I have a an opportunity to buy a 1994 Thema turbo in excelent condition which will replace a VW VR6 that got stollen.
I am worried about the cars troublesome reputation and when I talked to people I hear different things.
I just met a woman that ownes a regular thema not turbo since new and she just loves it and didn't have the slightest problem with it including no electrical problems once or ever.
I have a mechanic which is an expert with italian cars but I don't want to spend my days at his place or find myself at the side of the road somewhere. The VR6 was a fun car but it's got some problems too.
I don't drive much about 10.000km a year at the most. The car I want to buy got 150.00km with 50.000km on a new engine. It was not modified in any way besides a better muffler an open air filter and is well taken care of.
Is it a car I can live with ?
94 Thema turbo
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Rolf R.
Re: 94 Thema turbo
Hello!
Bad reputation? Bah!
My Thema turbo was good for 300.000 km without real problems. Then it got a hard hit from behind from another car. The engine was still going strong at this time. But you can destroy such an turbocharged engine easyly by using the wrong oil (synthetic please!) or using it careless at cold conditions. That will shorten the lifetime significant.
The next 3Liter was early hit by another car, it got 102.000 km only!
Now I own a 3L V6 with an actual amount of 336.000 kms. Still going strong! No structural problems with the body or axles or transmission (manual).
No electrical problems, no corrosion (only the Opels and VW's from my neighbors tend to rust), no wearout. And still much faster, especialli in Acceleration than any VR6
I had Themas for the last 15 years und drove them for more than 675.000 kms. The only time I needed help were at these accidents.
Regards
Rolf
Bad reputation? Bah!
My Thema turbo was good for 300.000 km without real problems. Then it got a hard hit from behind from another car. The engine was still going strong at this time. But you can destroy such an turbocharged engine easyly by using the wrong oil (synthetic please!) or using it careless at cold conditions. That will shorten the lifetime significant.
The next 3Liter was early hit by another car, it got 102.000 km only!
Now I own a 3L V6 with an actual amount of 336.000 kms. Still going strong! No structural problems with the body or axles or transmission (manual).
No electrical problems, no corrosion (only the Opels and VW's from my neighbors tend to rust), no wearout. And still much faster, especialli in Acceleration than any VR6
I had Themas for the last 15 years und drove them for more than 675.000 kms. The only time I needed help were at these accidents.
Regards
Rolf
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leo capaldi
Re: 94 Thema turbo
The 1993/4 Thema Turbo is an awesome car. I drive one that has 125K miles on the clock and it runs very well. Inevitably with a performance car it will only be a joy if cared for properly. Thinks like the suspension bushes and strut mounts need to be in good condition. These last production Themas are fully sorted and do not suffer from the pathetic electrics on the early cars. They have Bosch Motronic engine management like most quality German cars. As Rolf says you have to be sensible and let it warm up before using the full power. So if it is in good condition then you will love it, but if not you will hate it. I'm addicted to mine - goes like the wind yet is a very sophiticated limousine.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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kassus
Re: 94 Thema turbo
Hi
If the car is in "excelent" condition, dont think about it any more: you will have an excelent car with an impresive power and performance, even much more than you Vr6. The Serie III that you like has Viscodrive and some changes in the interior that made it very well finished in comparation with Serie I and II, even the electric map !
So as all this older cars (my 16 Turbo is from 1991) you must be careful with the general maintenance: syntetic oild, good tyres and brakes, etc. The troblesome reputation is evident with this high tech engine: 16v, DOCH, turbo, intercooler, even more if it has optional equipment as my 16 Turbo from 1991 (sunroof and automatic suspension control) because there are many things that can cause trouble, but in my opinion that concept is not true. I have enjoy my firsts 5.000 as a child, without any problems except gear box (it was broken when i bought it with 120.000 and a ridiculous price). You can see this web for some information: www.devoted.to/lanciathema
Best regards
If the car is in "excelent" condition, dont think about it any more: you will have an excelent car with an impresive power and performance, even much more than you Vr6. The Serie III that you like has Viscodrive and some changes in the interior that made it very well finished in comparation with Serie I and II, even the electric map !
So as all this older cars (my 16 Turbo is from 1991) you must be careful with the general maintenance: syntetic oild, good tyres and brakes, etc. The troblesome reputation is evident with this high tech engine: 16v, DOCH, turbo, intercooler, even more if it has optional equipment as my 16 Turbo from 1991 (sunroof and automatic suspension control) because there are many things that can cause trouble, but in my opinion that concept is not true. I have enjoy my firsts 5.000 as a child, without any problems except gear box (it was broken when i bought it with 120.000 and a ridiculous price). You can see this web for some information: www.devoted.to/lanciathema
Best regards
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Oliver
Re: 94 Thema turbo
Hi,
just to support what the others have said.
The Thema Turbo S 3 is a dream of a car and is unlikely to turn into a nightmare if properly cared for.
There might be a the odd minor niggly fault, but those are usually relatively easy and inexpensive to fix. It's sensational value for money, as long as the car hasn't been raced or abused.
Mine let me down a few times, but only because someone had used a wrong part when fixing the fuel pump. This part strained the rubber pipe and made it burst every 100 mls. Other minor fauls were disintegrating horn switches (meaning the damn thing didn't stop hooting until I disconnected the battery) and a defective spark coil.
The only thing you should be aware of is that there are very few people who really know the car well. Troubleshooting can be pretty tiresome - and expensive. This forum in general (and Rolf R. in particular) can help, but don't just rely on your garage unless the guy running it really knows what he's doing.
Regards,
Oliver
just to support what the others have said.
