H*lp in choice of new car

[Lawrence Leong <leongccl@domain.elided>]

Greetings, I've been absent from the list for about a month due to
pressing work & personal issues.  One of them is the impending addition 
of a member of the family, due Mar next year.

Herein lies a potential problem.  I'd like the inputs of the list as
I've found many creative people here, but first, the situation, the
requirements, and the options.


While I could put one child seat in the front passenger seat and have the 
2 adults in the rear, this is my least preferred choice.

My options are either a bigger car, or a MPV like van (shudder).  The
requirements are:
	a.	2 childseats and 1 adult at the rear - minimum.  If
		both adults can move to the rear, even better.
	b.	Rear seats should fold down (for car, for transporting
		large items) 
	c.	Manual/auto - does not matter

Constraints:
	c.	I can only afford to keep 1 car (due to the strange tax
		laws here, which I will not go into)
	d.	Engine capacity below 2000cc (tax laws again)
	e.	New car is out of the question (financial limitations)

I've identified the following possibilities:
	1. 164 TS
	2. Lancia Thema (2.0 available?)
	   (yes, I'm aware of the common aspects of heritage between 
	   the 164 and the Thema)
	3. Toyota Corona 
	4. Hyundai Sonata (barrel scraping here!)
	5. MPV eg Mazda, Mitsubishi etc

The 164 size is fine, but the rear seats don't fold down.

I have to check if the Lancia rear seats fold down.  Size is fine too.

The Toyota size is fine, rear seats fold down.  

Hyundai size is ok, rear seats fold down.  But the thought!

Van - functional, again the very thought of the handling :-(

(As an aside, dropped by the local disty showroom to see their
offerings.  The 166 is very nice, but only 3l version is sold here.
Budget nixed that.  The next nearest was a 156.  "oh where is it?"  "Just
outside."  "Selespeed, eh?"  Only the 2l is sold here (2.5l not sold
here).  Took it for a test drive.  The sequential shifter is great!
Engine is very smooth, right up to red line.  Drive it in the "manual"
mode, just nail it to red line, then it shifts up instead of cutting 
out.  Very eager and willing engine, no strains observed until about 
500rpm b4 the redline.  Overtaking is no problem.  Miss the rev matching 
though.  Almost took out the cheque book, until I was reminded of the 
price.  S$145K. That's US$86K.  "Ok, I'll think about it."  Heart says go.  
Head says look elsewhere.  Any one in USA wants to own a 156 Selespeed?  
I'll look after it well for you.  I'll make sure it doesn't sit idle, 
even give it the Italian TuneUp once a week.  Interested?  If there were 
no financial constraints........ :-)  BTW, the 156 can be a danger to 
your driving licence)

(oh yes, the 156 rear bench takes 2 child seats and an adult comfortably, 
but the rear seats don't fold down.  Finish was good, only complaint was 
the funny plastic used for the dash top).


Right now, I'm deciding between the 164TS, the Thema (if there is a 2.0)
and the Toyota.

I welcome views from the list members regarding 
	- their experiences with the 164TS or Thema, driving, 
	  maintenance etc.  
	- comparisions in handling, maintenance  vis-a-vis the 33.
	- comparisions between the 164 and the Toyota (yes, I'm crazy
	  asking this question on an Alfa list, but give me your views
	  anyway.)
	- Feasibility of converting the 164/Thema rear seat to 
	  fold-down, risks and downsides in doing so.
	- other inputs?

I would like to get the 164, but this car has to double up as a "truck"
to carry bulky stuff home from places like Ikea, hence the requirement
for fold-down rear seats.


Thanks in advance
Lawrence

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