Re: alfa list
Adam.Rodnitzky@AWL.COM
Fri, 1 May 1998 09:23:13 -0500
Hmmm....
The 405 interior is like the Alfa Milano interior? I've owned both of
these cars, and can say that this guy must have forgotten what an
ergonomic disaster the Milano interior was (although I loved the
quirkiness!). The Milano had a tall, boxy, angular interior, with a
sort of "stacked" center dash (HVAC controls, radio, vents), as
opposed to the 405, which is much more flowing and organic.
Furthermore, the Milano has got so much BAD logic in its ergonomics,
you come to really love it for what it is - for instance, the power
window switches - the fronts are above the rear view mirror, the rears
are at the end of the center console. The handbrake lever (shaped
like a basket handle or a big "U") blocks the center console storage
when engaged. You basically can't use the stereo when the gear shift
is in 1st or 3rd. The door handles blend into the armrest (same
color, and they follow the shape), so every Milano I have ever seen
has the armrests ripped off! The trunk release lever inside is under
the front seat where the seat foreward/aft lever should be. And, of
course, I didn't even realize I had a glovebox until the last day I
owned the car, as like the door handles, the designers blended it
perfectly into the dash (and there was no handle, latch, anything.)
And after all of this, I would buy another in a second!
Adam
'89 405DL
(ex) '87 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: alfa list
Author: Werner Wassileff <wewa@pacbell.net> at AW-INTERNET-SERVER
Date: 4/30/98 7:30 PM
here's something from the alfa romeo list that ought to make
a 405 owner's day...
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 22:50:42 -0400
From:
Subject: Re: Peugeot 405/Pininnfarina
Recent 405s? Last I knew, Peugeot stopped importing in 1991. My father
has
driven a 405 Mi16 exclusively for the past nine years. His 89 Mi16 made
it
to 260,000 miles before it needed a new transmission ($2500). Thus, he
bought a used 91 Mi16 with low miles for a few extra bucks.
The Mi16 is an amazing car. Yes, the body design was by Pininnfarina,
and
it does resemble a 164 (I had mine parked next to Dad's Peug' earlier
today). Nevertheless, the interior is more like a Milano/75 than a 164.
The 405 Mi16 engine was designed by Stihl (from what my father has
learned),
and is far more reliable than the run of the mill 405 (many engine
problems). The engine on the old Mi16 only had the oil changed, and
never
had so much as a head gasket replaced.
I am seriously considering buying a Mi16 as a second car. From my
experience, they are far less expensive to maintain than a 164. Beware,
on
the odd occassion that something fails, it is very expensive (clutch
replacement = $1200 USD). The Mi16 is not quite as quick as a 164, but
it
is extremely fun to drive. The engine's power becomes quite noticeable
above 5000 rpm, and unlike the 164L, will allow you to hit 7000 rpm
(Motronic in the 405s, as well). The suspension is tight, and the
brakes
are not too shabby either (I like the feel of my 164s brakes better,
though). Further, I like the seats in the Mi16 a little better than
those
in my 164L (I'd probably like the S seats more).
Oh, and my father has favored Alfas, Lancias, and Fiats most of his
life, so
I take it pretty seriously that he considers the 405 Mi16 to be one of
his
favorite cars. Just like the 164, I always walk away from driving the
Mi16
with a smile (although that probably means my 164 is in the shop),
feeling
as if I am keeping a big secret future the driver of a sporty Acura did
not
want to know about.
Rochester, NY (soon to be Toronto, where's the best Alfa shop?)
91 164L