Bravo Matthewr1990's T-Jet Bravo Dynamic

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

So my car is in the garage being worked on as we speak. Getting a new steering rack.

But I've got a new toy to play with

Alfa 147 1.6 TS Lusso. (2003)



Horrible colour. My opinions of Alfa's will not be swayed by this 11 year old car. But I'll share some surprises. Firstly I have no idea if Lusso is a good spec of this car but it has quite a few things I didn't expect. Including duel climate control very similar to the one in my Bravo. It also has ASR. Which my car or any other car I have owned doesn't have, and I'm very impressed with it, which leads to my next complement. It holds the road excellently. Very stable car. Got other toys I wouldn't expect from a car of that age, steering wheel controls, cruise control etc. It's quite roomy as well. Dashboard is a nice place to be. I'm not all for the looks of this specific model, I find the outside dated but that's obviously just my opinion. The engine is the 1.6 twin spark. I know little about this engine, it seems quite efficient, and although it's said to have the same power as my bravo. It feels a lot slower and less responsive on the throttle. But over all it gave me a weird feeling as I was driving around. I spotted people looking at me in the car. And it felt quite good. What I think helped however us how comfortable the seats are. I'm not saying my Bravo ones are uncomfortable but in comparison it's concrete to feathers. I sank in the seat and it hugged me like it didn't want to let me go.

Being an 11 year old alfa there are a few problems I've already found. The gear stick leather has come loose and flaps about attached only by a bit if glue. The switches on the door are not working very well. And above all else the gear lever has lost it's "spring" so it doesn't flick back to neutral. Instead it stays wherever you leave it. Whether in gear or not. As it's a new driving position for me. Being forced to find 3rd gear manually without the help of that spring is difficult and I've stuck into 1st or 5th too many times already. But other than the general dirtiness of the car (being a courtesy) it looks very good for a 120,000 mile vehicle. Alfa's are a mystery to me. Especially the new ones hence why I like them. This one is older and doesn't tickle my fancy like the mito's and current line ups but overall an enjoyable car. If not a little bit on the powerless side.

 

[RobBravo]

Re: My new Bravo

Horrible colour. My opinions of Alfa's will not be swayed by this 11 year old car. But I'll share some surprises. Firstly I have no idea if Lusso is a good spec of this car but it has quite a few things I didn't expect. Including duel climate control very similar to the one in my Bravo. It also has ASR. Which my car or any other car I have owned doesn't have, and I'm very impressed with it, which leads to my next complement. It holds the road excellently. Very stable car. Got other toys I wouldn't expect from a car of that age, steering wheel controls, cruise control etc. It's quite roomy as well. Dashboard is a nice place to be. I'm not all for the looks of this specific model, I find the outside dated but that's obviously just my opinion. The engine is the 1.6 twin spark. I know little about this engine, it seems quite efficient, and although it's said to have the same power as my bravo. It feels a lot slower and less responsive on the throttle. But over all it gave me a weird feeling as I was driving around. I spotted people looking at me in the car. And it felt quite good. What I think helped however us how comfortable the seats are. I'm not saying my Bravo ones are uncomfortable but in comparison it's concrete to feathers. I sank in the seat and it hugged me like it didn't want to let me go.

This was exactly my point when I made that thread about seats... when you experience Alfa seats etc then these seats (especially the actives) don't come close to the comfort levels Alfa seats give you. People busy commenting "I don't go really fast round bends" without realising that you don't have to travel fast to appreciate that feel, as you described yourself "hugged me like it didn't want to let me go."...

Top spec is more or less the Lusso, I think there were a few exceptions such as the Collezione or GTA but the Lusso would be the equivalent of the Dynamic spec imo.

I love Alfas, but there's a reason why I've owned 4 of them and I no longer drive one... I just lose interest. My last one, 2.4 JTD 10V Alfa 156 cost me over £300 in parts (let alone time spent fitting the parts) in about 3 months of ownership. So I got fed up and bought the Bravo in an effort to purchase something reliable

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

This was exactly my point when I made that thread about seats... when you experience Alfa seats etc then these seats (especially the actives) don't come close to the comfort levels Alfa seats give you. People busy commenting "I don't go really fast round bends" without realising that you don't have to travel fast to appreciate that feel, as you described yourself "hugged me like it didn't want to let me go."...

Top spec is more or less the Lusso, I think there were a few exceptions such as the Collezione or GTA but the Lusso would be the equivalent of the Dynamic spec imo.

