Alfa 145 Cloverleaf

ENGINE 1970cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 150bhp@6200rpm TORQUE 138lb ft@4000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 129mph 0-60MPH 8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 25-32mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, five-speed manual MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 112,000 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

This Alfa’s Twin Spark engine fires up straight off the key and settles to a refined burble, which turns into a pulsequickening rasp as you pass 4000rpm. It pulls keenly, with no stuttering or any other causes for concern. The steering is sharp, yet light until you press on – like it’s supposed to be – and there are no dead zones or slop. The gearshift is smooth, if a little bit vague – again, like it should be. The suspension traverses bumps without complaint, and there are no peculiar noises from the drivetrain. The brakes are sharp and predictable, and the steering rack doesn’t complain at full lock. The rear of the car doesn’t feel wallowy in the corners, which means that the rear dampers have plenty of life left in them. The front tyres don’t appear to be showing any great wear on the insides either, which means that the lower wishbones are likely okay, too.

BODYWORK CHECK

Despite having covered 112,000 miles, the car has held up pretty well. There are a few minor parking dings here and there, plus some rubbing marks on the wings (though these minor issues will be attended to before sale), but crucially no signs of corrosion in the arches, floorpan, sills or boot floor. The alloy wheels are in good nick, and the tyres have plenty of tread remaining.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The interior shows light wear, but crucially it wouldn’t take much to put it right. Some of the cloth on the passenger door is coming away, and there are some marks on the clothcovered seats. The passenger sill cover has a crack in it, and the steering wheel rim is a little worn. There’s some lifting on the dashboard mid-section, and some scratches on the door mouldings, but the original Sony radio/cassette player is still in place. There are a few marks in the headlining, but no rips. The seat mechanisms work perfectly, and the electric windows go up and down as they should.

UNDER THE BONNET

The car has just been serviced, and its belts replaced. There’s some service history, too. The view under the bonnet is clean and tidy, with no signs of corrosion, and all of the fluids are up to their maximum marks. The oil is a rich brown colour, and none appears to be leaking.

THE CCW VIEW

It used to be the case that stewardship of a decent 145 Cloverleaf wouldn’t trouble you for more than £1000, but those days are long gone. This may seem like strong money, but modern classic-era Alfas have a strong following, and this is a properly characterful little hot hatch. The cosmetics and interior could do with some attention, but the mechanicals are excellent. As a car to just jump into and enjoy, or treat as a fairly simple project car, it makes a lot of sense.