Alfa Brera massive disappointment?

[cardigankid]

Am I the only one who doesn't think the Brera is that good looking? Particularly after all the Top Gear hype. I wouldn't have one over a GT.

Clarkson famously commented that the Crossfire from the rear looked like a dog having a crap. As it does. The Brera from the rear looks like Jade Goody attempting the 100m world record wearing only a pair of granny's Victorian bloomers. Really really poor.

[Wombat Rick]

cardigankid said:

I wouldn't have one over a GT.

I would.

[jimjamspider]

I fall the other way. I don't get the hype about the GT but think the Brera is absolutely beautiful. Put it next to a 3 series, boxter, TT, whatever and it just looks so much better.

[xyyman]

All down to personal preference I guess. First Brera I saw in the flesh was at Spring Alfa Day next to a 159 and i preferred the look of the 159. I though that the Brera would grow on me, as classic shapes tend to. Unfortunately that has'nt happened, although I prefer it over the Crossfire and BMW any day. However, love it or hate it everyone has a reaction to it. I believe it is destined to be a classic on that basis as the SZ & RZ have.

Would I buy one? Unfortunately no, but you will never please all of the people all of the time. Now an 8C, well I'll just keep doing the lottery!

Phil

[alfahorn]

cardigankid said:

Am I the only one who doesn't think the Brera is that good looking? Particularly after all the Top Gear hype. I wouldn't have one over a GT.

Clarkson famously commented that the Crossfire from the rear looked like a dog having a crap. As it does. The Brera from the rear looks like Jade Goody attempting the 100m world record wearing only a pair of granny's Victorian bloomers. Really really poor.

Got to say I agree.

I've driven a Brera and a GT and I much prefer the handling, performance and styling of the GT.

If I honest the GT is the only car I would have in the current range, the rest just don't float my boat.

[richb]

alfahorn said:

Got to say I agree. I've driven a Brera and a GT and I much prefer the handling, performance and styling of the GT.

Agreed, problem is that the appearance is of a lardy, oversized, bloater of a car and the General Motors engine is a huge disappointment too, it's dead an unresponsive compared to that glorious Alfa V6 engine. Having driven both the Brera and the new Spider I can honestly say you may as well get the saloon because once you are in there is absolutely no sensation of being in a GT or a roadster. I had high hopes and was ready to buy but won't be...

[pwig]

Waits for Cirvy in 5..4..3..2..1......

[cardigankid]

I'm pleased the Alfaisti are in agreement on this. Fortunately the GT is a very nice machine at a more than reasonable price. Haven't tries the 159. What they need is a sensible version of the 8C at around £30000.

[pwig]

cardigankid said:

I'm pleased the Alfaisti are in agreement on this. Fortunately the GT is a very nice machine at a more than reasonable price. Haven't tries the 159. What they need is a sensible version of the 8C at around £30000.

Oooh, the body doesn't cost £30k on it's own...

[jamieboy]

cardigankid said:

I'm pleased the Alfaisti are in agreement on this. Fortunately the GT is a very nice machine at a more than reasonable price. Haven't tries the 159. What they need is a sensible version of the 8C at around £30000.

Not sure about 'in agreement' - I make it four against the Brera, three (including myself) for, and LA's on the fence.

Maybe the Brera GTA will change people's opinions of it.

I really don't think they should make a cheaper version of the 8C because I think it would undermine what that car is. Again, maybe the Brera GTA, or maybe they could look at something like the Diva to sit above the Brera but below the 8C.

edit because I counted wrong.

Edited by jamieboy on Wednesday 20th December 13:17

[richb]

jamieboy said:

maybe the Brera GTA, or maybe they could look at something like the Diva to sit above the Brera but below the 8C.

Maybe they could look at getting rid of half a ton of the weight and putting a decent free-reving V6 motor in it.

[jamieboy]

richb said:

jamieboy said:

maybe the Brera GTA, or maybe they could look at something like the Diva to sit above the Brera but below the 8C.

Maybe they could look at getting rid of half a ton of the weight and putting a decent free-reving V6 motor in it.

AFAIK there's a two-stage program of lightening the 159 already in the works (and assuming a fair bit of component-sharing, I'd expect the Brera could get the same) and revised engines for 2008, I think.

edit to add that by automatically going for the V6 4WD because it's got the most numbers, people are maybe missing out on the 2.4 JTDm, which I reckon might be the pick of the current range.

Edited by jamieboy on Wednesday 20th December 13:32

[richb]

jamieboy said:

richb said:

jamieboy said:

maybe the Brera GTA, or maybe they could look at something like the Diva to sit above the Brera but below the 8C.

Maybe they could look at getting rid of half a ton of the weight and putting a decent free-reving V6 motor in it.

AFAIK there's a two-stage program of lightening the 159 already in the works (and assuming a fair bit of component-sharing, I'd expect the Brera could get the same) and revised engines for 2008, I think.

edit to add that by automatically going for the V6 4WD because it's got the most numbers, people are maybe missing out on the 2.4 JTDm, which I reckon might be the pick of the current range.

Don't know about all that but it's a massive couple of hundreds of kg's heavier than my wifes 3.0 V6 Spider so it needs to shed more than just a few pounds here and there, plus the motor really feels dead which is a real shame because teh old Alfa Romeo V6 in all it guises was glorious.

[cirvy]

The new V6 is nowhere near as lively as the outgoing motor. This, coupled with the huge weight of the car, gives it a "numb" driving feel. I've completed nearly 6000 miles in mine now.... & it's still hatefull !!

Having said that, it's very surefooted on these greasy winter roads ( there you are, i've said something nice about the Brera )

[richb]

Straight swap for a GT Cirvy? Must be someone out there who'd be interested?

[stuartalfa]

The Brera ugly, i think not, i am still waiting for what the Brera GTA will be like.

Stu





Spider

[cirvy]

stuartalfa said:

The Brera ugly, i think not, i am still waiting for what the Brera GTA will be like.

]

The Brera is a beautiful car, just as the GT is.

Lets face it, Alfa Romeo make stunning cars, thats why we love 'em, faults & all

[cardigankid]

[redacted]

[richb]

cardigankid said:

Also though the spyder is prettier

Possibly but it's still huge compared the previous Spider. To me it was more akin to a Lexus 430

[negative creep]

it is a lovely looking car (even better irl) but all the reivews I've read have said its a bit of a let down. Too heavy and slow, I really thinki Alfa missed a tirck by not making it rear drive.

Still, what a looker