Re: the 164s purchase question etc.

[doskow@domain.elided (MEL ODIOUS)]

There has been some discussion on this digest about driving styles,
one popular attitude is that ALFAs are performance cars meant to be
driven hard, and in fact being driven to the limits is actually 
beneficial to the vehicle.  What driving hard means, however is
subject to considerable interpretation.  For me it means driving
as fast as i can feel in solid control of the car, either on windy
hilly roads, or weaving around the competition on the highway, with
reasonable respect for safety concerns like other drivers, animals,
road & weather conditions.  I don't drive in that style all the time,
but when i really want to, and typically without passengers!
To some folks, driving hard is something someone does whenever they
drive.  And it requires always using the full capabilities of the
systems; regularly accelerating flat-out, massive braking applications,
rapid, frequent gear shifting etc.  While that kind of hard driving
is indeed what a particular car was designed and built to be able
to handle, and is surely a legitimate way for someone to enjoy driving,
it also will surely put considerably more wear on all the car's mechanical
systems than more leisurely use.

IMPIO (in my perhaps ignorant opinion),
it seems that the 164S that someone was considering buying (sorry i forgot
who) has had way more repairs done that might be expected for the amount
of miles, what else is worn & gonna need work soon?  maybe the average S
driver drives a bit too hard.

jak    '91 164L  '74 SpV

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