Faults:

Nothing new has gone wrong with the car since I purchased it, however, it acted like a car with 128k, as the brakes, suspension, A/C, some seat motors, and most of the rubber items were shot. I bought it knowing it would be a project, and I write this having completed most of the major services.

Immediately I had to redo the front brakes (pads and rotors) and replace a broken LF spring (new springs, struts, bottom pans, upper mounts) to make the car somewhat drivable. I have since redone the rear brakes, timing belt, valve adjustment, A/C compressor, blower motor, heater core and replaced the tires. All rear suspension bushings and struts have been purchased, as well as control arms, bushings and ball joints for front, and will be replaced very soon.

General Comments:

All of the work I have done has made the car very comfortable and reliable for travel, which was my intent when I purchased it. I took it to Florida from VA 6 weeks ago, and am bringing it back next week.

The A/C (converted to R-134a) is ice cold, but the vents don't distribute the air very well.

No electrical issues, aside from the electric seats, which seem to be working fine now.

The car does have an appetite for oil, so I always have an extra quart along, probably takes a quart every third tank of gas.

I don't advocate purchasing a car in the condition I did. Had I not had connections in the business the car would have cost at least 5-7k in parts and labor to bring back to the condition I now have it in. Much better to spend 4-5k to get one in good condition with records.

Faults:

Fuel pump failed, dropped a valve and required a major head rebuild.

Used oil like the Valdez.

Generally the parts were reasonable, but service options were limited.

Timing belt and water pump are a normal repair, and I did one.

Really, for the higher miles, the car was very reliable and never left me beside the road, save one time for the fuel pump failure - started every Midwest winter morning.

General Comments:

I fell in love with this car and bought it sight unseen over Autotrader.com. Probably could have paid less, considering some of the oil gasket leaks and other updates that needed to be done, but I loved, loved, loved driving this car. The power is very under-rated, and the sound from the engine is a pure Italian aria.

The car looks so good from the rear 3/4 view, and it was a very good daily driver. I never got sick of walking up to it and driving it. It always got curious looks, and I thoroughly enjoyed running away from Mercedes and BMW - and even a few Mustangs. It is a real sleeper in a way, and loves highway cruising.

Hated to sell it, but had to because I was doing too much driving and needed a small economy car with a warranty! I miss it, and will probably buy another one.

Faults:

Honestly, very little. Now that could be because the car gets treated like a baby.

The one thing that has never worked is the electric windows, but every other aspect of the car is superb.

Not surprisingly fuel economy is a bit poor, with its appetite for petrol becoming a bit scary at times!

General Comments:

For a car that's now 15 years old, the 164 (which was looked after very well by its previous owner) is briiliant. Comfort, space, reliability are first rate, and above all, now that they are a rare enough sight on irish roads, she looks even more stunning!