Alfa Romeo - 164

1989-98 

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An executive four-door saloon the Alfa Romeo 164 is now a cheap big car choice. Reminiscent of that batchelor car with it's throaty engines and stylish looks, the 164 is a grown up version without leaving all your youth requirements behind.

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	Stylish big car choice
	High equipment levels
	Throaty engines
	Handling under speed
	Out-dated
	Un-reliable gadgets

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Revised in 1993 the Pininfarina's design still looks good and the later models' improvements were worthwhile. Equipment levels are extremely high, although watch out that all the gadgets do actually work especially air-con and electric seats as they are prone to problems.

Relegated now to the bargain basement the V6 and 2.0-litre Twin spark are still gloriously throaty. The gearboxes are quite good, but look out for 3rd gear on some early V6 models and the gear linkage has also been known to break. Alfa is quick with the Twin Spark engine putting out a substantial 148bhp through the front wheels. Nought to sixty in this car takes a little over nine seconds with a top speed of 126mph. Sharp and responsive the 164 is a joy to drive.

Handling for a front wheel drive car is sharp and twisting around bends it holds the road well. The torque problems are still there and on a bumpy road under hard acceleration the handling is not for the faint hearted. It?s not perfect but for a cheap option is well worth a look.