My 166 For Sale! :(

[imy]

Hi All,

Unfortunately the time has come for me to sell my 166. I really really dont want to, however I am now driving to work, as well as doing the school run in the morning this has meant that this is now my daily runner. And at 1.40 a litre I cannot afford to run her so im looking for something more sensible.

Info as follows:

2.5 sporto
2000 X reg
Black
Black electric leather seats
ICS works as it should, I have all the relevent codes etc
I have 5 keys, 2 keys with fob, and 3 others which i think are servicing/valet keys.
Milage is approx 89,600
New Battery last month
6 disc multi changer
MOT until December
Il leave the remainder of the tax on at the buyers expense

The car has a full and comprehensive service history. Last summer, as some of you may or may not know, I had all the belts change, heads skimmed, new head gaskets, new water pump and a few other bits and pieces which i cant recall off the top of my head, this totalled at over £1500.

Always topped up with oil, and mechanically is on point.
Iv had it cared for by Massimo and Tony and AlfaMania in West London who have done a top job with her. I took it to Massimo to give it the once over this morning (12/03/2012) and he said it was sounding as it should. I had all the fluids topped up also (engine oil, power steering fluid, water)

The Sporto works as it should, no leaks, no funny gear changes.


There are a few things wrong with it:

The rear drivers side door does not lock with the central locking, however all the other locks work fine.
The indicator stalks do not like self cancelling
I dont think the cruise control works. Iv never used it but the one time I did try, it didnt respond.
The seat behind the passenger is slightly indented in the leather, this is where my boy's child seat has sat.
The climate control keeps saying to "contact the workshop" although i never bothered as it normally works ok.

The paint isnt in the best of condition. I took through an Esso car wash on a friday night on the way to a night out in the city. Unfortunately it caused swirl marks on the bonnet. The marks arent scratches as such and would probably come off with the right product.

If anyone is interested or knows of anyone who is then give me a shout.

I will be putting it up in the classifieds as I know the majority of you guys already drive 166's!!! but i had a spare 5 mins at work so i thought id stick it on here first

There are some pics of when i detailed it previously floating around on the forum , but i will put more recent pics up in the classifieds.

£1300, car is in NW London

NB: 16" pepperpots, no sat nav or dsp.

07976127800 Imran

Thanks all!

[mocky166]

Originally Posted by imy

Hi All,

Unfortunately the time has come for me to sell my 166. I really really dont want to, however I am now driving to work,

Sorry to hear you have got to let the 166 go,have to say that if i had to do the daily commute in mine could well be in the same situation.Lucky that i have a work van supplied and fuel.

[imy]

I know, I am absolutely gutted! I was still in two minds about it today... Until I went to pick my son up after work and trip computer said 15mpg!

[mocky166]

Originally Posted by imy

I know, I am absolutely gutted! I was still in two minds about it today... Until I went to pick my son up after work and trip computer said 15mpg!

That is painful!

Been doing quite a lot of town driving myself lately, trip reading 24mpg,i wont moan so much!

[imy]

Just a quick bump.

The only place iv listed the car so far is on this forum, but in all of the members experts opinion, is £1300 too much too high?

The car is only ever worth what the seller wants and what the buyer is prepared to pay, but since there doesn't seem to be any consistency when pricing 166's I am stumped!


Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

[Pomeo]

what can I say IMY.

Guess there's no point in punting Pomeo or Lacey wie the sudden glut of 166's in the open market.Because 2 time nuthin is still nuttin.

Pomeo

[alexGS]

Originally Posted by imy

Just a quick bump.

The only place iv listed the car so far is on this forum, but in all of the members experts opinion, is £1300 too much too high?

The problem is that you're trying to sell to enthusiasts - who expect to pick up a 166 for £500 and then promptly spend £1500 on it getting it up to the standard of yours

I think you'll need to target a section of the market who doesn't know or care about Alfa Romeos - the sort of people who would buy a BMW 5-series or Range Rover - perhaps you'll reach them by placing an ad with colour photo outside your local supermarket, pub, or golf club (!) Think of everyone you know who's ever admired your 166 - then get them to tell their friends. Keep the ad simple (don't mention work done!) and allow test drives. It's basically a case of selling the dream, rather than boring people (who hardly know what a head gasket is) with the reality.

