166 Super Lusso
Discussion
Went out on Saturday to check out and test drive a 156 2.4JTD Sportwagon and a 166, ended up looking at both a 2.5 V6 Sportronic and a 3 litre V6 super lusso.
The 156 2.4JTD is a superb vehicle. The engine is amazingly tractable for a diesel and drives like a petrol. I was less impressed with the brakes which had little "feel" and were very sensitive and the dash on the one we looked at (pre-2002 Lusso) was a bit tacky.
We test drove a 2.5 Sportronic 166. Very nice car but needed more umph and although the auto gearbox was good, it needed encouragement to kick down. Not sure the "manual" feature would ever get used but it was a nice feature. The one we saw too need a few dents dealt with which wasn't too tempting.
Then we saw a 3 litre V6 super lusso with every concievable option (winter pack, sat nav, GSM phone, momo seats, 6 speed manual) and boy what a car. Very fast, very comfortable and very fun to drive. The engine does not stop pulling and it has enough torque to pootle around in 6th gear in town! I must admit, I loved all the gizmo's - very easy to use - and the style, poise and look of the car was a winner to me over the 156. It felt much more car for the money, but saying that I was sorely tempted by the 156 too.
Anyway, the big car got the vote and it's currently sitting outside ready for me to play with it! It does have more mileage than we would have liked (it's almost 3 years old with 45k on the clock) but we do a lot of mileage ourselves any way and the car is in immaculate and very well looked after condition.
It is totally different from our modified Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo (which whizzes rather than growls) but they share the same fun feeling and wonderful Italian experience.
It's been a while since my daily driver was Italian (go back about 8 years to a Fiat Punto GT) but boy does it feel good.
Anyone else have a 166? Any views? Also, does anyone know where I can get a tow bar for it (emergency use only for our race cars) - I don't want a swan neck (which is all I can find at the moment) because we have a bike rack which needs a flange? I am advised that Witter don't make one for the car as they are too rare!
The 156 2.4JTD is a superb vehicle. The engine is amazingly tractable for a diesel and drives like a petrol. I was less impressed with the brakes which had little "feel" and were very sensitive and the dash on the one we looked at (pre-2002 Lusso) was a bit tacky.
We test drove a 2.5 Sportronic 166. Very nice car but needed more umph and although the auto gearbox was good, it needed encouragement to kick down. Not sure the "manual" feature would ever get used but it was a nice feature. The one we saw too need a few dents dealt with which wasn't too tempting.
Then we saw a 3 litre V6 super lusso with every concievable option (winter pack, sat nav, GSM phone, momo seats, 6 speed manual) and boy what a car. Very fast, very comfortable and very fun to drive. The engine does not stop pulling and it has enough torque to pootle around in 6th gear in town! I must admit, I loved all the gizmo's - very easy to use - and the style, poise and look of the car was a winner to me over the 156. It felt much more car for the money, but saying that I was sorely tempted by the 156 too.
Anyway, the big car got the vote and it's currently sitting outside ready for me to play with it! It does have more mileage than we would have liked (it's almost 3 years old with 45k on the clock) but we do a lot of mileage ourselves any way and the car is in immaculate and very well looked after condition.
It is totally different from our modified Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo (which whizzes rather than growls) but they share the same fun feeling and wonderful Italian experience.
It's been a while since my daily driver was Italian (go back about 8 years to a Fiat Punto GT) but boy does it feel good.
Anyone else have a 166? Any views? Also, does anyone know where I can get a tow bar for it (emergency use only for our race cars) - I don't want a swan neck (which is all I can find at the moment) because we have a bike rack which needs a flange? I am advised that Witter don't make one for the car as they are too rare!
Hi John. We have now had the car for just over 3 weeks and completed almost 2,000 wonderful miles. Am still very happy with the car although the cruise control does not appear to work so I will have to get that sorted out under the warranty.
You may find the 2.5 sportronic to be the one for you - personally I just felt it lacked that punch that I would expect from a 2.5 V6. However, we do own a couple of fast cars and I have just moved from a straight 6, 3 litre Merc estate (old) so maybe I just expect a bit more punch for my money.
I also found out after buying the 3 litre SL that it comes with more goodies than the 2.5. In particular it has an STR button which essentially changes the engine management system so the engine (and brakes) seem much more responsive. I must admit that we now keep the car in that mode all the time and the car is a complete hoot. I think there are some other differences too which is why the 3 litre is more expensive.
I adore the Sat Nav and it has yet to fail me in a big way although it did take us off the M5 to go through Wolverhampton instead of on the M6 went we went to Demon Tweaks in Wrexham the other weekend. It has some fantastic features (which I am sure is on all sat nav systems but I am new to them) such as being able to find the closest petrol station, sites of interest etc and you can phone them as well from the GSM phone. Magic!
John, I would encourage you to try both of the cars to see how you feel about them. The Sportronic seems a good box but I guess I am always a little wary of autos especially on high milers (had big problems with my Merc). However I have found the 6 speed manual a little difficult to get used to what gear the car is in although as it has bags of torque it can normally pull in whatever gear you are in.
One thing to be very aware of is that the 3 litre struggles re petrol consumption. I am averaging out at about 20mpg which isn't great but I do have a stop and start journey to work and do like to accelerate up to speed. I think the 2.5 is better re consumption but I am not sure by how much.
Have fun test driving them and let me know how you get on.
