RE: Lancia Thema 8.32: PH Ad Break

RE: Lancia Thema 8.32: PH Ad Break

Author
Discussion

EskimoArapaho

5,135 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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s m said:
Ah, the days when 'fap' meant nothing.

Got to say the Thema's a rather awkward looking car (and I like boxy cars normally).

HarryW

15,150 posts

268 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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Loving the Italian metal, can you do a piece on the Fiat 130 coupe next please, much more stunning a car if only with a V6.

jaisharma

982 posts

182 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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I had a burgundy one about 10 years ago, magnificent car. Sounded wonderful, much better than the 308 because of the different crank/firing order
Torque steer no major problem as the motor was linear and flexible, so a nicer drive than the 16v turbo
One would be in my fantasy garage if it had 20 spaces ....

Earl of Petrol

485 posts

121 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
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You're right, I want one.
Better than those naf Vauxhall ads where kids pretend to be adults or vice versa, or some bloke in a Mondeo providing landing lights for a light plane which just happens to be piloted by a very foxy young lady (well maybe that bits ok).
They could shorten this to 10 sec and just show the Ferrari and Lancia badges on screen with the V8 soundtrack maxing out through the gears, job done.

Triumph Man

8,670 posts

167 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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I've always liked the Thema 8.32, but you lot posting Alfa 164s aren't helping my love for them either!! There was a black one on ebay recently and it looked gorgeous. Shame there aren't more around frown

Nors

1,291 posts

154 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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s m said:
crostonian said:
When they were launched there was only the BMW E28 M5 to compare it with, they were £37500 in the UK, when the 16V Turbo was around £20k, no wonder they didn't sell!
Despite the fact that I'd probably go for the Lancia on rarity/unique values, I doubt it ever worried the E28 M5 in any way as the magazine title may imply!!

TORQ

188 posts

228 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Spotted near me, well done that owner...


TORQ

188 posts

228 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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DeuxCentCinq

14,180 posts

181 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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selym said:
I'm genuinely interested in your opinion of the car; the title must have whetted your appetite. I am also a little interested in why you are so concerned about the Lanica-gate episode, and why it is so embarrassing. Never sent a document electronically, mistakenly relying on spellcheck to fish out the errors?

Back to the car; ok, it is nothing special using today's performance benchmarks but is shows the kind of bravery by two manufacturers all too uncommon these days. I've not seen one on the road for years, and would relish a look around one again some day.
Because this sloppiness keeps happening on PH, and it's ridiculous.

As for the car - I am a massive fan of them. I love box-based cars of all types, and this is just bonkers. A friend of mine's Dad used to have one as his daily along with a 348 for weekends. It was brilliant, and who cares if it "keeps up" with modern traffic. I'd love one.

Josco010

143 posts

191 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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DeuxCentCinq said:
selym said:
I'm genuinely interested in your opinion of the car; the title must have whetted your appetite. I am also a little interested in why you are so concerned about the Lanica-gate episode, and why it is so embarrassing. Never sent a document electronically, mistakenly relying on spellcheck to fish out the errors?

Back to the car; ok, it is nothing special using today's performance benchmarks but is shows the kind of bravery by two manufacturers all too uncommon these days. I've not seen one on the road for years, and would relish a look around one again some day.
Because this sloppiness keeps happening on PH, and it's ridiculous.

As for the car - I am a massive fan of them. I love box-based cars of all types, and this is just bonkers. A (""friend of mine's Dad"") used to have one as his daily along with a 348 for weekends. It was brilliant("", and"") who cares if it "keeps up" with modern traffic. I'd love one.
Are those correct on the subject of sloppiness... ""A friend of mine's dad"" or "", and"" just saying!! wink wink

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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firebird350 said:
Hey, glad to hear I'm not alone and you're right about the sense of responsibility such Alfas can foster in one. As a Fiat/Lancia diehard I bought the 'Leaf as a kind of stopgap car (my first and so far only Alfa) pending the sourcing of my 'perfect' Fiat Coupe.