-Alex

[a17esh]

Plus it won't sell without 17s....

Get 17s on it, polish it up and get it on piston heads :-) it will **** for 1700 easy.

[a17esh]

Shift*

[Pomeo]

Originally Posted by a17esh

Shift*

Yup,It's hard to bypass those smelling chequers

Pomeo

[disgusted]

This is sad.

High running costs and the heavy hand of government mean that soon most thirsty beasts will be forced from the road.

Only the very wealthy will be able to afford to run them as everyday cars & they won't be interested in 166s.

That leaves a few of us who might continue to use them as occasional/toy vehicles. Even that will become harder to justify.


ho hum...

[Pomeo]

Originally Posted by disgusted

This is sad.

High running costs and the heavy hand of government mean that soon most thirsty beasts will be forced from the road.

Only the very wealthy will be able to afford to run them as everyday cars & they won't be interested in 166s.

That leaves a few of us who might continue to use them as occasional/toy vehicles. Even that will become harder to justify.


ho hum...

Like Tina Turner and everything else in life There are exceptions to every rule. NB Usual E&OE applies.

Pomeo

[alexGS]

Originally Posted by disgusted

This is sad.

High running costs and the heavy hand of government mean that soon most thirsty beasts will be forced from the road.

Only the very wealthy will be able to afford to run them as everyday cars & they won't be interested in 166s.

That leaves a few of us who might continue to use them as occasional/toy vehicles. Even that will become harder to justify.


ho hum...

True, but it doesn't seem to stop people buying 5-series BMWs or petrol V8 Range Rovers, and I'm pretty certain the 166 will have quite good fuel economy compared to those. Heck at least I used to get 32mpg on a trip, there must be worse cars than that out there... and when you're buying the car for pocket money, one must expect to spend something on maintenance. I still believe it costs less than buying a FIAT 500 on finance. Don't ask how I know that...

-Alex

[imy]

Well I have been after a set of 17's for a while now, either I've been too slow or they look absolutely sht. I'm in a situation where I don't want to spend any more on the car purely because I just need to get rid of it. I'm doing alot more mileage now and it's sitting at 91.5k at the moment. I really don't want to keep putting the mileage on as it shortens the life of the car especially as I am in rush hour traffic.

I'd rather it went to an enthusiast than someone who doesn't know anything about it because I'd want it to continue going fr as long as possible. This is why I forked the big bill last ur instead of scrapping, it has a full service history and really is in good nick. Iv seen so many on cheaper but with part or no history and high miles!

I'm worried that it it doesn't go to an enthusiast some one will run it for x amount of time and then scrap it!

[Mufasa]

Originally Posted by imy

Well I have been after a set of 17's for a while now, either I've been too slow or they look absolutely sht. I'm in a situation where I don't want to spend any more on the car purely because I just need to get rid of it. I'm doing alot more mileage now and it's sitting at 91.5k at the moment. I really don't want to keep putting the mileage on as it shortens the life of the car especially as I am in rush hour traffic.

I'd rather it went to an enthusiast than someone who doesn't know anything about it because I'd want it to continue going fr as long as possible. This is why I forked the big bill last ur instead of scrapping, it has a full service history and really is in good nick. Iv seen so many on cheaper but with part or no history and high miles!

I'm worried that it it doesn't go to an enthusiast some one will run it for x amount of time and then scrap it!

This is the major danger with these babies now.
Buy it for £1000 or so and drive it till it collapses rather than changing timing belt etc because it's not 'economic' to do so.
Rather than look at resale value, I prefer to think of replacement value.
If you have a good example and you enjoy driving/owning it why be so hung up on the resale value?
Rant over...

[Johnniek]

Just to add... and to pick up an old thread....

I used rh of brentwood to insure my 166 recently (its garaged and a third car...) and it was an absolute bargain if you have a 166 (not as your primary car and locked away).. Insurance went from £700 to £230.. They will also do an agreed value if you have info from an independent Alfa garage (Veloces anyone???)

So.... perhaps you can afford to have a 166 as a play thing.. FYI my 166 is a 2001 model and now considered a classic!!

Original thread below..

