Should i buy a Brera?

[chris190vvti]

Currenty running a nice tastefully modded Mk1 1.8 Mx5 for the summer months and a Bmw 316ti work hack but thinking of selling both and buying something to replace both, Thing is replacement is a tough choice as new car needs to be, Fairly economical due to work miles, able to seat 4 (kids aged 8&5 + wife), look nice (coupe ideally)and be at least as quick as the Mazda (not too hard).

Now i know that Brera's arn't the best drivers cars in the world but im after more a GT than a sports car and tbh think the 2.4 oil burner would be the one I'd go for (motorway miles remember!).

3 Questions really, is rear legroom really as tight as it looks on advert pics??? haveing searched here ive read a few tales unreliability but are they really that bad?

Budget is £8000, anyone got any other suggestions?

Cheers

[RicksAlfas]

chris190vvti said:

is rear legroom really as tight as it looks on advert pics???

Worse.

Lovely grand tourer with a wonderful interior - for two people.

I managed to squeeze my son in to one from 3 to 7 years, but my wife had to pull her seat all the way forward to give him some room.
He's 11 now and I think those four years in the Brera might have stunted his growth.

[glendon]

I'd say forget the Brera and go for the GT, slightly older but a much better drive due to not weighing so much. Better looking in my eyes too.

[Nigel_O]

I agree with the GT suggestion - I run a 1.9 diesel and despite the Coupe looks, its hugely practical - seats four adults in comfort. Also, when my son bought his first house, we did a trip to Currys and (with the rear seats down, obviously) we got a washing machine, a full-size (boxed) Dyson vacuum, a microwave, kettle, toaster AND my toolbox and socket set.

1.9 diesel will do 50+ mpg and in Cloverleaf form, is 170bhp, so gets close to the Mazda for speed. Handling is pretty neat, although it can be a bit jiggly on big wheels

The V6 is a gorgeous engine and the one to go for if you're a genuine PH'er. It was the last car with the Busso engine (the later Alfa V6s are Vauxhall-derived). Not famed for its economy though.....

Finally, the last couple of nails in the Brera's coffin - the 2.4 is a great engine, but with some notable reliability question marks and questionable economy. Shame, because it looks great, but its just too heavy to perform as well as it looks.

[crostonian]

I think that the OPs need to seat 4 kills of the Brera straight away and if you are looking to spend £8k I wouldn't recommend a GT - up to £5k yes but for £8k there are other cars out there that will better fulfill your brief albeit unfortunately not Italian.

The GT is practical and great fun but they just feel like a really old car when you step into one from a Brera, the ride is terrible and the general fit and finish not great. But a V6 for £3k to £5k what a car!!

[Patch1875]

I had to sell mines when my daughter reached 6 as said it's really a 2 seater.

Diesel with a remap and dpf removed can shift.

[Squadrone Rosso]

The Brera V6 is a better car than the GT V6. I compare regularly as we own one of each