Alfa Brera 15000 daily
Discussion
I fear my current forerunner for my next car (a 2020 Seat Leon FR) is a bit boring, and been considering an Alfa Brera, such as this instead: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082812...
I'd be doing 15,000 miles a year, on just about every road you can imagine. I also don't have any mechanical skills, and it would be my only car. How bad an idea is it? How ruinous would it be to run? (I'm buying a house next year). I'm a inherently sensible individual, don't drink, don't smoke, don't go on holiday and think I want more of an enthusiasts choice rather than the sensible choice. I'm also aware that making the right financial decisions now (24) can set me up for a very long time. So, what's everyone thinking? Go mental and buy an Alfa (flexible on engine, so long as it is petrol) or use my head and buy the Seat.
I'd be doing 15,000 miles a year, on just about every road you can imagine. I also don't have any mechanical skills, and it would be my only car. How bad an idea is it? How ruinous would it be to run? (I'm buying a house next year). I'm a inherently sensible individual, don't drink, don't smoke, don't go on holiday and think I want more of an enthusiasts choice rather than the sensible choice. I'm also aware that making the right financial decisions now (24) can set me up for a very long time. So, what's everyone thinking? Go mental and buy an Alfa (flexible on engine, so long as it is petrol) or use my head and buy the Seat.
I drive a 2018 Leon Xcellence Technology 2.0 TDI manual. I do about 12k just for work so probably about 15k a year with personal mileage.
Some of the other cars I've had in the past, Lupo GTI, Clio 182, S2000, F30 330D.
There is absolutely no way I'd consider getting a Brera over the Leon.
I appreciate you are relatively young and I haven't driven one but I imagine the Brera won't be especially what I consider fun from a car. Sure the engine will sound decent when you put your foot down but how long will that novelty last? A heavy 3.2 lump up front with FWD aren't the usual ingredients for good handling.
On top of that you'll be paying a lot to fuel it, tax it and probably insure it.
On top of that it's a 15 year old car. Ignoring the Alfa reliability reputation it is much more likely to need money spending on it more often than a 2020 Leon which you will probably need to service and change tyres/brakes as and when necessary at the most.
Things I like about my Leon. It was pretty cheap, about £13.5k last year and came with two free main dealer services. It has heated leather seats and Android auto. It's not trying to be something it isn't so does a good job of just being a car that gets you from A to B but is still not bad at all to drive. I also like that it's diesel as most of my time is spent on the motorway and I think diesel is better for that usage.
If you want something fun to drive I'd probably look at a GT86. Or if you want something sensible stick with the Leon and maybe go for one of the trims like Xcellence Technology that doesn't come with the harder suspension but does come with heated seats and leather as standard.
Then again if you really want the Alfa, buy it, budget for the loss between buying it now and selling it when you want to buy the house. Throw most of what you get from selling it towards the deposit and buy a shed that will see you through until you have the keys for the house and can start thinking about getting a loan or lease for a newer car.
Some of the other cars I've had in the past, Lupo GTI, Clio 182, S2000, F30 330D.
There is absolutely no way I'd consider getting a Brera over the Leon.
I appreciate you are relatively young and I haven't driven one but I imagine the Brera won't be especially what I consider fun from a car. Sure the engine will sound decent when you put your foot down but how long will that novelty last? A heavy 3.2 lump up front with FWD aren't the usual ingredients for good handling.
On top of that you'll be paying a lot to fuel it, tax it and probably insure it.
On top of that it's a 15 year old car. Ignoring the Alfa reliability reputation it is much more likely to need money spending on it more often than a 2020 Leon which you will probably need to service and change tyres/brakes as and when necessary at the most.
Things I like about my Leon. It was pretty cheap, about £13.5k last year and came with two free main dealer services. It has heated leather seats and Android auto. It's not trying to be something it isn't so does a good job of just being a car that gets you from A to B but is still not bad at all to drive. I also like that it's diesel as most of my time is spent on the motorway and I think diesel is better for that usage.