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...eed-value.html

[biglula]

I'm buying a 166 tomorrow and I feel really apprehensive. I've done all the checks as best I can; what to look out for etc. But I'm still apprehensive. It's a black 2.5 v6 on a 2000 plate with the auto box. 108000 on the clock - panicking now. Do i hand over my dosh?

Please help and I'm so sorry for your loss my friend but I'm buying and I feel equally as sad.

[Duncan166]

Couldn't agree more, these cars do seem to be especially low in price - but so are many other large cars unfortunately.

Made no economical sense to buy my 166, and have so far spent loads on it, but that's part of the fun and reason I bought it.

Originally Posted by Mufasa

This is the major danger with these babies now.
Buy it for £1000 or so and drive it till it collapses rather than changing timing belt etc because it's not 'economic' to do so.
Rather than look at resale value, I prefer to think of replacement value.
If you have a good example and you enjoy driving/owning it why be so hung up on the resale value?
Rant over...

[imy]

Looks like I opened a can of worms!

Big lula, come buy mine! No apprehensions, FSH, black and 91k! Win win situation!

I think buying a 166 really depends on what it is for. As a daily driver the TS is probably better suited however the note of the v6 never fails to put a smile on my face! Even my 2yr old enjoys the notes...

If I wasn't driving daily I'd have kept it without a doubt and that was the plan when I had all the work done last yr, but situations do change and unfortunately for me it is what it is!

[puntodan]

I picked up my 166 earlier this year for very little money had loads done and needs a few little bits but nothing major. I bought it because I had moved away from the 166 and nothing compared to it, I had a volvo s40 t4, yes it was quicker than the 166, but it wasn't as comfy, didn't have the same feel to it and would never park it up and keep looking back at it like i do with the 166!

I think if you can keep hold of it and use it as a weekend car with a classic policy like has been suggested as you are too attached to it like we all are to our cars. Mine is currently a daily driver but once a garage is sorted will be taken off that duty and just enjoyed on day trips out too strecth it's legs!

[imy]

Dan if I could I would, however running costs on 2 cars wouldn't be possible, especially as the mrs will be driving soon and that would mean another car! I couldn't have a weekend car! I would just want to drive it all the time...

[biglula]

Bought my 166 - Alfa Romeo*166*V6 24V Sportronic for Sale - Coopers Car Sales | Caerphilly | Gwent


Drove it from the middle of wales all the way back home in Brum. Feel sick to my stomach. I checked everything there. Mechanically it seemed ok. And indeed it's got me home. Just some niggles on the way home. Thunderstorms all the way home and the wipers decided to work when they wanted. Passenger wing mirror stopped working. It's a lot of car for not much money - £900 - but I still feel cheated.

The autobox works fine so far.


Need some reassurance and how do I get the wiper problem fixed and the wing mirror sorted. I noticed on the service history that entire dashboard had to be removed for electrical work. I should have known something was up.

[ScottT1974]

I wouldn't panic about it - much worse things could happen to your 166! Seriously though, I'm not trying to state the obvious but if you were worried about the dash out work in the service history then why did you buy it, or did you not check the service history until you got home? If you bought from a garage give them a call tomorrow morning, tell them what's happened and that you are going to take it to an auto electrician to fix the problem and send them the bill. I think you have a right to do this (I did this a few years ago with an A6 when the window regulator packed in two weeks after I bought it and they stumped up to pay for it).

[purple145]

Hi

has the car got rain sensing wipers? there will be a black box up stuck to the screen behind the mirror, I think it can be over-ridden, but not having the feature myself I am not too sure.

What's up with the mirror? the good news if it needs a new one is Clarks Alfa breakers in Oldbury have a 166 just in, an easy swap.

HTH

[biglula]

Originally Posted by purple145

Hi

has the car got rain sensing wipers? there will be a black box up stuck to the screen behind the mirror, I think it can be over-ridden, but not having the feature myself I am not too sure.

What's up with the mirror? the good news if it needs a new one is Clarks Alfa breakers in Oldbury have a 166 just in, an easy swap.

HTH

Top info. May thanks I will chase 'em up. It has rain sensing wipers. The dashboard was taken out and fiddled with about 3 years ago. I naturally assumed the problem would have been resolved by now.