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I'm back - with another!

1K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  AlexGS 
#1 ·
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
 
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#3 ·
Congrats on a great car for a great price! ;) I would keep another car until you get this one sorted and then consider using your new 164 as a daily driver. I keep my Dodge Ram as my backup vehicle and drive the 164 as much as I can. It gets better gas mileage and is much more fun to drive.
Charles
 
#4 ·
Good score, and a manual too, yeeeaaaahhh ..........first things first...when was the cam belt last changed..........just being devils advocate....
let us know how it goes :)
 
#5 ·
Cambelt

Hi gbymb,

Cambelt was changed about three years ago by a specialist that I know. So, I plan to inspect it and make sure the belt's not oily - I think it is still on the hydraulic tensioner. If the belt looks oily or deteriorated, I'll change it, and put new seals in the tensioner. My last 164 had the later-type mechanical tensioner fitted, but in some ways, that wasn't the best design and left the belt quite slack.

-Alex
 
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