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View Full Version : It didn't work out with the Fiero, on to a new object of Desire



LANCER#319
03-23-2008, 05:47 PM
Since it did not work out with the 1984 Fiero pace car, I have come up with a new deal to pursue. That is a 1991 Alfa Romeo 164S.

For those that do not know, the 164S is loaded with a ton of executive level equipment like Automatic climate control, heated seats both front and rear, power everything, ABS, Recaro seats, and electronic damping suspension. The S model only came in 5 speed form with red stitching on the doors and leather insturment panel. The best of all is the sweet 24V V6 engine. It is the star of the whole show.

At 3.0Liters of naturally aspirated fury it produced a respectable 211HP and 200 Lb-Ft of torque. 0-60 came in 8 seconds and top speed was a respectable 150MPH. This car was not meant to be a drag car nor a autocross car. It was meant to be a freeway cruiser.

Anyhow, I came across one for sale that has been tweaked a bit to a even more respectable 250HP. It has also been highly maintained by the guys local Ferrari mechanic and he even is planning to freshen it up for me if it sells. This is not the only Alfa that he owns. He owns numerous examples of Alfas throughout the history of the marque so he is an enthusiast. He does want top dollar for this car though which is reflective of the condition his car is in.

Anyhow, what do you think? Do you like it or not? I think it would be a good compliment to the SL.

Not the car I am looking at but it is the same from a looks perspective:
http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p02.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p05.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p07.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p08.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p09.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p10.jpg

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/cars/164s/images/p03.jpg

I forgot it was designed by Pininfarina right after they completed the Ferrari Testarossa design so it has some design cues from the Ferrari.

It was also based on the same chassis that underpinned the SAAB 9000, Lancia Thema, and Fiat Croma. However in later years the 164 offered AWD whereas the others did not.

raccoon
03-23-2008, 05:51 PM
damn thats clean.
why did alfa give up on north america again?

LANCER#319
03-23-2008, 06:02 PM
They are coming back I think in 2009 or 2010. The new Brera is just stunning. I miss them being around the states.

The 164 is one of my all time favorites and I have been lusting over the S model for many years. Since the Fiero is a memory, it is time to get serious about buying a 164S.

Its closest competition I would say is a Ford Taurus SHO and my SL. The performance is similar but the SL and Taurus would be just a tick slower then the Alfa. Not by much though.

Oh and the reason why they left.....Fiat had a failed JV with Chrysler that meant Fiat would have to market the Alfa all on its own. With sales in the US at a whopping 1000 cars sold in 1991, FIAT bleeding cash at an alarming rate, and the poor reliability reputation that was caused by the Spider it was impossible for FIAT to recover the marque in a profitable manner. It was better to leave and live to fight another day. That day is now coming with a whole new line up of stunning vehicles that people in almost every other country has had for a couple of years now.

nBALLS
03-23-2008, 07:57 PM
Nice! I've always liked those. Much better choice than the Fiero. :thumb:

Bardo
03-23-2008, 08:17 PM
Nice! I've always liked those. Much better choice than the Fiero. :thumb:
:thumb:+1

karlak
03-23-2008, 09:17 PM
Nice! I've always liked those. Much better choice than the Fiero. :thumb:

Untill you need parts.......... :(

But a sweet ride none the less......... :love:

t3rse
03-23-2008, 09:28 PM
It's a very good looking car. If that is what you are after it'll be very uncommon for sure.

I've decided my next ride will NOT be fwd....

Birddog
03-23-2008, 11:15 PM
I've decided my next ride will NOT be fwd....

I'm starting to lean that way too!:thumb:


I like the Alfas. 164 had nice lines and looked better than most of the high end imports of the time. The one in that pic is SWEET!!

nBALLS
03-23-2008, 11:20 PM
It's a very good looking car. If that is what you are after it'll be very uncommon for sure.

I've decided my next ride will NOT be fwd....

AWD or RWD?

Turbodave
03-23-2008, 11:48 PM
I went to school with a guy that had an Alpha 164, I think his was an L model, looked like the one in the pics, but without the big rims and ground effects and it was an auto. I rode around in that car a bunch, it was nice, not super fast, but a comfy cruiser. That dash brings back memories.

TurboSedan
03-24-2008, 04:25 AM
i like it, but i think i'd take a Saab 9000 Aero with its 225hp 2.3L Turbo over the Alpha 164S.

--------------------------
Joshua Mitchell
'91 Dodge SPiRiT R/T
'98 Buick Regal GS

TurbododgePirate
03-24-2008, 02:25 PM
My saab has a 3.0L turbo V6. Respectable (Killed a G6 the other day) Mine is a 01 9-5 but looks like a similar platform.

nBALLS
03-24-2008, 03:22 PM
The 9-5 is the same platform. I had an '86 9000, then I sat in a 9-5, at the time it was an almost 20 year newer car, I felt like I was sitting in my 9000. http://smiliesftw.com/x/laugh.gif

skitzo_inc
03-24-2008, 04:49 PM
Good looking car for sure, my friend here wants to buy an older one (two seater convertible) and I talked him out of it. He thinks finding parts for his Acura Lengend is hard...try Alfa

RoadWarrior222
03-27-2008, 05:44 PM
Back in the day, in the UK, there were always people selling "Mint like new condition" 5 to 7 year old Alfas, with two to three thousand miles on... because that's all the mileage and use they got out of them in 5 years between the periods of 2-6 weeks it would be sitting in the shop awaiting repairs and parts.

LANCER#319
03-29-2008, 07:55 PM
Back in the day, in the UK, there were always people selling "Mint like new condition" 5 to 7 year old Alfas, with two to three thousand miles on... because that's all the mileage and use they got out of them in 5 years between the periods of 2-6 weeks it would be sitting in the shop awaiting repairs and parts.

Reminds me of the Gumball Rallye movie where the guy in the Jag is sitting at the starting line trying to get it to start. Good times.

I think the 164 was the start of Alfa transitioning into a decent car company. They are still finicky but not so bad. It is rare to see a low mileage example.

j4278h
03-29-2008, 09:01 PM
here is an 88 fiero for sale

http://lansing.craigslist.org/car/623165367.html

skitzo_inc
03-29-2008, 09:06 PM
thats a super clean fiero! I wish my dad wouldn't of sold his...

TopDollar69
03-30-2008, 02:41 PM
What kind of wheels are on that 164?