RE: Alfa Romeo Brera JTDM: Spotted
Discussion
The Brera should have been a complete disaster, Alfa had to make some compromises with Giugaros original design concept, then they lumbered it with a premium platform that was heavy, over engineered and expensive to make.
You need to forget what the car is trying to be and the figures, it doesnt conform to anything, you just need to enjoy it for what it is, enjoy it because its a nice happy place to be, even the 5pot diesel can put a smile on your face.
You need to forget what the car is trying to be and the figures, it doesnt conform to anything, you just need to enjoy it for what it is, enjoy it because its a nice happy place to be, even the 5pot diesel can put a smile on your face.
Vitorio said:
Not that particular V6 *cough*GM*cough*
Yep, if I were putting any money into an Alfa with a V6 at the moment, it'd be a GT. The last of the Busso V6s in a fantastic body. They can be had for pretty cheap at the moment, and values will only go one way, as per the 156 GTA.Probably the worst car I've ever owned and I'm a die hard Alfa man. Ruinously unreliable, terrible build quality and a huge number of design flaws. However, its a lovely looking car and for the money I'd probably buy one again just for the glance back effect when you park up. As said though, Diesel is a no no, mine was the same model as this and I regretted it every minute not getting the petrol version.
SmudgeQ4 said:
Glad you enjoyed yours.
Funny enough my clutch/dmf has gone on my 2.4 159 Q4, a bit painfully money wise i think the map accelerated this. I've heard the standard items are quite strong though, theirs a few standard ones on the owners clubs running 300+ hybrid turbos with no issues!
Still love mine though. Some fair comments here, heavy cars but mine handles quite well with the lowered stiffened ti spec and 4wd.
Ahh, you must be the other person who owns a 2.4 159 Ti Q4 in the UK. Apparently there may be up to 4 of us! Funny enough my clutch/dmf has gone on my 2.4 159 Q4, a bit painfully money wise i think the map accelerated this. I've heard the standard items are quite strong though, theirs a few standard ones on the owners clubs running 300+ hybrid turbos with no issues!
Still love mine though. Some fair comments here, heavy cars but mine handles quite well with the lowered stiffened ti spec and 4wd.
159 probably a more sensible bet than the Brera in this config.
Edited by ecs0set on Thursday 22 December 12:57
stuart_83 said:
Yep, if I were putting any money into an Alfa with a V6 at the moment, it'd be a GT. The last of the Busso V6s in a fantastic body. They can be had for pretty cheap at the moment, and values will only go one way, as per the 156 GTA.
Currently own a 147, and as the GT is basically a 147 coupe, i absolutely love em, #1 on my want list (well, maybe a 147 GTA?)
Not sure if ill ever get the busso GT though, powerwise i think the 1.8 is more then enough for daily driving and having some fun, and i wouldnt want to ruin a perfectly good GT with turning it into a track-toy.
If i could bring one car back into production, the Alfa GT would get the nod, modernized busso in the top model and a good mix of NA/TB four pots.
I had a 2.2JTS a few years ago and loved it (even the driving position that others have mentioned here). Very cool car and I found the dealerships weren't nearly as bad as their reputation suggested. In hindsight, though, I probably made excuses for these two things while I had it:
- The GM engine was not the last word in efficiency; I actually get better mpg from my M3! I've heard the diesel units are relatively thirsty too.
- Fiat's Microsoft-based Blue & Me infotainment system. So infuriating - as an example, you can connect an iPod/iPhone to it but it won't recognise any tracks in aac format.
- The GM engine was not the last word in efficiency; I actually get better mpg from my M3! I've heard the diesel units are relatively thirsty too.
- Fiat's Microsoft-based Blue & Me infotainment system. So infuriating - as an example, you can connect an iPod/iPhone to it but it won't recognise any tracks in aac format.
I used to own a 159 3.2 v6. In many ways it was a classic Alfa; stunning looking, awesome sounding V6 engine, lovely interior design. But it was also a classic Alfa in lots of other, less enjoyable ways; woefully uneconomic (far less econonomic than the Porsche 911 I followed it with, even though the 911 delivers far more power from its 6), lethargic performance, lack-lustre handling, and typically unreliable with many warranty repairs carried out in my ownership.
