Faults:

None.

General Comments:

This car is amazingly responsive and its handling is outstanding in its category being the braking capacity its shining ability.

146 ti is lovely and as practical as a Swiss multifunction tool with lots of fun and fast rides.

A truly sports and family car with good looking design, typical European approach and aggressive style.

I really enjoy driving this car.

Faults:

Nothing much, just regular servicing every 10000Km (oil & filters), and one big service at 120000Km (oils, filters, belts, glow plugs, battery, brakes, some parts of suspension)

General Comments:

Performance are not the high end, but considering that car has 90hp and 1280Kg, it's fast enough in all situations If you don't expect impossible.

Fuel consumption is low, same as on every other 90hp TD engine.

Handling and suspension are very good balanced between sport and comfort.

There is plenty of room inside the cabin and boot.

Conclusion is: Great car, with cool charisma & style, the real Best Buy!!!

Faults:

Rear window heater button wouldn't remain in the "on" position.

Slight "cough" when starting in cold weather.

General Comments:

I only recently got my driver's license, and therefore didn't really have enough driving experience for me to allow myself to purchase an expensive vehicle. But I did want some sort of air conditioning.

So I looked around a bit and - given the high depreciation - late 90s Alfas (146, 156) were actually within my budget. While I was looking at Mondeos! After trying the 156 first, I decided it was too much "dad's car" for my tastes, and settled on the tastefully black 146 I now own.

And it's an absolute DREAM! Its excellent cornering (w/ 205 tyres at least) invites you to dive into corners at ludicrous speeds, while at the same time on the motorway you hardly have anything to do because it is so well balanced.

A negative point I want to stress is that at this age the rate of fuel consumption is pretty severe, averaging at about 10 litres per 100km (23mpg). For a car of its size, that's not too good.

But what you may lose financially, you gain in sheer driving pleasure. This car really seems designed to make people appreciate motoring, and if you're a starting driver like myself it is a very good choice indeed.

Faults:

Burned rear inside light. Due to Polish roads small, but regular problems with suspension. Cold engine sounds like diesel, but that due to the nature of Twin Spark valve system (on low rpm doesn't get enough oil, this affects some of TS engines).

General Comments:

Precise, fast car. The very first serial car I've ever driven which feels so much as racing/tuned car. Handling is just great, so is the reaction on accelerator and precise, strong brakes.

Just keep the engine floored.

On long journeys - honey. Especially seats are well formed. Car has no problem keeping up on highways with much stronger rivals.

And finally: this car has a soul, charm and magic in it. You smile while driving. This is indeed Alfa Romeo with cuore sportivo!

Faults:

The first thing that happened was the slave cylinder on the clutch had to be replaced at 55000 miles, which proved not to be too expensive as I didn't use a dealer.

More seriously and obviously more expensive the timing belt went at 68500. The manual recommends replacement at 72000 miles or 6 years whichever occurs first. The car was registered in July 1998, so there is still some time and mileage left before both thresholds are reached.

I was informed by my local dealer that realistically I'm looking at up to €2000 to get it sorted. Ouch!

My local repair shop has advised the quickest and cheapest way out is a engine change (2nd hand of course). He was advised by Alfa mechanics that they have a reputation for doing serious valve and head damage when the timing belt goes. In addition, 146's do not work out well for valve replacements and head rework.

General Comments:

I bought the car second hand and it does not have a full service history. However, I still think it's unacceptable that the timing belt should go before the advised replacement thresholds considering there would also be a factor of safety built into the limits.

I will pursue warranty with Alfa Romeo on this basis, but would be interested in any comments regarding the timing belt and warranty claim.