My new Brera - first impressions
Discussion
Hello all,
You may remember that I posted a topic about reliability a while ago. The general consensus was that modern Alfa's are fine and that I should not go down the conventional German route. So thanks - I took delivery of my new Brera 2.4 JTD SV last week and I love it!!
My experience so far - I have driven 400 miles in the 3 days that I have had it, so it may be a bit soon for any meaningful evaluation. First impressions are that it handles fantastically - ignore any crap about it being too heavy (it's not trying to be a Lotus Elise) and the ride is incredibly smooth and overall refinement is great. Steering is very direct, gear box is good and the engine provides plenty of power and decent economy at the same time (31.3mpg average at the mo - although I have been testing out its capabilities!). In all it's fast, comfortable, reasonably economical and good looking and suits my everyday requirements perfectly.
The back seats are adequate for an adult to survive a short journey - in fact 5'4" people and below would be q happy on a long trip.
Features I have specifically noticed: folding wing mirrors when doors are locked, follow me home lights (choice of timings) and easy to find, good driving position with lots of available adjustments.
Only fault so far is that the boot lid spoiler was not adjusted properly and was catching slightly on the roofline when the boot was opened. I took it back to the dealer who has adjusted it and has ordered a new spoiler as the paintwork has been damaged on this one. Excellent service so far!
Anyone else who is thinking of buying a Brera - then I would definitely recommend one!
You may remember that I posted a topic about reliability a while ago. The general consensus was that modern Alfa's are fine and that I should not go down the conventional German route. So thanks - I took delivery of my new Brera 2.4 JTD SV last week and I love it!!
My experience so far - I have driven 400 miles in the 3 days that I have had it, so it may be a bit soon for any meaningful evaluation. First impressions are that it handles fantastically - ignore any crap about it being too heavy (it's not trying to be a Lotus Elise) and the ride is incredibly smooth and overall refinement is great. Steering is very direct, gear box is good and the engine provides plenty of power and decent economy at the same time (31.3mpg average at the mo - although I have been testing out its capabilities!). In all it's fast, comfortable, reasonably economical and good looking and suits my everyday requirements perfectly.
The back seats are adequate for an adult to survive a short journey - in fact 5'4" people and below would be q happy on a long trip.
Features I have specifically noticed: folding wing mirrors when doors are locked, follow me home lights (choice of timings) and easy to find, good driving position with lots of available adjustments.
Only fault so far is that the boot lid spoiler was not adjusted properly and was catching slightly on the roofline when the boot was opened. I took it back to the dealer who has adjusted it and has ordered a new spoiler as the paintwork has been damaged on this one. Excellent service so far!
Anyone else who is thinking of buying a Brera - then I would definitely recommend one!
Edited by rachk on Tuesday 17th October 22:50
Glad you are enjoying yours too, and also good to see someone else hasn't gone for the incredibly dull black and grey interior!
I would agree with all your comments. The 3rd and 4th gear performance of the JTDm is excellent and the ride/handling compromise is very good indeed. A true GT.
I hope you know you have to join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club now?!!
I would agree with all your comments. The 3rd and 4th gear performance of the JTDm is excellent and the ride/handling compromise is very good indeed. A true GT.
I hope you know you have to join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club now?!!
wombat rick said:
Glad you are enjoying yours too, and also good to see someone else hasn't gone for the incredibly dull black and grey interior!
I hope you know you have to join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club now?!!
I hope you know you have to join the Alfa Romeo Owners Club now?!!
I've only seen grey / black interiors so far, so its good to see yours. I love the red - not so sure about the cream carpets and how they are going to look after a season of mud and rain! I'm in for a lot of cleaning I think.
I'm denitely going to join the AROC!
I was going to go for the red leather, but I must admit the cream put me off a bit...
Really chuffed with my blue and tobacco though. It's more terracotta really, or $hit brown as my 6 foot mate said. I made him sit in the back.
www.aroc-uk.com/
Really chuffed with my blue and tobacco though. It's more terracotta really, or $hit brown as my 6 foot mate said. I made him sit in the back.
www.aroc-uk.com/
pwig said:
Oh yeah and however you drive it you will always get 31 mpg.
I could only dream of 31mpg.
My Brera is back at the dealers next week to have my situation looked at, it should not be possible to engineer a car that has this level of performance whilst returning under 18mpg
My mates V12 Vantage returns more FFS...
Well...
I will admit that my usual journeys are very hard on fuel consumption, and I will admit that I am thoroughly enjoying my 300lb ft of torque at every available opportunity, and I will admit that I hardly ever get on a long journey, and I will admit that my 2.4 JTD Sportwagon averaged (trip computer) 34mpg...
But my Brera will not go above 26mpg average!
Love the car though!
I will admit that my usual journeys are very hard on fuel consumption, and I will admit that I am thoroughly enjoying my 300lb ft of torque at every available opportunity, and I will admit that I hardly ever get on a long journey, and I will admit that my 2.4 JTD Sportwagon averaged (trip computer) 34mpg...
But my Brera will not go above 26mpg average!
Love the car though!
pwig said:
Oh yeah and however you drive it you will always get 31 mpg.
That is spooky - I've done a mixture of motorway and a town drives and you are right - it hasn't mattered how I have driven, the mpg is stuck at 31.3! So much for offical figures. It's more then I'm used to though, so I'm not complaining.
Pwig said:
cirvy said:
pwig said:
Hate to say it mate but it's a case of 'They all do that sir'
That's what i'm very afraid of, i really have bought a turkey havent i
Just put it in your kitchen and look at it all day long, it's cheaper that way
After nearly 3 months & over 3000 miles, the looks are the the main thing its got going for it!!
I reckon Brera drivers are the most charitable drivers on the road, all day long we put up with all the deficiencies in our cars whilst putting smiles on the faces of passers-by & other road users
Next time you see a Brera driver, do give generously
I like the interior colour combos above - it looks like the Brera offers more scope to be different than most modern cars with their black leather suicide-inspiring interiors.
I have to say I thought the Brera was poorly proportioned except from the front in the photos, but having seen a whole 3 different cars on the road now (silver, red, and black) and a metallic blue one in my dealer's showroom I really really like it. Assuming I could put up with the practicality I would consider one as a replacement to my current GTA many years down the line - but it would have to be the petrol V6 with the Autodelta supercharger added, the current car is not quick enough.
I have to say I thought the Brera was poorly proportioned except from the front in the photos, but having seen a whole 3 different cars on the road now (silver, red, and black) and a metallic blue one in my dealer's showroom I really really like it. Assuming I could put up with the practicality I would consider one as a replacement to my current GTA many years down the line - but it would have to be the petrol V6 with the Autodelta supercharger added, the current car is not quick enough.
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