Ok, you convinced me. I'll add one to my wish-list +++

I've always been on the fence about the Brera and I could never exactly pin-point why.

To put thing into perspective, I'm 30 - just - and have owned, thus far

156, 1.8TS Sport Pack 3
166, 3.0 V6 Super
156, GTA 3.2 V6
156, 1.9 JTD-M Sport
147, 1.6TS Lusso
GTV, 2.0TS
159, 1.9 JTDM Lusso

Even now I also own a Fiat Stilo Abarth, so it's fair to say I like my Alfas and my Italian cars.

Brera is the same platform as the 159 too but the 159 never felt quite as nice to drive as the 147/156 platform. It was less engaging. For a bigger heavier car - built for american market to an extent - it actually had more overall grip but it never inspired the confidence to use it like the previous generations did. The engines also became more GM derived and the range lost the famous Busso V6s that powered the previous generations, which disappointed the purists. Something to do with emissions regs I believe.

The looks on the Brera did disappoint a little, particularly on the lesser spec they didn't look right on tiny wheels. If you could find something like a pro-drive with panaramic roof they sat lower on bigger wheels and looked far more pleasing. Interior combs were similarly hit and miss.

Only reason I dont have an Alfa now is that none of the current range floated my boat at all. The 147/156/GT platform is getting a bit long in the tooth now and the 159/Brera/Spider platform just isn't the fun product you'd hope for. The Giulietta and MiTo are just plain cheap and nasty glum places to be.

I do however anticipate a deposit on a Giulia at some point soon, maybe early next year unless they have some good pre-reg deals in Sept or something.

Whilst I've always liked the looks of most Alfas, the performance and handling tends to disappoint generally on most normal models, and I'd rather buy a Fiat in practice - so went for a Coupe 20V turbo, rather than a GTV, for example, and never regretted that.

I also had a Giulia Veloce in front of me yesterday on a twisty A road, and it seemed slow (i.e. couldn't shake me ;)...)

I agree that the chassis on the car was more comfort than sport but I was at the time regularly driving from Edinburgh to the south coast of Ireland and it suited that purpose very well. Very comfortable and a good bit of grunt. The replacement v6 also had a good growl when poked. As a B-road bomber it wasn't the most nimble. I chased a friend on a motorbike once up north and he couldn't get away on corners (thanks to the 4 wheel drive), but you were very aware that this was a big ******* getting chucked around. A gaze at the gauges and how high the oil temp went confirmed this!

Had loan of a black 159 (while my Friday afternoon Brera was getting fixed). It was black with a red leather interior. Man that was a ****ing sexy motor. 'Twas a 4 pot diesel but those seats and colour combo were stunning.