Alfa Romeo Brera JTDM: Spotted

A sexy coupe with five cylinders for less than five grand: be still, our cuore sportivos

After the abject disappointment of the Alfa Romeo 4C, things are getting exciting for the brand again, with the arrival of the Giulia. In particular, the 510hp Giulia QV - the 'one with the Ferrari engine' (yes, we know it's not really, but owners are unlikely to sweat over such trifling details).

Oh my.

As you'll have noted, we're disappointed to not yet have driven it in anger on British roads. God forbid if it's another 4C-style flop in the UK. Unlikely, given what Mike Duff reported from Balocco, but you never know.

So while we wait, let's whet our appetites with another beautiful and oh-so promising Alfa that was ultimately a bit of a disappointment when new, but which now has newfound appeal thanks to the ravages of depreciation: the Brera coupe.

Me, I love them. Yes, I know it's much too heavy, as a consequence of that aborted joint venture that would have seen this platform also used beneath Saabs. I well remember from contemporary test cars the rather flawed driving position, the over-long nose, the fact it basically never felt quite as lithe and agile as an Alfa ought.

Doesn't stop me hankering though. Particularly over the charismatic five-pot 2.4-litre JTDM turbodiesel, as fitted to this pristine black 2006 car. I'm looking at those squat shoulders, perfect rear and charismatic nose afresh, and almost succeeding in overlooking the front overhang. Similarly inside, with its Alfa leather, auxiliary dials (including oil temp) and that fine steering wheel. I'm looking, and hankering.

See above caption

This car is SV-spec. That stands for 'sky view' and means the standard glass roof got a retractable blind. Yes, bizarrely, all Breras (except really early cars) had a glass roof, but only some of them came with an electric blind to let you see out of it. So Alfa.

It's not particularly powerful. This one has 200hp, only upped slightly to 210hp with 2008 model year cars. It's not all that economical either. And I well recall the combination of slightly soft suspension and somewhat heavy engine. Only the Prodrive suspension pack made the Brera a great drive.

But if you're after a good-looking everyday motorway-muncher that's different to the norm and well placed to hook into the current enthusiasm for all things Alfa Romeo, you could do a lot worse. A car as smart as this could be a lovely possession to own, and surely prime modern classic fodder in years to come. At this price, how could it disappoint?

ALFA ROMEO BRERA 2.4 JTDM
Engine: 2,387cc, 5-cyl diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@4,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@2,000rpm
MPG: 41.5
CO2: 179g/km
First registered: 2006
Recorded mileage: 90,000
Price new: £26,350
Yours for: £4,950