I am mulling the idea of a Giulia QV at the moment, I am really hoping that Alfa Romeo have turned a corner and can once more become a name that attracts some respect in the performance car world.
I am mulling the idea of a Giulia QV at the moment, I am really hoping that Alfa Romeo have turned a corner and can once more become a name that attracts some respect in the performance car world.
Edited by Squicker on Thursday 22 December 13:08
ecs0set said:
Ahh, you must be the other person who owns a 2.4 159 Ti Q4 in the UK. Apparently there may be up to 4 of us!
159 probably a more sensible bet than the Brera in this config.
That looks Lovely!! There's not many around for sure, Mines not a SW.159 probably a more sensible bet than the Brera in this config.
Edited by ecs0set on Thursday 22 December 12:57
I had a 2.2 S and loved it, it was reliable and a lot of fun to drive, I never had a problem with the driving position but it did have much better seats than the early cars.
As for the 4C comments, it seems to be impossible for PH "journalists" to mention Alfa (or Lotus) without some stupid reference to the 4c.
As for the 4C comments, it seems to be impossible for PH "journalists" to mention Alfa (or Lotus) without some stupid reference to the 4c.
Vitorio said:
Currently own a 147, and as the GT is basically a 147 coupe, i absolutely love em, #1 on my want list (well, maybe a 147 GTA?)
I'll have an Alfa again, but it'll most likely be a Guilia in a few years time.
This is one of the few offerings from Alfa that i actually like. Lovely looking thing and, in my eyes, one of the best coupes out there from an aesthetic point of view.
It's a shame they never put a properly bonkers and ludicrous engine in it to match the styling. Why anyone would get any sort of diesel engine, brisk or not, in one of these is beyond me aswell.
It's a shame they never put a properly bonkers and ludicrous engine in it to match the styling. Why anyone would get any sort of diesel engine, brisk or not, in one of these is beyond me aswell.
SmudgeQ4 said:
ecs0set said:
Ahh, you must be the other person who owns a 2.4 159 Ti Q4 in the UK. Apparently there may be up to 4 of us!
159 probably a more sensible bet than the Brera in this config.
That looks Lovely!! There's not many around for sure, Mines not a SW.159 probably a more sensible bet than the Brera in this config.
Edited by ecs0set on Thursday 22 December 12:57
Mines Black, about to tick over 150k miles, I've had it longer than any car I've ever owned, and have no intention of getting rid!
I had one similar to the OP. 2006 200bhp 2.4. Silver with blue and tobacco interior. I couldn't understand why everyone expected it to drive like a hot hatch. It was a big, solid, well built cruiser, and it excelled at that very well indeed. It was great looking inside and out too. I thoroughly enjoyed the four years I had mine.
culpz said:
It's a shame they never put a properly bonkers and ludicrous engine in it to match the styling. Why anyone would get any sort of diesel engine, brisk or not, in one of these is beyond me aswell.
4WD only offered in either 3.2V6 petrol or 2.4I5 diesel. The V6 petrol is nothing to write home about and basically consumes an extraordinary amount of fuel without any of the noise or thrill of the old Busso unit. 2.2 petrol is apparently alright. Nothing great.I'd have a Busso engined one with a Ragazzon exhaust in a heartbeart.
ecs0set said:
4WD only offered in either 3.2V6 petrol or 2.4I5 diesel. The V6 petrol is nothing to write home about and basically consumes an extraordinary amount of fuel without any of the noise or thrill of the old Busso unit. 2.2 petrol is apparently alright. Nothing great.
I'd have a Busso engined one with a Ragazzon exhaust in a heartbeart.
My 2.2 had a remap and a cone filter, it sounded great and was a very nice, smooth, revvy engine, it still wasn't particularly quick but I liked it a lot.I'd have a Busso engined one with a Ragazzon exhaust in a heartbeart.
One point to note is that Alfa lightened the Brera a lot during its life, my 2.2S weighed a little over 1400kg which is about the same as a V6 GTV and not too bad considering how big and solid it was.
My ideal Brera would be a supercharged 2.2S, plenty of oomph but without the very long gearing and nose heavy handling of the V6.
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