Alfa Romeo 145 1.6 Boxer

Advantages: Cool Looks, Excellent Performance
Disadvantages: Unreliable & Expensive to maintaine, Hot in Summer

I owned an Alfa 145 1.6 from new in 1996. I had it for three years in total, and here's the story. A beutiful blue/purple colour, different from the normal red or black that most people have. I wanted to be different, and in this car you certainly could be. Very fast 0-60, and a good top speed (117mph - proven at 2.30am on a long road from Nottingham to Worksop!). It drove very well, and cornered beutifully. The looks were stunning, and being ...
...my local garage that only Alfa could supply. So I enquired at a well known National chain of garages, and the same answer. £330 later, and a 3 week wait, by car had new brakes. Within a few months (by this time the car had done around 45000), I was driving in rush our traffic, when my clutch pedal stayed on the floor. I managed to drive in first gear, and about 5 miles per hour to the Alfa garage. I have experience a worn out clutch before, and can ... Read review

Advantages: Red pocket-sized rocket
Disadvantages: Slightly iffy reputation

...there I had my Alfa for 3 years. For the first three months I was either in the wrong gear or on the rev limiter (which just dumps you without any juice - bad news on roundabouts) but we got along eventually. Bought slightly second-hand, I had a few niggles sorted out on the AA check - the check paid for itself, in fact. Then off we went. I had a baby, the boot was big enough for the pram and some shopping. The baby seat fit on the back seat no ...
...then you don't buy an Alfa 'cos your worried about the expense of it. This isn't a car for long motorway journeys. If you enjoy driving, and the badge matters, you could get a lot out of this car. After three years, it was time for me to move on. ... Read review

Advantages: General all round ability, image, improved quality
Disadvantages: Economy

...beginning of a revolution for Alfa which saw them regain their reputation on the way to the beautiful 147 and 156`s. We are looking at the early 1.6 boxer cars here and in particular the 1.6L which lasted from 95 till 97. Externally I think these cars look great - some may say the frontal treatment with its central number plate is an improvement on the 147 - from all angles it`s a looker. Internally things are just as good. Nice interior with plenty ...
...for the gadget lovers. The Alfa is a versatile hatch too and a load lugger with the 60/40 split seats down. Some individual touches as well which are typically Alfa; the boot lock under the Alfa badge, the folding tailgate and the air vents on the doors - all quite nice touches actually and passenger accomodation is fine. For the driver, the often criticised driving position is much better and bar a rattle or two quality is much improved; rust certainly ... Read review