RE: Alfa Romeo Brera: Spotted

[anonymous-user]

Plate spinner said:

Agreed. A pudding of a car with an angry face.

I'll pass also.

The side profile with that silly FWD front overhang and massive arse is the worst view. The concept car had potential but what they released was a few of the styling tropes stretched onto a totally unsuitable platform.

The first time a diesel one rattled past, breathing out it's sickly fumes through no less than four tailpipes I knew a new low had been reached in the history of the zombie brand Alfa Romeo.

[itiejim]

The 1750 is actually a pretty good drive. It's no Integra, but miles better than the heavy and uninspiring GM lumps. GT is miles more practical though and can be had with a Busso.

[Olivera]

DrSteveBrule said:

I'm looking at a GT to complement my 159. From any angle other than the front the Brera looks wrong.

But you want to buy a GT? Have you seen the bulbous rear with those hideous stubby lights?

The Brera to my eyes (at least the later lower cars) looks reasonably pretty.

[TAHodgson]

Nigel_O said:

The fact that the GT preceded AND superceded the Brera should tell you all you need to know.

Nail. Head.

Infinitely better drive, better looking (subjective I know) and still practical. Both of mine were boringly reliable too.

[Johnny 89]

These are getting very cheap here in Ireland. There's a 2.2 for sale under €3k that is tempting me. I think at that price it's a bit of a bargain.

[Johnny 89]

These are getting very cheap here in Ireland. There's a 2.2 for sale under €3k that is tempting me. I think at that price it's a bit of a bargain.

[Zombie]

Whilst I agree some of the comments made about the Brera's aesthetics, I have found that it's wheels are hugely influential in the way that it looks. I tried my 159's 19's on my Mother's Brera and even I, as a skeptic, had to admit it looked mega;

IMG_7892 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_7893 by Chris, on Flickr

IMG_7895 by Chris, on Flickr


With respect to other comments about reliability and rust etc, most of them appear to have been made by unqualified keyboard warriors. They're no worse than any other car and better than some. The experiences I've witnessed through my brothers, friends and neighbours would suggest they are actually more reliable than the equivalent BMW / Audi.

[BVB]

Stunning looker, be much better with a proper Alfa engine though.

[anonymous-user]

The coupe is dumpy looking due to fat C pillar arse, but the Spyder always looked quite pleasing to the eye.

[Denorth]

Raygun said:

Good to see the signs of the four coolest car brands in the world.

Five. You mean - Five. Alfa Romeo included

[jayemm89]

One of the great "almost" cars from Alfa.

Looks very nice - from most angles.

Didn't have the power to deserve the great Torsen AWD system the V6 got.

Was WAY too heavy (seriously, the 3.2 Q4 is nearly 1800kg).

Drank like a V8, went like an I4.

Never sounded that great.

Interior was stunning, BUT even with a modest height driver there was actually NO legroom whatsoever for people in the back. So it was useless, which is not at all what a hatchback is about.

A shame because once I sorted mine out it steered really, really well and had a lot of good things going for it.

[Mushroom12]

Sorry to be the misery guts here, but you know? Alfa Romeo's are just not good cars and have not been for ages. I used to have a 166 and now a Guiletta, the former which was a cheap barge and ok for the price, and the latter a piece of crap company car which is essentially a Fiat Bravo in a pretty dress. I've also driven the 4C, Guilia, the GT and the Spider. Every single one I've driven was a case of 'it looks nice, but...(insert flaw that would be shot down in any other brand)'
Basically, I would liken the Alfas of the last couple of generations to bedding a super model. She may look stunning, but when you get inside and start it moving, you can have more fun and reliability with something a bit more normal looking.

[tomic]

Foxtons Estate Agents in London had a large fleet of Breras. They were given to their staff as an incentive once they'd proved themselves and graduated from one of these

https://www.foxtons.co.uk/foxtons/foxtons_mini_coo...

Can't imagine they were treated with much mechanical sympathy.

[F1GTRUeno]

Everything from the front seats back is a mess.

The 159 is a gorgeous thing, the Brera is a fat dollop.

[rodericb]

Zombie said:

Whilst I agree some of the comments made about the Brera's aesthetics, I have found that it's wheels are hugely influential in the way that it looks. I tried my 159's 19's on my Mother's Brera and even I, as a skeptic, had to admit it looked mega;

Looks like an insane asylum there - 166, mums Brera and is that your 159 in the background (white) in one of the shots? Those 159 wheels are something else - they are not so lairy that they take your attention away from the car they're on but they are big enough to nicely fill out the wheel arches, have a good amount of fresh air between the spokes and have a nice painted finish.

[soad]

Looks bloated somewhat. Then again, most modern motors are.

Don't mind the rear. But lack of Busso power plant is a let down.

Suppose turbocharged version would make most sense?

[captJYossarian]

I had a V6, red.
Loved it, but it was very thirsty.

Who else would chrome the exhaust manifolds on this sort of car but Alfa Romeo?

Back seats are for display purposes only.

Electrics could be a bit funny. Radio volume controlling the passenger electric window, but only in the rain.


Only one thing to add. I never worked for Foxtons. Or any other estate agent.

[anonymous-user]

Mushroom12 said:

Sorry to be the misery guts here, but you know? Alfa Romeo's are just not good cars and have not been for ages. I used to have a 166 and now a Guiletta, the former which was a cheap barge and ok for the price, and the latter a piece of crap company car which is essentially a Fiat Bravo in a pretty dress. I've also driven the 4C, Guilia, the GT and the Spider. Every single one I've driven was a case of 'it looks nice, but...(insert flaw that would be shot down in any other brand)'
Basically, I would liken the Alfas of the last couple of generations to bedding a super model. She may look stunning, but when you get inside and start it moving, you can have more fun and reliability with something a bit more normal looking.

Go and drive a Giulia Quadrifoglio and then come back and tell us it isn’t a very good car ....

[anonymous-user]

Brooking10 said:

Go and drive a Giulia Quadrifoglio and then come back and tell us it isn’t a very good car ....

Exceptions tend to prove rules!

Joking aside, the Stelvio seems pretty well received, as was the Gulia.

We won't see a sudden change in Alfa fortunes over here however until the dealer network improves and expands.

[anonymous-user]

Brooking10 said:

Go and drive a Giulia Quadrifoglio and then come back and tell us it isn’t a very good car ....

Do they still break down constantly like the review cars all seemed to? Call me a pansy but that really put me off, being stranded in a car park on on the hard shoulder is not fun.