Here's something you don't expect to hear from an auto enthusiast: Front wheel drive Alfa sedans are good.  Quite good.  Yes, we've been custodians of three now, all of which we've loved.  The 164Q met an untimely demise, but not before we gave it the 24V lump a full water pump and timing belt service - not cheap or easy on those.  There was also a 164 LS that starved for oil when we took a cloverleaf off ramp at 90mph.  Velocity squared over radius - it's the velocity that gets you.  And finally, there was our 1991 164L winter car, which didn't self-destruct so much as inflict death by a thousand cuts upon our morale, wonderful though it was.  That got the boot after a frustrating winter daily-driving it in Detroit.

The 164 design is beyond reproach in our simple minds, but if it could be improved upon, then Walter de Silva would be one of our top choices for the job.  De Silva and his team at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo managed to update the 164 theme without blending in among the anonymous ranks of contemporary European sedans.   The handsome design would become the last Alfa sedan to be powered by the Arese-produced Busso V6 engine, which was replaced by a General Motors-based unit in later Alfas.

Year: 2001
Model: Alfa Romeo 166 2.4 JTD
Engine: 2.4L 5-cylinder diesel
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 108,241 mi
Price: auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 Alfa Romeo 166 2.4 JTD

Rare, one of a kind the only 2001 Alfa Romeo in the country, import to the US didn’t start until 2015 selling at $50,000 - $75,000.

This 166 model called the “Executive Car” only 500 built in Rivalta, Italy and actually designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and Walter de Silva. It is front wheel drive, six speed stick shift, 2.4L engine V6 turbo diesel. How cool is that?  (CICFS NOTE: the engine is a 5-cyl, not a V6)

Runs and drives like a champ, fast, furious very tight, how much fun…Everything works, engine, transmission, clutch and ac, it needs a drives window switch and the drives seat is fixed in a comfortable position and needs the motor, the computer screen is in Italian and I can’t read it. But I have navigation CD and a 6 disc player in the trunk.

I found a non running 1999 for $12,900 and 2002 running one for $25,900 VIN ZAR93600000060348

166 models built as the "Executive Car" only 500 per year built in Italy from 1999 to 2003. It is so much fun to drive it is fast…nice and tight! The readings are all in kilometers. Driver’s seat is in a fixed position and the computer is in Italian, I can't read it. I also have a navigation CD. I just had the car completely serviced with new air, cabin, oil and fuel filter.

This was at an Insurance Auction and said it had fresh water flood claim however after full inspection I found no damage at all, NONE!

The 166 was never offered for sale in the United States, so to see one on eBay is quite rare.  We would be interested in bidding, but for a few issues.  First, the car was sold as a flood car through an insurance auction.  Sometimes you have to deal with the myriad issues brought on by flooding in order to purchase a rare car.  In this case, we don't think the risk is outweighed by the rarity and desirability of the car.  Second, the seller sounds like a real piece of work.  His price comparisons are based in pure fantasy - unless you think $50,000-75,000 is justifiable for a 2001 164 diesel.  Ah, diesel.  Yes, the final reason that we wouldn't bid: we don't do diesel Alfas.  The diesel engine in this car is a 5-cylinder, not a V6 as stated by the seller, just to be clear.  Diesels are great, diesels are efficient, diesels are torquey.  But, diesel engines do not perform as an Alfa Romeo engine should.  Buy a Mercedes-Benz if you want to enjoy a proper diesel.

So, will the seller manage to sell a rare, flood-title Alfa that was never sold new in the US?  Depends on the reserve price.  Our guess is that this will stick around eBay until the seller wises up to reality.  In the meantime, we'll keep a look out for 166's worth bidding on!

-Graham