Alfa 146

[Chris71]

Hi,

There's someone selling an Alfa 146 2.0 (155hp) for £350 on my work noticeboard (hello if you're reading this - it has pistonheads images!) apparently in good condition with a recent cambelt change, N-reg, 63,000 miles. £350 - that's gotta be a mis-print or a dog surely?

What are they like? If I went to have a look, what sort of problems, should I look for?

Chris.

[75_Steve]

Sounds a bit cheap to me.

Listen for variator issues (clattering like a diesel when starting from cold), clunking / squeaking from the front suspension, possible head gasket fail and rumbling big-ends.

Check the oil - make sure it's near the max. level on the dip-stick and ask the owner how often he tops it up and what he tops it up with.

If it's red, it'll now be fading to pink.

If there's evidence of rust anywhere, it has been cheaply repaired after a prang.

To be honest, they're not worth a lot - if he's looked up the values in Parkers or similar, that's probably what they give as the value.

ETA: Found the advert. Needs a few hundred quid spending to get it properly sorted, by the looks of things. Still cheap as chips. I visit a site in Calne once every week or so - if I can be of any help, mail me.

Edited by 75_Steve on Tuesday 28th August 23:25

[Chris71]

Not sure - I couldn't see this one (it's a red N reg car based in Essex or very close - not the red one in Wilts for the same price)

Allegedly the variator has been done, as has the cambelt.

The guy is emigrating, so wants a very quick sale, apparentlyy it's in VGC.

Only after basic transport for a while, so faded paintwork etc wouldn't be an issue - if it had a years MOT and looked like it would survive 'till the next one I might be interested for the price of a night out in London!

edit: The car I was looking at is now sold. BUT, I'm thinking of replacing my current daily driver soon. This has encouraged me to look at the 145 and 146, the reviews I found on t'internet all seemed pretty favourable, although usually in a "I've owned this for a week now and it still hasn't broken down!" sort fo a way

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 29th August 13:29

[bazzabear]

I had a 145 cloverleaf for 3 years, a delightful little car. As long as you go in with your eyes open and buy a decent example, you'll be laughing.
During the three years, I had 1 breakdown - a temperature sensor which cost £100 to diagnose and replace.

[Chris71]

The beauty of them is you can buy a top of the range model with AC and everything for the price of a mk3 Fiesta. You don't have to look at dogs when 'mint' is £1200

Plus, ironically all the cars I've owned that people assured me will break have been reliable, yet any ordinary 'dependable' saloons I go near seem to crumble at the first touch.

[Mave]

I took mine to 117K miles with only minor problems; really replaced it because I wanted something faster and RWD. Absoluteley cracking car, I still miss it

[montydog]

My experience with the 2.0 TS 146 is good. You MUST buy from an Alfa nut who has pampered the car. It's the best handling FWD car I've ever driven; it's like a ballerina dancing under your fingertips. The 2.0 147/2.0 Spider/3.0 GTV are nowhere near (owned them all).Highly recommended if you get a good one. Cheap as chips because most people don't trust them. Sold mine to my brother in law and it now stands at 115,000 miles; Drives it hard, no TLC, lots of short, city trips but no problems. Very underrated, practical, fun, fast car.

[rude-boy]

75_Steve said:

Listen for variator issues (clattering like a diesel when starting from cold), clunking / squeaking from the front suspension, possible head gasket fail and rumbling big-ends.

Check the oil - make sure it's near the max. level on the dip-stick and ask the owner how often he tops it up and what he tops it up with.

If it's red, it'll now be fading to pink.

If there's evidence of rust anywhere, it has been cheaply repaired after a prang.

To be honest, they're not worth a lot - if he's looked up the values in Parkers or similar, that's probably what they give as the value.

Bringing this galloping back to life, i have just been offered a sliver 146 very similar to this one:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/499865.htm

for £800 (opening mention as to price by the bloke who has just thought about selling it).

I take it that the above advice still holds true, is there anything else i need to be thinking about. It stikes me that the chap isn't an alfa nut (he doesn't need the car now as his astra van does all he needs...)but says it has the full papers and FSH.

I'm seriously thinking about getting him to bring it in to have a looksee...

Edited by rude-boy on Thursday 22 May 14:31

[Wombat Rick]

Looks good and above advice holds true. Check there is a brown master key. Ask to see invoice for cambelt change - as opposed to just relying on them saying so. Listen for clonks from front suspension and then hurtle off at 7,000 rpm!