1990 Alfa Romeo 75 V6 QV Potenziata 3.0 V6 from Australia and New Zealand


A flawed modern Italian classic


Where do I begin??

The day I bought the car the brake warning lights on the ARC (Alfa Romeo Control) flashed all the way home. Took it back to the dealer (a Volkswagen specialist) who kept for over a week. They replaced the pads and as I drove it out of the driveway, the lights came on. They kept another week, sent it to an Alfa dealer and the problem was fixed.

Since then I have had numerous electrical problems, including brake lights, central locking, indicators (stalk and light). All small, but irritating.

Center Exhaust replaced at 150,000 at a cost of $250 (custom made as genuine fit was $740)

Engine is strong and has given no problems.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic to drive, power is just effortless from the 3.0 V6 and steep hills in 5th gear are never a problem.

Acceleration is quick, but hampered by gearbox which is heavy and clunky. Needs overhaul, but very pricy...

Steering is well weighted and easy to use when parking, but wheel position is awkward.

Comfort is hampered by poor driving position (apparently the Italians are long of arm and short of leg, and bent in the middle!) and the accelerator is at a poor angle, proving uncomfortable after about 15 minutes of cruising. Seats are well padded and of a nice design.

Interior ergonomics are...interesting, but it's entertaining to watch passengers try and find the power window switches and the door handle!

Parts have proved difficult to source, regular mechanics are scared of it, and specialists cost a bomb. Please take into account maintenance costs when pricing this car!

Fuel economy is average, on the freeway at 110 km/h it is running at 3000 rpm which causes average highway mileage, and city driving makes it very thirsty. Expensive premium unleaded doesn't help its cause.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th May, 2003

8th Apr 2011, 20:26

Sounds like the wrong oil is in the gearbox; gear changes are light and smooth with clean modern oil. Indeed, sounds like this is a review of a neglected car. A properly maintained late model car does not give dash warning lights except when giving a proper warning. Awesome in late model V6 Potenziata from, but not a beginners car. Specialists who know them actually love them, as they are so much simpler than the modern Euro cars.

1990 Alfa Romeo 75 ie Scuderia 1.8 petrol from France


Nice car performance, but not silent


A lot of noise in the car. But it is an Alfa...

Starter changed at 60 000 mks.

Brake disks veiled and changed at 50000.

Flight of oil around the motor (joints used).

General Comments:

This car "Scuderia" is a special serial (color red Alfa, rim aluminium, sports equipment...)

It is old (10 years), but it is still modern.

The cabin is comfortable (velvet seats).

Very correct performance, but a lot of noise.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th January, 2002

1990 Alfa Romeo 75 Twin Spark 2.0 from Malta


They'll never built anything like it


Wear and tear items.

General Comments:

Very fast car, quick responsive engine, high performance suspension set up.

Well, at Monza they use it as a Formula 3000 saftey car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th November, 2000

6th Aug 2001, 15:30

I'm from Malta too and am thinking of buying an Alfa as an every day car I can drive and have fun with, without wearing out my new car too early.

With regards to fuel consumption, what's it like for someone who will be using our Maltese roads and traffic (I use the by-passes mostly though).

Besides, does it (or any Alfa for that matter) have to be driven hard for a driver to enjoy it?



1990 Alfa Romeo 75 Twin Spark Milano 2.0 from UK and Ireland


You'll never drive anything else


Usual Alfa electrical gremlins, but more than made up for by the throaty rasp of the exhaust, sharp styling and F1 style handling (aftermarket springs, discs and struts).

General Comments:

"Poor man's Ferrari" it may be, but better than an Escort nobody.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2000

1990 Alfa Romeo 75 Cloverleaf 3.0 V6 petrol from UK and Ireland


I owned the car from 56,000 miles to 64,000 miles. In that time it had an intermittent problem with the fuel pump which turned out to be a broken wire hidden away somewhere.

The gearbox jumped out of reverse and eventually needed re-building. The clutch slave cylinder blew.

Electrical faults are invariably due to poor ground connections somewhere.

General Comments:

Outstanding car which gives more driving bang for the buck than anything I know.

One of the best-sounding and driving engines ever combined with one of the best chassis ever.

The styling is an acquired and personal tase. I love it but many do not.

The rear-end is a little tail happy but with close to 200 hp and something like 125lb/ft torque what do you expect? The LSD helps make it extremely easy to hang the tail out.

If you cannot control a slide in this car, you need driving lessons.

The problems I experienced with the car could probably all be traced to poor maintenance by previous owners (6!) or my stupid hard and sometimes unsympathetic driving style.

Unless you have loads of money to spend, this is not a car for traffic light drag races. It relishes in 100+mph cruising (or so I am told ;->).

I loved it so much I am looking for another.

If you want to buy one, take time to find the best one available and have it thoroughly checked by an engineer. Once you have bought one, join the owners' club and look really hard for reliable mechanics and parts sources. If you can do some work yourself, it is worth it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2000

15th Feb 2007, 12:26

I have a TS Alfa 75 which I’ve owned for nearly 9 years. It had done about 100,000 miles when I bought it, and it is now reading 140,000.

During my first year I spent over £1,000 on repairs, and was thinking of selling it; especially when it broke down on the M25. But that was 8 years ago, and it has never let me down since. In fact I have spent very little on repairs, and it has been the best car I’ve owned; and I’m comparing it with BMWs, Jaguars, Rovers, Toyotas, MGs, Volvos and Hondas. It has also been one of the most reliable! Yes, I’m talking about an Alfa.