164QV to 166 24v?

On Thursday I went for a test drive in a 166 Sportronic 24v T reg Proteo Red 69k miles..... Its on Autotrader ... at the mo!
Zender body kit,.. no leather,.. just had a new mafm, as it was running rough!... paint good but not mint,... very smooth ride,.. CD multichanger in boot .. but .. a space above it as if it has had something removed? ... seemed nice and tight but did not set the world on fire!!! ???
I run a 164 24v QV everyday @ 207k miles ... a little tired now.. but more of a seat of the pants drive!.. the 166 is more a sporting Limo????
I took the black QV for MOT expecting it to fail.. and it passed today...which has though me, .. to be honest.... so will run it and keep for spares for my red 60k QV(below).
The difference between the 164 & 166 is quite astounding! one is hard the other soft?
It has got to be a V6 alfa .. next.. you all know why!
I have 3 more 166 to look at.. yet.. the one above I think needs a cambelt now?.. but has had 2 owners with FARSH. .. he wants £3700.. I think £3000 top???
But of the other 3 cars 2 are after 1st march 2001 .. so big bucks on VED in 2009.. galls me to pay Mr Darling money for something that has previously been planned for by someone else when they bought the car .. only to find the rules have changed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is there much of a difference between the Super 6 speed manual & the Sportronic??
Do you guys think that the bottom will drop out of the market for these cars after March 2001 cutoff?
I have not seen aother 164 on the road now for 9 months!!

Im a great fan of the 164, it is what made alfa for me! The passion inside of the car is amazing, its a car i can drive all day and love it to bits, and i just love the way the car looks, just looking at your pics makes me dribble............never the less, the 166 is one hell of a good car, I went for the 6speed manual, but to be honest id have an auto. You wont regret it. Buy the best one you can, 4k on a car isnt too bad really for a mint one, Im sure you can make it pay off!!!! Its not a car to sell on and make big money, and if you loose 4k in 4 years who cares!!!!

Originally Posted by rosso130

I have not seen aother 164 on the road now for 9 months!!

Then it's time for a meet up!!!

Mines had a few changes since you last saw her - transformed her nicely. eibach pro springs, eibach pro anti-roll bars, poly bushes, top adjustable shocks, ice cold A/C, brembo gran turismo 4 pot kit

I think the value will continue to fall with the price of fuel too. A 166 will be a desirable to many as a Austin 3l or a Vauxhall Cresta was post 1973 oil crisis. This is the point at which the lack of a diesel in the range comes in to play.

If its just passed the MOT, may be worth hanging on a bit and see what happens, (always a lull in August ) prices are not going to go up, unless its a low mileage pre 2001 and they will be rare IMO.

HTH

Thanks Mr Purple!... so if it was you .... run QV everyday... buy a 166 later? ...... so hard to find a guddun!
Hi Dex... will be posting for a meet ... soon .

I would be inclined to hold on for a bit. All large cars are going to be in for a bumpy ride I reckon, I cannot see the prices of especially 166s going up, so if the 164 QV still works, take a bit of time and aim to get a 166 eg Sept so there is a chance to sell the 164 as a winter project with some MOT on it.

As spring is the main time for the 2nd hand market may be worth holding on there may be some trade ins to be had, however against that, they are no longer made so the mileages are only going upwards and getting older.
Also it may take a while before you find the combination of colour/engine/spec/price etc, 3.0 in met black with cream leather seems to be top priced cars whereas a 2.5 auto seems to be less popular, but at bargain prices.

Happy hunting

forgot, the space above the CD player is where the optional satnav box lives. Often the car is listed by traders as having satnav because of the button on the dash, check if it really has by looking into the space you have found.

£3700 sounds a lot, even £3000 sounds alot if it needs belts, no leather. However a decent colour, miles not too bad and 17in wheels, the kit is a matter of taste and adds little value it appears. Is the car in Knowle? if so I first saw that for sale last year so may be willing to do a deal.

HTH

Well my exploration continues.. I have today driven a 166 24v Sportronic 63k on a 51 plate.... the difference between this car and the T reg Proteo Red car was .. quite substantial! .... T reg is errrr? asmatic .. while the 51 plate is very sharp & responsive,.. it does feel like a new car,.. while the other looks good but feels tired??
Proteo is showing 69k miles
51 shows 63k..
Carefull what I say now!! ... but can these digital units be .. shall we say altered to look different?
In manual.. the performance of the 51 was not to disimular than my QV,.. only much smoother.. a bit more wollowy.
Thanks all for the help.. will post a pic of this car.