What's this 164 worth?

[simon131]

I know it's not a 131 but at least it has numbers in the name and it's Italian

A mate of mine has offered me his father's 1991, J-reg Alfa 164 2.0 Twin Spark Lusso. It has a genuine 59,000 miles and MoT and Tax until June 09. It has pas, 4 x elec windows, ABS (although there's an intermittent fault on the system ) and drivers air bag. It also has a Full Service History - carried out on time rather than mileage, and has always been garaged. The only down side is that the car is green - not ideal for any car, but even worse on an Alfa - although the 155 1.8TS I had a few years ago was the same colour .

The chap has been offered next to nothing for it as a PX, but I have to admit to thinking that I didn't think it worth that much in any case. What do you guys think? How much do you think it's worth?

[Thotos]

I am very sorry to say that it's worth nothing. Whatever you decide to offer the owner (if you do) he should accept it and be thankful. The part exchange he was offered is probably worth nothing either as I am sure he could negotiate more money off the new car if he wasn't to part exchange the 164 for it.

According to Parker's guide, a 1997 P reg 164 2.0 TS Super Lusso 4d (the oldest 164 they give free valuation on their website) is worth ?350 in good condition!? ? 'Your' 1991 model does have low mileage for the year but it's a lot older and the ABS fault, which will be an MOT failure,? could cost hundreds of pounds to fix. So its value depends largely on the amount of fuel left in the tank!

[kev131]

I think Theo is right Si. 

I'm not saying that I am an expert of these cars and their values but someone on this forum recently was "given" a 2000 year 166... also co-incidentally in Green.

Some peeling paint on one front bumper corner (plastic) was the only apparent cosmetic blemish and apparently it was faultless to drive with some NCT (MOT) left.

Real shame... but that's reality I'm afraid. Anyone who buys a new 166 needs their head examined - Not sure if you still can since the 159 was launched..

Maybe the value is whatever fuel is left in the car, the tax disc and the CD in the ICE system!

[theredx19]

Yes I did get a fully loaded 166 with custom plates (extremely hard to get in Ireland) for free  but a 164 is a class car and is worth having as it is a real car none of this German or Jap rubbish and the abs fault is normally only ever a sensor on them  and as for the value sure what do the classic guides say a 131 is worth (clean sport around 2500 sterling) but is this true....

[mirafioriman]

I had a 164, they are a great car 

The twin spark is not as desireable as the 3 litre V6, however a low mileage car with history is a good buy. I also happen to think the 164 looks good in green 

I have seen good ones advertised for quite significant prices, but whether they actually sell is another matter! If it really is in good condition then I would say a price of between ?500 and ?1000 would be a good deal for a buyer and if I was advertising it I would be looking to put it up at about ?1500.

[markwilliams131]

i had quite a few 164 alfas inc 2 ? 3lit v6 ? blew the gearbox in both of the v6
but a lovely car you couldnt give them away but the other side is you dont ?see them
every day so could be a furture classic but at the minute id say 350 pounds would be its value

[bellamacchina]

In Holland a nice LHD twin spark goes for 1500-2000 euro's. 164's start to be loved in the Alfa clubscene. When the car is really that good, just try to have it for beermoney and keep it. Normal 131 are worth nothing for ages and still bring a little money and sooner or later almost every Alfa is accepted as a classic. And for the black sheeps Arna and Rio, you can call me 24hrs a day

Who wanna give me a 166 for free? ?Even RHD, without custom plate? Yes, I prefer azzuro nuvola or prugna, but even green is accepted

[simon131]

The seller is looking for about ?750 but according to his son he accepts that he'll probably have to take what someone (anyone!) offers him.

I've not yet seen the car for myself and plan to do so in the next couple of weeks. If it is as good as has been described (and I'm sure it will be) and I get it for the right price then you'll see it in 'The Showroom' in the near future

Thanks to all for your input. I'll keep you all posted.

[jasonh131]

i had one
 they are great cars ,  face lift 93 year 2.0 ts blue ,climate control? lovely and got rid after accident 5 years ago and got ?800,
 very solid car so try ?450- ?500

[simon131]

Going to see this 164 on Saturday, so wish me luck!

If I buy it or not I'll post some pics up here for all to see. Can't see me getting it for peanuts tho, but we'll see. If he wants it shifted then he may take a silly offer....let's hope so!

[theredx19]

It's a cheap is it worth fighting over a few pound and lossing the chance to own a nice car 

[simon131]

I went to see the 164 today but didn't buy it Unfortunately the seller wanted more than I thought the car was worth, which was a shame.

Having seen and driven the car I was happy with the way in which things worked although the windows and the sunroof were very slow in operation. Whilst the gauge showed good oil pressure, the warning light was on all the time and the ABS warning light came on after a few miles and didn't go off. The engine ran sweet however and the only sign of any leak was where oil has missed the filler during top ups

Bodily there was no rust although there are a few scuffs and dents, notably around the n/s/r wheel arch and n/s/f corner bumper.

Interior is mint. Hardly any wear and extremely comfortable.

I thought the ride was a bit soft and wollowy though, but perhaps that's because I'd just got out of a modern car with sports suspension. The only other downer was that the clutch had all of it's action in the top couple of inches of pedal movement so this will probably need replacing in the next 5k miles or so.

One previous owner, the current 80 year old owner having purchased the car in 1993. Under 59,000 miles with tax and MoT until the end of June 09. Looking for no less than ?500. Car located in Peacehaven, 6 miles from Brighton on the south coast of England.

Some pics to be going on with.

[simon131]

A couple more.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll pass on the seller's details.

[kev131]

A green Alfa? - I can't think of a more inappropriate colour..!

[simon131]

Yeah, it's a shame it's green otherwise I'm sure more people could be interested in it . Still, at the moment, it's a cheap run around for someone, provided they understand that if anything goes wrong with the car it's not worth repairing . I'm sure that like the 131, the 164 will eventually have a cult following, but like the 131 Sport, the 3.0 V6 164 will be more highly sought.