What are your guys opinions on this car? After watching the new Top Gear episode about it ( in which they finally give a review about it), I felt disappointed that a car of that style was that slow. They could have at least made it do 0-60 faster than 8 seconds, but that was the 4 cylinder
I've had the 3.2 V6 4WD 260BHP since June 2006. Covered almost 16K miles now with first service due @ 18K. I am happy to report i have had no problems at all. I think they've intentionally reduced the power output and flattened the torque curve to get better pull through the gears. Shame really, needs at least 330BHP A disappointment is the gearbox, find gear changes aren't 'sharp' enough. And don't buy the SatNav. Fuel consumption on the 3.2 is about 20mpg (European) Other than that good mota lovely lines, exhaust note is quite nice too. 4WD is quite handy in the snow Image Unavailable, Please Login
Can you post more pics of your car? We do not get to see the Brera here in the States. It is a gorgeous looking car.
Its a beautiful car but overpriced and overporky. You can buy a BMW if you want a more comfy/reliable/better resell car , or a Nissan Z if you want a real sportscar. Alfa missed the coach on this one
Sadly the front number plate spoils it. This from my first day of ownership, done me proud. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
A harsh review. But i wouldn't put up much of an argument on the point regarding the pricing. But it does lead to a fair bit of exclusivity, if such words can be used when refering to these cars
That car is gorgeous........it just looks a little stubby. Maybe as an enlongated hatch with five doors?
There's also Clarkson's review: ...Now the onslaught of miserablism from the greens means that four-wheel-drive cars will be vandalised the instant they are left alone, so you will need something else. But what? Well obviously this doesnt work if you have a school run to think about, but if you just have a 4x4 as a style statement, might I suggest you replace it with an Alfa Romeo Brera? I should stress straight away that it is not the fastest car in the world. The 2.2 (front-wheel drive) has the performance of a plant. The 3.2 (four-wheel drive) I tried is better, but even so whenever I mashed my foot into the carpet I sometimes thought, Oh no! Its broken. But examination of the data shows it to be a heavy car that takes seven seconds to reach 60mph and about a week to reach a hundred. A problem? For me, yes, but if you are used to the performance levels of, say, a Shogun, the seven seconds to 60 is going to feel like youre stapled to the front of a Eurofighter. So youll be just fine. Youll be fine with the comfort, too. It rides beautifully and despite the tall tyres handles nicely. Actually nicely is the wrong word. It is exceptionally good. Less successful is its interior. Theres not much space in either the back or the front, and this being an Alfa Romeo nothing does what you expect it to do. If, for instance, you wish to turn down the radio you push a knob on the steering wheel which is marked with a telephone symbol. And everything is written in Italian. So why am I recommending it? Well, there are two reasons. First, as you drive along you can feel the Alfa-ness of this car, the little tingles and the droplets of feedback that you dont really get from anything else in this class. If you truly like cars, you will truly love the Brera. And with it being so slow, youll have plenty of time on every journey to appreciate this. But theres another bigger reason. The way it looks. Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro a man I hate because I can never remember how to spell his name it is one of those cars that forces you to turn round after youve parked it up at night, for one last look before you go inside. The car I drove was red, and thats wrong. In black, with tobacco seats, this would be one of the sexiest cars made. The triple headlamps, that flowing, tapered arse, the lean-forward stance, and best of all the sense that while its Italian and unusual and exotic, its not a silly-money showoffs toy. Prices start at £22,800, and even for a 3.2 litre V6 with all the toys on board, youll still be charged less than £30,000. Theres nothing here to fan the fire of green fury, theres nothing to make you feel guilty. You havent bought a car to drive around in like your hairs on fire, you havent bought a car to lord it over all and sundry at the lights. Youre not a yob. Youre not a bore. Youve bought something for one reason only: because its beautiful. I think that could be the next Big Thing. And what makes the pleasure so doubly satisfying is that you have a four-wheel-drive car, yet no one can tell. For those who enjoyed this excerpt, here's Clarkson's take on the 159 http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-2101920,00.html
I test-drove both the 2.2 and the 3.2 and came away hugely dissapointed. The engines are not of noble birth (Opel and Holden respectively) and a BMW diesel is more rev-hungry and has more character. The throttle response is glacial. The car is HEAVY and rolls like a boat, just look at the Top Gear episode comparing it to the new TT and RX8. Ergonomics are awfull. Even short drivers will hit their head on the roof as the seats don't go low enough, leaving you in a bus-driver like position. Rear seats are unusable for anything with legs, even kids. Arm rests are too low to be reached with your elbow. There is no handle on the rear door or latch to open it. The drive is really uninspiring, it is like coming home with a hot blond and she just lies there on her back and thinks of England. Sure it's an ego boost... For about a week. Same with Brera. Styling is subjective, I like the looks, but the side profile is too awkward, the back too dumpy. And whatever anyone says, it is not a coupe, but a hatchback, an expensive super-147. The real kicker is the price, here in Switzerland the 185hp 2.2 is the same price as a 300hp 350Z and the Brera will almost never be bought as a primary car, same as the Nissan. It only makes sense to own one in Central London or if you do not particularly enjoy spirited driving.
Harsh because i love Alfa and i truly feel they could have had a winner in this segment. A Brera with RWD and 100 kgs less would be amazing.
Apparently you've never owned a M5. I had one for 11 months and it is an absolute POS. Most of that time I was driving the dealer's X5 loaner. I know that Alfa has a bad rep but it cannot possibly be worse than that POS M5. And yes I drove a Brera for 5 days and I really liked its handling if not power. Kimi tools around in one of these so it cannot be that bad.
Since Alfa Romeo is coming to the US in 2009 (I think), that is when I get graduate high school. I really like the Mazda RX-8 and I have been a fan for a while, but this would be cool to have as well. Which would you recommend as a nice little sports car for under 35K, RX-8 or Brera (hypothetical)? The Brera has the style but not as much substance, where the RX-8 has the substance but not as much style.
I have been around several BMWs and they all were more than reliable. Im sure there will always be some bad fruit but the general idea is that BMW are far better built and more reliable than Alfas, not that Alfas are awful in that register but for the price the Brera is being sold ; it doesnt do anything perfectly . Not the fastest, not the most comfy , not the most advanced , not the best drive...
Brera will definetly cost more then 35K USD when it comes, since the smallest engine will be the 3.2.
I believe I read somewhere that Alfa is trying to lighten up this car as well as the 159 by the time they bring them over to the US. That should help them be competitive in things other than looks. Lets hope they are successful. Still a great looking car and I would definately consider one if it were available. Regards, Jeff Dallas, Texas 1994 Alfa Romeo 164 LS
This estimate has been slipping since the '90s. Alfa can find a niche market in Europe, where Japanese imports are restricted (sometimes by regulation, more often by buyer preference), but to compete in the US, they need a competent dealer network (something Fiat has never known how to do here), and something better than an unreliable Camry in Italian shoes. Alfas haven't been anything more than "pretty" since Fiat took them over and moved the drive wheels to the wrong end. I'd wager my old RWD '81 GTV-6 would out-handle an AWD Brera in the snow -- the new car has too much mass to change direction or speed with minimal traction. Remember: *everybody* has "all wheel brakes". And my EVO would demolish it on every category except looks and (maybe) comfort. Fiat had to give up on selling Alfas in the US even when Alfa had some of the finest cars they ever made in the lineup. What chance do they have selling these "blah"mobiles?
Agreed, In Europe most alfas sell with 1.9 diesels and 2.2 petrols. Alfa simply doesn't have the engines to compete in the US.