Alfa 166 | Car Review | Top Gear 

God bless all the wonderful people who buy new Alfas - without them we couldn't buy them second hand, which is clearly the right way. I adore my 159.

I had a pre facelift 166 with the busso v6, glorious car. The interior was a work of art. 10 years after I sold it I still miss it. Very reliable car, but you had to look after it, no missing services or using cheap oil. Lol it seems I’ve commented on this video before. Shows how much I loved my 166.

This video is another reminder of what a genius presenter jeremy is..

I bought one for £1230. It had 4 owners before me and needed some adjustments. But it was worth it and it still rocks on in 2022 what a car! Love it!

"I'm not sure this glass carpet is very practical..."

Most people can't understand this but, when you drive lots of cars as a job you get to a point where you don't care about anything else except emotions. I have experienced this in my previous job where I bought, sold and drove pretty much all the models from Ferrari, Lambo, Bmw, Mercedes, Maserati, Abarth and so on. Sure, overall the BMW and Mercs were the best but when we had to sell the Abarth 595 Competizione or the Maserati GTS I literally cried alone in the bathroom. EVERY goddamn' time I was driving them I was laughing like a child who got a crazy present for Xmas. They are alive, they growl, scream, screek, and every turn or downshift are different noises!! It's like they have a mood or something. Specially the Maserati Gts. One day I will own another one. Jeremey knows, he "feels" cars rather than just number check them.

I've owned two Alfa 166s. Best and most enjoyable cars I've ever had. Both broke my heart in the first 10,000 miles...clutch and gearbox problems. After that, driving bliss

This is why we miss the old Top Gear so much!

Who chrome plates engine components.... The italians of course

I have the biggest 3.2 version! Still rocking it in 2019

Just bought an Alfa and completely forgot I had a Merc in the garage too. Absolutely beautiful cars, Alfa Romeo's!

I have one. A 2.5 V6, not the most powerful one, probably even slower than some hot hatches now. When I have to go from A to B and I'm alone in the car it's very unlikely I'll take the shortest way. These cars simply make you feel good while you drive them. But they don't make people look at you and say you're rich. The difference between Alfa's (as well Jaguars, Maserati and some other real luxury-sports marques) and BMW/Audi is that if you buy an Alfa you like to stare at it in silence or rev the engine when you're alone and enjoy the car; if you buy a BMW you want people to look at it and hear the engine noise to see how socially far you've gone.

The passion of this nice man about Alfas is priceless!

what about buying a car and keeping it? so no problem about depreciation

The seats and backseats in the 166 are like sitting on a cloud... Reallllly nice

OMG, just look at that interior! This car TOTALLY mopped the floor with all of its competition. The problem is that looks too good for this world.

I really, really love my 166. Almost everything about that car is perfect.

I love my new Giulia, Alfa Romeo makes some of the most beautiful cars ever in the world. You don't worry about depreciation if you buy a one new and keep it for 10 years. They are far more reliable than their reputation leads one to believe.

I had one of these for 6 years, bought it at 6 years old, most reliable car I’ve ever owned, never let me down once, the busso V6 is a fantastic engine and as long as you look after it pretty much buttetproof. The big mistake people make with Alfa’s is not looking after them, they MUST be serviced on time, belts done when they should be( or much earlier in the case of the twin spark) the correct oil used and no corners cut. They are not cars you can run with no maintenance, look after them an they reward you. 8 years after I sold mine I still miss it.

I had a first edition 166 3.2 V6... best GT car ever ! 250k km on the clock, never had a major problem!

I have a 166. Fabulous car, beautiful to drive, looks gorgeous. No other car can make you feel so great just from sitting inside it.

I have a Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTD, 12 Years in my hands with, no problems. Alfa Romeo built very good cars.

I had this beaute before redesign, 3 cm lower, 17” 159 wheels , best car i ever had. On highway everybody moves from left lane. Uhi miss that car. Black, black leather, i miss my italian girl. In italy maserati quattroporte owner watch my car and said you have nice car. Alfa ❤❤❤❤❤

OK, got it... It was a long find, but... the song is called: heaven scent from Allwood and Cooper. Album is Choral Beats

Even today this cars interior just ooozes style. Absolutely gorgeous.

Currently I’m on my fifth 166, a facelifted 2.0 TS. Exactly the same colour combo as this car, it’s spectacular

This is so much better than all the other Top Gear videos that are cropped and edited.

