Alfa 145 - surprisingly expensive

[ChevronB19]

In my early 20’s, I desperately wanted one of these, the cloverleaf version obviously.

Yes, I know they are objectively crap, renowned for breaking their bottom ends, average handling, divisive looks etc., but I like them.

In an idle moment I thought of getting one and doing a mini resto (or the hated phrase, restomod).

Only 2 for sale at the moment, both with catastrophic MoT history and 10-15k!

[Kuwahara]

Your last sentence says walk away , but that’s never stopped anybody before…;)

I like the design also..

[NathanChadwick]

They weren’t and aren’t crap, they reviewed well (the TwinSparks did).
Problem was that the 306 GTI-6 moved the game forward - as a 145 lover, the GTI-6 is the far better resolved chassis wise. The 306 is conventionally better looking and the interior laid out by an actual human. Then the Saxo came along with cheap insurance deals so it fell off the secondhand scene as young uns bought new.

Yet I bought the 145… the engine, the looks and the sharp steering, and the fact it’s entertaining all the time, not just when clipping apexes.

Those two 145s have been for sale for at least a year, I would say that top of the market in terms of actual sales is closer to £5k at the moment.

[AC43]

I really like them too. Loved the TwinSpark and the pointy steering. Liked the looks too, in Cloverleaf form.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I too have always looked the looks of a 145 but you don't buy an older Alfa with your head

[NathanChadwick]

ChevronB19 said:

In my early 20’s, I desperately wanted one of these, the cloverleaf version obviously.

Yes, I know they are objectively crap, renowned for breaking their bottom ends, average handling, divisive looks etc., but I like them.

In an idle moment I thought of getting one and doing a mini resto (or the hated phrase, restomod).

Only 2 for sale at the moment, both with catastrophic MoT history and 10-15k!

I know where there’s a good project one available. Needs welding but otherwise a good basis. Drop me a dm.

[Every day a journey]

My old one that I paid £200 for. Complete with Momo leather interior.

Cracking little car.

[J4CKO]

Dont think anyone is paying that for them, just a dealer seems to have a shiny one and is hoping it will pay their pension/mortgage/kids school fees.

Not many left as they are 30 years old and nobody bothered saving them, not that many sold in the first place and cant imagine there is a massive demand for a largely forgotten hatchback.

Though does look quite funky and you wont see another.

[biggbn]

These are brilliant. Super little engine, 'pointy' on the nose handling, can feel a wee bit nervous if you're not careful, absolute blast. One of my favourite cars.

[blue_haddock]

Back in the day i would have loved a Zoe Yellow 145 cloverleaf but now the price is way to much for what the package offers.

[robemcdonald]

I had one and it was great

Pre face lifts were better looking IMO

Lower wishbone bushes and cam variator are weak points

Corrosion of floor pan is the real issue to check for

[GeniusOfLove]

Is this something you could find at the Japanese auctions? A friend of mine brings over stuff like this and the hammer prices are commically low and the condition of the cars is usually unreal.

Any UK car is likely to be rotten and/or badly repaired.

[blue_haddock]

robemcdonald said:

Lower wishbone bushes and cam variator are weak points

Most alfas have wishbones as consumable items and all twinks are pretty fragile unless they get lots of TLC so not exactly just failings of the 145

[sidewinder500]

Had a 146 and a 145 in 97/98, were great both.
One though had a cracking engine (1.6 TS, same for both cars) which definitely was on the upper end power wise.
Fabulous little cars with enough Alfa-vibes intact.
The steering was another outstanding feature...

[velocemitch]

There’s a guy in the NW of England who road rallies a 145 QV, it’s bloody quick too.
He’s local and knows the roads, but he usually had the legs of us when we used a Clio 172.
Lovely engines the 2.0 Twinny and the Chassis was obviously very capable.

[Julian Scott]

I had a black 145 cloverleaf from new, September 1996, company car.

Everyone else went for Golf GTis, I wanted something different. It was fantastic. Had it for 3 years/50,000 miles before changing it for a 156 V6 Sport pack 3 (with the big wing ) - when everyone else went for a BMW 323i or absolutely an absolutely base 328i.

(this was back in the day when company car schemes were great!)


EDIT: The car's reg P91PWW existed 6 months ago, taxed & insured, now it doesn't show up....looks like it finally bit the dust after nearly 30 years.

[Veesix75]

One here at a more sensible price. Most 20+ year old daily cars will need or have had some welding, usually rear floor/rear cills I think on the 145/146/155

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226485072420?_skw=alfa+...

[robemcdonald]

blue_haddock said:

robemcdonald said:

Lower wishbone bushes and cam variator are weak points

Most alfas have wishbones as consumable items and all twinks are pretty fragile unless they get lots of TLC so not exactly just failings of the 145

And where did I say they were exclusively 145 issues?

I’ve had a 145 cloverleaf and a 146ti, so consider myself well placed to offer advice.

[Fessia fancier]

Had a 146 Ti as a daily a long while ago and it was great, very peppy.
Japanese auctions do sound worth a look.

[MDMA .]

ChevronB19 said:

In my early 20’s, I desperately wanted one of these, the cloverleaf version obviously.

Yes, I know they are objectively crap, renowned for breaking their bottom ends, average handling, divisive looks etc., but I like them.

In an idle moment I thought of getting one and doing a mini resto (or the hated phrase, restomod).

Only 2 for sale at the moment, both with catastrophic MoT history and 10-15k!

Cracking little car. Always liked them and always check to see what’s for sale now and again. The Brooklands one for £15k- www.carandclassic.com/car/C1807892 was for sale/sold earlier in the year on CC for £3700 https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/1997-alfa-rome...

fking dealers!