| Overall Rating |
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| Description |
| Sporty small family hatchbacks with two distinct bodies. The wedgy three-door 145 looks the part as a cut-price GTi alternative; the five-door 146 is closer to Escort or Megane in concept. |
| Handling |
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| Comfort |
 |
| Quality & Reliability |
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| Performance |
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| Roominess |
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| Running Costs |
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| Value for Money |
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| Stereo/Sat Nav |
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| NCAP |
| not tested |
| Best Models |
| 2.0 TS Cloverleaf 3-door & 2.0 ti 5-door |
| Worst Models |
| Early 1.6ie and 1.7 16v |
| Replacement |
| by the Alfa 147 in Feb 2001 |
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| Road Test |
| Alfa heritage guarantees driving pleasure provided you pick 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 'twin spark' engines. Chassis and ABS brakes were improved in 1997, so go for R-reg and later cars. 2.0 TS Cloverleaf with sports kit and lowered suspension can see off a Mk 3 Golf GTi 16v thanks to its lighter body. Precise, accurate steering and fairly taut suspension on post-1997 cars, though the ride is not always composed. Interior is roomy enough for family use; the bigger 146 wins out here with five-door flexibility and more load space. Comfort is good considering the age of the design. Equipment is adequate on lower-spec cars, generous on top versions (although air con was only an option). 145/146 is cheap and fun, but pitfalls include poor safety by modern standards (Bravo/Brava only scored two NCAP stars) and so-so reliability, so pay less for cars without full Alfa or specialist history. |
| Positive Points |
- Alfa's zestful Twin Spark engines
- Eclipsed by the Alfa 147, so excellent value
- Much cheaper than a Golf GTi
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| Negative Points |
- Can be troublesome unless carefully maintained
- Half-sister to Fiat's Bravo/Brava family runabouts
- Pre-1997 cars have inferior engines and are less fun
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