However, like the best Italian mistresses, 'she' got under my skin and twelve years of loyalty on my part proves that point, I guess. I never see another one (Italian Car Days apart).

Regarding the perceived running costs of a Lancia Thema 8.32, I happened to start totting up the accrued running costs of my Cloverleaf sometime last year but I quit after reaching twice my 'guestimate' with quite a stack of invoices yet to be factored in!!

Three radiators to date (although the car was nine years old when I bought it and I got clobbered almost straightaway), four cambelt/tensioner changes (and they're really expensive on a 24V four-cam) including an enforced change due to a failed water pump. Then there have been innumerable suspension parts replaced, heater matrix, that 'microscopic rear subframe, gearbox rebuild (by choice, that one) etc etc.

I reckon the 'Leaf and the 8.32 might be closer in running costs than people would think but then again, both are manufacturer flagship models so they've each thrown the best they can at them.

The Busso V6 is simply stellar to drive behind and to listen to and I'm sure the 8.32 provides a comparable soundtrack too but the 164 Cloverleaf is probably one of the best-handling large FWD cars ever made (it really does have a truly pedigree chassis beneath those looks) and it's a superbly-sharp and faithful steer. I reckon that's where it aces the Thema Ferrari. I think its sleeker looks help too.

Photo for those who may be unsure (or who've forgotten what one looks as it's been so many years since they last saw one!) what car we're talking about here.

Enjoyed reading that - you have a beautiful car there. Thanks for sharing. Yes, the Busso engined Alfas are certainly magical things. Mine still sounds better than pretty much anything short of supercars. A Supersprint exhaust helps!

delta2593

3 posts

126 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Having owned an 8 valve Thema Turbo from new, a used 16 valve Thema Turbo and driven some miles in one with the ferrari engine; also several Intergrales, it's my opinion that while there was little difference between the 8 and 16 valve models, they were both superior to the F model in performance, reliability and handling.
Sadly the ferrari models have survived because of the magic of the name while the Turbos have mostly been scrapped.
In its time, the ability of a type 4 bodyshelled saloon to out drage most of the competition and accelerate to 140 mph was awsome . I bought me first one as a company car as an alternative to a similarly priced Rover 820. What would you have chosen.

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

241 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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ffhard said:
Oh, I forgot. The 8.32 engine was, despite the Ferrari rocker covers, a Ferrari block and heads but with a different crankshaft to Lancia's design and assembled by Ducati. Which always seemed a bit odd to me, must be the only engine they had built with more than two cylinders!
Not quite true.

All series 1 cars (about 2/3 of production) had their engines built at Maranello. Some, not all, of the remaining S2 cars had their engines assembled by Ducati,due to capacity issues, but all components were still made by Ferrari's engine plant at Maranello.

The crank was a Ferrari design, with specification input by Lancia.

It's entirely a Ferrari engine, a F105L to be precise, the F105 being the 308qv engine. The L obviously signifying the Lancia usage.

DeuxCentCinq

14,180 posts

181 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Josco010 said:
Are those correct on the subject of sloppiness... ""A friend of mine's dad"" or "", and"" just saying!! wink wink
I am not a professional copywriter, nor was my post supposed to represent a professionally published article. A little colloquialism in forum posts engenders a closer community spirit amongst the regular posters. Or should everyone post in formal English for your benefit from now on?

3795mpower

484 posts

129 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Owned a 16v Turbo Thema back in the early '90's
(When no one had a clue what it was...)

It was simply the biggest bang for smallest buck I could find (plus I love a fast 4 door...)

It was a fun car, crude handling negated by a lovely alcantara interior and a blinding motor up front.

The 832 never floated my boat as much as perhaps it should've, I guess because it was always so
Frightfully expensive given it's performance.
My 16 valve turbo at a quarter or less of the price would do 6.8 to 60, 142mph & 30-70 in 6 secs.

I used to enjoy putting the willies up Cosworth & M3 drivers...

Needless to say it stripped it's cambelt 1 week before it was due to have a belt swap.