The Thema Turbo S 3 is a dream of a car and is unlikely to turn into a nightmare if properly cared for.
There might be a the odd minor niggly fault, but those are usually relatively easy and inexpensive to fix. It's sensational value for money, as long as the car hasn't been raced or abused.
Mine let me down a few times, but only because someone had used a wrong part when fixing the fuel pump. This part strained the rubber pipe and made it burst every 100 mls. Other minor fauls were disintegrating horn switches (meaning the damn thing didn't stop hooting until I disconnected the battery) and a defective spark coil.
The only thing you should be aware of is that there are very few people who really know the car well. Troubleshooting can be pretty tiresome - and expensive. This forum in general (and Rolf R. in particular) can help, but don't just rely on your garage unless the guy running it really knows what he's doing.
Regards,
Oliver
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Jarek
Re: 94 Thema turbo
Hi,
I have got lately Thema V6 Lx '93, ....so my advice is: JUST GO FOR HER:-))) I've got also Dedra Turbo
and I could imagine Thama and Turbo would be very nice to combine. For your information, at the time
the Thema Turbo was in production, it was the first oponent for the Lancia 832 (...with Ferrari
engine
!!!
Good luck; jarek
I have got lately Thema V6 Lx '93, ....so my advice is: JUST GO FOR HER:-))) I've got also Dedra Turbo
and I could imagine Thama and Turbo would be very nice to combine. For your information, at the time
the Thema Turbo was in production, it was the first oponent for the Lancia 832 (...with Ferrari
engine
!!!Good luck; jarek
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OZT
Re: 94 Thema turbo
I drove the car yesterday and it drives well. it is like new on the outside and has never been in an accident.
The engine was rebuilt at 100.000km at my mechanics place and he's been servicing it for the last 7 years. the car now has total of 152.000 km on it.
it's got new koni adjustable shocks all the way around. new tires, battery, radiator, new brakes on all 4 wheels and it looks like it's been well taken care of. But it has had 6 previous owners and that is on average a different owner every 1.5 years. The owner before last is the son of my mechanics partner so I know that the last 2 owners took great care of it.
I don't expect a japanese car reliability but I don't feel like spending time at the side of the road either.
I would have loved to have it as a second car but i'm a little bit concerned having it as my daily driver since it has been around since 94 and I wish there were newer ones. Car is a blast to drive my heart says get it my brain is not so sure...
I only drive about 10.000km a year.
The engine was rebuilt at 100.000km at my mechanics place and he's been servicing it for the last 7 years. the car now has total of 152.000 km on it.
it's got new koni adjustable shocks all the way around. new tires, battery, radiator, new brakes on all 4 wheels and it looks like it's been well taken care of. But it has had 6 previous owners and that is on average a different owner every 1.5 years. The owner before last is the son of my mechanics partner so I know that the last 2 owners took great care of it.
I don't expect a japanese car reliability but I don't feel like spending time at the side of the road either.
I would have loved to have it as a second car but i'm a little bit concerned having it as my daily driver since it has been around since 94 and I wish there were newer ones. Car is a blast to drive my heart says get it my brain is not so sure...
I only drive about 10.000km a year.
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Rolf R.
Re: 94 Thema turbo
Hello!
6 owners is a lot. It might be that some of them underestimated the cost of ownership and sold it for that reason.
My good old turbo hat to transport me for more than 150 kms per day on a regular base. No defects over the full distance of 300.000 km. I never had a car that reliable before! And the newer V6 seem to be even better.
But it is true, you have to take care of it. Thats not an undestructable truck engine! It asks for good warming up until you use the full power it provides and it asks for fully synthetic oil and regularely scheduled maintenance, especially oil and filter changes and then an now a new timing belt, even though a broken timing belt will not kill the engine as it happens with many other engines.
A set of new shock absorbers is a great thing! They would have cost you a fortune! Generally spoken, some parts are expensive.
But therefore you get an exceptional well engineered car that is a "classic car" nowadays. Others need 30 years or more to reach this.
Regards
Rolf
6 owners is a lot. It might be that some of them underestimated the cost of ownership and sold it for that reason.
My good old turbo hat to transport me for more than 150 kms per day on a regular base. No defects over the full distance of 300.000 km. I never had a car that reliable before! And the newer V6 seem to be even better.
But it is true, you have to take care of it. Thats not an undestructable truck engine! It asks for good warming up until you use the full power it provides and it asks for fully synthetic oil and regularely scheduled maintenance, especially oil and filter changes and then an now a new timing belt, even though a broken timing belt will not kill the engine as it happens with many other engines.
A set of new shock absorbers is a great thing! They would have cost you a fortune! Generally spoken, some parts are expensive.
But therefore you get an exceptional well engineered car that is a "classic car" nowadays. Others need 30 years or more to reach this.
Regards
Rolf
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amir
Re: 94 Thema turbo
amazing machine . i have 92 with engin of fiat cupe .the car is fast then i thuoght it will be.i am from israel and here the pepole dont like to spent money on there cer so his got bad reputation.but one thing you must know it takes one liter gas for 5 kilometer and here 1 liter cost aproximatly a dolar.
(as you can read my english is bad)
amir shay
(as you can read my english is bad)
amir shay
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ian
Re: 94 Thema turbo
i also have a thema & dedra .both of these have had 5 or 6 owners .if check you will probably find it was in the first 2 years. it was a demo model and they used to change ownership to the sales reps .as a rep left it would be changed to the next person who got to take it home. don;t ask me why they did this as i don,t know perhaps it was some kind of tax fiddle.
regards ian
regards ian