_Tone_ Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Having looked at an article in Top Gear Magazine I have been taken by the red Brera in there. Does anyone know when its being released and what type of price it will be. Having looked at the Alfa Web Site briefly last night I was amazed at the price of the 3.2 Coupe - don't these cars depreciate fast anymore? Any existing Brera owners out there? Please give me any feedback - I will organise a test drive at some point. Thanks - first time I have seriously thought about an Alfa! Cheers Tone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I sat in a deep blue Brera at the weekend in my local dealer. I may have to sell a kidney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiefox Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 They are beautiful cars - I posted not long ago how much I loved the look of them. Problem is I've not read a good review of the handling or performance yet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Welcome to potentially becoming a 'proper petrolhead' Tone. The Spider is out in September with a choice of two engines the 2.2 JTS or the 3.2 V6, diesels have been ruled out for this model. But for a droptop handling and performance normally go out of the window anyway, it's about looking good when going past a trendy part of London. It's hard to say where the depreciation is for the new models to be honest, as the Brera and 159 only came out in March. So unfortunatly people who buy one are the guinea pigs, but I think JimDiesel said Alfa were doing some sort of deal on G.F.V.s at 50% on a 3 year PCP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiefox Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Will the drop top version have metal roof or a soft top one Neil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 It's a soft top Lottie, to be honest I think the drop top doesn't look as nice as the hard top when the roof is up. It just seems to end suddenly rather then flow to another part of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I'm keeping my 146 for now, but when I'm back in the country next year I'll be looking for a job and then scanning the classifieds... Hopefully depreciation will have worked its magic by then! I've read the same thing about the handling, but if I'm honest that's only part of the coupe experience for me. A car like that's also about the feeling it gives you, and the Brera grabs me in the way the new TT (or even the RX-8 and 350Z) doesn't. Besides, it may not be as pin sharp as an Exige but I'm sure you can still have fun driving it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [/ QUOTE ] That has got be to the first photoshopped car image I have ever seen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingRed Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Haven't driven one yet but I saw one on the road for the first time yesterday, slipping through traffic two cars ahead of me. Coupe, Red, gorgeous thing. Whether you go for the coupe or the spider you're going to be driving a piece of mini-exotica, really stands out amid the cooking hatchbacks and Chelsea housewives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I think the Brera Spyder is better looking that the coupe. The front overhang is still too big but at least it doesn't have a huge droopy rear end.... The other problem is the price, or more specifically the price to performance ratio. One thing that really puts me off Alfas is the idea put about by the Alfista that you are only a 'proper petrolhead' or 'true enthusiast' when you've owned an Alfa. What absolute rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] One thing that really puts me off Alfas is the idea that you are only a 'proper petrolhead' or 'true enthusiast' when you've owned an Alfa. What absolute rubbish. [/ QUOTE ] The same can be said for BMW's, as a few owners will think that they are superior for driving one. A few Audi drivers will think they are superior for having a Vorsprung Durch Technique wagon. So that is a load of bollox - ignore the hype/marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I suppose the thing with Alfas is you have to be a 'true enthusiast' to put up with the shyte dealer service, poor reliability and criminal depreciation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I agree and that's one of the reasons why it's taken me 17 years to buy a BMW! I decided to approach my last purchase with an open mind and was surprised what I ended up with. Mind you, if Alfa made a 147 GTA with 5 doors and a decent interior, then I might have become a proper car enthusiast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 They do, its called the 156 GTA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I suppose the thing with Alfas is you have to be a 'true enthusiast' to put up with the shyte dealer service, poor reliability and criminal depreciation... [/ QUOTE ] Even Alfa owners will agree with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] They do, its called the 156 GTA [/ QUOTE ] That’s hardly the same, ones a compact sporty hatch, the other is a family sized estate car, although a pretty quick one... The other problem is that they stopped making them some time ago, if I were buying one I’d want one with at least 3 years of cast iron warranty! The GTA version of the 156 is a bit nicer inside because of the leather sports seats, but I still don’t like the 147/156 interiors, not my cup of tea I’m afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4_sat Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 The 156 can be had in saloon form too. i prefer the old 155 v6 though. especially in red with black 5 spoke alloys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 156 GTA is (was) saloon or estate. Quite liked the interior of the facelifted 156. Not been in a 159 yet so don't know how it compares. To be fair to them, Alfas are alot bet than they once were in terms of build, reliability etc. But that doesn't appear to have helped their resale values much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Never had a problem with mine, although I can't comment on the dealers as I've used a specialist independent mechanic. Plus the depreciation makes them a great used buy- mine was £20k when new and four and a half years later only cost me £3k! I think Alfa's only appeal to those in the know. When anyone asks what I drive their second question is usually "A what?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin275 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 The 159 has a much better interior than the 156. It’s still too ‘fussy’ for me, so I didn't like it, but if you liked the 156 then you’ll be impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichTT Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Always been a fan of Alfas-Great looks and great engines- As a drop top-not thanks, has to be a coupe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I had a 166 3.0 exactly the same as this. http://www.tyresmoke.net/attachments/902966-alfa_romeo_166.jpg I loved the car, but with 226bhp through the front wheels tyres only lasted 4500 miles. Then the cruise control failed, then all the chrome started pimpling, then the auto wipers failed, then the leather started to wear through. It was at this point I gave up on the car. It lost £22000 in value over 14months. Fortunatly I bought it at 2 months old, so I only lost £8000. I used to polish the inlet manifold every sunday. Lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimdiesel Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I was never keen that face, the facelift was a much prettier car IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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