Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 JTS Q4 SV 3dr QTRONIC Coupe

Andrew G

Andrew G

Andrew G

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Joined
28 May 2007
Posts
410
Location
Lakeside, Essex
I have been driving a Mondeo ST for almost five years now and although its a fun car I want something more fun, faster, something to put a smile on my face.

I don't do more than 8k miles a year so running a larger engine with a drinking problem isn't too much of a problem, I have around 13k to spend. I have looked at 3 Series, 5 series but I have got to say its not making me smile, I came across the Alfa by mistake on Auto Trader and now I think wow... Is Clarkson right you are not a "real" driver until you have owned an Alfa and will it ruin me?

Any other options for the same kind of money?
 
Lovely looking car with loads of grunt, though the engine is based on a GM lump rather than the legendary Alfa V6. However it's a very heavy car which means very poor fuel economy and not the sharpest handling thing.
 
350z - recently bought one, a joy to drive, always makes me smile :D

Also considered a Brera, beautiful car, but I was concerned about the reliability, no faster than the Zed and its fuel economy is worse.

Hawker
 
It's almost worth it just for the stupidly long name. After all, picture meeting up with your mates down the pub and them asking what you've bought. They'd have drunk their pints before you finish telling them.

I do understand that Alfas are a lot more reliable than they used to be, and being fair, how many horror stories do you read about with Audi's, BMWs and similar having issues with their direct injection systems, gearboxes etc. My guess is that "on average", you might have more to pay out with an Alfa, but it's likely to be luck of the draw.

As for how good it is, go drive one. By default, my feeling is no. It's started as a fwd car (not a good thing IMO), then had the complexity of 4wd added. That just doesn't feel right. However, that's only the logical side of things. What I'm very conscious of is the "feel good factor", which Alfa does do in spade, and in the real world that can be a lot more important. Just bear in mind how often we really get to stretch our 150mph cars nowadays, and you realise that in many ways, it's as important to be happy whilst pootling along in another traffic jam at 30mph.

Have to say that if it was my money, I'd be also considering a Jag XK, Boxster or if I wanted something more raw, an S2000 and a nice holiday.
 
You should drive the brera, I was very surprised at how it felt (not in a good way) though it was a fairly early car and not one with all 4 wheels driven, I actually prefer the 159 by quite a distance.
 
I test drove one a while back when I had my 1.4T Fiat Bravo, it didn't feel much faster.

-ve = Not that quick at all, not the great Alfa V6, very heavy, poor fuel economy
+ve = Beautiful, not many about, decent interior, 4 seats

I came away thinking most cars in it's class are at least equal or better apart from it's looks.
 
I took one out a while back and really wanted to like it but it makes so many sacrifices to look good it was really disappointing. The interior and boot space was shocking, the rear seat access terrible. The visibility out of the back was amazingly poor and the side mirrors all but useless due to their size.

I totally loved the look of it but it was also pretty underwhelming to drive, it just felt heavy and sluggish on the steering - its much more of a GT than anything else but it really felt like a very compromised 159.

You could try the Scirocco I guess, its a very similar car in allot of respects...
 
Dogbreath said:
So what? The OP was after something faster and more fun, not something as close as possible to the car he's already driving.
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Maybe he's driving it because he needs a larger car, without clarification we won't know.

In that case, I recommend a TVR Cerbera.

Faster and more practical than an S2000 or Boxster due to the 2 + 2 layout ;)
 
Thanks for response guys N girls,

I started hankering for a "faster" car, I live in a fairly rural location with some great twisty B-roads before I hit the main dual carriage way. My old man tells me stories of how rear wheel drive cars "in his day" where just more fun along the B-roads (rose tinted glasses?) and I kinda put put one and one together.

I have never had a rear wheel drive car, I was thinking something with a 3 litre lump would be about right, not too heavy and not too thirsty. My 1st thought was a 6cyl BMW 3 series coupe, I must admit I am some what put off by Merc's. build quality or is this a reputation undeserved? (06/07/08 plate era).

So I guess I should narrow down what it is I want.

Something in the 3 litre bracket

Coupe/4dr/5dr not so important as I rarely have A passenger lot alone many passengers. Although with Coupes I have noticed the bigger doors don't help in a tight parking space getting in and out, but a minor point tbh.

I would say edge towards a GT car than a "sports" car, I want something comfortable IF I do need to do a long journey (visit friends in the Birmingham, or go to Tank Fest). Also I biggish chap so a cramped cabin wouldn't be up my street, I quite comfortably fit in a 3 series however, but not an A4 for instants.

I can understand elevated costs of running a "prestige car" but I guess I am after the "Holly Grail" that it will not Bankrupt me if it went wrong. And there lies the rub, as there does seem to be much mis-information about, almost a QI (BBC show) situation, where what you think you know is in fact complete tosh.

Cars I have looked at:

BMW 330 coupe/4dr
BMW 530 coupe/4dr

Things to consider

Jaguar XK
Nissan 350z


Would the S2000 and Boxster be small inside when compared to a 3 series? If so I doubt I would fit and be comfortable.
 
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Andrew G said:
Would the S2000 and Boxster be small inside when compared to a 3 series? If so I doubt I would fit and be comfortable.
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I'm pretty tall (6ft 3" at a guess, but no actual real idea) and have to consider/test this when buying a car. I fit into my Boxster perfectly.

My default when I get into a car is just to push the seat back as far as it goes and it's pretty much perfect for me and this applies to the Boxster.
 
Z4 3L si sport coupe - look great, cheap to run (all things considered), in budget, buy a BMW warranty for not bucket fills of cash if desired (you can just pay it monthly).
 
InQ said:
Z4 3L si sport coupe - look great, cheap to run (all things considered), in budget, buy a BMW warranty for not bucket fills of cash if desired (you can just pay it monthly).
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I doubt I would fit in one I have seen them in the flesh and they are on the small side, I will admit I didn't sit in it.
 
Worth checking - Had one in the family and I found there to be plenty of room inside (but i'm a midget in comparison) - a friend who is around 6'3 also reckoned he was comfortable enough in my Mr2 roadster (though it may have been wishful thinking on his part - i've seen people remove the inner handles to create a bit more knee room in these)

Btw you do realise the Brera is fwd? (though the one you've looked at obviously has a haldex type 4wd system)
 
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