Alfa Brera S

[eastcoast 4,897]

Gents, does anyone own one of these or has owned? Always wanted one and came close to buying twice when they were still in production but bottled it both times due to concerns over reported Alfa build quality and reliability issues. Went for a Mazda RX8 and then Audi TT instead. All hairdresser's cars of course, usually said by people who seemed happy driving Ford Mondeos or Vauxhall Insignia's, each to their own.

Due for a car change but there's nothing that takes my eye. We may have the most efficient and practical cars now but from an aesthetic point of view in my opinion car design is at its lowest in history. Thinking about a replacement new mini Cooper S or JCW but you cannot even get them in manual now. Then seen this Brera advertised. My thoughts are that the bad ones have long since gone to the scrapyard and those surviving may be the better examples, depending on what you pay of course. And also prepared to go back to basics like in the old days, spanners and a Haynes manual when required. 

The head says no, the heart says... it is so beautiful.!

 

[WILF 53,376]

A mate of mine had one, it was a f***ing beast of a car.

Absolute jet fighter !

Cant speak about all the day to day stuff but they certainly go.

[eastcoast 4,897]

1 minute ago, WILF said:

A mate of mine had one, it was a f***ing beast of a car.

Absolute jet fighter !

Cant speak about all the day to day stuff but they certainly go.

They're not quick or good handling, not by today's standards anyway, and won't be going for the v6 as will be used as a daily runner. But don't need a fast car these days, just something nice to own rather than a soulless lump designed to get from A to B in the most fuel efficient way  (contradicted myself there, but the v6 would be just silly)

[pesky1972 6,015]

Buy it. Very low mileage for the year and looks very tidy. Nearly bought a grey one years ago, same as you shied away because of their reputation for being troublesome. Regretted it ever since.

[WILF 53,376]

24 minutes ago, eastcoast said:

They're not quick or good handling, not by today's standards anyway, and won't be going for the v6 as will be used as a daily runner. But don't need a fast car these days, just something nice to own rather than a soulless lump designed to get from A to B in the most fuel efficient way  (contradicted myself there, but the v6 would be just silly)

Don’t know about any of that mate, my mate had a V6 and it went like a rocket and the styling was really nice….much as I can tell you. 

[eastcoast 4,897]

15 minutes ago, pesky1972 said:

Buy it. Very low mileage for the year and looks very tidy. Nearly bought a grey one years ago, same as you shied away because of their reputation for being troublesome. Regretted it ever since.

33k miles, £12k screen price. I believe the lowest millage and highest priced for sale in the UK. No miles, and little money for such a work of art. Problem is, none compliant with our company car policy to get my car allowance regarding age and emissions. But as I have told them that they will only get another 2 years out of me max before I retire they may bend the rules. 

[Lenmcharristar 10,778]

Buy yourself a fiat coupe 20v turbo, lovely cars and great potential with the engine, and it 5 cylinder sounds class

[eastcoast 4,897]

8 minutes ago, Lenmcharristar said:

Buy yourself a fiat coupe 20v turbo, lovely cars and great potential with the engine, and it 5 cylinder sounds class

Of the same ilk and a good shout, never really liked them, but could and can appreciate the visual appearance/ design. Back when car manufactures considered that "normal" people may appreciate something with a bit style and they were willing to create/produce them. These days it is back to us and them. They only produce nice cars for the wealthy, ordinary people seem to be happy buying their Postman Pat van inspired creations. FFS, no new 3 door hot hatches are now available apart from Minis, and tiny Toyota's. 

[WataWalloper 5,460]

I’d gladly drive it about if I needed a daily run about a wasn’t going out rural an up lanes a tracks, Fcuking go for it pal, if ye want it, get it

Edited February 26 by WataWalloper

[eastcoast 4,897]

Strange how this panned out. Pics at start of the thread were taken from an add found on the 1st online search that I did. Noticed it was from 2024 and so thought it would be long gone. It came up on another search but current 2026, but the car had done 3000 miles more. Made my mind up to get it and emailed them on a Saturday night. Noticed the add had been removed on Sunday. Got a courtesy call from them the next day saying that the car had been sold. It had been advertised for 2 years and not sold, and been driven during that period. Thinking someone at the business must have taken a shine to it and only decided to buy it when I showed interest or they were selling it for a mate and my timing was just pure bad luck. Or someone off here bought it  

Was a bit disappointed but now totally pissed of as am now aware that decent low miles 2.2L Pro-Drive examples in red are as rare as hens teeth. Should have seized the day!

[kanny 21,941]

I've always liked the Alfa styling but like most people I've never had the bollocks to own one due to their reputation .

 

If my numbers ever drop then I'm going for one of these    not your usual Lambo,  Ferrari pish lol 

 

[eastcoast 4,897]

8 hours ago, kanny said:

I've always liked the Alfa styling but like most people I've never had the bollocks to own one due to their reputation .

 

If my numbers ever drop then I'm going for one of these    not your usual Lambo,  Ferrari pish lol 

 

Would be nice. But there was a time when you did not need a big win to own a nice motor. Ford Capri, Vauxhall Calibra etc. The manufacturers and buying public are lazy and disinterested now but at least some of the old ones still exist. A friend of mine bought the below a couple of years ago.

[Stavross 20,620]

Alfa have made some stunning looking cars, in the late 90’s I bought a 1987 ( I think) Alfa 33 1.7 boxer cloverleaf off a bloke as a none runner, I think I paid £400 for it, turned out to be the starter motor or so I thought, spent the next 12 months working on it every weekend to keep it on the road because it looked amazing in red with its big boxy body kit and the boxer engine sounded mint, I think I swapped it for a escort van

[eastcoast 4,897]

14 minutes ago, Stavross said:

Alfa have made some stunning looking cars, in the late 90’s I bought a 1987 ( I think) Alfa 33 1.7 boxer cloverleaf off a bloke as a none runner, I think I paid £400 for it, turned out to be the starter motor or so I thought, spent the next 12 months working on it every weekend to keep it on the road because it looked amazing in red with its big boxy body kit and the boxer engine sounded mint, I think I swapped it for a escort van

Always liked an escort van, you've got me thinking now.

[steve66 4,079]

31 minutes ago, eastcoast said:

Would be nice. But there was a time when you did not need a big win to own a nice motor. Ford Capri, Vauxhall Calibra etc. The manufacturers and buying public are lazy and disinterested now but at least some of the old ones still exist. A friend of mine bought the below a couple of years ago.

Crackin pub Tan Hill . one of my favourites