starting to search for a 166

[jay w]

Originally Posted by purple145

another one here, a little nearer home

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1999-ALFA-ROME...item2a048241c6

HTH

just round the corner from me, went and checked it out over the weekend....

did a quick check on the computerised MOT database, there is a lot more wrong with it than he mentioned, it has a sizeable fail list that included exhaust, rear suspension, discs, brake pipes and a few other things, i reckon you could easily sink a few hundred pounds just to get it back on the road....

Just to give you an idea how much the owner doesn't understand....

The car has done 136,706 miles, I'm not certain about the belt change but these have timing chaims not cam belts that last for 72,000 mile intervals, so I would be pretty certain that even without paperwork it has to have at minimum 10000 miles lift on it. I have only 1 key with the car unfortunately.

[ScottT1974]

Seen this one last night and my first impression was that it looked like a complete nail.

Save any more hassle and buy mine!

[K9d]

Originally Posted by ScottT1974

Seen this one last night and my first impression was that it looked like a complete nail.

Save any more hassle and buy mine!

It's a bit of a trek for you Jay, but I've seen this car and its very tidy.

[ScottT1974]

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. We did make a lovely pair that day!

How is the 146 going now - did you get the engine sorted after all the hassle? It brings home the old 'know who done your belt' adage. I have a receipt for my wives 147 belt being done last year by the previous owner but the more I think about it the more I worry about it and fancy getting it all done again.

[K9d]

Originally Posted by ScottT1974

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. We did make a lovely pair that day!

How is the 146 going now - did you get the engine sorted after all the hassle? It brings home the old 'know who done your belt' adage. I have a receipt for my wives 147 belt being done last year by the previous owner but the more I think about it the more I worry about it and fancy getting it all done again.

Yes we were a nice pair, there was one other 166 but I don't know whos it was and when I tried to speak to him he didn't seem very friendly.
You on the the otherhand were very friendly and the owner of my perfect (affordably) garage at the time, shame they will both be gone. Still like the Corrado and I'm sure I will get one at somepoint.

I think the 146 is a bit of a lemon and is currently off road and in the hands of our absent friend. With my experience in mind it would be worth getting the belt checked for dodgy workmanship or tell tale tippex marks , wish mine had no belt history and them it would have been straight to Smaky for new belts and the peace of mind that it had been done right.
Next time I buy a car I'll follow Jay's example and use my head not just my heart.

[ScottT1974]

Sorry to hear about the 146s ongoing probs. Unfortunately these things happen I guess.

Yeah, the Corrado - my wife was crying when the guy drove off in it but she is delighted with her 147. Much more modern car which suits her needs perfectly and it's easier for her to drive. You had to really drive the Corrado! I still reckon we sold it too cheaply considering it only had 87k miles on the clock and 3 owners(£1300). The guy who bought it didn't even drive it - paid me the advertised amount and headed off into the night!

[K9d]

£1300 does sound too cheap, looking on Autotrader at current prices , may be a while before I get one of those.
With the prospect of my wife being made redundant and then having to work further afield I may have to move over to the dark side and buy a diesel.

[n13roy]

Ther is one advertised here in our local paper, which sounds good:::

Silver
2.5 V6 Manual
6 Speed
25k
O2 Reg
Taxed till May
MOT till May......

£3,250 ono.....

I can't find it online, so have just put the basic details here for you......

I'll PM you the Tel number now.......

Good Luck.....

[klapanciusz]

that's the 4th up for sale in such a short time, surely you can pick the one you really like

[jay w]

Originally Posted by K9d

£1300 does sound too cheap, looking on Autotrader at current prices , may be a while before I get one of those.
With the prospect of my wife being made redundant and then having to work further afield I may have to move over to the dark side and buy a diesel.

Swap my 406 if you want.....

Actually i couldn't inflict that upon anyone....

As soon as i have a replacement car the 406 will be going up for sale though, it's not a bad car, its just when you are used to an Alfa my expectations of how a car should handle and feel are possibly not 'normal' and so disappointment is bound to happen.

Thanks for keeping your eyes peeled guys, i have not been on the ball so much over the last week or so as i have a big exam coming up and so the focus has been on that.....at the instruction of my wife once i have that out of the way then the search is on in earnest.
Roy, thanks for the the PM(s) i'll give him a call and have a chat

Originally Posted by K9D

It's a bit of a trek for you Jay, but I've seen this car and its very tidy.

