Faults:

I bought the car in October 2001 with some faults, and so relatively cheap. It drove well, but had to repair the following:

Thermostat (Engine coolant temperature too low)

Rear brakes locked-up (Brake pressure distributor was stuck)

Back of the drivers seat was broken.

After this was repaired (by myself) I had the following problems:

Drivers door will not lock.

Windscreen wiper arm broke off.

Sometimes the airbag light will come on.

Broken off ball-joint in the suspension. This happened while taking a roundabout and caused the CV joint to brake down also. This failure was partly my own fault, because I felt some play in the suspension for weeks. However, I never thought that it would crack. Also, the car just passed the yearly mandatory inspection with this play!!!

Replaced lower suspension arms because of clattering. (bushes worn out).

General Comments:

This is my first diesel powered car and also the last. I expected a good fuel economy and reasonable performance, but both are poor. Besides this, it is a nice car, good design, well equipped and pretty comfortable. Only the wind noise is bad and at high speeds, the engine is very loud.

The seats are comfortable and the ride and handling is OK.

It's a nice car, but it doesn't give me the driving pleasure I was used to with my previous Alfa Romeos.

Faults:

Front brakes had to be replaced at 212000.

General Comments:

Althought bought at a bargain with a high mileage, this car had no serious problems yet.

The car looks nice and has a nice engine roar. However, despite the awesome noises of the boxer engine performance is a little disappointing.

Handling is very nice, both at low speeds and at highways.

This car runs at liquid gas (LPG), and uses a lot of this fuel (1 liter for every 8-10 kilometers) while not driving erratically... With LPG priced at 30 cents a liter it doesn't make a hole in my pocket, but it is a nuisance to go to the petrol station every single day of serious driving.

Faults:

At about 90.000 kilometres, the car-horn suddenly didn't work anymore. I found out about that, when I tried to warn a kid crossing the streets when he had a red light! I don't think anything else has gone wrong with it. At least not since I've had it.

General Comments:

It's a very nice car to see and also a very nice car to drive. I've modified the car (that's something you don't see everyday driving around here in The Netherlands). I lowered it 35 mm, mounted a front spoiler, green induction kit, a Sebring exhaust, supersprint cat-replacement, mounted 16" BSA racing alloys, and sideskirts. The car came without fog lights, so I also mounted those on the car myself. Every time I see my car, I'm very glad I bought it.

Though the modifying parts don't come cheap, I achieved my goal to transform it to a mean looking and petrol hungry machine!!

If anybody might read this, I would like to get in touch with other people who also modified their 145s. If you like to send me some pictures I would surely appreciate that. Mail to Yankeeplane@hotmail.com!

Faults:

The start-blocking system stopped functioning, so sometimes it wasn't possible to drive with the car. I've been to a garage, but they couldn't help me because I've had lost the code and didn't want to spent over $800 - (!). The solution was very simple when a guy looked at it and removed all blocking points. (costs about $100,-)

The right front blinker started malfunctioning, this suddenly stopped after 3 weeks.

The horn keeps refusing now and then.

General Comments:

It's a great car to drive.

The car is very nice to see.

It's a car with low maintenance costs, as long as you do the maintenance yourself (unless you start styling the car, like I did, then it will start to cost money anyway).

Faults:

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR.

It just stops without cause while waiting at the red light, but even worse when driving at high speed. Sometimes suddenly the motor speed will be limited without reason at about 2000rpm.

The problem?? They just don't know... (3 garages)

I don't dare to take my children to have a Sunday ride anymore because I'm afraid that when it will stop again, I'll have an accident.

How could something like this be approved by the safety autorities! A shame.

This car moves like an elephant. It looks good as well but that is it.

General Comments:

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR.