The Cloverleaf V6 is a beast. Instant acceleration, it just goes... and goes some more! Very direct and precise steering. The TS is obviously a tamer affair, the engine feels and sounds harsher (but then really you shouldn't compare the 2). However it still has the alfa 164 spirit and can be coaxed along at a fair rate. Lovely cars, highly recommended.
Reviewing a 1996 model.
V6 cloverleaf & TS 2 litre
Owned for 2 years.
I have owned two of these fine beasties and not had reliability issues. What does sting is trying to find a apecialist in the North West or parts. A small inconvenience though, when weighed against the ability to drive a short distance and get a smile SO wide. Never gets lost among the Euro-boxes in the car parks, outhandles all but the most recent hot hatches (and most 3 series which have a severe lack of power or controlled damping) and makes THAT noise. Black is a swine to look after but looks truly, Mafia-grade EVIL whether parked or charging down an A-road.
Currently own an H-plate 164 Cloverleaf 12v, and am about to change this for an M-plate 24v model. The best car to drive or ride in I have experienced - only a BMW 5-series comes close
Dislikes: none, but this is not a car for the passive owner. Observe the following:
- find a good one - a dog will cost you dearly to repair (i know!) and is little fun, particularly if you experience a good one. The fewer owners the better - and do a decent check before you buy - plenty of web-based help available.
- Service/maintenance history way more important than mileage - the more detail the better - risky to buy without this
- it's worth the effort to find out a little about 164 mechanical/toy quirks, especially if you've never owned one. Expect them! (rare to get Honda-style total reliability no matter what)
- look after it! - find a decent Alfa specialist to take care of it - this will definitely help keep service costs down. There are plenty about, and they're worth it. Avoid main dealers (esp for the 164 as out of production and dealers have a definite preference for the current models)At the very least, find someone who knows something about italian cars - complete ignorance will cost!
- insurance - likely to be high, but no more so than for any other car of this class, and I'm a Londoner anyway so...
For this type of car, I doubt that there's better value for money to be had on the used market - a looked after one easily matches the German marques for performance and leaves them standing for sheer style. If you like your driving, I can't recommend the 164 highly enough.
Owned a 164 3.0litre 24v Super Lusso for about a year (Now sold it). I liked 210 bhp, electric seats, digital climate control, self adjusting rear view mirror and the badge. I didn't like economy, servicing and parts costs (don't ever take it to a AR dealer unless you want to take out a second mortgage)torque steer and a heavy clutch.
Owned for 1 year.
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