Milano vs 164

["Warren, Howard" <HKWARREN@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<<<<<
I'll let someone else tell you why a Milano is better than a 164. 
>>>>>

Okay, this Milano owner will answer the challenge (hey, I've been on
vacation and just now catching up on Digesti!)

<<<<<
1) Pininfarina styling (enough said)
>>>>>

Quirky central dash endears the car to you as you hit the gearshift while
trying to change the radio station.

<<<<<
2) Water pump lasts forever rather than 30K miles
>>>>>

No stepper motors.

<<<<<
3) 2nd gear synchros last forever rather than 30K miles
>>>>>

Learn to shift <g>.  (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

<<<<<
4) No driveshaft to worry about re-balancing nor guibo self-destructing  
>>>>>

Okay... (although the automatic transmission version seems to go very easy
on guibos.)

<<<<<
5) Normal human seating position rather than "Ergonomics By Apes, Inc"
design 
>>>>>

One word: Recaro.

<<<<<
6) Power steering pump & rack retains most of it's fluid
>>>>>

But where's the fun in freaking out the Jiffy Lube workers when they try to
figure out just what fluid to top off the reservoir with?  (Better
variation: get all the labels under the hood reprinted in Italian.  Only
Italian.)

<<<<<
7) No requirement for snow tires in Winter (although still recommended)
>>>>>

No snow in Arkansas.

<<<<<
8) 100% galvanized unibody
>>>>>

See above.

<<<<<
9) No "Project Milano" article series to (occasionally) look forward to
in the Alfa Owner  
>>>>>

No fun.

<<<<<
Suffice it to say, when you do have to work under the hood of the 164, you
will spend 2 to 3 times longer to complete the same (or similar) task, and
sacrifice 5 to 6 times more blood.
>>>>>

Enough said <g>.

Of course, all of my comments are tongue-in-cheek.  I've driven a 164L, and
I like them, but I love my Milano (and I'm damned impressed with my GTV-6!)

Howard K. Warren, Little Rock, AR
1988 Milano Platinum, "Snow Hawk", 153k miles
1984 GTV-6, "Falcone", 131k miles

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