Alfa 164

[Alfissimo Int.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisto Steve Peter Vack's article about the 164 with my input says it all for me VeloceToday - Online Magazine for Italian Car Enthusiasts! I have had my 164 for almost 18 years and still haven't found an offering in the US market to replace it. We now have 9 in the family between my son, daughter and myself. We were just as crazy about Fiat Spiders, 131, Brava and X1/9. Never warmed up to Milano 2.5 or GTV6 even though I have owned them and never had a Verde. Had a Spica Spider but Fiat Spiders look better for me. Our 79 Alfetta was too underpowered for me. Had Lancia Beta FWD and Scorpion aka Mone Carlo mid engine. For what I use 164 for sport sedan driving and family trips nothing has filled the void for us.

[richardbradford]

Quote:

Originally Posted by treborblack Claude does raise one point, the non body kitted series 2 cars do look plain imho and from a side on view people often ask id it's a Peugeot 605, but drive one and it's far from plain and very entertaining, So get yourself a ride and i'll be gob smacked if that doesn't change your appreciation if not your desire to get one yourself

[budweiser_sud]

My wife owns an Alfa 164, and it was/still is our first "big family sedan". We compared a lot of cars on the market, and at the time an equivalent 5 series BMW was well out of our price range, a 3 series was too small, the 75/Milano in automatic was something I never wanted to consider (my wife prefers auto). Test driving a Mercedes Benz 190E was the most defining "walk away, no run!" from a car yard experience I've ever had. In the end we bought a 1990 12V 3L 164 with reasonable maintenance history, fairly decent paint work, and a clean interior. In the end we felt we both got a lot of car for the $5kAus that we handed over.

Having said that, it has had its frustration, but it is now 18+ years old and so maintenance is just part of the deal. I estimate I've spent another $7k on various work including replacing oil seals everywhere, and machining the heads. It used to stall while idling at low revs which was finally traced back to a faulty ignition lead and coil. The seat switches do not work very often, and the climate control system continuesly ticks (so doesn't really control climate at all). I'm continuesly fixing little things (fuel line leak just last night!), but when I drive it, I remind myself that it is so much more interesting than the usual common Aussie Ford Falcon or Comodore. I once heard someone say "driving the 164 makes you feel like a successful Italian industrialist" - I think that sums it up because the 164 feels very planted on the road with a lot of presence. Travelling at 100km/hr, dropping back to 3rd to overtake someone and before you know it you are doing 135km/hr+. That V6 is a jewel!

[Nicola]

Posted before -- Need I say more?

[peglegtom]

I was a "non-believer" until I started looking for an Alfa I could use as a daily driver (at least in the summer) while I "worked" on my Duetto's. I didn't like the looks of the Milano's, and at first, was turned off by the FWD of the 164's. After all, how could a FWD car built by Fiat be a true Alfa, especially when I owned two 105's? I also have a Ford Taurus SHO V8 that is larger (it can fit real people in the rear seats) with more power! But what do I drive if I have the chance? My 164Q! It has great power (I think it out accelerates my SHO), and can really corner (only limited by the all season 195-15 tires it currently has)! The handling will be improved substantially with the 225/45-17's I'm about to mount. I have discovered that it really is an "Alfa Romeo" even it was built when owned by Fiat (and GM).

If you come to the convention in Chicago, I'll gladly take you for a ride, (or even better, let you drive) and you may realize what a great car this is after it was introduced 20+ years ago

[elite38868]

Claude, at the next national or state alfa event, I'll be sure to give you a ride. You will be quicker than my finger on the eject button for the passenger's seat. Your shoes will barely be able to stay on during your search for a 164. Your PININFARINA spider will lose the spotlight altogether.

Ah...ignorance is bliss...

[Nicola]

Sean -
I'm not disagreeing with what you say, but...
years ago my Lit instructor in college told us this particularly quotation is frequently taken out of context which can be interpreted entirely differently -
"If ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise".

In the end, it prolly doesn't matter....

Take a 164 to top end, and then tell me you weren't excited.
(I'd say it was about the most fun one could have with clothes one)

[elite38868]

Of course it is taken out of context somewhat, but who cares? It's all relative..