K9, trust me mate if the right car comes up and its the other end of the country that wouldn't put me off, i am yet to buy and Alfa that didn't have a 'purchase roadtrip' attached to it

[K9d]

Originally Posted by jay w

Swap my 406 if you want.....


:

It's the 146 that will be going, not my 166 I genuinely can't see me ever selling her, other cars will come and go but as long as I have the money to keep her running the 166 stays.

[ScottT1974]

Originally Posted by K9d

It's the 146 that will be going, not my 166 I genuinely can't see me ever selling her, other cars will come and go but as long as I have the money to keep her running the 166 stays.

This should probably be the attitude I adopt regarding my 166. We'll see. If I can get the satnav and DSP in over the next couple of weeks she may be going nowhere!

[K9d]

Originally Posted by ScottT1974

This should probably be the attitude I adopt regarding my 166. We'll see. If I can get the satnav and DSP in over the next couple of weeks she may be going nowhere!

Would love to get satnav for mine.
I have plans to bring her back to full glory, starting with stainless steel exhaust, need a backbox for MOT, clean up and possibly paint rocker covers and at some point a full respray.
Now all I need is some money

[alfa156156]

02 plate 166 2.0 sat nav leathers on autotrader 495,cambelt snapped !

[Barmybob]

We bought our 166 for an Italian road trip in 2004, best car for the job and I loved it so much I still have it

Having looked through this thread, and followed the links to the 166's for sale, it has made me realise just how good my car is! I often feel that my 166 is worth next to nothing but there are some absolute wrecks out there

Mine is not for sale but I feel so much better about owning it now

[evo_number_one]

Hello Bob

I'm still looking for a 166 to put my spare FCCUK sticker on the rear window

Don't need you on here rubbing it how much yours is a good un


Bob

[Barmybob]

Well I had it serviced yesteday and one of the mechanics came out for a chat. He was happy to tell me that it is one of the nicest 166's he has worked on. Now either my car is nice or he has only ever worked on one or two others, that were both pigs.

Bob, I am sure if you really wanted to swap your fantastic LE I could be tempted to let the 166 go for part ex

Bob

[purple145]

new today

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-Alfa-Rome...item1e5a5d3a98

seems pretty good IMO

and has DSP when it works

seems to have a bit of money spent, which of course begs the question why sell

[Barmybob]

One Here

[shinymetalass]

What should i be looking out for when buying a 166 then, and how realistic am i being with my budget?[/QUOTE]

Look no further,i am always thinking about selling my cherished 166 3.0 (GTA WANTED) even though it took about 9 months to find it.The car has been religiously maintained with all service history and documentation/MOTs.Gauranteed under 70k.Belts/tensioners/water pump done 5000 miles ago,all discs/pads replaced,fitted with MAK racing italian 18" alloys which will have a set of new tyres on this week.Usual high spec inc dsp and finished in pearlescent paint.This car is immaculate throughout but is slightly more coins than £1500.

[ScottT1974]

I'm withdrawing mine from the market - too many 166s for sale just now!

[K9d]

Originally Posted by ScottT1974

I'm withdrawing mine from the market - too many 166s for sale just now!

Good idea, you will only regret it if you sell her.

[jay w]

i am withdrawing my search currently......

I have chased after a couple of 166's now, thought i had struck a deal and then the sales for one reason or another have fallen apart...

The Pug is still for sale though, if you know anyone who wants a nice 406 HDi for £1100 let me know.

Once i have my badge i can am then allowed to go looking again, and also i will be able to add some more money to the already dwindling pot of funds.

I have come to the conclusion that ideally i need about 3K in order to find what i am looking for....

So when the search resumes i will be looking for
Low milage Pre FL Black, 3.0 super with DPS and xenons, cream leather, sunroof, white dials and horseshoe or TI alloys.....
Zender Kit would be nice

Very specific i know, but having seen a few 166's yesterday i have seen what i would like

[K9d]

Oooh ! Does that mean we can't swap now

[alfa156156]

I know u stopped lookin but theres a alfa in the classifieds on here for 450..has 6months tax.2.5litre in dark blue.