Faults:

Rear suspension bushes every 25,000 - 30,000 miles (common occurence on all 164s)

Driver's side electric window motor.

PAS fluid cooling pipe rusted and leaked.

Indicator relay.

Bonnet release cable broke.

Cambelt tension pulley bearing worn.

Auto gear lever detent button broke.

General Comments:

Just sold the 164 after nearly three years of impeccable service.

Notwithstanding the a list of relatively minor faults, the car never failed to get me to destination safely, quickly and in comfort.

Faults were never failures, allowing diagnosis and repairs to made in good time, under the excellent Alfa Mastercare warranty by Northgate Garage, Canterbury.

It is currently fashionable to bad-mouth the quality of Alfa franchised dealers in the UK - much of it undoubtedly justified. It is refreshing to report however that after nearly 10 years with Northgate, I have nothing but praise for their level of service and technical competence. The forthcoming move to a new premises with more service bays etc will reduce service lead times - the only niggle I can level at them.

I look after my Alfas fastidiously. I make sure I have comprehensive warranties for peace of mind. I always spend time finding the right (1 owner, low-mileage) car and it pays dividends at point of resale. For the money, nothing drives like an Alfa, no engine gets close to delivering verve, sound and character in similar measures. It has style and individualism in a world of look-alike Euroboxes and covers any journey with aplomb.

The 164 has been replaced with a 166 3.0 V6 24V Super - model evolution at its best. All the attributes of the 164 in a fresher, more up-to date and better equipped body.

The 164 served me well - I look forward to the same with the 166.

Faults:

Air Con compressor bearing fried taking out the compressor.

Cam angle sensor faulty.

Burst coolant hose.

LCD display dodgy (as most 164 owners will tell you)

General Comments:

Very quick for a heavy car.

Handles better than most cars on the road without a doubt.

Ultra reliable if serviced properly by someone who knows Alfa's.

Parts can be expensive if you buy from main dealer - always research parts on net, you can save 50% for same part.

Faults:

Indicator relay replaced.

Rear suspension bushes replaced (almost a routine job every 30-40K miles on a 164).

General Comments:

Having enjoyed two 156 V6s immediately prior to owning the 164, I had forgotten just how well balanced the 164 is - even with the heavier V6 up front. It offers much better accommodation and loses little in performance and agility.

I spent a long time looking for the right car and it has paid dividends. Totally dependable, immaculate inside and out, it is standing the test of time very well. Bought when four years old, someone else has borne the brunt of the (heavy) depreciation so it has represented a real bargain too. Where else can you get a fully-loaded, real drivers car, with room for five and luggage for the money?

As 156s etc become an increasingly common sight on our roads (rightly so!), flashing fellow Alfisti has all but died. It is great, once again, to be flashed by fellow 164-ites - clearly as happy with theirs as I am with mine.