Piston Slap: FCA Makes the Case for Czech Bicycle Ownership?

by Sajeev Mehta

November 26th, 2019 4:11 PM

piston slap fca makes the case for czech bicycle ownership

TTAC writer Vojta Dobes writes:

Hello Sa(n)jeev,

As you already know, I had to get rid of the borrowed ’98 Town Car which served me for last 15 months. When I mentioned to you that I’m getting a ’94 Chrysler LHS instead, you told me that it would be wise for me to purchase a reasonable, domestically produced (which means European for me) car, so I have something that’s easy to fix and easy to get parts for.

I found afairly nice Alfa Romeo 164 Diesel, with just a few dings and scratches and in mostly working condition, save for some unimportantelectricals. Is that what you had in mind?Do you think those two cars will be enough to keep me mobile, or shall I better buy a new bicycle for times when there’s no press car for me?Thanks for your input!

Sajeev answers:

Oh. My. Damn. Son.

I must remember all those Sierra parts you shipped for TTAC’s project car before I proceed. Because it’s very, very hard to avoid internet flaming when considering a transaxle-munching Chrysler LH car in the Czech Republic! And then, salt in the wound, maximum FCA pain via used Alfa?

But you got press cars. (Not jealous!) And maybe your city is like others in Europe; flush with a strong infrastructure for bicyclists. Ditto public transportation. With that in mind, why not?

What could possibly go wrong?

You tell us, Best and Brightest.

[Image: Shutterstock user Eugene Onischenko]

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.

#AlfaRomero #Bicycle #Chrysler #CzechRepublic #Diesel #Fca #LH

Comments

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7 of 23 comments

Corey Lewis on Apr 08, 2015

What, aren't there any high mile Thema 8.42's available to complete the collection?

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- Athos Nobile on Apr 08, 2015
  
  Why bother with one of those? A Saab 9000 would easily smoke it. Or probably a Thema turbo too. Not every unicorn deserves to be chased...
  
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- Corey Lewis on Apr 09, 2015
  
  @Athos Nobile I was just thinking of something worse and more unreliable than a diesel Alfa.
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Apr 09, 2015
  
  @Corey Lewis Diesel Cadillac?
  
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Ronnie Schreiber on Apr 08, 2015

The 1990s weren't great years for Chrysler transmissions. Our minivan went through four 604 automatics. I knew dealers that would have been happy to never have to see another one again, and that was despite making decent warranty money from Chrysler for replacing them.

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28-Cars-Later on Apr 08, 2015

Wait did the LHS bust a transaxle yet? If no, then what the hell go nuts and drive it till it does (really how many miles does Vojta drive in a year in a landlocked country?). Then it will make a nice Junkyard Find: Czech Edition and Vojta can move on to a Volvo 140...

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Slow_Joe_Crow on Apr 08, 2015

Alfa Romeo and electrical problems creates an aura of grim foreboding since Marelli was clearly Lucas' Italian cousin. Fortunately the Czechs make some excellent bikes and components so you will have a backup system,

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