Has anyone here driven a Lancia? Opinions?

Hi Johnson,

maybe you should be a little bit more specific in your request. All I can tell you is that my father's Thema 3.0 V6 is a very reliable car. It's the Alfa-engine, reduced to 177 hp. Car is bigger inside, weighs less (astonishing 1300kg), handles horribly quirky and cannot compete in any issue against the 164.

Second: I am just one inch away from buying a Thema 8.32 which has been offered to me these days.Still thinking.

Jörn,

Although the thought of having a Ferrari engine is always appealing, I am not sure I would buy a 8.32.

Reasons:

1) Maintenance: It will need much more attention than your current 24V, and chances are that it has been neglected previously

2) Performance: It "only" has 215 bhp and slightly more torque, but I have seen test where the 24V and certainly the QV-24V are faster.

3) Style: The horrible extending rear spoiler and the not so attractive Thema lines compares unfavourably to the 164, at least IMHO.

It may be a collector's car, certainly a true Q-ship, but I would stick to my 24V if I were you.

Anders, '93 Super 24V

Hi Anders,

you are certainly right in some aspect.
The 8.32 of the second series has only
205 HP (because of Cat) and it will not be
an upgrade in performance compared to
my 164. Maintenance is horrible since
Lancia gave up the maintenace of the
engine and you have to go to a Ferrari
dealer!

But:
- The rear wing is moveable and can be
moved up and down from the inside. I
would prefer running with "wing down".
- The car is a collector's car. Historically it
is the last proof of the numerous
cooperations of Ferrari and Lancia in
motorsport history. And it was Enzo's daily
driver.
- The interior is totally different from other
Themas. Leather everywhere, beautiful
gauges in Ferrari-style etc.
- Nobody wants them here: The car I talk
about is a 91 model, has only run 70.000
km, has had a recent service including
timing belt, exhaust, brakes etc. and
looks great. Owner wants 7000 USD.

Luxury sedan with Cavallino rampante
power and symphony for 7K - now it's
your turn.

Many greetings,

Jörn.

Hi Jörn,

As for the 8.32 being a collector's car, I agree with you and you of course know all the (economical) disadvantages of having a Ferrari engine (and Ferrari prices for maintenance) in a Lancia.

I have seen a few parked in Belgium and Italy, never heard one running, which may be the reason I am not completely smitten by it. However, I have to admit that I had to look more than once and your heart start to pound a bit harder when you realise what a rare creature that is in front of you!

If you can afford to run it, buy it!

Anders, '93 Super 24V

There's one in the US:
http://www.carclassic.com/BN43.HTM

And this one looks really bad!

Actually this company is based in europe this is one is in europe too not in US. If you look at the back ground there is another lancia and some toyota models not available in US. As a huge fan of Ferrari I would love to have one in addition to my 95Q. I thought of importing one my self and someone tells me I can import one as a parts car not to be registered in US but I am not sure about this. Any experts on US importation law?

tj

Just back from a long 2500 mile drive in my first Lancia in a long time. It was a Lybra, which I think is a kind of sportwagen based on the FIAT Marea. Really nice car, flat out indicated 190kph from a 1.6, though there is much more of the expected stress on the luxury rather than the Alfa "sportivo" these days. Still managed to differentiate itself in the same way as the Delta/F.Ritmo, and had a superb chassis and roadholding, which allowed it to cover ground like a real GT (700 miles in 8 hours with two stops). Before that had driven the usual - Fulvia, Beta, Trevi, Delta, Prisma, Thema, this seemed very much like more of the same - especially since it is still pretty much the same Lampredi twincam they've all shared since the Fulvia.

I looked at the photos of the Thema. I think
Alfa did a far better job with the platform
than Lancia,Fiat or even Saab. Since this S of mine has the 91-model factory leather Recaro's ,it has a serious dose of luxury as well. Her name is feminine, as the previous owner's girlfriend determined her sex (i.e. Sportiva instead of Sportivo)...

(humor me if the link doesn't work, first time I've tried posting one here)

picture at :

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/dabishop2002/vwp?.dir=/David+%26+Julie%27s+Stable&.src=ph&.dnm=Gabby%27s+Name.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/dabishop2002/lst%3f%26.dir=/David%2b%2526%2bJulie%2527s%2bStable%26.src=ph%26.view=t

My Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.6 Zagato has competed against race prepared 3-Litre 164's and was superior in straight line speed and acceleration. I have two 3-litre 164's. One manual and one auto.

I find all Lancias up to and including the Fulvia are better than Alfa counterparts. From Sud/Sprint/33 onwards Alfa are better, with the exception of the incredible Lancia Integrale.

Yes, I have driven a Lancia. It was a good experience...

This is a bit like asking "whats it like driving a car?" as there are so many Lancias of greatly different character.

I have driven three

1)Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3. Not fast but delicate handling. A real jewel of a motor car, and one I would love to have if I had the space/money for one.
2) Lancia Delta HF Turbo (Not the Integrale, a lower powered 2wd version). Fun, but fell to bits too easily, and didn't like starting that much when hot.

3) Lancia Thema. Same chassis as 164, but softer and more comfortable. Good performance from FIAT engine and it lasted well (It was my father in laws car for ten years and he gave it away three years ago with about 120,000 miles on it and still running well.It cost a bit to keep properly maintained, but he liked it far more than his current Mazda Xedos V6 2 litre)

Thats it from me!

Tim Hancock 164TS Lusso Boston UK

I have owned a Lancia Thema for 5 years, (the 8 valve turbo), and only recently decided to replace it due to the unhelpfullness of Fiat/Alfa dealers when it comes to ordering parts. When I get back in it after not having driven it for a while I am always smitten all over again, the car accelerates at an incredible rate for something so large and often sees of hot hatches with ease much to their disgust as they probably think it's a bit of an old mans car due to it's discreet styling. I'll be sad to see it go (if anyone ever buys it), no-one in the UK seems to be interested in it as the only calls I have had are from overseas. Oh well maybe I'll just run 2 fast Italians!
Craig
164 24v Super Lusso
Thema i.e. turbo LX