Buying a 164

[alexgeorge164]

Hi, I am 17 and have long been looking at purchasing a 164.
I Have now found a 1993 3.0 24 valve V6 model with just over 120000 km's.
The service history is in good order and the car is in great condition.
My grandfather had his 12 valve 164 until 2009 when it was involved in a terrible accident, which is unfortunate as it used to be treat to fang along the freeway and listen to the v6 engine roar. He clocked just over 300000 km's on the car and looked after it like a daughter.
He is now getting older and I am keen to purchase a 164 and clean it up a little to give to him for his 75th birthday and was just wondering if all 164's are as reliable as his 12 valve, or did he just get lucky?

[Joe Garra]

My Q is on 230,000 and still going strong

[Cool Jesus]

That's a nice gesture for your pop. If your not in a hurry there's every chance that you çould pick one up for free as I did. Your granddads 164 gave him trouble free running simply because he cared for it as you said. This says a lot about Alfas with a service history, the unfortunate thing could be that many don't keep their self servicing records, so as a buyer you can't rely on someone's word. So what $$$ do you have as a budget?
There's a few points to keep in mind too
Is pop still able to work on the Alfa
Can he afford any initial servicing needs

You should be able to find a well sorted 164 under $6000, but I haven't looked for some time and I feel I may be over pricing the market.

To minimise after sale costs, service history is key. Failing that you negotiate the price down to accommodate any later issues that need attention.
There's another young bloke on here (V AR164 I think) that's picked up two or three in as many weeks, he seems to be having a blast in tidying up his 164s too and on a budget at that.

Good luck and search the for sale threads here and elsewhere, if it doesn't say gone or sold send the original poster a message to see if it's still available. There also the car sale, fleabay and glumtree to peruse and don't forget the car auctions

[Cool Jesus]

Just reread your post mate, what's the asking price of the 164 you've found?
Sounds like a good start for your pop, particularly as he knows his way around this model.

[Cool Jesus]

Holy chit batman I certainly did over price the 164 market, they are virtually being given away around the one grand mark

[four90s]

Indeed. I've bought two here in SA late last year and I paid $210 for one and $200 for the other. Needed a bit of work of course, but both now going.

Just need to replace the steering rack in one of them, but the other one is my daily at the moment.

Great bang for your buck.

Steve
Adelaide.

[V AR 164]

Yes they certainly are a great car! CJ, 6K would probably buy you 5 decent 164's! I picked up my other one for $800 with no real problems. In saying that, I wouldn't spend more than $2000 on one. Unless it is perfectly straight.

Haven't come across a 24v but they are pretty much the same engine, as mentioned, if we'll looked after they are very reliable. However, I believe the timing belt for the 24v is more difficult to replace than the 12v, so I would make sure it has been done recently.
Also watch out if it has a leather interior, make sure it has been cared for and the seats are not hard or cracked.
The paint on these cars generally fade on the roof aswell.


PS: if you don't own a car yet, better start looking for 2 164's, one for your pop, one for you, I guarentee you will love it 

Andrew.

[V AR 164]

Did you end up purchasing it?
If so how's it going?

Andrew.