Alfa 159 & Brera Test Drive

[zebity]

Alfisti,

as a prior owner of a number of Alfas (33 4x4, 1.5 Ti Sud, 1.5 Ti Sud Green Glover, 1.7 Sprint Green Glover), I was very interested to try the new Alfas to see if they had managed to get out of the "almost" trap.

So here are my findings from testing 159 3.2 V6 Q4, Brera 2.2, Brera 3.2 V6 Q4.

159 V6 Q4 - this car simply does not handle well in standard guise. Maybe with lowered suspension, it might be a different matter. I found that it rolls alarmingly around corners, jacking a lot of its substantial weight over the right front wheel (in left hand corners), and not feeling at all stable or comfortable in this position. While it did maintain its grip and never actually let go, it did not inspire a lot of confidence in its chassis abilities to handle corners. The engine had to be continuoulsy revved to get any performance and even then it was slow. I even managed to get a burnt clutch trying to make a fast get-away from the stand still. A seriously flawed vehicle in my opinion.

Brera 2.2 - this car was a lovely drive coming out from the 159. While it is not a light vehicle, it feels light and fun around the corners. Revs happily and smoothly and gear box has great feel and that makes it fun to use, which you must, to keep it in the rev range sweet spot. A much better drive than the 159 but with a serious headroom problem for people 6 feet or over (myself). The front pillar comes right across your forward vision and the roof hieght is very limited.

Brera 3.2 V6 Q4 - this has the same driving qualities of the 2.2 but with greater performance. While this is noticable in a straight line, I am not convinced that you get a substanstially better car for your money on the curvy stuff than the 2.2 .

In summary the 159 is not a good drive. The Brera is a nice driving car, looks fanastic, but has serious ergonomic problems. So the new Alfas are still a long way behind the competition. But they are improving, so maybe the the next round will finally be good cars....

159 3.2 V6 Q4 - 4/10
Brera 2.2 - 6/10
Brera 3.2 V6 Q4 - 7/10

The best badge in the business, still waiting for a good car to go with it....

Cheers,

Zebity.

[DCR]

We looked at the Alfa 159 but couldnt see it being a family daily driver. How did you feel the interior size was?

[zebity]

DCR,

yes you are right, it is a tight fit for adults in the rear seats, but I think it is ok for children. Rear room is comparable to a VW golf. Ok for kids but a bit of a squeeze other wise. The interior fit of the 159 was good quality, while the Brera was not well put together.

Cheers,

Zebity.

[DAL32]

The 4cyl Alfas have always been a far better handling car than the 6cyl in the FWD cars. With the exception of the GTA..

[mercster]

Good write up.

[carjunky]

I can't understand your comments re 159Q4 3.2, it handles better than my Subaru Liberty3RB 3.0 and it was fantastic. I agree it is a bit sluggish but once you put high flow cats and a free flow exhaust it is a different car. I drove the Liberty for 93,000kms on country roads and so far the Alfa 35,000kms on the same roads. I have had 1981 Alfa Sud Sprint, 1984 2.0 GTV. 1992 164Q 3.0, 2001 156 (worst car I ever had) and now 159Q4 the best Alfa by far.I also had 2004 WRX (magnificent to drive a $45,000 supercar) and then the Liberty (also a great car) as well as a Fiat 128,lancia HPE,Saab Aero 900 Turbo .

[zebity]

Car Junky,

the need to add after market items is case in point.

If I am spending good money on a new car, I don't want to have to add a lot of after market items on it straight away to get it to perform. As I said the one I tested had standard suspension setup, I gather Alfa sells a lowered version. I drove it fast on a very nice bit of winding road and it was rubbish. An opinion shared with two other drivers I might add...

I drove the Brera on exactly the same road and it was great fun...

How can two cars driven on the same stretch of road on the same day give such different impressions....

I have not driven a recent Subaru but I gather they are a nice cars. At the time of testing the Alfa I had a VW Bora V6 4Motion which was a much better drive than the Alfa.

As I said it was a major disappointment, I am a fan of Alfas.

I stand by what I wrote and I voted with my wallet, so sorry Alfa no sale in this case. To much money for a heavy car that does not have the Alfa magic. That is zing and zest, which Brera had.

I guess it ultimately boils down to what are the types of roads you like to drive along, as opposed to where you simply need a car to get about. I like windy mountain roads best and 159Q4 did not cut it.

VW Bora is great on these due to 4WQ grip and neutrality, Merc is awesome just because of the sound, balance and pure grunt. I think Suby would be a better option here.

Cheers,

Zebity
(MB CLK 500 Cab)

[carjunky]

Hi Zebity, I drive on many windy roads etc and body roll is something my car doesn't have it is tighter than the Liberty which has upgraded Bilstein suspension etc.Every road report I have read on the 159Q says how much better balanced and how it handles better than the Brera,you must have driven a real lemon.My 159 has standard suspension and the main thing I noticed after the Liberty was it's grip and supreme comfort,yet no body roll what so ever. A MK5 GTI Golf can't keep up with it on the twisty stuff and that says something about the Alfa.
The car is very heavy and the gearing is too long that is why it feels sluggish but the mods cost $3500.00 but transform the car and it sounds fantastic

[zebity]

Car Junky,

sounds like we were driving different cars that is for sure... like chalk and cheese in fact. Maybe you are right and the 159 I drove was a dud. Very strange. Makes you wonder if they have revised the suspension at some point.

One thing I think we can all agree on and that is that both 159 and Brera look great ;-) .

Happy driving.
Cheers,

Zebity
(MB CLK 500 Cab)

[e32lover]

oh thats a shame to hear that the 159 is no good. I keep seeing adds for the 1592.2 in the paper, and you seem to get a lot of car for $55k, they are lovely looking cars imo. I was always interested in driving one, as i thought they would have a lot of character and would have a nice manual box and be a well rounded light fun car to drive. Will still check it out just for the hell of it, but yeah its a shame that you think its not as good as it looks. I guess i was hoping, but deep down im not really surprised.

[shitbmxrider]

The folks at ausalfa seem to think theres been running changes, and the 08-09-10's are much better than the 07's...

[Bing Bong]

I've driven the 159ti and felt it was a great driving car, was the 2.2 from memory which was a bit on the sad side but I quite liked the car, brakes were impressive! I agree about some other points though having driven it, not a family car, very small interior but VERY nice finish. But price was for 60k, no thanks, better cars on the market for that price.