alfa Spider Limited Edition
Discussion
Absolutely beautiful, beautiful, beautiful car.
Puts BMWs, Audis, all those boringmobiles to shame.
When we went to buy my new car the other day, I just couldn't take my eyes away from it. I honestly could not find a single thing visually I didn't like, it just looks gorgeous.
Shame it's apparently a poor drive though.
Puts BMWs, Audis, all those boringmobiles to shame.
When we went to buy my new car the other day, I just couldn't take my eyes away from it. I honestly could not find a single thing visually I didn't like, it just looks gorgeous.
Shame it's apparently a poor drive though.
Sharief said:
Absolutely beautiful, beautiful, beautiful car.
Puts BMWs, Audis, all those boringmobiles to shame.
+1 These are absolutely stunning cars, so what if they are not quite as good to drive as a BMW these arent built for throwing down a country lane they are for looking good and they do that extremely well.Puts BMWs, Audis, all those boringmobiles to shame.
This is probably going to ruffle a feather or two, but it is based on personal experience of car ownership and as far as I'm concerned is my own valid opinion. In 2004 I bought a 3-yr-old BoxsterS, which was fantastic to drive, but after the first year I owned it there was a new fault nearly every month, which was never cheap, despite a dealer extended warranty which never seemed to cover the bits that broke, mainly suspension. In 06 I traded it for a Merc SLK 350 which was about 18 months old. Nothing went wrong with it but it was nowhere near as good in the twisty bits at the Porsche. So far so predictable. Disillusionment with the Merc and its daft G-tronic gearbox made look elsewhere after a year, and I bought a Brera 3.2. Or contract hired it to be accurate, with full maintenance.
Test driving it I found the longish 2nd gear so very useful that it made driving the car really good fun. It made using acceleration sense so much easier as the car will happily spin up to 70mph in this gear and will readily slow as the throttle setting is reduced. The 4x4 and very capable chassis gives terrific grip and makes for a car which is far more fun than it should be given its weight. For the first few months I wasn't too sure about it, there were a few teething troubles - the 'Check Engine' light came on driving it home! - just a glitch it seems. But after 8000 miles and no major faults, I'm now delighted with this car. As time goes on it gets better and better; even the engine sound has improved and where the limits of its handling are I don't really want to know! OK - there's a lot of electronic help, but in true Alfa style it doesn't interfere too soon. And it is beautiful inside and out.
Test driving it I found the longish 2nd gear so very useful that it made driving the car really good fun. It made using acceleration sense so much easier as the car will happily spin up to 70mph in this gear and will readily slow as the throttle setting is reduced. The 4x4 and very capable chassis gives terrific grip and makes for a car which is far more fun than it should be given its weight. For the first few months I wasn't too sure about it, there were a few teething troubles - the 'Check Engine' light came on driving it home! - just a glitch it seems. But after 8000 miles and no major faults, I'm now delighted with this car. As time goes on it gets better and better; even the engine sound has improved and where the limits of its handling are I don't really want to know! OK - there's a lot of electronic help, but in true Alfa style it doesn't interfere too soon. And it is beautiful inside and out.
Fetchez la vache said:
DJC said:
Fetchez la vache said:
ZesPak said:
Fetchez la vache said:
Is this the same car?
Looks lovely for what it is.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/a/2008-Alfa...
Are you kidding me? It looks absolutely breathtaking (full stop).Looks lovely for what it is.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/a/2008-Alfa...
I'm no Alfa fanboy, but that, I WANT!
I've driven the 3.2 and yes, lovely place to be and lovely to look at, and lovely engine, but alas the dynamics for me were a great let down - dynamics I'd argue governed by the weight. Enough to scrub it off my list.
If you're after a GT (as has been said) then it really hits the spot. It also doesn't mean I don't have second thoughts when I see a picture like that though, because it does look stunning.
Still trying to persuade myself I can live with the space in a GTA wagon as is for sale by one of the posters above, oddly enough.. far better dynamics and oomph
A10ENW said:
This is probably going to ruffle a feather or two, but it is based on personal experience of car ownership and as far as I'm concerned is my own valid opinion. In 2004 I bought a 3-yr-old BoxsterS, which was fantastic to drive, but after the first year I owned it there was a new fault nearly every month, which was never cheap, despite a dealer extended warranty which never seemed to cover the bits that broke, mainly suspension. In 06 I traded it for a Merc SLK 350 which was about 18 months old. Nothing went wrong with it but it was nowhere near as good in the twisty bits at the Porsche. So far so predictable. Disillusionment with the Merc and its daft G-tronic gearbox made look elsewhere after a year, and I bought a Brera 3.2. Or contract hired it to be accurate, with full maintenance.
