Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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Morning guys
Just a quick question............I need a new day to day car as my old Escort is on its last legs and I dont want to use the P1 day to day (especially not as I work in the car jacking capital of the world - Salford) Been looking at a few cheap cars and have noticed Alfas seem really good value, but there is usually a catch............am I right?
The one Ive been looking at is:
1997 R Reg ALFA ROMEO 146 1.6 TS 16V
5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 51,000 miles, Metallic Green, 2 Owners. Central locking, Colour coding - Body, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Electric sunroof, Full service history, Power assisted steering, Radio/Cassette, Spoiler, Tinted glass. Insurance Group:11, £1,995.
What do people think or can anyone give me any other suggestions?
Cheers in advance
Stu 
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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JayC
Member
Registered: 17th Jan 03
Location: Whitefield, Greater Manchester
User status: Offline
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Good reliable car but expensive for parts and Grp 11 ins just for a 1.6 is a bit steep.
I've drove a 1.7 155 and the 2.5 V6 156 but dunno wot the 1.6 is like to drive. I do like the 145/146's but my choise would have to be the cloverleaf but then that wouldn't be good for a cheap run around.lol
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BYRON
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 04
User status: Offline
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Unreliable.
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Cybermonkey
Member
Registered: 22nd Sep 02
Location: Sydney, Australia
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by JayC
Good reliable car
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Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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Ive heard mixed reviews on them myself, years ago they were really unrelieble etc etc, has that changed? I know Fiats have gotten a lot better?
The car is to take me to work and back every day (12 miles round trip) with a little bit more refinement and a little less rust than my Escrote! Performance, handling etc etc isnt a factor at all as I just sit in traffic all the way to work and all the way home! Theres no way it can perform any worse than my Escrote anyway!
Thanks for your opinions so far guys, anymore for anymore?
Stu 
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Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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quote:
1.6 twin-spark 1997 to 2001 had 120bhp
Not bad power from a 1.6, probably why the insurance is quite high?
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JayC
Member
Registered: 17th Jan 03
Location: Whitefield, Greater Manchester
User status: Offline
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Like I said reliable - later engines ie this one. Taken from Parkers.
Summary
Appealing hatchback with two distinct body styles - the wedge-like three-door 145 and larger five-door 146. Good equipment for the money, but not as refined as some rivals. Revisions and twin spark 1.6/1.8 engines in early 1997 mean that late models are the ones to seek out.
Value
Inexpensive alternative to a Golf GTi – but will continue to lose value rapidly.
Costs
Insurance and fuel economy are both acceptable for a performance model.
Reliability
Far less troublesome than older Alfas so far, but service history is essential.
Driving
Early cars have poor steering response; more composed after 1996 revisions.
Performance
Punchy Twin Sparks; older cars lack refinement and verve.
Comfort
Light, airy interior; well designed seats.
Image
Lower status alternative to Golf GTi, but a compromise between fun and function; Alfa zest in convenient package.
Safety
Airbag; uprated ABS from early 1997; no Euro NCAP crash test results available.
Security
Immobiliser; alarm on most models.
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JayC
Member
Registered: 17th Jan 03
Location: Whitefield, Greater Manchester
User status: Offline
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I think you've found a good un there stu.
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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MK2 Golf GTI stu For 2K you will get one that will go on forever and is major fun to drive!
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jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
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was going to say stu, something VW/Audi, will jsut go and go and go
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mwg
Member
Registered: 19th Feb 04
Location: South Lakes
User status: Offline
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I wouldn't go for an Alfa! VW/Audi diesel would be better IMO
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Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
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Stu my mate has that model, and that is way over priced. mate's got the 2.0 t-spark one and it's more solid than you would think. The only dodgy things about them is:
Electrics, expensive sensors that tend to go wrong, for instance my mates needs a new equiv of lambda sensor and he's looking at £240, a standard exhaust system aswell is £200 cos' of the size of the boxes and those t-spark engines r really heavy on petrol. Personally i wouldn't buy one after my mate owning his, not because of the drive or reliability or comfort or anything just because they lose to much cash and you can't get rid of them very easily.
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Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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Yeah, I do like the VW's but they just hold their value too well! A comparable Golf to that Alfa would probably be £4k+ Like I say, performance doesnt matter at all - got the P1 for that!! 
Found another one as well:
1998 ALFA ROMEO 146 1.6 TS 16V 5dr Hatchback,
42,000 miles, Full Service History, 11 Months MOT, 1 Previous Owner, ABS, Airbag, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Power Steering, 10 Disk CD Player, Remote Control Central Locking with Alarm and Immobiliser, Front Fog Lamps, Two Origional Keys Plus the "RED" Master Key Included, Truley Exceptional Condition Throughout. Drives Perfect. £1,695.
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BYRON
Member
Registered: 1st Jun 04
User status: Offline
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I based my opinion on the amount of Alfas we have here on contract hire that have needed new engines, some after only 20k miles.
We do not promote them at all, due to high maintenance costs.
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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This is nice
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-Volkswagen-Mk2-Golf-GTi-16v-Jreg_W0QQitemZ4588521413QQcategoryZ9873QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by CORSA NUT
This is nice
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1991-Volkswagen-Mk2-Golf-GTi-16v-Jreg_W0QQitemZ4588521413QQcategoryZ9873QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Agreed, but its 16 years old and still fetching the same money Dont want anything sporty really!
Can anyone else recommend anything of that age/spec/condition/mileage for the same money?
Cheers guys!!!
Stu
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jr
Member
Registered: 20th May 02
Location: Kent
User status: Offline
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ow much are 306 td going for 
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Tom
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
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Dare I say it, can get a corsa sport s reg-ish for £2k
Infact V reg 1.4 79k here http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=VAUXHALL&model=CORSA&variant=sport&keywords=&min_pr=1000&max_pr=2000&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=CH44+2DZ&miles=100&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=8&distance=87&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200545213868570
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Stu
Member
Registered: 3rd May 00
Location: Madchester UK Drives: 2014 BMW M135i
User status: Offline
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Hmmmm?
306 sounds good actually!
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mwg
Member
Registered: 19th Feb 04
Location: South Lakes
User status: Offline
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Yeah 306 TD over an Alfa anyday!
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