RE: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf: You Know You Want To

[waynedear]

Great cars, 146ti is better though.

[Mave]

waynedear said:

Great cars, 146ti is better though.

Nah, it hasn't got the kink in the window that makes parallel parking an acquired skill ;-)

[hornetrider]

I test drove a 146Ti and a Mk3 Golf VR6 back to back about 20 years ago. I did like the Alfa but the engine in the Golf swung it for me so bought that instead. Vaguely regret not owning one but made up for it later with a GTV V6.

[Zombie]

waynedear said:

Great cars, 146ti is better though.

oh no it isn't!

[mrpenks]

I still miss my 146. Flawed but wonderful, after a diet of escorts, sierras and fiestas it felt like an F1 car in 2001

[turps]

No quite a 145 but close! My 146ti..

[Liquid Knight]

I'm going to be a little controversial here.

The 145 Cloverleaf is not a "Hot" hatch.

That's why I keep coming back to them I guess.





I also prefer the non-Lusso cloth seats as I don't slide across them when I corner.

Compared to contemporary hot hatches of the period. The suspension is higher, softer and the wheels have balloon tyres. The seating position is higher and close to the pedals. This promotes rear leg room but also means instead of your legs being all but straight out the bend means you are comfortable over longer journeys. The suspension means that if I hit a pothole I know about it. Compare that to a ST170 Focus, Clio 172, 206 GTi 180, Fiat Bravo HGT, Lancia Delta HPE, Honda Civic Type R and so on and on. If you hit the same pothole at the same speed you'll need a wheel or two replacing and a few hours with a chiropractor.

No the 145 Cloverleaf wasn't a "Hot Hatch" they're a Touring Hatch.

About twelve years ago my brother landed at Stanstead but his luggage landed at Glasgow airport. I did the 670 mile round trip to get his belongings in my 145 and to this day I can not think of any other car I would want to do that journey in. Fun on the B and high number A roads, effortless on the motorways; just get up to the speed limit and chill out. I arrived as fresh as I left.

I don't believe in the "Perfect Car" as there is always a compromise to a degree but my 145 Cloverleaf with cloth trim is pretty bloody close.

[Mr E]

I wanted very much to buy one back in the day. I think the car was probably 4-5 years old.

Unfortunately I was under 25, and the insurance was prohibitive.

[Liquid Knight]

Mr E said:

I wanted very much to buy one back in the day. I think the car was probably 4-5 years old.

Unfortunately I was under 25, and the insurance was prohibitive.

The chap I got my 145 from has a beautiful metallic green 146Ti, 80,000 mile, full history and he's the second owner and senior member of the Alfa Owners club. £1,200 send me a message and I'll pass on his number.

[curlie467]

I had the version with the boxer engine in, I enjoyed it but didn't have it long.

[Turbotechnic]

I love these and would have one in a heartbeat if I had the space. The 2.0 twinspark is a cracking engine that's always overlooked.

[Liquid Knight]

I'm feeling guilty. I'm not using my 145 enough and when I do it's mostly for shopping or work.

The occasional road trip...



...to pick up a Volvo gearbox from Lakes or drop some Bravo bits off near Goodwood; but she's mostly waiting around while my Cinquecento takes care of daily duties.

Should I let her go somewhere she'll be appreciated more?

[His Lordship]

Interestingly I've just been offered this exact car (the one in the article with the VX145 reg)

[blue_haddock]

His Lordship said:

Interestingly I've just been offered this exact car (the one in the article with the VX145 reg)

How much?

[His Lordship]

blue_haddock said:

His Lordship said:

Interestingly I've just been offered this exact car (the one in the article with the VX145 reg)

How much?

Well he's decided to pull out as he cant get out of the GTV that was part of a PX... but around £3000

Sort of glad, as the145 really isn't a pretty thing.