Test driving it I found the longish 2nd gear so very useful that it made driving the car really good fun. It made using acceleration sense so much easier as the car will happily spin up to 70mph in this gear and will readily slow as the throttle setting is reduced. The 4x4 and very capable chassis gives terrific grip and makes for a car which is far more fun than it should be given its weight. For the first few months I wasn't too sure about it, there were a few teething troubles - the 'Check Engine' light came on driving it home! - just a glitch it seems. But after 8000 miles and no major faults, I'm now delighted with this car. As time goes on it gets better and better; even the engine sound has improved and where the limits of its handling are I don't really want to know! OK - there's a lot of electronic help, but in true Alfa style it doesn't interfere too soon. And it is beautiful inside and out.
Test driving it I found the longish 2nd gear so very useful that it made driving the car really good fun. It made using acceleration sense so much easier as the car will happily spin up to 70mph in this gear and will readily slow as the throttle setting is reduced. The 4x4 and very capable chassis gives terrific grip and makes for a car which is far more fun than it should be given its weight. For the first few months I wasn't too sure about it, there were a few teething troubles - the 'Check Engine' light came on driving it home! - just a glitch it seems. But after 8000 miles and no major faults, I'm now delighted with this car. As time goes on it gets better and better; even the engine sound has improved and where the limits of its handling are I don't really want to know! OK - there's a lot of electronic help, but in true Alfa style it doesn't interfere too soon. And it is beautiful inside and out.
Thanks for that, it is good to hear from a happy owner, I am considering getting a spider in the next few months so this sort of information is very helpful.DannyT said:
...on Tuesday I went to my local dealer and learned 2 things - one, the interior of the limited edition is a million times better than the original car, and I could now find a spec I wanted.
And two... which I haven't read anywhere else, so she may be wrong, but the sales person said that I would soon be able to order a front wheel drive 3.2 V6 version - thereby losing the extra weight of the 4x4 system... now that might make it more interesting. Its a car I want to love!!!
Shame they aren't ditching the front drive and doing a rear-wheel drive version! And two... which I haven't read anywhere else, so she may be wrong, but the sales person said that I would soon be able to order a front wheel drive 3.2 V6 version - thereby losing the extra weight of the 4x4 system... now that might make it more interesting. Its a car I want to love!!!
hypermarc said:
trying to do a deal for one of these.i've got a 2007 07 z4 2.5 si(218 bhp)sport at the moment.i'm a big alfa fan and love the look esp in white .but poor offer on the z4 which is at bottom book glasses £22700 without the extras on mine and mine only has 5000 miles.best offer part x £21000.i bought when it was a few months old so not lost all the depreciation since its list of about 33k.not only alfas suffer.
what do you all think?
p,s.its a weekend car doing about 5k miles p.a.
Ive got the same Z4 and whilst I loved the looks of the brera I think you would be well disaapointed with the dynamics if youre used to the Z4. I tried the 2.4 diesel and thought it was average, after test driving an Alpina D3 realised how dissapointing the diesel really was.what do you all think?
p,s.its a weekend car doing about 5k miles p.a.
I am sure the 3.2 would be much better ( I havent tried one though) but after snooping around the brera forum for a while was put off by the mpg of the 3.2 (low 20's) (from owners reports the diesel averages the low 30's also).
If its a weekend car then I suppose economy won't really be an issue, might be when you come to sell it in a year or too if the fuel prices continue to rise though.
Thing with cars though a lot of people buy with there heart so I suppose, youre a long time dead, do what youre heart says :-)
Edited by chedixon on Thursday 1st May 15:45
Edited by chedixon on Thursday 1st May 15:47
Edited by chedixon on Thursday 1st May 15:48
Lovely car but as said too heavy and not that quick but great tourer. If I had the money I woudl conssider an autodelta tuned alfa e.g. http://www.autodelta.co.uk/range/j6/model.htm
I have had two alfas and had much more trouble with Fords. Modern alfas are much more better than they used to be. My 146 I had never let me down, no dodgy electrics and great handling and twin spark engine. Don't knock Alfas unless youve had one.
I have had two alfas and had much more trouble with Fords. Modern alfas are much more better than they used to be. My 146 I had never let me down, no dodgy electrics and great handling and twin spark engine. Don't knock Alfas unless youve had one.
V6Alfisti said:
Again people mention depreciation on the Brera/Spider.