I love Alfas, but there's a reason why I've owned 4 of them and I no longer drive one... I just lose interest. My last one, 2.4 JTD 10V Alfa 156 cost me over £300 in parts (let alone time spent fitting the parts) in about 3 months of ownership. So I got fed up and bought the Bravo in an effort to purchase something reliable

I definitely know what you mean now. I'm still very happy with my Dynamic seats. But these seats are very hard to describe. They're just so snug. My only problem is the actual driving position. The pedals are at a very funny angle. And it really hurts my ankles to use them. As I'm a 6 feet tall I can't really raise the seat to help me out, so in that respect it's uncomfortable but the support it gives me is something else. It really is like it's hugging your back supporting every bit of me.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Re: My new Bravo

The pedals are at a very funny angle. And it really hurts my ankles to use them.

What did you drive before? It wasn't a French motor by chance was it

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

What did you drive before? It wasn't a French motor by chance was it

My current car is obviously The dynamic Bravo. Which although slightly awkward at first has become ok. This Alfa however I can't get used to, glad I only have it for a few days. But yes 5 months ago I was the owner of a Renault Megane, facelift model 57 plate (dynamique). Thought the car was a bag of scrap, the driving position is one thing I couldn't really moan about however. It was very comfortable to be fair. Probably the only positive in an otherwise HORRIBLE car.

Put it this way. I had my Grande Punto 5 years and loved it, had the Megane for 4 months and couldn't hack it anymore, so back to FIAT I went, and in incredibly glad, yes I'm currently having the steering rack replaced but other than that I have a perfect car that I absolutely love.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Re: My new Bravo

My current car is obviously The dynamic Bravo. Which although slightly awkward at first has become ok. This Alfa however I can't get used to, glad I only have it for a few days. But yes 5 months ago I was the owner of a Renault Megane, facelift model 57 plate (dynamique). Thought the car was a bag of scrap, the driving position is one thing I couldn't really moan about however. It was very comfortable to be fair. Probably the only positive in an otherwise HORRIBLE car.

Put it this way. I had my Grande Punto 5 years and loved it, had the Megane for 4 months and couldn't hack it anymore, so back to FIAT I went, and in incredibly glad, yes I'm currently having the steering rack replaced but other than that I have a perfect car that I absolutely love.

Thats why you have issues with the pedal box, its the previous French car, your feet adapted to it, I hate the pedal boxes in most French cars with a passion, awful clutch pedals normally.

 

[Mark075]

Re: My new Bravo

Isn't that a Peugeot-Citroen thing though, rather than Renault? I remember a Pug 206cc that my wife used to drive. The pedals were set too far to the left from memory.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Re: My new Bravo

Isn't that a Peugeot-Citroen thing though, rather than Renault? I remember a Pug 206cc that my wife used to drive. The pedals were set too far to the left from memory.

You might have a thing with that actually, I normally count all 3 as 1 as all French, even though its more Renault on its own and Citroen / Peugeot being sharers in what they do (a bit like Alfa / Fiat)

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

You might have a thing with that actually, I normally count all 3 as 1 as all French, even though its more Renault on its own and Citroen / Peugeot being sharers in what they do (a bit like Alfa / Fiat)

Like I said I would happily sit here all day and rip the p**s out of renaults. But I can't fault the driving position. Pedals were at the right angle seat was supportive and relatively comfortable the steering rack was ver adjustable and it had a really nice and comfortable arm rest. All led to being very comfortable in a very crap car. Can compare it to lying in pig crap. Comfy but your still sitting in sh*t

 

[KHALED25]

Re: My new Bravo

So I got fed up and bought the Bravo in an effort to purchase something reliable

I don't really know how long Alfa has been part of the fiat group, but for their current lineup its 100% a Fiat so it would simply have the same pros and cons as your average Fiat

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

My car is back from the garage the Alfa has gone, is it strange that I sort of fell in love. It was slow. Ugly colour. Overly loud due to holes in the exhaust, gear stick was broken so badly I think my wrist is now going to develop arthritis. But I really liked it. So strange

Anyway cars back and it's PERFECT! Steering creak has gone, it feels more responsive too, must of been in a bad way. Motor Mech in Birmingham if you ever read this, thank you. I advise anyone within reasonable distance of Birmingham city centre to visit this place for your issues. (For ideas of where it is, it is literally on the corner of the selfridges. The big bubble building for those that don't know)

 

[RobBravo]

Re: My new Bravo

I don't really know how long Alfa has been part of the fiat group, but for their current lineup its 100% a Fiat so it would simply have the same pros and cons as your average Fiat

Not really, comparing a 1999 V Reg Alfa 156 to a 2009 Fiat Bravo is like chalk and cheese.

