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I use a 156 2.0TS as my main mode of transport (plus a scooter for short trips). I love my 164 and so I drive that when I want to experience the thrill of the V6 and the sort of heavy luxury that the lighter, economical 156 can't provide. My current 164 owes me less than $1000 (about US$800 at the current exchange rate).
I'm contemplating the replacement of my 164 with an Alfa Romeo Spider. Should point out this will be the 916 'GTV'-type (1996-2005), not the 937 Brera-type (2006-2010). The 916 GTV/Spider is kind of the 155 Coupe/Convertible though I guess some parts cross over to the 164 and the original Proteo concept was based on a 164.
Compared to a 164 it seems that a Spider will offer a similar 3L V6 (24-valve version) and smooth six-speed manual transmission in a slightly lighter car. I already have one four-door saloon car (the 156) and I don't have a family, so having a two-seat convertible has obvious appeal, and winter is a good time to buy.
Problem is, of course, the price - I have found a few good examples at around $10- $15000 but they are Jap imports and usually have a few blemishes.
I have found one show-quality Spider, 2003 (old shape). It has had one owner from new and is back for sale at the original dealer. It has been maintained religiously by the supplying dealer (official Alfa Romeo dealer, one of few in NZ) - has had two cambelt changes (one in 2006 and one last year) and there's under 63,000km on the clock (39,000miles). The car is perfect except for some collapsed foam on the edge of the driver's seat base. No stone chips, no repairs or repaints, has lived in a garage, and is clean and original in the engine bay. It is metallic 'Coventry Green' with a beige interior, so basically the colours of an MGB brought into the '90s... Very similar green to the 164. For a Spider I would prefer the red, the 'Verde Acido' lime green, or some hideous yellow (Zoe Yellow) but the green is more dignified, I guess, and 'in period'.
Asking price is $20,000 (US$16,000) which would buy a lot of 164s. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a better condition example. I've always wondered if it would actually 'save money' buying a car that's in good condition in the first place and it is probably true that, no matter how much work was done, an average example that's had the odd bodge here and there could never be lifted to quite the same level as a 'concours' car.
I guess it might be like having the option of a '94 164LS in average condition or a '91 164L that is double the price but in perfect, original condition. Which would you choose? I suppose one problem would be the feeling that it is too good to use, but at least it wouldn't be my main 'daily driver'.
I don't really have $20,000 and was hoping to spend about half that, but something tells me it might be a good idea to buy the best in the first place - what do other 164 drivers think?
These Spiders don't ride all that well - lots of wobbles and shakes which annoy me - windscreen frame jiggles around before your eyes and steering column moves - pretty much what you'd expect if you chopped the roof off the fairly-rigid GTV. I drove one with modified suspension (even lower, Koni shocks) and oddly there seemed to be less flex in the structure, which is the opposite of what you'd expect. Maybe it was one of those 'golden sample' cars that was just better in the first place (it had over 140,000 on the clock).
$20,000 in a private sale may also buy a 2004-2005 last-of-the-line facelift Spider with 3.2L Alfa V6 but an import with unknown history. These are usually a bland silver colour like my 156, but they do have the benefit of safety features like stability control and side airbags (older Spiders have only ABS and front airbags). I don't know if that even-larger engine is worth striving for? I guess I need to drive one to find out if the scuttle shake is any less.
Also, 2007 Brera Spiders kick off at about $40,000 - twice the price again, so at least that's safely out of the question. People say they have the worst scuttle shake of any current car. I do like the styling though.
So what would you do...?
Thanks,
-Alex
I'm contemplating the replacement of my 164 with an Alfa Romeo Spider. Should point out this will be the 916 'GTV'-type (1996-2005), not the 937 Brera-type (2006-2010). The 916 GTV/Spider is kind of the 155 Coupe/Convertible though I guess some parts cross over to the 164 and the original Proteo concept was based on a 164.
Compared to a 164 it seems that a Spider will offer a similar 3L V6 (24-valve version) and smooth six-speed manual transmission in a slightly lighter car. I already have one four-door saloon car (the 156) and I don't have a family, so having a two-seat convertible has obvious appeal, and winter is a good time to buy.
Problem is, of course, the price - I have found a few good examples at around $10- $15000 but they are Jap imports and usually have a few blemishes.
I have found one show-quality Spider, 2003 (old shape). It has had one owner from new and is back for sale at the original dealer. It has been maintained religiously by the supplying dealer (official Alfa Romeo dealer, one of few in NZ) - has had two cambelt changes (one in 2006 and one last year) and there's under 63,000km on the clock (39,000miles). The car is perfect except for some collapsed foam on the edge of the driver's seat base. No stone chips, no repairs or repaints, has lived in a garage, and is clean and original in the engine bay. It is metallic 'Coventry Green' with a beige interior, so basically the colours of an MGB brought into the '90s... Very similar green to the 164. For a Spider I would prefer the red, the 'Verde Acido' lime green, or some hideous yellow (Zoe Yellow) but the green is more dignified, I guess, and 'in period'.
Asking price is $20,000 (US$16,000) which would buy a lot of 164s. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine a better condition example. I've always wondered if it would actually 'save money' buying a car that's in good condition in the first place and it is probably true that, no matter how much work was done, an average example that's had the odd bodge here and there could never be lifted to quite the same level as a 'concours' car.
I guess it might be like having the option of a '94 164LS in average condition or a '91 164L that is double the price but in perfect, original condition. Which would you choose? I suppose one problem would be the feeling that it is too good to use, but at least it wouldn't be my main 'daily driver'.
I don't really have $20,000 and was hoping to spend about half that, but something tells me it might be a good idea to buy the best in the first place - what do other 164 drivers think?
These Spiders don't ride all that well - lots of wobbles and shakes which annoy me - windscreen frame jiggles around before your eyes and steering column moves - pretty much what you'd expect if you chopped the roof off the fairly-rigid GTV. I drove one with modified suspension (even lower, Koni shocks) and oddly there seemed to be less flex in the structure, which is the opposite of what you'd expect. Maybe it was one of those 'golden sample' cars that was just better in the first place (it had over 140,000 on the clock).
$20,000 in a private sale may also buy a 2004-2005 last-of-the-line facelift Spider with 3.2L Alfa V6 but an import with unknown history. These are usually a bland silver colour like my 156, but they do have the benefit of safety features like stability control and side airbags (older Spiders have only ABS and front airbags). I don't know if that even-larger engine is worth striving for? I guess I need to drive one to find out if the scuttle shake is any less.
Also, 2007 Brera Spiders kick off at about $40,000 - twice the price again, so at least that's safely out of the question. People say they have the worst scuttle shake of any current car. I do like the styling though.
So what would you do...?
Thanks,
-Alex
