Alfa Romeo 164 T-Spark Lusso

When I wanted to buy a car. I was looking for a roomy car with good road handling, powerful but economic engine and good design.I tried different cars and every candidate car had some of features that I wanted, but none of these cars really offered all of them in one piece.A friend of mine that had in past Alfa 164 recommended me to add this car to list of candidates. The first thing that I liked in 164 is impressive design - this car is really a great looker. Also there are not much of them in our region, so having one means to be exclusive.Alfa 164 was released to the marked in 1987. It was first Alfa's executive car with front wheel drive. This car shares it's chassis with Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and Saab 9000.The body of 164 was designed by Pininfarina.Various engines are available, starting with 2 litre T.Spark and endind by V6 24V. Five and six speeds manual transmissions are available, also four speed automatic transmission is available too, but only for V6 versions.My car is from 93`, in this year this model had a facelift, including new headlights and other interior and exterior parts and features. It is equipped with 2 litre Twin Spark (also called TS and T.Spark) engine with 8 valves. This engine has two camshafts and develops almost 150hp.Only five speeds manual transmission is availabe with this engine.The engine is very flexible, it has a great sound, good response and it feels pleasent on all revolutions. By all means V6 are much more powerful, but TS engine feels very good and has higher resource than the V6.My engine made a high milage, but it still runs very smooth and develops a lot of power.The transmission is from German brand, it shifts very smooth, gear ratios are choosen correctly.It has very complicated electronics, on this age they may malfunction.Exterior parts are expensive and hard to find in our region, service is expensive.In my version there is climate control air conditioning, driver and front passenger can choose different temperatures and airflow.Saloon is preserved good for the age, seats are very comfortable, I found more comfortable seats only on Mercedes cars that are at least 5-8 times more expensive than my Alfa.The steering is very good, it is sharp and informative, road handling is superb, suspension is comfortable, but from time to time is a little hard.The car is drifting on sharp turns when the speed is too high, other cars on the same speed are passing such turns smoothly. Drifting is fun but a bit dangerous, so driver has to pay attention and reduce speed before the turn.Alfa 164 feels very good on the highway, it is a bit more difficult to maneuver with it in the town.I like everything in this car, great design and good dynamics - real Alfa Romeo.Also the car is surprisingly economic, it consumes the amount of fuel as family sedan with 1.6 engine and automatic transmission.For the summary I can say, that this Alfa is for a real Romeo. If you love it and prepared to spend money and time for service and care - this is a fantastic car.Exactly what I wanted, just didn't know how to name it.Now when my dream came trough, I have a name for it: Alfa Romeo.

Alfa Romeo -

I bought my first Alfa years ago to scare myself silly and it worked. Since then I have been driving various Beemers, a few Merc's, Jags and even a Boxster. Also had to suffer a Metro, a Rover 800 (not that bad, very comfy) and a Lancia Dedra (bits fell off every day!).

I thought it was time I go back to the only car that makes me enjoy driving, Alfa Romeo.

I now need a bigger, safer and more luxurious car so I chose a Alfa Romeo 164 T-Spark Lusso. The 2.0 litre is a better handler than my old 3.0v6, if not as scary fast or sonorous. I have since had it mildly modified however and it is now much quicker with an improved "singing voice". The comfort is beyond reproach, being just a little on the firm side rather than squidgy like a Merc or numb like a Beemer. Whilst the BMWs may turn in and hold a line better, their responses are a little antiseptic and flatter the average driver - hence their popularity. The Alfa requires attention and can scare the life out of even experienced drivers. A friend who is a race instructor spun it twice at Oulton Park !!!

Like I said, the handling feels responsive then it suddenly bites due to it's length, weight and front-wheel drive.

I have driven an Italian market 4 wheel drive model and it was superb!!! Easily out-handled a bmw 328 and posted faster lap times despite being heavier and on road tyres. The 2.0 was just as powerful as the BMW 328 !!! (German engines are ALWAYS under-tuned for reliability, although my BMW broke down constantly and cost a fortune.)

In summation, a fantastic car, great fun, but I dread the day something expensive goes wrong and I can't work out what it is....inevitable but worth it.