What thoughts on the 2.2 diesel! I think they are a great looking beast for $35k ( 2007 ) What sort of nightmare could I expect in long term!
andrea_w,
Sep 6, 6:00pm
My crystal ball is broken. maybe the other regulars have broken crystal balls too which is why you're not getting a reply.
dingo011,
Sep 6, 6:10pm
Wow that was so helpful. Should ask in general as Andrea indicates that no one in motoring has any knowledge regarding Brera.
jmma,
Sep 6, 6:12pm
Be patient (o:
andrea_w,
Sep 6, 6:44pm
No, I'm saying no one can ever predict how good/bad an individual car will be long term - which is what you want to know. Oh yeah. general is a FAAAR better place to ask.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 6, 7:16pm
You can have a 2.2 Petrol or a 2.0 or 2.4 Diesel, pick one!
Seriously though, I am assuming you are looking at a Diesel one. Fiat practically invented the modern Diesel engine and IMO they have the best track record for building reliable ones. That's why they are one of the most popular producers of Diesel engines in the world, Fiat Diesels are under the hood of all sorts of things from Suzuki's to Fords as well as the line up of Fiat and Alfa's including Fiat commercial vehicles. Because they build for commercial use as well their Diesels usually have a phenomenal life span and require minimal maintenance.
I don't know much specifically about the Brera but drive a late 156 myself and find it fantastic.
Best of luck with it, it's likely to be a lovely vehicle.
Edit, Just a wee heads up, I don't follow them that much but 35K seems a lot for an 07 model. Check the price stacks up. Also, make sure you service it using the correct fluids (brake fluid, coolant, transmission and engine). You can get proper Selenia oil etc from Italian Auto Centre in Auckland, they will ship it to you anywhere overnight. That's what I do.
tigra,
Sep 7, 6:05am
As a long term Alfa fan, currently bereft, all I can says isI envy you. Fantastic looking car.
tigra,
Sep 7, 6:06am
However as jazz says price does sound a bit high for a 5 year old one.
intrade,
Sep 7, 6:09am
most run Fiat diesel. problem is like all new diesel emensly expensive to fix when they fail and they do all of em no matter what make the nz diesel is making sure of it sooner or later. without expensive maintainence upkeep.
robotnik,
Sep 7, 9:28am
The diesel in that car will be competent enough I am sure, but you don't buy an Alfa to listen a knocking diesel, not when their petrol engines are works of art and sound so good.
intrade,
Sep 7, 12:28pm
you be needing to run chemtech on the fuel and either delete the Egr with a chiptuning upgrade or spend loads of money to clean and maintain the Egr system. Also never ever skip a oil or fuelfilter change on new diesel You will pay tenfold for damage occuring when you dont.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 7, 5:11pm
While compared to some other cars its a lot of car for the money that is still a lot of money for one of those.
To put it into perspective the best deal I have seen on something similar was a 2008 159 (effectively a 4 door Brera) with about 100K on the clock which went for something like 14K.
Now that was the VERY best deal I have seen on one of those and it had higher km. But it gives you a good yardstick to value.
There are no cheap Brera's around right now but it should be easy enough to pick up a 159 with similar year/km for $10'000 less than the Brera you are looking at. Unless of course value dosn't bother you, in which case go for gold if its the coupe you want, at least you do so knowing what you are in for.
Oh, and I think you will be quite amazed at the performance and handling of the diesel. Sure its not may not be the last 5% in absolute thrills but it should still be a fantastic drive.
craig04,
Sep 7, 5:46pm
That is a sexy little car. I'd have one.
sw20,
Sep 7, 5:49pm
So its an Alfa without the music!
dingo011,
Sep 10, 12:19pm
Well I went and test drove one at the weekend and the dream is over! How it looks on the outside is not matched with how they drive. Boring as bat pooh! I have owned a Honda Prelude and a Porsche 968, both of which have +2 rear seat which are useless for passengers but great for dogs and shopping. The Brera is worse than both either the Prelude or the 968. I am just over 6' or 182cm and the gap between the seats was less than 50mm.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 10, 12:28pm
Cheers for the update and very interesting to note.
Perhaps take a 159 for a drive with the direct injected Petrol engine. I actually get phenomenal economy from my direct injected 156.
Other thoughts, perhaps check out Audi/VW's offerings. The likes of the Golf GTI or A3 Turbo will give you great economy too yet are fun to drive. Its that combination of direct injection economy plus the ultra efficient DSG transmission. The GTI would be right at the top of my list if I was doing what you are but wanted something fun and grunty to do it in.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 10, 12:28pm
Cheers for the update and very interesting to note.
Perhaps take a 159 for a drive with the direct injected Petrol engine. I actually get phenomenal economy from my direct injected 156. The 159 obviously solves the rear space issue and if you found the Diesel uninspiring the petrol may be better. My 156 is a lot of fun to drive, although I have heard the 159 is a bit weighty by comparison and some don't appreciate that after the 156. I can't tell you first hand though.
Other thoughts, perhaps check out Audi/VW's offerings. The likes of the Golf GTI or A3 Turbo will give you great economy too yet are fun to drive. Its that combination of direct injection economy plus the ultra efficient DSG transmission. The GTI would be right at the top of my list if I was doing what you are but wanted something fun and grunty to do it in. Excellent long service intervals with the VW/Audi too, for that sort of running you can turn on the variable intervals and you will likely find you are going 25'000km or more between services (driven quietly you can get up to38'000km between services even).
brapbrappy,
Sep 10, 1:42pm
[quote=dingo011 The Brera is worse than both either the Prelude or the 968. I am just over 6' or 182cm and the gap between the seats was less than 50mm.[/quote]
Well dont look at a 3.5 Fairlady or similar then.
dingo011,
Sep 10, 1:53pm
Does make one wonder why they bother with the rear seat! I guess you have to treat it as a large parcel tray!
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