If you want something fun to drive I'd probably look at a GT86. Or if you want something sensible stick with the Leon and maybe go for one of the trims like Xcellence Technology that doesn't come with the harder suspension but does come with heated seats and leather as standard.
Then again if you really want the Alfa, buy it, budget for the loss between buying it now and selling it when you want to buy the house. Throw most of what you get from selling it towards the deposit and buy a shed that will see you through until you have the keys for the house and can start thinking about getting a loan or lease for a newer car.
Edited by Al U on Sunday 15th October 15:51
Shermanator said:
I fear my current forerunner for my next car (a 2020 Seat Leon FR) is a bit boring, and been considering an Alfa Brera, such as this instead: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082812...
I'd be doing 15,000 miles a year, on just about every road you can imagine. I also don't have any mechanical skills, and it would be my only car. How bad an idea is it? How ruinous would it be to run? (I'm buying a house next year). I'm a inherently sensible individual, don't drink, don't smoke, don't go on holiday and think I want more of an enthusiasts choice rather than the sensible choice. I'm also aware that making the right financial decisions now (24) can set me up for a very long time. So, what's everyone thinking? Go mental and buy an Alfa (flexible on engine, so long as it is petrol) or use my head and buy the Seat.
If you want an Alfa that'll soak up 15k a year then go for either the Giulietta:I'd be doing 15,000 miles a year, on just about every road you can imagine. I also don't have any mechanical skills, and it would be my only car. How bad an idea is it? How ruinous would it be to run? (I'm buying a house next year). I'm a inherently sensible individual, don't drink, don't smoke, don't go on holiday and think I want more of an enthusiasts choice rather than the sensible choice. I'm also aware that making the right financial decisions now (24) can set me up for a very long time. So, what's everyone thinking? Go mental and buy an Alfa (flexible on engine, so long as it is petrol) or use my head and buy the Seat.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310032...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309252...
Or the Giulia both are very good & will do exactly what you're looking for:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309152...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308090...
The Brera is a lovely car but not that fun to drive (very heavy). I preferred the 159 in diesel form.
I also owned a Giulietta 1.4MA, good car, reliable but had to fit new spring and shocks as I didn’t rate the OEM set up. I also found that it lacked power and remapped to 200bhp.
Yet to drive a Giulia but, would probably be next Alfa choice.
Take into account that, if you buy a 90K miles cars doing 15K x year, it will need regular up keeping. As always, you’ll need to ensure that the car has been well looked after throughout its life
I also owned a Giulietta 1.4MA, good car, reliable but had to fit new spring and shocks as I didn’t rate the OEM set up. I also found that it lacked power and remapped to 200bhp.
Yet to drive a Giulia but, would probably be next Alfa choice.
Take into account that, if you buy a 90K miles cars doing 15K x year, it will need regular up keeping. As always, you’ll need to ensure that the car has been well looked after throughout its life
That level of mileage, stick with the Leon- less upkeep necessary and it'll be a more pleasant overall experience without the 'what will go wrong next?' cloud hanging over your head.
I wouldn't get the current 2020-present Leon though, go for the previous generation- no software issues, physical climate controls & better build quality. I have an early 2019 Leon FR 1.5TSI Evo with the manual box and it's sweet as a nut for a regular do-everything car.
My dad has a 2021 Cupra Formentor with the same drivetrain- essentially the current gen Leon but on stilts- and he's had lots of annoyances with software glitches and has had the car at the dealer's for software updates for a couple of days at a time. Having borrowed it for a week or two when I was between cars last year, I felt that the build quality was worse than my car. The leather in particular felt MUCH lower quality on the seats.
I wouldn't get the current 2020-present Leon though, go for the previous generation- no software issues, physical climate controls & better build quality. I have an early 2019 Leon FR 1.5TSI Evo with the manual box and it's sweet as a nut for a regular do-everything car.
