It's been a little while (at least, over a year) but I didn't last long really - and I now own another 164.
It's a 1991, 3L V6 (12V) with manual transmission (yesssss!) and has done over 230,000km.
It was quite a sudden purchase. One of our two local FIAT specialists had the 164 for sale on behalf of someone who took it as a trade on a 156 Sportwagon. Prior to that, it has had two enthusiast owners - and it shows. Much care has been spent over the years. The original toolkit and handbook/folder has survived. Dealer service history goes to 2000.
I first took a look on Friday. The asking price was NZ$1250 but in the end, I was asked to make an offer. I offered $1000. Two other people apparently were interested but didn't make an offer. So I rang up this morning (Monday) and unexpectedly discovered it was mine. A quick trip to the bank for some of the folding stuff and then the 30-minute drive (with a friend), and there it was, waiting for an exciting drive home. $1000 is US$750.
Previously I owned a '92 164 with auto trans, from Singapore, with such niceties as wood veneer here and there and '168' in a couple of places (but not the boot badge). That cost me over $8000. I think the most exciting job was the total strip of the dashboard to fit seals to the air distribution drum - the originals had disappeared. I sold this 164 just over a year ago, along with my X1/9 (both fetched the same price, $4000), and with some money taken from investments, I purchased a 2003 FIAT Stilo Abarth. Expensive, as you can imagine, and the 5-cylinder version, but at the end of the day, just a pretty-average modern hatchback.
I now wonder whether I should sell the Stilo and return to my true love, the 164... It's not as though I will use either car very much, as I also have my Uno Turbo, and a 2006 Civic Hybrid until October.
It's surprising how little is wrong with my latest 164. The front suspension is a little strange - or at least, the torque steer is definitely there! - and the bonnet is peppered with stone chips. The bumper has sustained some poorly-repaired damage (cracked). All the electrics seem to work, except the passenger's seat fore-aft and up-down, and amazingly the air conditioning seems correct in the motors department: no clicking, and the compressor cuts in (doesn't really blow cold though...)
The engine looks a little blue-smoky after the over-run, but not on hard acceleration so I think the rings are probably OK. I've dosed the oil with 'stop leak' in an effort to perhaps soften the valve stem seals. Otherwise, I guess I will undertake to replace these.
Tomorrow I'm going to treat it to a jolly good wash, including the engine bay, and a proper clean of the wheels, which appear to have been maintained fairly well with no kerb damage.
So - what do you reckon? Sell my newer car/invest the money/use the interest to keep up the 164?
Many thanks to Alfisto Steve, Taso, and Michael (UK) - you guys have kept me motivated through these years, just knowing that you're out there and running around in these cars makes them seem more 'real' as realistic projects!
Cheers,
-Alex
It's a 1991, 3L V6 (12V) with manual transmission (yesssss!) and has done over 230,000km.
It was quite a sudden purchase. One of our two local FIAT specialists had the 164 for sale on behalf of someone who took it as a trade on a 156 Sportwagon. Prior to that, it has had two enthusiast owners - and it shows. Much care has been spent over the years. The original toolkit and handbook/folder has survived. Dealer service history goes to 2000.
I first took a look on Friday. The asking price was NZ$1250 but in the end, I was asked to make an offer. I offered $1000. Two other people apparently were interested but didn't make an offer. So I rang up this morning (Monday) and unexpectedly discovered it was mine. A quick trip to the bank for some of the folding stuff and then the 30-minute drive (with a friend), and there it was, waiting for an exciting drive home. $1000 is US$750.
Previously I owned a '92 164 with auto trans, from Singapore, with such niceties as wood veneer here and there and '168' in a couple of places (but not the boot badge). That cost me over $8000. I think the most exciting job was the total strip of the dashboard to fit seals to the air distribution drum - the originals had disappeared. I sold this 164 just over a year ago, along with my X1/9 (both fetched the same price, $4000), and with some money taken from investments, I purchased a 2003 FIAT Stilo Abarth. Expensive, as you can imagine, and the 5-cylinder version, but at the end of the day, just a pretty-average modern hatchback.
I now wonder whether I should sell the Stilo and return to my true love, the 164... It's not as though I will use either car very much, as I also have my Uno Turbo, and a 2006 Civic Hybrid until October.
It's surprising how little is wrong with my latest 164. The front suspension is a little strange - or at least, the torque steer is definitely there! - and the bonnet is peppered with stone chips. The bumper has sustained some poorly-repaired damage (cracked). All the electrics seem to work, except the passenger's seat fore-aft and up-down, and amazingly the air conditioning seems correct in the motors department: no clicking, and the compressor cuts in (doesn't really blow cold though...)
The engine looks a little blue-smoky after the over-run, but not on hard acceleration so I think the rings are probably OK. I've dosed the oil with 'stop leak' in an effort to perhaps soften the valve stem seals. Otherwise, I guess I will undertake to replace these.
Tomorrow I'm going to treat it to a jolly good wash, including the engine bay, and a proper clean of the wheels, which appear to have been maintained fairly well with no kerb damage.
So - what do you reckon? Sell my newer car/invest the money/use the interest to keep up the 164?
Many thanks to Alfisto Steve, Taso, and Michael (UK) - you guys have kept me motivated through these years, just knowing that you're out there and running around in these cars makes them seem more 'real' as realistic projects!
Cheers,
-Alex