Alfas are known for their planted handling characteristics as well as for their musical exhaust note. The noise that seeps out the tail pipe can only be Italian and is throaty and powerful all the way up to the redline. And this goes for the 4 cylinder and the 6 cylinder engines.
When Alfa was bought by Italy's giant firm FIAT, Alfa's purchaser realized that there must be major cut backs because the production methods for the last true Alfa, the Milano (75), was just too much for FIAT to find profitable. So, as any economizer would do, they cut back on Alfa Romeo's uniqueness and decided to make all of Alfa's cars front wheel drive. The proper Alfisti were horrified and didn't know what to make of it.
In a way, the entire FIAT ordeal has helped in some areas. Our 164 is MUCH more reliable than the Milano ever was. In fact, we (my family) don't drive the Milano at this present time because the troublesome driveshaft dougnuts have failed and driving the car would simply be bad for it. But the 164 just isn't as tossible as the Milano is with it's world class suspension design and handling characteristics but I'm still happy to know that the 164 will start when ever I turn the ignition! |
