RE: SOTW: Alfa Romeo 166 3.0

[Twincam16]

Strawman said:

I owned a 164, better looking car IMO and reliable while I had it.

Much as I like the 166, IMO the 164 is a nicer car. The 164 looks all big and important, almost like an old Maserati Quattroporte, especially in black, whereas the 166 looks like a 156 that's been on the pies.

[MadDog1962]

Despite what others have written I don't think the front end looks weird at all. This looks like a wonderful shed, my only concerns would be any kind repair costs that involved a trip to the main dealer. Secondhand bits are not going to be cheap or plentiful. The thing with a 14 year old Alfa is that you're highly likely to need some bits now and then.

Bottom line. Alfas are cars we buy with our hearts not our heads. I'd love to have another but not as something I had to depend on.

[trashbat]

MadDog1962 said:

Despite what others have written I don't think the front end looks weird at all. This looks like a wonderful shed, my only concerns would be any kind repair costs that involved a trip to the main dealer. Secondhand bits are not going to be cheap or plentiful. The thing with a 14 year old Alfa is that you're highly likely to need some bits now and then.

Bottom line. Alfas are cars we buy with our hearts not our heads. I'd love to have another but not as something I had to depend on.

They made that thing until 2007 though, admittedly with some tweaks. The Busso is hugely popular and found in many Alfas. You shouldn't be too badly off for parts availability.

[mazdajason]

misterchase said:

hora said:

Noice. I wonder how long it'd last before you had a spreadsheet of 'to do's/get round to'...

Having owned 3 Alfa V6s this made me smile wryly. My spreadsheet seems to grow weekly!

Cheers
MC

Hold on, 2 posts in 5 years? How was this not noticed! Top lurking and to find your 2nd post is about a Shed of an alfa - well done.

[Luca Brasi]

I'd love a late model Ti with the 3.2, lovely looking cars.

[DeltaEvo2]

The original 166 has a sad face BUT the facelift 166 looks great in 3.2 V6 specs, and the alloys are awesome!
That is the one in the Top Gear video...want!

[y2blade]

MC Bodge said:

A mate bought a 'bargain' (about 4 years old, IIRC) from the auctions for a couple of grand.
I drove it and it handled nicely. It was, however, riddled with faults and was sold on for about half the original 'bargain' price.

That's "Character" for you.

[johnniek]

trashbat said:

MadDog1962 said:

Despite what others have written I don't think the front end looks weird at all. This looks like a wonderful shed, my only concerns would be any kind repair costs that involved a trip to the main dealer. Secondhand bits are not going to be cheap or plentiful. The thing with a 14 year old Alfa is that you're highly likely to need some bits now and then.

Bottom line. Alfas are cars we buy with our hearts not our heads. I'd love to have another but not as something I had to depend on.

They made that thing until 2007 though, admittedly with some tweaks. The Busso is hugely popular and found in many Alfas. You shouldn't be too badly off for parts availability.

Any 14 year old will need some love (car i mean, that was sounding a bit Mr Saville)... These are actually very well put together, and properly galvanised (156s are supposed to be 'galvanised' but I think they got a passing squirt.. and suffer rust problems in floor pans and wings etc..)
I would reckon there were some rogue 166s produced, but if you're aware and keep on top of things (they give their best if bushes, wishbones etc are tip top). These are a great steer. Also one of the last alfas with that magic busso engine which is worth every penny and will be missed as one of the greats of all time..

[Chevykevv]

I had a 164 and boy did it have some electrical issues but what a great car to drive, always wanted to upgrade to a 166 but never did.

I'll give it 9 for the days it all goes well.

[tobinen]

Good shed for the brave. Nearly bought one years ago but went for a V6 156

I think the face-lifted 166s are a very good-looking car.

[CDP]

DeltaEvo2 said:

The original 166 has a sad face BUT the facelift 166 looks great in 3.2 V6 specs, and the alloys are awesome!
That is the one in the Top Gear video...want!

Yes, I've just taken a quick look on ebay, autotrader and PH classifieds to see if there are any for sale but sadly not.

[P2BS]

The facelift 166 rectified the awful front end design of the original; not many about now though.
The ability of the Alfa V6 to shred cambelts is like no other car I know.
I owned a 156 2.4 JTD for a while - everything worked on it, and it never let me down, never let my brother down (he bought it off me), never let his friend down either afterwards.
As good as I think the 166 is/was, it's a SOTW that I consder overpriced.

[george123]

CDP said:

Yes, I've just taken a quick look on ebay, autotrader and PH classifieds to see if there are any for sale but sadly not.

Veloces in north London often do, they had the ex Italian embassy face lift 3.2 for sale a few months back....very nice it was too. Also black and white in Newbury sometimes have a face lift 3.2 in Ti spec for sale often for silly money though. This is one theyve sold a while back.....would look nicer in black .

http://www.blackandwhitegarage.com/stock_detail.ph...



Facelft with the Ti wheels is they way to go. Was really tempted to get one as a family car but went for a golf r32.... Think my wife would have killed me if i made her drive around in a manual 166 v6 every day.

Nice on the odd weekend when id drive it though.

[J4CKO]

Shed of the year for me.

Love the looks, its a V6 and iirc they were rather stylish inside, I even love the avante garde front end, as Twincam said it kind of has a Maserati vibe about it, I am a bit weird but would take this over a Brera or a GT, which do very little for me.

The high Bork potential doesnt bother me, its got this far, if it start upa nd drives, lasts 12 months it isnt a big deal, anything else is a bonus, way more stlye than a new 5 series for less than the price of a wider satnav screen in said 5 series.

[TORQ]

Never owned an Alfa, these are tempting (financial ruin aside). A good shed, thought provoking.

[M3John]

Great shed and I really quite like them !
I've often pondered about getting one of these, running it for a year or so then shifting it on.

[CDP]

george123 said:

Veloces in north London often do, they had the ex Italian embassy face lift 3.2 for sale a few months back....very nice it was too.

Until you remember it probably carried Silvio Berlusconi...

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

GranCab said:

Viz would call it a BOBFOC.

... or an Aswad, being the term for a woman who is much more attractive from behind than from the front. Named after the reggae band who had a hit with "Don't Turn Around".

[george123]

CDP said:

Until you remember it probably carried Silvio Berlusconi...

Plenty of room in the back for some bunga bunga action, leather seats = easy to wipe clean

[george123]

Or under £5k for this beauty



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

What could go wrong...

Edited by george123 on Friday 2nd November 11:12