My dad has a 2021 Cupra Formentor with the same drivetrain- essentially the current gen Leon but on stilts- and he's had lots of annoyances with software glitches and has had the car at the dealer's for software updates for a couple of days at a time. Having borrowed it for a week or two when I was between cars last year, I felt that the build quality was worse than my car. The leather in particular felt MUCH lower quality on the seats.
Pickle_Party_247 said:
That level of mileage, stick with the Leon- less upkeep necessary and it'll be a more pleasant overall experience without the 'what will go wrong next?' cloud hanging over your head.
I wouldn't get the current 2020-present Leon though, go for the previous generation- no software issues, physical climate controls & better build quality. I have an early 2019 Leon FR 1.5TSI Evo with the manual box and it's sweet as a nut for a regular do-everything car.
My dad has a 2021 Cupra Formentor with the same drivetrain- essentially the current gen Leon but on stilts- and he's had lots of annoyances with software glitches and has had the car at the dealer's for software updates for a couple of days at a time. Having borrowed it for a week or two when I was between cars last year, I felt that the build quality was worse than my car. The leather in particular felt MUCH lower quality on the seats.
Yeah, don't worry, it is an old shape on a 70 plate. 1.5 TSI with 148hp, 6 speed manual.I wouldn't get the current 2020-present Leon though, go for the previous generation- no software issues, physical climate controls & better build quality. I have an early 2019 Leon FR 1.5TSI Evo with the manual box and it's sweet as a nut for a regular do-everything car.
My dad has a 2021 Cupra Formentor with the same drivetrain- essentially the current gen Leon but on stilts- and he's had lots of annoyances with software glitches and has had the car at the dealer's for software updates for a couple of days at a time. Having borrowed it for a week or two when I was between cars last year, I felt that the build quality was worse than my car. The leather in particular felt MUCH lower quality on the seats.
The new shape Leon has the full light bar across the back of the car, but when braking only the centre lights up. Nevermind all the software issues etc you've listed, that instantly discounts it for me!
Fiat play to wanting an enthusiast choice.
If I had £5.5k spare for an Alfa I'd go for V6 GT
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166347818378?hash=item2...
This has the busso 3.2 V6 (not a GM derived one) and shared the chassis of the Alfa 147/156, which I found very responsive and nimble (albeit with a lighter engine).
It's old tech inside (barely a screen in sight) and not necessary the ideal commuting car as petrol and tax will be high.
Plus they're the age where rust starts to take hold, though my Alfa 156 was actually very reliable - above BMW levels at least.
If I had £5.5k spare for an Alfa I'd go for V6 GT
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166347818378?hash=item2...
This has the busso 3.2 V6 (not a GM derived one) and shared the chassis of the Alfa 147/156, which I found very responsive and nimble (albeit with a lighter engine).
It's old tech inside (barely a screen in sight) and not necessary the ideal commuting car as petrol and tax will be high.
Plus they're the age where rust starts to take hold, though my Alfa 156 was actually very reliable - above BMW levels at least.
It's good to see someone younger wanting something a bit different. 
When I was 25 I bought a Capri 2.8 Injection because I wanted a bit more than average performance (it was at the time) and with a couple more cylinders than the average car.
I don't know much about them, but everything I've read about Breras suggests they are more about show than go. The V6 GT looks like a good alternative, or maybe a V6 TT or BMW 330Ci if you want some sort of back seats.
If 2 sears will do a Nissan 350Z or BMW Z4 would also fit the bill of 6 cylinders.
But a good Leon might be a more sensible option . Maybe it's just a heart or head choice!
When I was 25 I bought a Capri 2.8 Injection because I wanted a bit more than average performance (it was at the time) and with a couple more cylinders than the average car.
I don't know much about them, but everything I've read about Breras suggests they are more about show than go. The V6 GT looks like a good alternative, or maybe a V6 TT or BMW 330Ci if you want some sort of back seats.
If 2 sears will do a Nissan 350Z or BMW Z4 would also fit the bill of 6 cylinders.
But a good Leon might be a more sensible option . Maybe it's just a heart or head choice!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff