Alfa Romeo 1995 146
  • Economy

    Value

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Had one on contract hire and cost >£400 a month.

    Costs

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Not bad fuel economy considering its tendency to need thrashing.

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    More fun than a Golf GTi, and with sports suspension be prepared to feel every bump in the road! The harder you drive it, the more rewarding it is.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Buy one just for the noise above 5000rpm! Seems to have powerbands like a motorbike... grin machine!

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Needed new speedo head after 1 week, blew 4 aircon pipes, aircon pump died (£800) and all 4 brake disks flaked after 9 months! Thankfully warranty paid out, but worrying... Italian cars not renowned for reliability and this car proved it.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    146s are fairly rare, especially ti - more exclusive than Golf GTi.

    Comfort

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Pretty good for a performance car and even a practical 5 door hatch for those Ikea runs...

  • Security and Service

    Security

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Thankfully no-one tested it, but remote central locking sometimes has mind of its own...

    Service

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Dealership in Kent was fantastic and couldn't do enough, however, on moving to Cardiff the official dealer were actively unhelpful - put me off another Alfa unless I move somewhere else!

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Fantastic, though spark plugs recesses did fill with water once causing misfires?!

    Other

    Aircon, water around spark plugs, speedo head.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    New

    Would you buy the same model again?

    No

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    No