Considering an alfa as my next car. Need advice.

Problem I have is that both me and the missus have conpletly different=20
tastes in cars.

I like them to be long(ish) (Saab 9000, 900, Skyline/Supra/GT3k) she=20
likes nice dumpy round mini hatch types (PT cruiser, most superminis, Nu=20
Beetles). just about the only cars we have agreed to liking are the 147=20
and the 156.

Much as I would like to go out and buy either of them, the budget won't=20
stretch.

So I've been looking at some of the older ones. I'm looking for=20
something a little small (in exterior length) than the '84 Saab 900 T16S=20
that I currently drive, and something a little more town drivable than=20
the Saabs's "Nowt, Nowt, Oh **** new underwear please" lag/boost=20
scenario. But I want something that I can have fun buzzing arround in=20
too.

After asking other italian car drivers/former owners I have aquaintance=20
with, they suggested either 164 (bargain basement, not to bad rust wise,=20
nice cam chain engine (I like that)), or 155 (again camchain on the=20
narrow bodies, some bargains).

now looking at them, and others I've looked at, I like the look of the=20
145, although I have been advised against it, becuase it's too heavy for=20
the boxer engines, and the TS models are too pricey still, adn they are=20
the belt rather than chain twinsparks.
I realise buying an alfa, I'm getting out of my <=A3500 car bracket that=20
I've stuck to until now, but I fancy something a little better under the=20
hood, on the outside, and in the cockpit (I can have any 2 from 3 in my=20
budget category).

So, would a 145 cloverleaf be a good first Alfa, am I going to lose=20
loads on it in a couple of years. How big compared to another car is it?

Is the 155 (2.0 again probably) a large car, compared to say a Saab=20
9000? I think the 164 would be too big in this case, as I want to reduce=20
the size of car, plus I really don't like the starship enterprise dash=20
panel in the centre console.=20

Which is the bigger of the two? The 145, or the 155?

I won't be carrying passengers very often, so it isn't really a problem=20
if back seat space is a little down.

I appreciate that with the 145 I'm going to be suffering the dealer a=20
lot more for belt changes (although probably on one during my ownership,=20
I tend to change cars, if now marques regularly, and only do a couple of=20
hundred miles a week). Is there a list of independant specialists=20
throughout the UK anywhere online?

How are basic jobs like filters oil and plugs like on the 145 and 155?
I don't want a hulking beast this time, buit equally, I don't want a=20
supermini either.

TIA
--=20
The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.
http://www.bouncing-czechs.com