General Comments:
This is car is reasonably quick, and very good on fuel when not thrashed, I think it is a excellent performance/fuel economy compromise.
The engine sounds very nice and eggs you on tho thrash it, however a Alfa V6 sounds much better again with an addictive howl. Handling is excellent as shares floor pan / suspension with Fiat coupe. My car is finished in Alfa red with black seats, and has the rare air-con. The car looks stunning in red compared to a boring Golf, although the standard 15" wheels are a bit on the small size.
I bought this car with 104,000 miles on the odometer, for £1475, it has however had £3000 spent on it in the last 12 months, including a re-built cylinder head, new clutch, belts, and radiator. There seems to be many of these cars for sale with 60-70,000 miles on the odometer. this is roughly when the car is due for a major service, cam-belt, and cam variator (a rattly diesel like noise at any time indicates a worn variator). This service cost at least £600. The clutch seems to wear out at around 75,000 miles (£400 to change). You may be better buying a higher mileage well cared for example than a lower mileage one, that way the car will have passed its mid life crisis.
I would go out and, but another one tomorrow as this is a very underrated car. My only gripes about the car are the fact it is sometimes difficult to get the drivers seat in a comfortable position (I am over 6ft), parts are also bit on the expensive side.
26th Apr 2014, 16:09
Buy one now, the Cloverleaf version, before there's none left! When you hit 3.5k revs, it's like the first time you're in a plane and it goes balls out on the runway when taking off. The engine is a beaut and loves to rev. I've had one for 7 years, and the only time I needed the AA was once when I was low on petrol and parked on a steep hill. The other time the alternator belt came off as one of the alternator pulley bearings was worn.
It had 80,000 miles when I bought it and now has over 140,000 on it. Apart from a few holes that needed patching on the near 20 year old exhaust, it's been a great car. I've had a Porsche 3.2, and whilst the 145 ain't gonna match that, it's more fun as you can use all the power.
I've had two speed awareness courses in the 145, but no points on my licence.
Check the underbody as most examples are getting on. If you find a low mileage one, 80-90k, buy buy buy!