Alfa Romeo 164

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from 2004

Year / Model Reviewed:
1991 164

Summary:
Its the best car i ever had

Strengths:
everything

Weaknesses:
nothing

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from privately

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 164 Cloverleaf 24V

Summary:
A great car. Not the most reliable, or comfortable, but it has a real character that gets under your skin. I looked around for a long time to get a really mint car, which had a blueprinted engine and gearbox rebuild, and i haven't been disappointed. Fun to drive, and quite relaxing if you're taking it easy, but drive it hard and it flies. A very fast car once it gets going. Sounds fantastic.

Strengths:
Engine noise, top-end power, comfort, looks, style.

Weaknesses:
electrical glitches, mirrors door handles and alloys all susceptible to corrosion, hard ride.

Similar Products Used:
1991 164L V6
Impreza WRX

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $36500.00 from Brisbane, Australia

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 156 Sedan

Summary:
This should be a stunning sports sedan if it were not let down in critical areas. Styling is superb. One of the first "retro" styles and still the best (personal taste). Handling and roadholding are excellent. Rebound in the front shocks under hard cornering can be fixed. Body roll is typical and can be sorted with a stiffer roll bar if desired. Braking is satisfactory. Body and interior are good after regular use. No rattles, squeaks or rust evident. Seats trim and upholstery in excellent order. Extras are minimal and the sound system is not great quality, but gadgets are not what one buys an Alfa for. Ride and comfort are firm but not harsh or noisy, and that's what you expect. Engine and road sounds are audible but not intrusive. Perfect for a sports sedan. Choice of tyres is critical to interior noise. High performance tyres and you can't hear yourself think. Now the down side. Performance below 3000 rpm (ie., city traffic) is awful. The car bogs down off the line so badly that it will not beat a clapped out Viva from the lights without a lot of engine revs and clutch slipping. Requires the same technique for any incline start and will not climb a 15 degree driveway from a standing start. A rolling start is essential. After the variable timing cuts over the rush is like an old-fashioned turbo. All this makes is a very uncomfortable car to drive in city traffic. My wife hates it. This issue seems to be an ECU / timing control problem, but the dealer has never been able to isolate or fix the problem. It is not an isolated instance. There is quite a lot of complaint about this issue on Alfa chat groups, with the same lack of resolution, although it does not seem to affect every vehicle. Second, the airconditioning is far below what is expected as a normal standard today. It is totally innefective on a warm (Australian) summer day. Most Australian, Japanese and European brands have sorted this issue long ago. Why not Alfa? Ergonomics is also below average. The main instruments are obscured by the steering wheel from a reasonably normal driving position, even though there is a lot of seat and steering wheel adjustment. On balance it did not deliver on the one important thing that you buy an Alfa Romeo for, a great driving experience.

Strengths:
Styling, roadholding

Weaknesses:
performance, dealer support.

Similar Products Used:
Alfa Romeo 164; Alfa GTV (1978); Alfa Guiletta (1975).

Price Paid:  $18000.00 from Chicago

Year / Model Reviewed:
1993 Alfa 164 12 valve

Summary:
The 164 has to be the most under rated sedans ever made...I now have 126,000 miles on it,and have never had any engine work other then timing belts and tune ups...Very fine leather seats.Wonderful V6 engine second to none!This all alloy engine is as strong as a truck engine! Its starts in below zero weather on 1 crank ...If you change the plugs out and use only high octane fuel you should have no problems...The 1993 model has updated valve seals that last forever..Early models have more valve wear and may require a head rebuld after 100,000 miles. Heater valve,radiator,clutch will last around 100,000 if taken care of.The gearbox is a very smooth shifter...I had the springs,swap bars and shocks replaced at 100,000 miles(upgraded with stiff aftermarket parts).This is not a car to be affraid of..Buy it and enjoy...Remember it is now a older car,so be careful that the previous owner didnt abuse it...These cars can be driven very hard...Enjoy, if you can find a good one!

Strengths:
Engine ..Sounds great and pulls like a true european sports sedan...Much better looking then the German and Japanese clone cars....Not dated even after 10 years..True quality car!Power everything.

Weaknesses:
Needs to have required service done on time...Dont abuse the car..Needs oil checked often(1 quart every 1000 miles) Buy manual.Automatic trans is weak...Not recommended.Door handles are fragile.. Weakest point is the Bosch airflow meter.. When it gets cold or dirty,it makes the car run bad...

Similar Products Used:
BMW 3.0CS,VW Jetta,Mercedes 190,Alfa Milano 3.0

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
1993 164l

Summary:
Bought it on a Tuesday, had it serviced Wednesday, drove it 700 miles Thursday! Performed stunningly, with silence at 100 mph. Half quart of oil used in 2000 miles. A dream come true.

Strengths:
Fine comfort and handling. High quality leather. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Stunning styling at age ten. Auto shifts beautifully. Love those bun warmers!

Weaknesses:
Replaced thermostat and belt tensioner. climate control erratic, will eventually get into this, not a great concern now.

Similar Products Used:
None. I own four Alfas, so I say, "Drive an Alfa and Live."