I somehow end up here every couple of months. Damn she's pretty ! Also I can't wait to see if they ever come up with a replacement for this with the on the new Ghibli platform.

Italian here. My family has owned a 166 Automatic and was pretty amazing. Then after several years we changed it with a Giulietta. My personal car is a 147 1.9 JTDm from 2005 and I love it!

02:18 "It's a little black dress. It's the kinda thing you take to an embassy cocktail party. At a Schloss. In Austria." That just made me proud of my country :D

I was once given a lift in one of these to a Christmas party and when we got to the party I didn’t want to get out. You may think I’m exaggerating in order to glean likes on my comment but I can assure you that I’m not.

Love how an audi drives past at 3:32 when he says that 😂

The end is simply incredible! : )

There are a lot of cars that Jezza hates that are actually awesome cars, and you shouldnt pay attention to what he hates or not. BUT, i Clarckson says "i love this car", oh, boy... that means, that car, has something. And yeah, yeah, Alfas lose value fast, electronics are shit, they're FWD (the biggest mistake alfa ever did), and all that. But when you drive an Alfa... you cant hate it. You just cant, even if it ruins you in the repairs garage. They have... "something", i guess. You never regret buying one. Your wallet might, but the heart is always that stupid bloke who doesnt care about that.

I'm a fan of the Alfa 166. I only saw a handful of them when I was growing up, but, I still liked it. I can see it becoming a future classic. Up until recently, I've only ever seen one Alfa 166-a first gen.

I had an Alfa romeo 147 twin spark red coloured it was such a beautiful striking car well ahead of his time.. It was the first car who used the hidden handles to open the rear doors then every make and model started copying it.. Last but no least the driving was such an experience! To me is the best hatchback ever made

It's a shame they didn't do a car review of the Lancia Thesis, that is just a magnificent four door sedan.

I have one and love it. Great review very accurate.

Love my Alfas ! Will never drive another brand . I had no problems with reliability and i drive them since 2005 . Happy owner of a standard Stelvio and a Mito QV ( 115.000 km 0 issues ) .

i have had 2 alfas so far, never had major issues with them. even when driving like an idiot allot. alfa is rrly not bad in my opinion.

They're great when they're going, I've had a 147 TS 2.0 (2001) rarely driven the last two out four years. It started with a camshaft position sensor, then a dropped inlet valve. I've had it all repaired at great expense only to find the Spanish garage that repaired the engine only replaced the broken valve gear and prior to refitting the head( which should be skimmed) rubbed it down with wet n dry paper!!! I've since had stripped rebuilt and it was great for about 6k kms, then he cam sensor light came on again followed by the great Spanish lockdown and now a flat battery. Ho hum

This song was in the ski movie "Respect" haha nice!

One of my favourite Top Gear reviews, the 166 is so handsome

That chrome finishing in the Alfa 166's engine is beautiful. As for Jeremy Clarkson, he presents this segment with his heart on his sleeve. Small wonder then, that during a TG poll to find out who the greatest presenter was of this motoring programme, he received 74 % of the votes.

Watching this video again (after many years) with mixed emotions. I ran a 3litre 166 (from new) for 12 years and not only was it realiable but i absolutely loved that car - still misss her (yes, all my Alfas are ladies). She was a bit thirsty but petrol was a bit cheaper back then too. Purchased a Guilietta 170 and have run Baby B for the past 7 years, no problems except a new battery - just part of wear and tear really. Very inexensive car to run (VED £30pa) too but I have finally been tempted to get a new girlfriend, a Guilia - just waiting for delivery. I read all the Alfa reviews and they are always "It's very good" and then there's a "But...." Well i've owned other car brands and there is no "But" - the only cars I've become really attached to are my Alfas (starting with an Alfetta 2 litre back in 1980). Driving a 3 litre 166 'Busso' over the Alps to Milan is something I will never forget (unlike my BMW 7 Series - which I would much prefer to)

I love alfa's

I drive an Renault Megane, but God I love Alfa this segment this single video sends shivers down my spine every single time i watch it...

I have the diesel one in France 2.4 JTD and I love it, its a stunning car in every way.

An amazing advert I just found for a 166 - talk about being honest :) --------- If you own a diesel Astra or the like and are only interested in the function of a car to get you from point A to point B you are reading the wrong car ad, this ad is for an Alfa Romeo. I could list every slight scratch on the car but that would mean the ad was for those that think a 20 year old car will be in pristine, brand new condition. I could list it as “Modern Classic” or “Future Classic” indicating that in 50 years time it will be worth a fortune (which it probably would be if you never drove it and vacuum packed it for those 50 years) I could add bullet “proof engine”, “grab a bargin” “pulls like a train” and all the other shite people put in ad’s than ain’t true, so I won’t. This ad is for the person that actually wants to own and drive an Alfa, so let me tell you all about Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 ltr manual’s. Let me start by saying that if you do decide to buy an Alfa you will find they can burn through your cash quicker than a 22 year old mistress. To find the approximate price of any Alfa spare, cost the Ford one and multiply by ten (you will still be short of the cost but you get the idea) The word on the internet is that Alfa’s are unreliable, this is my fourth 166 and I have had two 164’s, not one of them has ever broken down, (actually stopped by the side of the road) That doesn’t mean they haven’t had the odd fault (nearly all Alfa faults are odd) With an Alfa you form a relationship, and in any relationship there is always give and take, an Alfa is a driving pleasure, an experience, and for that the car likes to take your money and your calm, not unlike a wife actually. With 226 BHP they are pretty quick and you can see from the pictures of the interior they are pretty comfortable, airy and roomy with pretty good road holding to match. This doesn’t mean you can just jump in one and expect to drive it like your Astra or Focus, you have to adapt your driving style to the car. As an example you probably change gear like everyone else with your hand over the top of the gear stick, this will change gear for you in a 166 but for 1st and 3rd gear it will also turn off (or on) the stereo, because that is where Alfa put the stereo button, another example would be in a normal car to turn left you just use the indicator, which is fine on right turns for a 166 but the left turn indicator rarely cancels, leaving you driving up the road with your indicator going like a novice. Mine is unusual that 99 times out of a 100 it will cancel. Another source of amusement is the rain sensing wipers, they do sense the rain, and they do wipe, but it will select the speed for what it considers is appropriate, which usually results in going like ‘biily-ho’ for a slight drizzle and 5 mins between wipes for a downpour (the good bit is you can override with a manual selection) Let me do an equipment list for you : WiFi Bluetooth Sat Nav DVD player Reversing sensors Reversing camera Self park Phone The good news is the 166 has none of these so they won’t break or act up (Sat Nav was an option on CD, you would have to be very brave to rely on an Alfa CD Sat Nav) Think of the warning lights on the dash as more of an entertainment centre. They come on, they go off, indicating that the bulb behind them is still working and that is usually all they mean. On occasion mine likes to tell me I have a complete brake failure, for about 3 minutes, it can be a good heart exercise. A common 166 problem is the door locks, the fob usually fails about 2 minutes after the guarantee on the car has run out, mine is very unusual in that it still functions properly. Another common issue, that 166 owners will tell you is a feature, is the exhaust note, it is quite ‘meaty’, it wasn’t originally but when the original back box went on the factory supplied exhaust nearly everyone fits an after market stainless steel one, this isn’t because the super throaty sound is sought (can get on your tits on a 4 hour drive, fine for top gear in a 100 yard tunnel) it is because an OEM part will sting you about £500 (or more) and the aftermarket is only £250 (The back box goes all the way to the middle of the car) Only really major issues with mine are that the lacquer is coming off, Alfa Lacquer seems to have a 20 year life, and the aircon don’t work, I could say the old lie “probably needs a re-gas” but it doesn’t, it blew a ferule on the last re-gas attempt and I haven’t fixed it, nor will i. Now the reason for sale is that I am due to retire and I have 5 cars (an S500, an ST170 and a 9-5 HOT as well, so watch ebay for future sales) and will have no where to go, so the cars have to go, there is nothing worse for a car that sitting doing nothing. I don’t want to part with the car so I am not selling cheap, and if the wife pops her clogs first I may keep it and see if I can find that 22 year old mistress.

Best car I never had. Very reliable as Alfa's always have been. Best in seating and acceleration for the engine class by still excellent gas mileage. Love it.

this video shows why the grand tour will never be like top gear (with J,J&R) we all loved the adventures around the world but ALSO a simple review without crazy budget and with nice editing... were so poetic

What a reminder! My granddad had the first 166 3.0 in dark blue with light brown interior. 20 years, 290‘000 km with no problem. Then another car crashed in his side which caused a heavy crash...

Comparing Italian and German cars is like chosing between rich,nice but not beautifull, protestant girl and beautifull, pasionate, slylish girl which lives regular life but has " that something" which drives you crazy...

i love depreciation... it meant that i could easily afford what was once a $105,000 Mercedes S-Class, with 90k miles on it, for less than$13k. it was only 8 yrs old, in mint condition.

My neighbours had one, was very envious of it for years!

The 156 and 166, facelifts, are beautiful. Even today, they still look better than all modern horror-bags.

I love this show. Its one of the few British things I like...

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE CLASSICAL MUSIC PIECE ON 1:50?

I loved my pre facelift 166. Sadly gone to scrap heaven, used to drive it to ferry bridge where Clarkson filmed this. Also gone

Truly underrated car!

The new Alfa 159 looks great too...

Watch this video at least once a year. One day I will own one..

Love the dog at 5:19! Top Gear is the best!

I'm from the town where he filmed the house, they've all been knocked down now, thankfull and a nice new estate has taken its place.

Owning an Alfa is basically like having an 18 year-old mistress. It's not at all practical, it can break down without a moment's warning, and keeping it purring is liable to send you to the poor house. But it's all worth it when you look at it & think, "I get to slide inside that every day."

Can't imagine the residents of Hemsworth were too chuffed with this video.

gorgeous car! one of the last v6 Busso Alfas... beautiful!

this is my favorite topgear video

Anyone know the opening song?

I have a 166 that I've had it coming up on 6 years and love it to bits, its only worth about 2K and I just spent another £1160 on loads of work doing to it. The only people who hate Alfa's are those who have never owned one, or those people who bought one expecting to run it on the same budget as their Peugeot 406 Diesel and then moaned when things went wrong. If you want a car which is "reliable" or apparently "better" go join all the other boring arrogant wankers down at the Audi Garage

I have a golf and I regard it in the same way as my fridge or cooker . But I also have a 50 year old alfa and regard it like a close loved one .

awesome review!!!!

@2:29 I love it that jeremy says: WHEN it breaks down, not IF it breaks down. So it will inevitably happen :P

NAUGHT!

Love jeremy's typical pause @ 6:44 "your very own.....ALFA ROMEO!"

One of my favorite sounds, drove an old 75 3.0 V6, no need for a stereo, what an enjoyable drive 😍😍😍

Alfa goes down but then goes up. Audi-vw goes down slowly but then in a ravine, generally

"At... Naught!"

I have a 159 and I have learned that they can be problems with electrical components. Also it’s most important to find a mechanic who is familiar with them which is very hard in the west of Ireland as they didn’t sell in volume here

That redhead at the end ;-)

I'm italian and I always dress in suits. Cause i'm italian.

"Some people say......."

Today an artist returned to me a completely re-painted Alfa 166 from 2000. I'm really happy now. And I'm an Alfisti.

I have an alfa 156, it looks just like this one but it is black and I prefer the interior. I'm so happy with the car, it speeds okay and can do average consumptions in city. People tend to look at the car a lot and be surprised of the car and i love it. Never expected to buy this car but I am happy with the choice

the replacement for the 159 is gonna be RWD

Alfa Romeo>Timeless design

They should have called it the Catch 22.... OMG too funny. Jeremy is awesome

If you judge a car on how it makes you feel instead of what it can do thats the greatest way to describe how i feel about cars

Only Clarkson could find comedy in the desolation of a once proud community.

PLEASEE TOP GEAR,what is the track at 2:08 PLEASE,im looking for that track for more that half a year...

I did not know that thanks for the heads-up...

Jeremy I understand why you love this 166 that car has Style 🇮🇹

I still can't decide if they actually like Alfas or not.

i just bought a new alfa stelvio....hahaha......jeremy sold me

2.4 JTD, 20 years old going super strong!

Still a great car. I've had my 145 1.6 giallo zoe for 20 years, it is a great car. Very few cars come close for the price.

Alfa Romeo real powerful heart Made in Italy !

My car was designed by Alfa romeo.

Alfa is a state of mind. My familly is an Alfa Owner since 1930. I drive a lot of cars, my brothers arte Bmw owners but when i sit in my 166 3.0 or in my 164 v6 tb or in my Giulietta sprinta veloce and i turn on the engine i fell my Earth Connect to the engine They work togheter.

ive driven alfa. and it tries so much to be a diferent then every other car that it turns out almost unuseable. but it had a sound, it had an acceleration and the look of it... just amazing. me and my friends had a lot of fun with this car, even when it broke down, or couldnt heat up so we were cold inside. so yeah, cars are not reliable nor quality built. but they have personality and sheer silyness of it will make you never forget that car. thats why people love alfa.