[PlaysWithCars]

For me, the 164 is the only Alfa that I would consider for a daily driver. My profession is real estate, with an emphasis on cars and oversized garages, so it is natural that I drive something different than other Realtors in my area.
Portland Homes for Cars

While other Realtors are driving M-B, BMW, and Lexus, I pull into a client's driveway with the Alfa and immediately we start talking about cars. For all the marketing dollars I could spend on promotions, the money spent on my car has been the most productive.

For those who know that the car is 17 years old, they recognize that I am driving a car because I want to drive it, not because of the badge.

For those who don't recognize it or it's age, it is the perfect icebreaker to talking about a mutual passion for cars and the garages where they reside.

And when I'm not working, I'll gladly take it on the track for either our Spring or Fall Track Day events, just to show others that a heavy FWD car can be thrown into the corners and come out successfully!

[modena782002]

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardbradford ... but personally I think it is a Pininfarina masterpiece of performance executive design and Alfa brilliance of execution...

[usatrade]

To Elite 38868

If you read my earlier thread you will see that we drove the 164 like maniacs and on the SPA FRANCORCHAMPS (where we went too) there are NO speed limits.
i have never said that the car had a bad engine. the Alfa V6 is, for me, one of the best engine in the world (for a "consumer's car - with the Cadillac Northstar and the Mazda 2.5 V6 4 cams- used in the Probe as swell)
But the FWD and the overall car is not for me (nor was it for the dealers) a good Alfa but I am glad you like your 164's
Thanks for all your coments
Claude

[oz3litre]

We bought our 1992 164 in January this year from a fellow club member because we needed a large comfortable family car that we could use for camping trips etc as none of our other cars are big enough. It is in superb condition and puts a smile on your face when you drive it like most Alfas. It is a fast, comfortable cruiser with very good handling for a FWD. It is much better than the SAAB 9000 which shared the same platform and which I owned for two years. We love it. I love the way the doors and boot lid close with no effort at all. My 75 3 litre is a totally different car to drive (more like a powerful go kart), but they share the same fabulous engine. I alternate between them for my daily driver because they are both good fun in different ways. On Sunday myself, wife and son are taking the 164 on our club cruise. I think the 164 is a timeless design. The pics below are from our club show and shine day last Sunday.

[rkundrat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by usatrade But the FWD and the overall car is not for me...

[DanW]

Claude: Certainly the 164 looks very different than most any other sedan on the road, from when it was introduced through today. The cut line, the very aggressive Alfa "heart" that flows directly into the hood wedge, and the thin reflector line at the rear set the 164apart on looks alone. The early 164s also look comparatively plain -especially sitting next to a 1995 Q with the air dam and skirting and equipped with the Euro headlights.

I am especially taken by the 1/4 view, where the entire hood wedge evidences Alfa's racing and performance car roots. Check out a Merc/Maclaren SLR to see another example of this evocative design treatment.

With a few modifications to a plane-jane 164, the car really perks up: Lower the ride height to drop the rear end; upgrade to 18" phone-dial wheels; swap to Euro-lights; add side repeaters; shave the headlight washers; and add the "S" body kit (with or without the trunk spoiler).

As for the interior, my 164 L has the typical options for the NA market: leather seats that are very supporting but butter-soft; heated front seats, heated rear seats (what 1991 sedan has THAT?) power sunroof, seats, and windows, and the RF door and alarm system. The standard features were very upmarket: ABS, remote electric trunk and gas cap, temp. programmable heating and A/C settings, leather wrapped steering wheel (Porsche 944), shifter handle and boot, and e-brake boot, and rear sun shades.

The dash layout can be described as different if not elegant, but the driver display reveals he racing background of this car: oil pressure and coolant temp gauges (not just idiot lights) and a tach that shares equal space with the speedometer.

The engine and mechanicals speak for themselves.

While I decided not to change the rings and do a valve job on my particular 164, I will purchase another Alfa 164 ASAP or wait to get one of the new ones if they ever come in to the USA. My affection for the Alfa is despite my particular used-car blues. The 164 -even my oil-burning, bad-bushing, broken A/C version is a blast to drive on the highway, in traffic and on back roads. It's the only car in which I've gotten a thumbs up from someone driving a Ferrari Testators. Maybe they know the link between the two designs, maybe they just appreciate a good Chianti. I don't know, I don't care.

All I know is that owning my first Alfa forced my car-guy enthusiasm out of the closet.

But, your mileage may vary.

-Dan