Alfa Romeo 164 (1988 - 1998) 3.0 V6 4d Auto (1991/J) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm Italian, the Alfa is Italian...It even has the "Roma" front license plate....It looks conservative, yet is a bit wild...I guess that about sums me up too.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Some love it, others think it looks like a used Toyota. Of course, the mechanic loves it whenever I break something.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Next car will probably be something more mainstream, like....eeeeeek..... a Lexus. Something that can be serviced by any amoeba-brained petrol jockey with an endless and immediate supply of replacement parts. If Alfa ever returns to the US, yes, I would definitely buy another one.

What are you likely to buy next?

Lexus...Boring but reliable and comfortable. GS400 or LS400, most likely. Jaguar XJR supercharged sedan maybe. I like plush luxury barges that accelerate and handle decently. The big Alfa is just about perfect, but very scarce here, and the nearest intelligent mechanic is over 30 miles away.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£12,000

When did you buy the car?

April 2004

Did you get a good deal and why?

I paid twice what the going price was for that year/model because the car was perfect...Like it rolled off the showroom floor, and had all maintenances done.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I always wanted one, but could not afford to buy new. Bought it from the original owner with all records including the factory window sticker.

What was the dealer like?

Original owner...He was an Italian psychiatrist!

What's it like to drive?

Wonderful except for parking. I have had to repair the front spoiler due to scraping it on parking lot dividers. More my error than the fault of the car. I love the way the ZF automatic transmission shifts like a standard stick...at the correct rpms. It is wonderful to cruise along at 80mph, tap the pedal and whooosh off to 90+ in a flash...No hesitation, and the engine note is breathtaking.

What's it like to park?

I'm lousy at parking...Need plenty of room, but that's me, not the car.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The car puts a smile on my face every time I get a chance to drive it "at speed," which is rare in the US, with all our congested highways. It is as tractable as a Toyota is reputed to be...Only minor irritations, just enough to keep me from getting bored. Wind noise is a bit loud, and suspension a bit stiff, but then the handling and performance make up for that.

What's most practical about your car?

Practical? Who buys an Alfa to be practical?? It has been amazingly reliable...Everything works, no electrical glitches.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The accelerator. Adjustable heated seats are amusing. Love the pop-up sunroof.