Have you actually looked at the second values, and the fact that the Brera is listed in the Top 10 LEAST depreciating cars....
The Alfa GT held its value very well imo.
Hell, why let the facts get in the way of a bit of Alfa bashing! Have you actually looked at the second values, and the fact that the Brera is listed in the Top 10 LEAST depreciating cars....
The Alfa GT held its value very well imo.
velocemitch said:
I agree every word, but wouldn't it be good if the were really great to drive too.... as it is they are good, but not class leading, which is a shame. One day Alfa will get every thing bang on.
I looked at buying one. They look really impressive. Test drive put me off, really slow for a 3.2 V6, uninspiring handling (I think the 4x4 system to blame for these two), too much scuttle shake and a rather low rent interior.Shame really, I wanted to like it, but driving was too much of a let down. My money went elsewhere.
Oh dear. A car shouldn't invoke *that* kind of reaction in a human...
People bang on endlessly about the Spider being "slow" and of "poor dynamics". All I know is thus: it's abilities FAR outweigh mine as an average driver on average roads. I don't go around in a cloud of smoke with the árse hanging out whilst yelling "Power!". I still enjoy driving however, and I still enjoy cars. I'd image the Spider is still nice to drive (especially with the roof down, the sun shining and all of France to explore), and every time I see a Spider or even just a picture of one, I want one.
Job's a good 'un
People bang on endlessly about the Spider being "slow" and of "poor dynamics". All I know is thus: it's abilities FAR outweigh mine as an average driver on average roads. I don't go around in a cloud of smoke with the árse hanging out whilst yelling "Power!". I still enjoy driving however, and I still enjoy cars. I'd image the Spider is still nice to drive (especially with the roof down, the sun shining and all of France to explore), and every time I see a Spider or even just a picture of one, I want one.
Job's a good 'un
After waiting 8 months for the new A3 convertible to be launched, we went down to the local garage where we priced one up and the figures come to just short of 35 K !!!
On a bank holiday blast out on the roads we drove past the alfa garage in brighouse and popped in to take a look at the limited edition verstion, after a test drive we were supprisingly very immpressed and even thought its 2.2 engine is not an out and out sports feeling, the drive and quality of the car was very impressive!!
So much so we bought one right there and then, bang for buck £25.500.00 notthing can touch this car for style and quality....as for reliability that we will have to wait and see, but as it is a new car and we have 3 years warranty on it iam not really bothered.
Cant wait, white with black leather interior and should be geeting delivery of it 1st week in july, will post piccs when it arrives.
On a bank holiday blast out on the roads we drove past the alfa garage in brighouse and popped in to take a look at the limited edition verstion, after a test drive we were supprisingly very immpressed and even thought its 2.2 engine is not an out and out sports feeling, the drive and quality of the car was very impressive!!
So much so we bought one right there and then, bang for buck £25.500.00 notthing can touch this car for style and quality....as for reliability that we will have to wait and see, but as it is a new car and we have 3 years warranty on it iam not really bothered.
Cant wait, white with black leather interior and should be geeting delivery of it 1st week in july, will post piccs when it arrives.
No1Son said:
After waiting 8 months for the new A3 convertible to be launched, we went down to the local garage where we priced one up and the figures come to just short of 35 K !!!
On a bank holiday blast out on the roads we drove past the alfa garage in brighouse and popped in to take a look at the limited edition verstion, after a test drive we were supprisingly very immpressed and even thought its 2.2 engine is not an out and out sports feeling, the drive and quality of the car was very impressive!!
So much so we bought one right there and then, bang for buck £25.500.00 notthing can touch this car for style and quality....as for reliability that we will have to wait and see, but as it is a new car and we have 3 years warranty on it iam not really bothered.
Cant wait, white with black leather interior and should be geeting delivery of it 1st week in july, will post piccs when it arrives.
On a bank holiday blast out on the roads we drove past the alfa garage in brighouse and popped in to take a look at the limited edition verstion, after a test drive we were supprisingly very immpressed and even thought its 2.2 engine is not an out and out sports feeling, the drive and quality of the car was very impressive!!
So much so we bought one right there and then, bang for buck £25.500.00 notthing can touch this car for style and quality....as for reliability that we will have to wait and see, but as it is a new car and we have 3 years warranty on it iam not really bothered.
Cant wait, white with black leather interior and should be geeting delivery of it 1st week in july, will post piccs when it arrives.
Sounds lovely, I will be interested to see the pics and hear how you get on with it.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff