My first Saab (I've had at least ten) was a CDE, all the extras, the works. 3 years old - £5000 ! Had it 4 years, up to 120,000 miles no probs. Super comfort, bags of power. Up and down the M4 Kent to Bristol, leather armchair comfort, cruise control, ACC. 200 fatigue free miles. Loved it.
I had a FIAT Croma. It was an good car but poorly built and rattled like hell as it hit 40000m. My boss had a 3L Thema. It was a beautiful car, serene and powerful .... That is until I drove a bright red 3L 164. I was often asked when filling up, in the car park or in the services what I was driving. It was so rare and beautiful. Mad wheel spin.
As I recall, Saab modified (read: improved) the platform so thoroughly it no longer interchanged with the others, completely nullifying the original idea. While it would be disastrous to own, I would have to go for the looks of the Thema.
For me, the Alfa's the best, that V6 snarl is just gorgeous. Even if it has faults, I'd still have it anyday. The Saab's very good, but I think it just looks abit boxy, then again that's what it's meant to looks like LOL. Still a superb machine. The Lancia as other's have said is very sporty, lovely looking saloon, certainly on par with the Alfa, the front end of the Lancia's more Macho if abit less striking than the Alfa. All 3 cars are brill. Wonder what the 8.32 Ferrari engined Thema was like, bet it went like shite off a shovel.
I understand the 8.32 was only slightly quicker than the turbo but much higher running costs as well as costing nearly double in the first place. Beautifully appointed interior though. One for connaisseurs only.
@@DavidDavid-kl4ru Yrp sounds about right. If Im right I think it was the same engine as in the Ferrari 308, never been in one but as apparently it was awright bur mot super fast. So id imagine in the heavier Thema prob wouldn't be alot quicker than the tu to bo n as ye say, much thirstier on the juice. Be a blast to have to a shot in though ☺️.
Yes it would definitely be nice to have a go in one. But not to have to pay for the 4 engine out cambelt changes every 20 thousand miles or whatever it was. If you've ever seen the Harry's Garage channel, I seem to remember he road tested an 8.32 if you're interested.
I still think the saab has the nicest interior of the 3, but I'd have to take the alfa. With that v6 under the bonnet you don't need a fancy stereo system. The alfa v6 IS music and a treat to look at too.
The only one out of these 3 car companies that exist and still build proper cars is Alfa. Saab, well, went bankrupt again, and Lancia rebadges Chryslers for Europe now. Also Saab 9000 are just as or even more unreliable. Been there done that, my Aero spent more time at the garage than on the road...
And Fiat had purchased Alfa in 1986, and they didn't include the Fiat Croma, the missing Type 4 car :) I think the 164 was possibly one of the last independent Alfa designs that was morphed into the Type 4 project.
saab looked most like the fiat croma telling the truth the cars were improved fiat croma's. (comuter designed q4 chassis) the best was the 164 (best engine and best road hold) but car reviuers were disonest >>>saab wasn't safer because they shared same unibody so they were equal. the alfa was safer because it's better road hold and brakes (active safety)
I wish Top Gear was like this nowadays, I could watch it then. The old Top Gear was informative and interesting to watch back then.
The thema looks and feel sporty with its 2 litre engine and italian comfort interior 😃
My first Saab (I've had at least ten) was a CDE, all the extras, the works. 3 years old - £5000 ! Had it 4 years, up to 120,000 miles no probs. Super comfort, bags of power. Up and down the M4 Kent to Bristol, leather armchair comfort, cruise control, ACC. 200 fatigue free miles. Loved it.
5 grand, what a bargain! Those were the days. Wouldn't get you a ropey 10 year old Mondeo now
Can't chose which is cooler. A Saab 9000 Aero or a Lancia Thema 8.32
I had a FIAT Croma. It was an good car but poorly built and rattled like hell as it hit 40000m. My boss had a 3L Thema. It was a beautiful car, serene and powerful .... That is until I drove a bright red 3L 164. I was often asked when filling up, in the car park or in the services what I was driving. It was so rare and beautiful. Mad wheel spin.
As I recall, Saab modified (read: improved) the platform so thoroughly it no longer interchanged with the others, completely nullifying the original idea.
While it would be disastrous to own, I would have to go for the looks of the Thema.
David Traver Adolphus I owned the Saab and it was a nightmare to own.
No. They did do that to the Opel Vectra they were given to rebadge thou
The lancia thema was very reliable, so not disastrous
For me, the Alfa's the best, that V6 snarl is just gorgeous.
Even if it has faults, I'd still have it anyday.
The Saab's very good, but I think it just looks abit boxy, then again that's what it's meant to looks like LOL.
Still a superb machine.
The Lancia as other's have said is very sporty, lovely looking saloon, certainly on par with the Alfa, the front end of the Lancia's more Macho if abit less striking than the Alfa.
All 3 cars are brill.
Wonder what the 8.32 Ferrari engined Thema was like, bet it went like shite off a shovel.
I understand the 8.32 was only slightly quicker than the turbo but much higher running costs as well as costing nearly double in the first place. Beautifully appointed interior though. One for connaisseurs only.
@@DavidDavid-kl4ru Yrp sounds about right. If Im right I think it was the same engine as in the Ferrari 308, never been in one but as apparently it was awright bur mot super fast. So id imagine in the heavier Thema prob wouldn't be alot quicker than the tu to bo n as ye say, much thirstier on the juice. Be a blast to have to a shot in though ☺️.
Yes it would definitely be nice to have a go in one. But not to have to pay for the 4 engine out cambelt changes every 20 thousand miles or whatever it was. If you've ever seen the Harry's Garage channel, I seem to remember he road tested an 8.32 if you're interested.
I still think the saab has the nicest interior of the 3, but I'd have to take the alfa. With that v6 under the bonnet you don't need a fancy stereo system. The alfa v6 IS music and a treat to look at too.
I've owned all three and for me the Lancia closely followed by the SAAB
07:19, is that a Ford Granada Mk 1 going in the opposite direction?
It sure is.
Oh yes, lovely car
isn't that a 164?
Actually there is no Alfa Romeo 169 :D
Alfa Romeo 169 ? É 164 kkkkkkk
At 01:03, a Ski yoghurt lorry goes by...whatever happened to Ski?
They went downhill!
@@georgejacob3162 Brilliant😂
I'd go for the Lancia. No risk of getting an automatic....
Fantastici.👋
The only one out of these 3 car companies that exist and still build proper cars is Alfa. Saab, well, went bankrupt again, and Lancia rebadges Chryslers for Europe now. Also Saab 9000 are just as or even more unreliable. Been there done that, my Aero spent more time at the garage than on the road...
And Fiat had purchased Alfa in 1986, and they didn't include the Fiat Croma, the missing Type 4 car :) I think the 164 was possibly one of the last independent Alfa designs that was morphed into the Type 4 project.
The title is wrong. Its alfa 164, not 169.
Saab FTW!! lol I'm really wanting one of these 9000's to add a second Saab to my stable. Though I want the CSE Hatch.
saab looked most like the fiat croma telling the truth the cars were improved fiat croma's. (comuter designed q4 chassis) the best was the 164 (best engine and best road hold) but car reviuers were disonest >>>saab wasn't safer because they shared same unibody so they were equal. the alfa was safer because it's better road hold and brakes (active safety)
164 had truly terrible electrics though. But I would absolutely pick it over the Saab. One of the best designs of the 80s.
Saab strengthened the body, which made it heavier = much safer but worse handling.
"I'd have to select the SAAB", but the most expensive of the three models... Hope things won't change with the new SAAB 9-5
It didn't.
@eti067
Well, the saab is the only one of the 3 that won't brake down :p
169?
Ain't that the 164?
Eu acho que o Lancia Thema vai ganhar.
Saab is king :D
telling the truth the v busso was the best engine but auto revues are always dishonest
what the fuck?
are you serious? styling i can agree, engines? really?
169????😬