1999 Alfa Romeo 146 ti 2.0 16v TS from UK and Ireland

Summary:

High-octane bargain, highly underrated

Faults:

Slight water leak from Oil Filter housing. Hose needs replacing.

General Comments:

Very quick when warmed up.

Power just keeps coming on at anything above 3,000 revs.

Sounds superb. Switch the stereo off and wind the window down!

Handles very well, but watch out in the wet! Ended up facing oncoming traffic on a roundabout when I lifted off the throttle halfway round!

Does tempt you to charge into corners. Keep cool!

Very comfortable cabin. Superb Sony CD system.

The thing I like most about this car is that you don't see too many around.

It looks, goes and sounds better than a Golf GTi.

It's an Alfa Romeo for goodness sake! Who wouldn't love it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2002

1999 Alfa Romeo 146 ti 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Designed by the blind, built by chimps on a friday... leave them alone!

Faults:

Air conditioning failed.

Radio stays on.

Alloys corroding.

General Comments:

My girlfriend got this car as an interim company car, she thought it would be sporty and a bit different, she always liked my old 33 1.7 16v.

I can certainly say after driving the 146 that my old 33 was like a roller compared to it..

The 146 has a good spec, large alloys, leather interior etc, but apart from the standard Alfa engine note, that's all it's got going for it.

It's like driving a sporty bus, you sit right up, I'm 6'3 and can never seem to get comfy in it, it has the noisiest transmission I've ever heard and whines away like a tractor. It corners like a Transit, steers like a lurching pensioner, the build quality seems to have got worse since my 33. In short, I have never been more disappointed in driving an Alfa. Even my girlfriend now hates it and can't wait to see it go.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th September, 2001

1999 Alfa Romeo 146 TI 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A real pocket rocket

Faults:

Punctured washer bottle!

General Comments:

Faster, sleeker and better handling than its rivals, the 146 is one of the best kept secrets in the Alfa range. A joy to drive, comfortable for long journeys (4 hours+) and reasonable economical (400 miles to a tank). A car without shortcomings?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2000

16th Aug 2001, 04:31

Blimey 400 miles to a tank - I've never managed more than 250!

3rd Oct 2002, 04:48

I've owned one for 3 years now and have never had any problem with it... I too regularly get around 400miles out of a full tank and simply love driving it!

20th Oct 2002, 10:13

My Alfa Ti 2.0 Manual used to make at most 520 km on a tank on the first 2/3 years, now after 100.000 km I easily exceed 650 km on a tank (French model). Did the dealer change engine setting, I don't know.

17th Dec 2005, 12:34

The later versions of this car come with a Taller top gear, which gives approx 3600 rpm at 80 mph as opposed to 4000 rpm at 80 mph. This could explain the fuel economy difference. My Pre facelift Ti has a later box fitted to achieve this. The box is the same as the 2 litre GTV.