So what car would persaude you out of the 166? (Warming contains Non Alfas!)

How about one of these .. Maser Shamal !!

Oh, I thought this was a thread for what you really would buy to replace your 166's. I mean, it's not that far away, they don't make them any more!

Thats the sad thing about owning a 166. Its always in the back of your mind that alfa dont make them anymore . Its the best car ive owned and ive had a few! The 169 cant come soon enough.

From what i have read though, the 169 (or what ever it ends up being called) is more likely to be a large coupe style car, not an exec saloon. Prob be very expensive as well. The 166 could be the last of the fully loaded, all singing all dancing saloon bargains Alfa make. (although I really like the 159)

Yes, there is the 159 i suppose. You can get it with the 3.2 engine as well. I think its the only realistic replacement for me at the moment. 3 kids you see. They love the 166 and are all going to buy alfas when they grow up!

The 159 3.2 is the GM unit and 4wd though - I considered a Brera 3.2 which has same engine and drive train, reports on here of average 17 mpg. My local Alfa salesmam said go for the diesel - He was running a 3.2 Brera for a while, 19 mpg when he tried, 12mpg when having fun!

Mmm that sounds worse than the original alfa 3.2 unit! Your 166 TI must have returned better figures than that Dougie?

Yeah - My 3.2 Ti is averaging 28 to 30 on a run, 23 to 25 kicking about. I think it is the 4wd that does it on the 159/Brera - Over controlled and not much fun!

I find those figures for the new 3.2 unit shocking? Who is going to buy one of those in the current economic climate?

For the 3.2 Brera Alfa claims 33.6mpg extra urban (16.7 urban, 24.6 combined) - It would apear though that all manufacturers are overcooking their figures at present!

The Brera Diesel I am getting has a claimed 52.3mpg extra urban capability (41.5 combined), reports on here and via Alfa sales people is more like 30 to 35!

Maybe ill leave the new 3.2 then. Its a shame alfa dont offer a smaller V6 like the old 2.5 gem. I know they have a 2.2 but its a 4 cylinder.

I think it is the drivetrains fault - They should have offered a fwd (or rwd )option only, I am sure the figures would be better.

I think the diesel has option to be fwd or 4wd - I did read a thread mentioning a 4wd Brera diesel at 280G/KM or so for CO2 emissions while "my" fwd one is 179 so shows the difference!

I'm trying to hold on for the 169. If it is rear wheel drive and gets the V8 from the 8C, it would be heaven......except for the price, fuel cost, road tax, insurance, etc etc.

The closest in spirit at the moment has to be the Maser Quattroporte - Italian, gorgeous 4-door saloon with a great engine. It's just about the only thing that I would change the 166 for.

Just had a look on the maserati website. Cheapest Quattroporte they have in pre-owned stock is £35K for a 04 plate. Might have to wait a bit longer. 20K more my budget if they get that low!

Are'nt they 80-90K brand new. Thats mega depreciation!

Originally Posted by stephendjb

My current list of replacements for the Alfa as I could do with going to an estate next is an Audi RS4 or S4 or an E55/C36 AMG Merc. If I don't go for an estate it will be either a 3.2 166, a Toyota Aristo Mk2, BMW M5 (ducks), Audi S8 or Masser Quattroporte Evo though I don't think I'd dare keep that long, all cars pre Mar 2001 but as new as possible for obvious reasons & preferably running on gas before I buy it, though the right car at the right price I'd bite the bullet & pay to convert it myself.
But I won't be changing hopefully for another 2.5 to 3 years though

great choice of cars, i finally settled for an s6...way more reliable than the 166 haha, 4x4, i miss the precise steering the 166 had, but the s6 has a lot more to offer that compensates for that

Originally Posted by Chris141058

If we are allowed to suggest non-Italians how about a Vauxhall - well it has Vauxhall badge but is really the Aussi Holden.

I am of course refering to the Monaro or more recently the VXR - around 6 litres of V8 grunt in genuine 4 seater coupe and the prices are getting very reasonable - probably because of the high fuel prices!

Anyway her is one to look at:

Vauxhall : Vauxhall Monaro 5.7L V8 Wortec Sports Pac

Chris

that would be too much of a jump from the lazy 166

Originally Posted by Dougie166

For the 3.2 Brera Alfa claims 33.6mpg extra urban (16.7 urban, 24.6 combined) - It would apear though that all manufacturers are overcooking their figures at present!

I read a report recently about the 'real' figures and those which are quoted by the manufacturers. Some were actually over 50% out (guess which way ) and I have no idea how they can get away with that

The BMWs were within 10% of what were already very low figures for the power, though, so that was pretty impressive and backs up what the contract guys were saying about the engine technology there.

From what you've said about the Brera, Dougie, it's ludicrous to be allowed to quote a 24.6mpg average when, in reality, it's more like 15mpg. And it's not as if the engine is really that powerful, either!

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I find those figures for the new 3.2 unit shocking? Who is going to buy one of those in the current economic climate?

That's an easy one to answer MLC.


GIORDANO BROWN

Ive decided to stump them all.....If there is no U turn on the road tax then when it goes to £435 then lacey goes off the road..submit SORN then get she gets a replenishment fuel supply off of Pomeo and she sits in the drive and revs her little cotton socks off......Now hows that for combatting climate change GORDON.


If you really want to do something constructive about it sort out all the traffic jams and hold ups ie traffic lights which go to red against you when there is no other attendant traffic.


Pomeo

What would I replace mine with....Only time will tell.till then I roll the window down and shout at every passing car...." Hey you are driving the wrong car"


It's how I feel.

Interesting that we are all Maserati nuts as well as Alfa fools! And also interesting that no one has mentioned Ferrari. I think that our taste and preference is more individual and that we want something that not every one else has/wants. I've never liked Ferraris, always liked the smaller brands better, probably because I've liked that cars that no one else has/knows about. And then I owned a BMW528..? Haha, well, fantasy and reality are two different things...

Originally Posted by DavidP.

Interesting that we are all Maserati nuts as well as Alfa fools! And also interesting that no one has mentioned Ferrari. I think that our taste and preference is more individual and that we want something that not every one else has/wants. I've never liked Ferraris, always liked the smaller brands better, probably because I've liked that cars that no one else has/knows about. And then I owned a BMW528..? Haha, well, fantasy and reality are two different things...

Its because post 2000 Maseratis are the same perdigree as Ferrari but with lovly leather seats and fancy steros.

Ferraris are for going round a track very quickly, If that was of any interest to us we would own GTV's (bet if you posted there you would get Ferrari as an answer.

Maserati are simply more Alfa Romeo!