From: jrl8@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (James R Lendino)
Subject: Re: Luxury Performance Cars
Reply-To: jrl8@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu (James R Lendino)
Organization: Columbia University
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 07:18:41 GMT

In article <1992Jul20.165052.28259@Synopsys.Com> karen@synopsys.com (Karen Vahtra) writes:
>Myself and a friend of mine are both in the market for cars in the 
>luxury / performance / sedan? marketplace.  After spending a weekend
>visiting every dealer and test driving many cars, the choices for me
>have narrowed.
>
[detailed stuff on SC300 and J30 deleted]

>Any new cars coming out in this catagory for 93?  Any advice suggestions
>is appreciated.

   Well, someone suggested an Alfa Romeo 164S, and I'm inclined to
agree, since I own one.  :-)

   Last year, I had posted up an article entitled "Are there any
Japanese cars with character?"  I detailed my disappointment in
my '90 Integra and '91 Legend (I have since sold the Integra, but
the Legend has grown on me).  Well, many kind enthusiasts responded
with all sorts of recommendations, but more than a few pointed towards
the 164S.  

   The 164S only comes with a 5-speed; to get an automatic you have
to step down to the L model, which seriously degrades off-the-line
acceleration but otherwise is fine.  The S adds cockpit adjustable
suspension, Speedline alloys, an aero kit and spoiler (which may or
may not be to your taste), Recaro-designed sport seats all around,
red stitching in the leather, and a change from Goodyears to Pirellis,
along with an increase from 183 to 200 hp through a sportier exhaust
system (quiet at speed, but it makes itself known with a pronounced
burble at idle and a racy growl when accelerating that absolutely
must be heard to be believed; that alone was reason for me to buy
the car).

   It will give you all the performance you could want:

   0-60............ 6.9 sec
   0-100........... 18.9 sec
   Top speed....... 142 mph

   Braking from 70.. 177 feet
   Fade............. None

   Skidpad.......... .77 g (not that high, granted, but go ahead
                     and try to break it loose in real life driving)

   It's front drive, which may make purists wince, but other than
not being able to throw the tail around with reckless abandon, that
hasn't limited my enjoyment at all.  

   It's also quite comfortable at speed.  70 mph brings 71 decibels at cruise,
which is not record setting but still quiet.  You're mostly aware of
the engine, which is impeccably smooth and surprisingly so considering
it's a SOHC, 12 valve six.  The ride in "Auto" mode is commendable.
Ergonomics are a bit  weird, but much better than the Milano (it's
predecessor).  The glove box door release is hidden among the zillions
of square buttons on the dash (which looks pleasing but is a bit
off-putting the first time you try to turn the A/C on), and when you
find it and press it, the entire right side of the dash drops down and
smashes into your passengers knees.  I may have a strange sense of
humor, but I find that oversight (on the part of the engineers) hilarious.
Other than that, and a sorta noisy fan, everythings works great.
The smell of leather is awesome, and there are Alfa Romeo insignias 
everywhere (as if you could forget what you were driving).

   The warranty is worthy of note: 3 years/36,000 miles, they do 
everything for you: brake pads, oil changes, wiper blades, regular
maintainance... It's all free.  Everything's covered except the
tires, which have a regular warranty on them (they're Pirelli P4000s,
which I believe are rare, so they're probably expensive).

   Overall, it's got gorgeous looks (aero kit or not), unlike the Milano
(which I'm fond of anyway), a ferocious engine, grips stronger than
any other front drive sedan out there, a great ride (in auto - sport
mode will shake you up a little bit), rarity, and a comprehensive
warranty.  Its only bad points - torque steer (not in the wiggle-the
wheel kind, but in the "oh sh*t the car's diving left" kind, just
hold on when you floor it in first), little electrical problems here
and there (map lights and stuff like that), and well, that's about it...


Other cars?  Well, I'd definitely recommend Audis, like two other
people did at the time of this writing.  New 100s should be excellent,
though I never drove one.  I like my Legend - lots of power, good
grip, and real roomy, but it's offputting in certain ways.  The
steering changes its weighting at the oddest times, and you're
aware of a low-frequency "hum" everytime you hit a bump.  The body
also rolls considerably, and it does nothing but understeer.
(Well, my friend got it to oversteer once, but he's a different story).


Good luck in your search, and I hope this helps...

-JRL

P.S.  I never thanked everyone for all their help they gave me last
year in deciding on a car... Well, it WAS a lot of help, and I listened
to you.  I'm still figuring out how to pay for it, but... :-)
Thanks for all the great advice (one guy wrote me pages about how
great his '86 Vette was.  Gave me an appreciation for Vettes that
I never had.  I hope you're still out there having fun with it, wherever
you are).


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