164 v 33 v 75

[Neil Choi]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a SAAB!!!!!!

If you have a 9000 then the 164 is the same front suspension in a sort of a way, this has been discussed elsewhere!!!!!!

Beware of the 164 turning circle, it takes at least 3.5 lanes to do a U-turn, high chance of getting T-boned, so not ideal for the wife.

Food for thought.

My choice 75 either TS (for the handling) or 3L (for the sound)

Neil

[tony8028]

i have a saab 9000....yes it drives well, handles well, but its gutless ( 2.3 auto ) and EVERY POSSIBLE piece of electrics has broken on it !
The interior trim quality is far worse than Alfas....the door handles come off in your hand....bits of trip rattle loose when going over speed humps....

But yes, its reliable to a fault, which is probably the most surprising thing about owning it.

[tony8028]

the added hassle of changing from vic rego to nsw rego would probably be the main problem there...

I appreciate the reply though.....

[dehne]

changing rego is the same as you do every year up there rwc and green slip

Paul- spinning the wheels in no prob hanging the back out is easy (handbrake)
reverse donuts is where its at

[pep105]

Tony,
As your considering the white 33 16V, maybe we should get Frank Musco the Sud/Sprint/33 specialist to chime in to give you some feedback as he currently has one.

Cheers

Pep

[Frank Musco]

Tony,
I do have a white 33 16V so I'll try not to be too biased. I have driven all three on the road, here is what I think.

Firstly I want to go back to the earlier 85 Ti 33's with the 1500 twin carb motors. These are a great car to drive with heaps of character, good looks, and a crisp, responsive, punchy engine. Then they came out with the 1700 8V solid lifter engine with 40 idf downdraft carbies and vented rotor front brakes. This version is very fast and is my pick of the 33 series in the go department. I still cant get over how fast this car is, then the grouse sound the boxer makes under acceleration, and if thats not enough, the crackle on the over-run, yeah baby!
Then Alfa refined the 33, and we have the 16v version. The engine is very smooth, and the most powerful, though delivery is more 'Linear', so feels less punchy when compared to the 1700 8V solid lifter engine. I like the power steering and the driving position is very good for me. The gear change is also improved and in my opinion is the best shift in any car I have ever driven. You sit lower in the car than the 75 and 164. Does make it more difficult to see out the back compared to the 75 and 164. But who looks out the back? This is the best looking 33 in my opinion.

The 164 is just a big 33. It has more power, and feels firmer and stable on the road due to being longer, wider and heavier than a 33. But the extra weight makes it less nimble when compared to the 33's, which equals less fun. I don't like the higher driving position, but my dad does, know what I mean...with the big seat and foot pedals...like in a BUS!
Does look nice, but not as nice as the 33.

This is where it gets very difficult.

Pep and Paul are on the right track with relevant points in favour of the 75TS. A fantastic car. A traditional Alfa with the transaxle in the correct position, making this the best balanced of the three with respect to weight distribution. Also a beautiful looking car.
I must admit, I love hanging it sideways, bloody rear wheel drive cars, some habits are hard to get rid of.

A/C shouldn't be a problem, depends on who is servicing the system.

At the end of the day I will always go for the 16V 33's for a daily driver. I just love the way they drive, light, nimble and punchy. They have the best gear shift, light and positive, with a light clutch pedal. The lower driving position gives me better feel for the road. Excellent fuel economy. Great value for money, you'll get an excellent example for the money you want to spend, and with everything working. There you have it.


I feel a Top Gear Challenge coming on.

Dehne, you found that country mile yet?
As if a 164 would beat a 33 or 75 in a race, der! Not even Calder Park which would give it the best chance, since its two long straights joined by two corners, Oh yeah and the 33 and 75 stuck in 3rd gear.

Challenge:  3 standard cars on road tyres at Phillip Island. I say the 33 16V wins.

Cheers
Frank

[tony8028]

Frank, thanks ! I enjoyed reading your post..

My first 33 was an 88, 33ti (twin carb) and when I first drove it i said to the guy "i think there might be something wrong with it as there is a crackling sound coming from underneath!" Of course this would be a sound that I would fall in love with and I still wish I could hear it !!

That car friggin flew ! the lack of powersteering added to the go-cart feel that i actually enjoyed !

My real concern on the 33 is the a/c and lack of airflow. the ONLY vents for a/c are the small opening each side of the dash....the centre ones only bring in fresh (ie HOT) air. Plus, if you have a sunroof, that becomes a heat-plate just to add to the impossible task of keeping these cars cool in summer.

[dehne]

just so you all know im talking about a 164Q manual not auto if you go through the factory stats the 164 Q will eat and then shit out then eat again the 33's and the 75 twini the 2.5 v6 but the 3ltr potenza im not sure on it has the same motor but gearbox are different and not sure on ratios + 75 lighter

[Sheldon McIntosh]

the 164 Q will eat and then shit out then eat again the 33's and the 75 twini the 2.5 v6

So what you're saying is that the 164Q eats shit?

Challenge:  3 standard cars on road tyres at Phillip Island. I say the 33 16V wins.

Big call Frank.  I haven't driven a 33 16V, but would love to if you think they're that quick.  I would put my money on the Twinnie, but only guessing, not having driven either of the other two.

[dehne]

So what you're saying is that the 164Q eats shit?

are you then saying that the 75's and 33's shit then

[Sheldon McIntosh]

are you then saying that the 75's and 33's shit then

No, actually I'm not.  Read your own post again.  Maybe read it twice.  I believe you are saying the 75 and 33s are shite.  And that the 164Q eats shite.

[Jekyll and Hyde]

Challenge:  3 standard cars on road tyres at Phillip Island. I say the 33 16V wins.

Cheers
Frank

I want a video camera on the face of the 164 driver so I can see their eyes coming into Honda and MG......

[dehne]

i was meant to quote you and then try and get you then to agree that the 164Q is better but it did not happen that way

[Sheldon McIntosh]

i was meant to quote you and then try and get you then to agree that the 164Q is better but it did not happen that way

Hehe, fair enough.  164Q is a beautiful car, no doubt about it.  Jekyll and Hyde, that's very funny and very true.  I was actually going to say, before you posted that, that if the race was only one lap, then maybe the 164 would have a chance, but any more laps than one, forget about it.

[pep105]

  - Thats All