Anyone know this 3.0 166 ? - advice needed please

[coetzeeh]

Hi all,

I am looking for a biggish 4 door car and am considering an Alfa Romeo - I quite like the idea of a 166 - loads of car for not much money.

Anyone know this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/185899.htmr car?

From an alfisti piont of view, what should I steer clear of? Semi automatic gearbox problematic?

Thanks in advance

[stu_the_flat]

I've bought a 2.5 166 and I'm loving every second of it!

the only down side of it is 27-29mpg. I find reading alfa forums a terrifying with storys like.

" A bird pooped on my car and the raidator fell off"

If I where you I would just go drive it. You will fall in love with it. just try to keep you head and check its in good nick or ask the AA or RAC to check it out.

I could rant about it for hours but I'm off to the shop for milk ask me if you want more info.

[coetzeeh]

Thanks,

I also try to see through some of the over reactions we sometimes see on PH. In most cases, if a car is well maintaned it will last and be reliable.

I have a TVR which has been ultra reliable (TIMBER!!!)but it has been maintained regardless of cost. I just don't want someone else's lemon.

Thought I could have the car checked out by a specialist (Jamie Porter is 10 miles from me).

I've sent a e-mail to the seller.

Cheers

[paulg390]

Re : negative posts..
I had exactly the same concern right after I bought my XK8... I joined a forum and was taken aback by the huge amount of negative comments and issues that people were reporting... 3 years later and I've had no issues whatsoever (TIMBER !!!!!!).
I think its the simple fact that its not very interesting to post "I've had no issues this week".... and so literally posts are normally of the "this is broke" variety as opposed to its going fine type. So as the other reply said go see it, drive it, inspect it and then decide based on the merits of that car....

[JulesV]

AFAIK the 166 does not have a semi automatic gearbox. It is a standard auto with maunual override, similar to a Tiptronic. I have owned two 164s, both 3 litres and the first I ran to 170000 miles. Fantasic engine and generally very reliable. 166 is a great looking car. Buy it!

[WhoreLex]

that guy is hard to get hold of, tried repeatedly to book a test drive but to no avail.

[coetzeeh]

I bought this car yesterday, and I am really pleased with my decision.

First I had the RAC do an inspection and the report came back with a few small issues:

• The engine mounting on the side of the engine needs replacing (£50)
• PS fluid is contaminated - needs flushing (£80 - needs to be flushed twice)
• air con not blowing cold and needs regas (£50)

I drove home (120 miles) last night from Portsmouth and the car performed faultless. I am really chuffed. The car is in exclelent condition, and with 71k miles on the clock looks virtually new.