In the last 10 years Fiat/ Alfa have improved massively.

 

[KHALED25]

Re: My new Bravo

Not really, comparing a 1999 V Reg Alfa 156 to a 2009 Fiat Bravo is like chalk and cheese.

In the last 10 years Fiat/ Alfa have improved massively.

This is exactly what I meant. I'm saying current alfa's will be just as reliable as a the current fiat, which isn't a bad thing. Both brands have badly stagnated in recent years though

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

Have the car a clean today top to bottom. Nothing like a clean car to cheer you up.



Panorama shot of the interior. My gear gaitor and rubbers from the cup holders etc are missing as I'd washed them and was waiting for them to dry. When you clean this car you fully adore the curves and styling. Absolutely beautiful car. There isn't another family hatch that comes close in my opinion.

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

Just another picture of my baby after a great clean.

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

Can someone guide me on how to remove the silver plastic around the radio and vents (the bit with the city button on etc). I don't want to dive in and break something buy I have a strange piece of plastic stuck between the silver bit and the carbon fibre effect on the dashboard. I'm guessing it's been there a while as it's gone hard and is cracking. It sticks out enough for it to annoy me. I'm guessing it's not meant to be there. You can see it in the below picture. (To the left of the vent above the city mode button). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[will0407]

Re: My new Bravo

Can someone guide me on how to remove the silver plastic around the radio and vents (the bit with the city button on etc). I don't want to dive in and break something buy I have a strange piece of plastic stuck between the silver bit and the carbon fibre effect on the dashboard. I'm guessing it's been there a while as it's gone hard and is cracking. It sticks out enough for it to annoy me. I'm guessing it's not meant to be there. You can see it in the below picture. (To the left of the vent above the city mode button). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

I had that too- just get some tweezers and gently pull it out- it just seems like a looks bit of plastic 'wrapping'. That's the best way I can describe it. Almost like when you leave a bit of cellophane on a box!

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

I had that too- just get some tweezers and gently pull it out- it just seems like a looks bit of plastic 'wrapping'. That's the best way I can describe it. Almost like when you leave a bit of cellophane on a box!

I'll give it a try. Thank you. I didn't really just want to pull it incase it's sealed to something and I damage the dash.

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

So just had a bash at popping the fog lights out and back in as I'm buying some brighter ones. But I'm having difficulty popping it back in. Is there a knack to it? Also anyone recommend a good set of fog lights. I'd like a blue tinge to the bulbs if possible but as bright as can be. I'm not fitting a HID set before anyone one recommends it thanks. Whilst I'm here here's a pic of my car today. All washed and in the sun.

 

[Matthewr1990]

Re: My new Bravo

So an eventful week or two for my car.

It is currently in a garage having gearbox oil changed, water pump, tensioners and timing belt changed. It's also having a "full" service and MOT. Tomorrow it is having it's alloys removed and having some horrible slave wheels put on for a week whilst my alloys get refurbished and recoloured to anthracite including centre caps

In the mean time a few aesthetic details are going into and onto the car, I've recently upgraded my headlights (dipped beam) to halfords lights ultra brilliance or something like heat. I've also converted my licence plate bulbs to LED. and waiting on delivery of LED's for my sidelights. I've also purchased a large sheet of dark grey fly eye tint. I know it's not to everyone's taste but at £13 I really arnt fussed if they don't look right, I'll just pull them off. I also believe they are completely legal so that's a benefit. I'm going to be putting it on rear lights, headlights, fog and reverse light at the back. I think I'm leaving the fog lights not sure yet. I've also refitted wind deflector for that cool summer air and look.

I've also added a beautiful West Bromwich Albion badge to the car because they are the love of my life.



In the next few weeks I'm adding an induction kit, lowering springs (eibach pro I think), New brake pads. Two new front tyres and finally for my birthday I'm being gifted a new exhaust backbox. having a custom twin exhaust that will come out of the back of the rear diffuser.

All in all i am very happy. I'm taking care of the car and making it my own. Me and my bravo, we are best pals