As Americans wait with baited breath for the return of Alfa Romeo to this market, let's take a look back at one of the very last new Alfa Romeos, besides the ultra limited 8C Competizione, to grace these shores: the 164. With very few sales in its final year in the US market, these cars were not cross shopped by your typical Lexus or Mercedes-Benz customer. Only hardcore enthusiasts needed to apply. Two versions of the 164 were available in its final year; the Quadrofoglio and the LS version, as we see here. The LS was the luxury model of the pair, but equipped with a 5-speed manual such as our feature car, it still made for an involved driving experience. This 164LS for sale in Miami has a low 85,000 miles on the clock and looks the business in black.
1995 Alfa Romeo 164LS
Black on Black 95 LS with 85,000 miles. Asking $4,000. I have had this car since 2004 and all work has been done at Auto Veloce in Miami. The car runs great, its fast and I wouldn't hesitate driving it cross country.
The good:
- The engine is strong with and the car runs fantastic
- New clutch installed last week
- New radiator 9 months ago.
- No overheating issues
- Interior is in great shape
- AC work great.
- New Pioneer head unit can use new speakers.
- All maintenance is up do date.
- Oil change last week.
- New brake pads last week.
- Timing belt around 10K ago.
- No leaks
- No rustThe Bad:
- Needs a paint job along with minor repair to front bumper due to a minor parking lot bump. I have the metal trim piece (its used but its straight).
- Rear windows are stuck. motor or button, I don't know. They used to work until one day they didn't and I never bothered fixing.
- Needs new muffler.
The seller seems very motivated to sell and has been rather transparent about the issues with this car. At $4,000, I tend to think this is good value for a late model 164 with the desirable 5-speed gearbox. This is a car that certainly deserves the TLC that it needs. With a fresh paint job and some minor fixes, this 164 could serve as a classy executive express for many years to come.
-Paul
Damn, this is appealing. First you post the 63K-mile sub-$7K 280CE on GCFSB, then the $4K 164LS here. Paul, you are obviously trying to strain my self-control (and if that fails, my marriage).
Two great cars – for entirely different reasons, of course. Risking significant verbal abuse, the classic W123 is probably a better “investment” (more likely to keep, last longer, and/or get more money back out of it later)…but the Alfa would be infinitely more fun to drive (a friend with a 164S absolutely loved his). Thoughts?
Larry, it seems the price on the W123 has dropped. Both are tempting. For a bit under $6,000 all in, you could get a repaint and do the repairs on the 164. Tempting for such a handsome (manual equipped) sedan.
Wish they brought the Q4 here i would be open to buying one of those. Buying a FWD alfa seems….. pointless? Idk how to put my opinion to words aside from that.
hom, feedback from 164 owners I’ve talked to suggests it feels “less FWD” than you’d think. I haven’t had much driving time, so I can’t really offer a first-hand opinion.
For a car designed in the 80’s, the look has held up remarkably well. The ’94-’95 cars (US market), had the 24V engine making over 200HP, so performance would be reasonably good even by 2012 standards.
Fortunately, the tacked-on looking body kit wasn’t included on the LS version.
They’re ewe go agin…
Unless one is chewing on fishing worms, one is waiting with “bated” breath.
(I came to look at the 164, but the ‘baited’ thing just kills…)