We came to a realization this morning: we can share automatic transmission cars here because we aren't personally shopping for each and every car that we post up to the blog. Well, we sort of are shopping for all of the cars, but the point about automatics stands. We'll borrow the seller's description of the 164LS as a diplomat's car, and allow for the automatic transmission as a luxury feature befitting that image.
That said, manual transmission versions of the 164LS exist, and we've owned one. The LS, available from 1994-1995, featured the new 24V Busso V6, making 210hp, compared to the factory 232hp rating of the contemporary 164Q. Fortunately, the differences between the engines are limited to engine tuning and intake runner diameters; swapping the runners from a Q onto the LS and installing a Squadra chip will get power to a claimed 240hp. Our car was equipped as such, and the sweep up the tach happened surprisingly quickly.
Year: 1995
Model: Alfa Romeo 164 LS
Engine: 3.0L V6
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Mileage: 106,000
Price: Auction, no reserve
Location: San Francisco, CA
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1995 Alfa Romeo 164LS
This stately Italian has been my daily driver for the past 4+ years and it’s been a fantastic ride! There have been ups and downs, but that’s the joy of driving a vintage Alfa Romeo. The good news is that I’ve already paid to take care of most the things that go wrong with these cars, including the mostly costly (timing belt) and most infuriating (LCD display).
So If you’re looking to feel like an Italian diplomat circa 1995 this is the car for you!
Talk about luxury!
Power seats, moon roof, climate control, plush Italian leather, wooden steering wheel, heated seats—this car was $55,000 new in 2019 dollars.
The Good:
• Timing Belt and all associated parts were replaced at 86k miles. You don’t want to buy a 164 if you don’t know when this was last done!
• Passed CA smog with NO issues. (But come 2020 this car should be smog exempt)
• LCD display was replaced and looks sharp with no dead spots
• Sweet Euro Spec upgrades (Bosch projector headlights, wooden steering wheel, euro side markers, color logo center caps)
• Leather interior is in fantastic shape!
• Epic upgraded all aluminum radiator—this car stays cool
• Tires are new with only a couple thousand miles on them
• Engine is powerful and strong, transmission shifts smoothly
• 3M 70% Crystalline tints on all windows including both windshields—DANG does this keep the heat out.
• Optima yellow top battery
• Replaced brake master cylinder
• Replaced Alternator
• stainless brake lines
• lots of other work done with receipts.
Known issues:
The idle sounds rough—RPMs are steady, but from outside the car it sounds rough, not sure if this is muffler or motor mount related, haven’t had time to investigate. Once the car is under power you wouldn’t know.
The upper motor mount is loose—the bushing has worn out. You can feel this in the steering a little bit at high speeds.
The A/C doesn’t often work, I spent some time investigating, but couldn’t get to the bottom of it. For those familiar with this car when I adjust the A/C flow, I can see the vent control arm moving behind the firewall—indicating that the stepper motors are working as intended. My best guess is that there is an issue with the vent door that controls the mix of hot air and cold air.
There is a brake fluid leak somewhere. I haven’t really investigated this, I’ve been adding a bit of brake fluid every month or two as the light comes on.
Hood was replaced after an incredibly low-speed accident that resulted in a dent next to the front grill.
Driver seat heater switch is finicky
Like I said this car has been my daily driver for 4+ years, ask me anything, I want to be honest here—I’d love to pass this car off to someone else who will truly enjoy it.
The mechanical condition of this car is in a safe spot, but will require continuous attention to maintain. The LCD screen has been repaired, and the stepper motors are said to be operational. Still, the A/C does not work properly, and the issue is said to be electronic, rather than thermodynamic. Repairing that might require a lot of patience. No mention of timing belt and water pump service is made - interested parties would be wise to inquire as to their service status. 3 years and 30,000 miles is all that we can stomach on a 24V car, with double the valves at stake.
We really like the color combination on this example. The tan leather interiors can be surprisingly nice, if maintained at all, as this one appears. Reach into the front seat backs and you will feel the suede side of the hides - not something you'll find in most vehicles. The Bosch euro headlights are a smart upgrade, as is the wood-rimmed airbag steering wheel. For those with a taste for automatics in their luxury sedans, this no-reserve 164LS could make for a very nice purchase.
-Graham