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I've been offered an Alfa Romeo 146 Ti 2.0 twin spark, should I go for it or leave alone. Always wanted an Alfa T-Spark.
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Go for it. If you like walking everywhere!
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I've heard all the stories about build quality and such like, but its fully serviced and that t-spark engine, well.
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It's a lovely car, with a fabulous engine. You'll have to put up with people instantly claiming it'll break down since it's an Alfa of course. Oh wait, you already have.
It matters whether they've been looked after. Hopefully you can tell that by checking the service history, asking current owner about oil useage, that sort of thing.
If it seems like a well-loved motor, then it'll be no less reliable than the majority of cars, and a damn-sight more fun.
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Ditto Bazza's remarks. If the owner has maintained the car and can tell you how much oil it uses on a regular basis, go for it. Alfa T-Spark engines are designed to consume oil (they come with warnings to this effect in the handbook) and a proper Alfisti will always have a good idea of the oil consumption of his car.
I should warn you, this forum is split into two camps. Those who are prepared to accept that Alfa make fun cars that, if properly maintained, give many miles of driving pleasure
and those that recommend a Mondeo TDCi to everyone, regardless of their needs.
There are a few loitering in the middle ground, a bit like the UN.
For specific things to watch for I can recommend you visit www.alfaowner.com/Forum/forumdisplay.php?f=51
That links to a forum specifically aimed at technical queries on the 145/146 range.
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My 1st ever Alfa was 146TI and it was a cracking car. If it has been looked after then it will be a solid reliable, stylish car that's just that little bit different.
It'll also be a flying machine, 155BHP from the series 1 Twin Sparks,reduced to 150 for the series 2.
You'll find it hard to buy a car as cheaply with the same equipment and charisma.
BUT be sure it has been looked after :)
you'll never look back ;)
JaB
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Regarding oil consumption, we had a couple of Alfas (75 and 164) in the 90s, both with the 2.0 TS engine. Neither of them ever required topping up with oil.
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Well from what the current owner tells me it had a re-con engine fitted 10k ago due the fatal of error of not keeping an eye on the oil. He lives in Wales and sent the car to an Alfa specialist in Nottingham for the repair n rebuild and it was serviced in June, so it seems to be a looked after car.
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I have had a 145 1.6TS from new R-reg. It has done 120k miles.
The Alfa has never broken down!!!!!!
I have never had to top up the oil so I don't know what people are going on about.
It has been serviced as per schedule.
I have had cam belt, tensioner, cam variator changed every 36k miles.
It had some electical gremlins once (!), but I fixed those by drying out the ECU (ECU is above accelerator pedal in footwell and water must have ingressed during a drive in the rain).
Best of all about the car is that it still looks like nothing else on the road (except parts of the current SEAT ibiza which was designed by the same person).
Go get it and have fun.
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Well just picked up the 146, Fsh, 2 cambelt changes, 1 replacement gearbox, some odds n sods, Ferrari red and goes like stink and kept it at 70mph (honest officer) :-)
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A couple of companies ago we had a couple of these as pool cars. I think they were 1.8s though - an absolute joy to drive nonetheless. Funny, they were always booked up ages in advance. Anyway - drive it like you stole it. You may experience the odd mechanical niggle (ours had problems with handbrake and electric windows) but you'll forget all about them when you're driving it. Enjoy!
----
Life is complex; it has real and imaginary parts.
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