I got rid of it shortly afterwards & worked steadily up to the M5 I still own today.

Quality wise the interior was hit and miss (think 90's Fiat quality plastics in places although most of the
Exterior was galvanised which was a help.

I'm glad to see the 832 making progress, it is a special car probably only comparable to the old M5's and LC/Omega
In it's execution.

Josco010

143 posts

191 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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DeuxCentCinq said:
Josco010 said:
Are those correct on the subject of sloppiness... ""A friend of mine's dad"" or "", and"" just saying!! wink wink
I am not a professional copywriter, nor was my post supposed to represent a professionally published article. A little colloquialism in forum posts engenders a closer community spirit amongst the regular posters. Or should everyone post in formal English for your benefit from now on?
That's the point!!! Before saying someone else is sloppy one needs to ensure they themselves are not being sloppy. The Subject is LANCIA (no biggie if its LANICA etc)and if there is an error its probably just a typo... and no need to make a big issue of it!!! that's the whole point

TurboBlue

672 posts

162 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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I'd agree with most of the sentiments on this thread; my 8.32 was used as a daily driver and never let me down. The engine, interior ambiance, wafting ability is fantastic but the whole package is too disjointed and one sided.

As a purchase and car to run you need to be aware of the timing belts; beyond that it will odd parts that are impossible to source; mine went off the road for quite some time for the lack of a headlight unit and an air-con belt. They aren't really daily drivers anymore for this reason but they are still priced as such; I'd expect them to become increasingly rare. The one on car & classic listed earlier has a broken fog - light, I'd be interested to see how easily that part can be sourced.

Couple of pictures of mine follow; note the rear spoiler was manually operated by twisting one of the column stalks - this provided endless amusement in the outside lane of the M4 when being tailgated.








firebird350

322 posts

179 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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Triumph Man said:
I've always liked the Thema 8.32, but you lot posting Alfa 164s aren't helping my love for them either!! There was a black one on ebay recently and it looked gorgeous. Shame there aren't more around frown
Adding fuel to the fire (!), there's a nice-looking Alfa Romeo 164 Cloverleaf Q4 (that's the 4WD version) in black currently for sale in the UK:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C555986

LHD, like the Lancia Thema-Ferrari, and probably just as rare. £3995 doesn't seem a bad price for what seems like a well-maintained example either.




Josco010

143 posts

191 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
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TurboBlue said:
I'd agree with most of the sentiments on this thread; my 8.32 was used as a daily driver and never let me down. The engine, interior ambiance, wafting ability is fantastic but the whole package is too disjointed and one sided.

As a purchase and car to run you need to be aware of the timing belts; beyond that it will odd parts that are impossible to source; mine went off the road for quite some time for the lack of a headlight unit and an air-con belt. They aren't really daily drivers anymore for this reason but they are still priced as such; I'd expect them to become increasingly rare. The one on car & classic listed earlier has a broken fog - light, I'd be interested to see how easily that part can be sourced.

Couple of pictures of mine follow; note the rear spoiler was manually operated by twisting one of the column stalks - this provided endless amusement in the outside lane of the M4 when being tailgated.





Always had a gentle respect for these cars, i believe they are not about going very fast but more of an whole experience sort of thing, for speed i would definitely have gone the E28 M5 route which was also hand built in limited numbers and sensationally fast, lovely cars though, oh and the sound...

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Wednesday 28th January 2015
quotequote all
Nors said:
s m said:
crostonian said:
When they were launched there was only the BMW E28 M5 to compare it with, they were £37500 in the UK, when the 16V Turbo was around £20k, no wonder they didn't sell!
Despite the fact that I'd probably go for the Lancia on rarity/unique values, I doubt it ever worried the E28 M5 in any way as the magazine title may imply!!
Here's the summary column from the article - different sort of cars it reckoned



I think the mags were never sure what sort of things to compare it too - certainly looks a mismatch against these two in this test ( plus it was nearly twice the price of the others ). An Integrale might have been a better choice