GT or BRERA?

[GeoffCapes]

I much prefer the 156/147/GT cars to the later 159/Brera. I had a 147, only car I’ve ever bought brand new, based on the picture in the Sunday Times magazine. Wasn’t a mistake, lovely little cars and a proper Alfa. The later ones lost something.

147 was the first car I bought new. Great car. Unfortunately I had to pay to give it back at the end of the finance.
I've never financed a car since!

 

[gb-gta]

Think I’d go for a GT. Coming from a DS3 it will feel a older, less refined drive than a Brera, because it’s suspension design is from the 90’s, but I think it will be more fun.

What I would say though is check the floorpan and sills carefully. They just go over time, they are old cars now to be fair, lots of other cars rust too.

Just had my GTA done, couple of holes on the outer edge of rear floorpan turned into me asking rest to be checked whilst being done.
Ended up removing plastic sill covers to check them and they were rather nasty too. So had it all done and rustproofed so it is sorted now.
No MOT would pick this up, as it’s hidden…And mine looks very shiny on top, so it’s well worth getting it checked.

 

[Nayf]

Weekend toy - GT
Daily driver - Giulietta
Hmm - Brera (unless Tbi or Prodrive 3.2)*

* servicing costs on the Brera can be even more than a Busso.

 

[Gazcw]

Than a GT? Hardly IMHO

C

Lighter and more go karty in my experience

 

[CatmanV2]

Lighter and more go karty in my experience

Well that that's true but the GT was so far better put together, and still eminently chuckable. Although the 3.2 was somewhat nose heavy and struggled with getting the power down through the chassis

C

 

[Doctor Houx]

I had a 2010 2.2 JTS Brera Spider for about 3 years. Agree the engine and performance was mediocre at best, but a work of art to look at!

Such beautiful details like front and rear lights, door handles and the pleated pele Frau leather. Front subframe needs careful protection from rust and I had electrical issues with roof, speakers and lights.

 

[MrRMB]

My son is considering his forst foray into the pain and cost of Italian car ownership. He's looking for something interesting to replace his current car, A DS3 owned from almost new. The Alfa GT and Brera are high on his list of potential purchases. He doesn't want to spend more than c.£5k as it'll be a fun car for maybe 12 months. I owned a GT Blackline years back and thought it was a great car; didn't really go wrong and was easily fixed for the few faults it had. I also owned a 159 Ti 2.4; again a great car, stunning to look at etc. but very costly to maintain as it was heavy on suspension, brakes, tyres etc. Both cars were at most a couple of years old when I owned them and I had them for maybe 18 months each - not really a barometer for my son to judge potential faults, running costs etc.

Tell me your experience and views on which is the better car please...

My son is considering his forst foray into the pain and cost of Italian car ownership. He's looking for something interesting to replace his current car, A DS3 owned from almost new. The Alfa GT and Brera are high on his list of potential purchases. He doesn't want to spend more than c.£5k as it'll be a fun car for maybe 12 months. I owned a GT Blackline years back and thought it was a great car; didn't really go wrong and was easily fixed for the few faults it had. I also owned a 159 Ti 2.4; again a great car, stunning to look at etc. but very costly to maintain as it was heavy on suspension, brakes, tyres etc. Both cars were at most a couple of years old when I owned them and I had them for maybe 18 months each - not really a barometer for my son to judge potential faults, running costs etc.

Tell me your experience and views on which is the better car please...

Hi, we have a 50k 2006 GT that we have owned for 10 or so years. Very tidy for age, sills welded at back, new rear shockers, recent cam belt, needs an abs rear sensor and front suspension is creaky as it's original. We just don't use it anymore and it's parked up in the barn as a spare car. It'll need some work but it's way nicer than most. PM me if interested. Clearly I'm biased but the GT is much sportier. Good luck. Richard

 

[Gazcw]

Well that that's true but the GT was so far better put together, and still eminently chuckable. Although the 3.2 was somewhat nose heavy and struggled with getting the power down through the chassis

C

I agree with that and always loved the look of the Brera too.

 

[zagatoes30]

The Brera is the looker but you just know the GT is going to be more fun

 

[allandwf]

Weekend toy - GT
Daily driver - Giulietta
Hmm - Brera (unless Tbi or Prodrive 3.2)*

* servicing costs on the Brera can be even more than a Busso.

Only when the chains need done at 100k surely. I never found much difference, if anything cheaper using GM parts on the V6.

 

[Nayf]

Only when the chains need done at 100k surely. I never found much difference, if anything cheaper using GM parts on the V6.

Is the 3.2 a chain or a belt? IIRC it’s about £300 more than a Busso and that’s not cheap

 

[Nayf]

Well that that's true but the GT was so far better put together, and still eminently chuckable. Although the 3.2 was somewhat nose heavy and struggled with getting the power down through the chassis

C

I’d have to disagree on better put together; the Brera is more robust in the human interface areas (other than the unfortunate dashboard scratching). Otherwise it’s GT all the way. It’s a pity the V6 didn’t make it past the facelift, though you can get facelift GTs with the V6 with RHD in Australia.
The GT - much like the GTAs - need a Q2 diff and an aftermarket suspension kit to get the power down and not into a hedge. Rewarding when you do though - remember an Evo mag where the Busso was punchier through the gears than a Monaro…

 

[gb-gta]

I’d have to disagree on better put together; the Brera is more robust in the human interface areas (other than the unfortunate dashboard scratching). Otherwise it’s GT all the way. It’s a pity the V6 didn’t make it past the facelift, though you can get facelift GTs with the V6 with RHD in Australia.
The GT - much like the GTAs - need a Q2 diff and an aftermarket suspension kit to get the power down and not into a hedge. Rewarding when you do though - remember an Evo mag where the Busso was punchier through the gears than a Monaro…

I must say, in terms of 'robustness', if i had to have one, i'd much rather have a crash in a brera than a GT!

 

[CatmanV2]

I agree with that and always loved the look of the Brera too.

It did look lovely!

C

 

[CatmanV2]

I’d have to disagree on better put together; the Brera is more robust in the human interface areas

We were comparing GT to Giulietta. Or at least I was

C

 

[gb-gta]

We were comparing GT to Giulietta. Or at least I was

C

Missed the title of the thread ?

And by the way id rather crash in a guilietta than a GT too!

 

[CatmanV2]

Missed the title of the thread ?

And by the way id rather crash in a guilietta than a GT too!

No but this is SM and thread drift is mandatory.

Go Giulietta everyday. Much more fun to drive.

And in a crash I'd probably rather be in a Volvo.....

C

 

[allandwf]

Is the 3.2 a chain or a belt? IIRC it’s about £300 more than a Busso and that’s not cheap

Chain

 

[Dman666]

I always wanted a Brera never managed to own one but did have a 156

 

[Oneball]

Is the 3.2 a chain or a belt? IIRC it’s about £300 more than a Busso and that’s not cheap

Not really paid them much attention, is the 3.2 in the Brera the JTS engine then and not the 3.2 Busso from the GTA?