166 Lusso, what to look for?

166 Lusso, what to look for?

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Discussion

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,301 posts

195 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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I've seen this car advertised on the classifieds

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

I have very little knowledge/experience of Alfas aside from owning a 156 JTD a few years ago.

Anything I should be looking at specifically? known faults etc? Bork potential and so on.

I suppose it'll be ruinous on fuel lol, I do 400-500 miles most weeks.

What does everyone think?

ITP

1,996 posts

196 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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That looks great. One owner and lots of new bits, low miles. Nice colour scheme. Clearly not cheap to run and could throw up some bills but it's only 1800! These were, and probably still are, alfa's most solidly built car build quality wise. I have had 3, a 164 V6, a later 3.2 166 and currently a 147GTA.

Can't think of anything for even treble that I would rather have. To my eyes the second best looking saloon ever, at any price, behind a quattroporte.

Go on alfaowner to check any common areas of potential expense to look for and if it's all good, get it bought. I will cost you a bit in fuel though for 400-500 per week!

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,301 posts

195 months

Tuesday 22nd April 2014
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Well, I've been to view the car and it's very impressive.

Owner has had it since a month old and bills for the last 18 months top 2.5K (from an Alfa indy) so at face value it's a very fit car. Bodywork is very very straight with only a few car park dings to note.

Only criticisms I have is that the rocker cover on the rear bank is a little weepy and the header tank had plenty of mayo, but the dipstick etc was clean, the owners short commute perhaps and nothing more sinister? Also, the service invoice from last year picked up on the rear top mounts being due replacement and it'll need rear discs sooner or later.

The car drove superbly with only the characteristically heavy clutch giving my weak knee a bit of a workout.

I'm home to sleep on it...

Oh what to do!

DamienB

1,189 posts

218 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Like you really need anybody to tell you that a) it will cost you more and b) you won't care. Buy it. Gorgeous looking beast.

Hamster69

747 posts

145 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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I had a 2.0 twin spark about 5 years ago. Fantastic car. The nicest interior ever designed. Why is it only Alfa are sensible enough to put in black carpets with a tan interior. Have had a 164 3.0 aswell and it's an awsome engine. Got to do it!

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,301 posts

195 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
quotequote all
DamienB said:
Like you really need anybody to tell you that a) it will cost you more and b) you won't care. Buy it. Gorgeous looking beast.
Such sensible chat isn't helping. Trying to arrange a 2nd viewing, wallet twitching big time.

JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Wednesday 23rd April 2014
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Buy it, quickly. Else I will. It is gorgeous!

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,301 posts

195 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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JFReturns said:
Buy it, quickly. Else I will. It is gorgeous!
Too late, I collect it tomorrow.

AlfaManc

198 posts

170 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Fattyfat said:
Too late, I collect it tomorrow.
That's a lovely car. It's a perfect colour combination, and the condition and history are a credit to the owner. There are a lot of 166s around the £1K mark, but a sorted 166 with that V6 is well worth it at double the price. Wish you all the best with your new purchase.

ITP

1,996 posts

196 months

Friday 25th April 2014
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Well done. Great car for the money, just find a good local independent to keep on looking after it and when you get the odd bill just keep telling yourself most of the cars on the road around you are costing their 'owners' 300-400 every month and are totally dull in comparison thumbup

JFReturns

3,693 posts

170 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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Congratulations OP, great buy. Looking forward to more pics.

Fattyfat

Original Poster:

3,301 posts

195 months

Saturday 26th April 2014
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No piccies yet but 1st impressions driving home last night.

It's a very presentable car. The bodywork is excellent for the age of the car but the lines of the car and the colour (nero vulcano) do reveal little dings and scores pretty easily. However considering the value of the car I'm delighted with it's condition. The seller had kindly hosed the overnight dust from the car and I was sent off with a pile of paperwork. Poor chap looked genuinely sad to see it go.

The car is a very nice place to be. The Momo leather is gorgeous and very comfortable, I found a favourable driving position with very little seat adjustment. Getting my legs comfy does leave the gear lever a little further away but it's ok. The ICS system will take a little getting used to but seems to be reasonably intuitive with plenty of features. I'm not sure if I want to pay to much attention to the trip computer...

After doing a few miles I've decided the car is a curious old thing indeed. A mixture of a pretty decent 6 speed box, that engine! and handling firmly set to comfort it's a non hooligan car with a hooligan spec engine. Does cruise nicely though and cruise control is required as it's natural gait seems to be way above the NSL.

I'll throw up something more in depth with a few pictures on the Readers cars section. Not right now though, I feel the urge to go burn some super unleaded wink