LAK
You may find the 2.5 sportronic to be the one for you - personally I just felt it lacked that punch that I would expect from a 2.5 V6. However, we do own a couple of fast cars and I have just moved from a straight 6, 3 litre Merc estate (old) so maybe I just expect a bit more punch for my money.
I also found out after buying the 3 litre SL that it comes with more goodies than the 2.5. In particular it has an STR button which essentially changes the engine management system so the engine (and brakes) seem much more responsive. I must admit that we now keep the car in that mode all the time and the car is a complete hoot. I think there are some other differences too which is why the 3 litre is more expensive.
I adore the Sat Nav and it has yet to fail me in a big way although it did take us off the M5 to go through Wolverhampton instead of on the M6 went we went to Demon Tweaks in Wrexham the other weekend. It has some fantastic features (which I am sure is on all sat nav systems but I am new to them) such as being able to find the closest petrol station, sites of interest etc and you can phone them as well from the GSM phone. Magic!
John, I would encourage you to try both of the cars to see how you feel about them. The Sportronic seems a good box but I guess I am always a little wary of autos especially on high milers (had big problems with my Merc). However I have found the 6 speed manual a little difficult to get used to what gear the car is in although as it has bags of torque it can normally pull in whatever gear you are in.
One thing to be very aware of is that the 3 litre struggles re petrol consumption. I am averaging out at about 20mpg which isn't great but I do have a stop and start journey to work and do like to accelerate up to speed. I think the 2.5 is better re consumption but I am not sure by how much.
Have fun test driving them and let me know how you get on.
LAK
Hi John. Good to hear you are going to see a 3l 166. I am still over the moon with mine and it is still the star of our company car park amongst the Boxsters, Mercs etc.
When you test the car, try hitting the button next to the petrol release and traction control buttons. This switches the engine management system to a much more enjoyable drive - I have this switched on all the time (probably why my mpg isn't great!).
Re the 72k mile service, I have a really great chap who looks after our Italian cars (we have one or two). He hasn't quoted me yet for the big service yet(the car is still in the 40's) but I know that he did the cam belt change on our Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo for a about three hundred quid (Fiat charge close to £1000 I think). Not sure where you are based but he is in near Theale/Aldermaston (West Berkshire). Happy to pass on his details if and when you buy a 166.
Let me know how it goes.
LAK
When you test the car, try hitting the button next to the petrol release and traction control buttons. This switches the engine management system to a much more enjoyable drive - I have this switched on all the time (probably why my mpg isn't great!).
Re the 72k mile service, I have a really great chap who looks after our Italian cars (we have one or two). He hasn't quoted me yet for the big service yet(the car is still in the 40's) but I know that he did the cam belt change on our Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo for a about three hundred quid (Fiat charge close to £1000 I think). Not sure where you are based but he is in near Theale/Aldermaston (West Berkshire). Happy to pass on his details if and when you buy a 166.
Let me know how it goes.
LAK
John, just realised that you may want to phone my guy for a quote for the 72k mile service in advance of test driving the car. His name is Keith Turner of Auto Integrale (he is a Lancia, Fiat, Alfa specialist) and his number is: 0118 971 0281. Just mention that Louise Kennedy pointed you in his direction. I'd be interested in his quote myself!
Happy driving on the weekend!
Happy driving on the weekend!
John, I'm pleased that Keith was able to help - he's a good guy and we would be lost with his knowledge, enthusiasm and good prices!
Your description of the car does not match mine. First of all the Sat Nav - as far as I am aware all the 166's (well certainly the 2.5 and 3l) have a Sat Nav button. The 2.5 we test drove had the button but did not have Sat Nav. My understanding is that all 3l's came with Sat Nav as standard, but I stand to be corrected. My car also does not have wood - it has a rather nice titanium type colour inset, not tacky - as mine is a 2001 maybe they updated the interior?
I guess you just need to do some further research before you go any further re the spec of the car and the history. Did you get to test drive it? What did you think?
Your description of the car does not match mine. First of all the Sat Nav - as far as I am aware all the 166's (well certainly the 2.5 and 3l) have a Sat Nav button. The 2.5 we test drove had the button but did not have Sat Nav. My understanding is that all 3l's came with Sat Nav as standard, but I stand to be corrected. My car also does not have wood - it has a rather nice titanium type colour inset, not tacky - as mine is a 2001 maybe they updated the interior?
I guess you just need to do some further research before you go any further re the spec of the car and the history. Did you get to test drive it? What did you think?
I have just re-read your message. I can't remember how many miles you said the car had but I would be a little concerned re the worn out carpets and arm rest. My car has done 49K and the carpets are all immaculate (very little wear at all) and the arm rest is perfect.
I had an ex-press car Fiat Punto GT (turbo) a few years back and it was standard spec and the interior was perfect. Anyway, I'd just be a little careful re the mileage...
I had an ex-press car Fiat Punto GT (turbo) a few years back and it was standard spec and the interior was perfect. Anyway, I'd just be a little careful re the mileage...
Hi Ted - sorry that your run in the car was blighted by poor seating. Ours has electric memory seats and it has been a little difficult for my hubbie (who is almost 6 ft 3) to find a perfect position. He needs the car back about another inch and because he can't, he tips the seat slightly to get the steering wheel further away from his knees. Still, it doesn't stop him grinning when he gets out of the car when I let him have a drive!
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