This is actually my second Milano and my 4th Alfa. I had a red 164 Q I sold on BaT back in 2016.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

you've got great taste mate

@paulbugoni2846

4 ай бұрын

yes he does!@@tiagobelo4965

@MyWillypilly

4 ай бұрын

I liked the look of these. I've only seen a couple in the flesh.

@eelcoengelaar798

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for putting this amazing car back on the road again! I have owned two 164 12-valve v6's myself as well, amazing cars. And a 75 (Milano) Twin-Spark. Currently I'm on my second 75 3.0 v6. Love them and can't imagine a life without a 75 :)

@mikefleissner4415

4 ай бұрын

Kickass

Anyone who has driven a car with a v6 Busso engine knows that this is a priceless experience.

@artoodiitoo

4 ай бұрын

It has a price tho, very high :D (maintenance) I had a GTV with the 24V 3.0 V6

@MarcoMenozziPro

4 ай бұрын

@@artoodiitoo I agree, and maintenance is very important in Italian cars. Yes it is expensive but when compared to German cars of similar performance, it is not.

I used to have an '89 Alfa 164 (this was not in the US). I owned it from '98 to 2001, and until recently (20 years later), it was the nicest car I ever owned. I regretted selling it from the moment the new owner drove it away.

@cmartin_ok

4 ай бұрын

Sympathies. If you got a good 164, it was worth holding on to

@pulaski1

4 ай бұрын

@@cmartin_ok It was nice - 3.0l V6, 12-valve, 193hp (not the 24-valve engine that was imported into the US for '92 and '93), and with a manual transmission, because I was in the UK, and putting an auto box behind that engine would have been criminal! 😀

@Notfiveo0

4 ай бұрын

I had a 60 Alfa, the frame was filled with spray foam to fill in the rust holes. 🤣😂🤣😂

@pulaski1

4 ай бұрын

@@Notfiveo0 Mine was galvanized, and the _only_ rust was where a wheel arch had been scraped and repaired.

@AnnatarTheMaia

4 ай бұрын

I really wanted to buy a 2012 Alfa Romeo 159 JTDM Sportwagon. It had a manual, it was gorgeous, always had my eye on them. Took it for a test drive; that diesel drove like a dream, it was powerful, quiet, super smooth. The manual transmission - super smooth. I come back to the dealership, pop the hood, and start inspecting the engine; and then I saw that it was leaking oil. The engine only had 89,000 km! I walked away from that deal. Gorgeous cars, but it wasn't meant to be. I don't buy anything which leaks, and a diesel engine should have barely started to break in at 89,000 km, let alone leak!

A friend of mine had a GTV6 who upon discovering the lack of parts availability, bought a Milano (I believe) as a parts car. Turned out to be well worth it. He did all the work on it himself and when he found out getting a crankshaft from Italy cost more than the parts car (which had the same engine), he just made more room for the parts car. I’m sure Bill enjoys the Milano and I understand his attachment.

@charlesbridgford254

4 ай бұрын

The headlights for these things were unavailable from the dealer like 2 years after the end of production. What a mess.

One of these, in really good condition, is between 35-40k euro here in Italy. 32k dollars is very expensive but it's not that bad.

@godchi1dvonsteuben770

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, but you factor in the initial 12k, now it's $44,000, plus Wizard says it's not done yet... and it's going to break again in just a few thousand miles after complete. It really IS that bad...

@stamkaly

4 ай бұрын

@@godchi1dvonsteuben770 initial 12k is included in the 32k...

@kallekas8551

4 ай бұрын

Had one…1990 Twin Spark. I miss it…

@micheskillz

2 ай бұрын

@@godchi1dvonsteuben770 32k is with the 12k of the car included. For that price of the car, one should not expect everything working perfectly, so its not that bad at all.

I owned Alfa Romeo 75 (Milano) 1988 here in the UK, what an astounding car. I loved every minute of ownership. Yes it had its problems a steering rack that sheared coming down a parking lot ramp and central propshaft donut that gave out under hard acceleration not to mention brake rotors and calipers all uber expensive. But with every drive you forgive it and fall in love all over again. My car had the 3.0 V6 busso a fantastic engine and the handling is just something else. Mine was taken out by a bus that did not see the closed lane in front of it until the last minute and took the side off of my car. I would have another in a heartbeat the problem ! finding one. "Bill" im so jealous and it's worth every penny you have spent on it.

wizard is absolutely correct on assessing older cars. i recently purchased a 1996 Rolls Royce with 21000 actual miles on it. beautiful car. no scratches and interior like new. i already have $7500 in the car and i approximate another $7500 to spend getting it being "as new" as it looks. making old cars like new can happen. frame off restos happen all the time. but not for the faint of heart nor faint of pocket book. better know EXACTLY what you are getting into before you pull the trigger. when you showed the money he spent i came up in my head with around $16000 grand when the list was scrolling. i may be off. but buying the car, taxes, uber rides are not costs of getting the car going. still a lot of money but not nearly $32000.

@marial8235

4 ай бұрын

At the end you have a Rolls. This guy has an Alfa and one of the not so desirable models.

@simonbone

4 ай бұрын

@@marial8235 It's what the owner wanted and as the Wizard says, he isn't bothered by the money, even if it ends up possibly being somewhat more than the value of the fully restored car. It may not be a Rolls but it has rarity value, in the US at least.

@doraexplora9046

4 ай бұрын

The only thing more expensive than a car restoration is a boat restoration. Restoring an old boat costs almost x5 more than a car resto and I've done two boat resto's and three car resto's.

@JeepCherokeeful

4 ай бұрын

You never just “cruise” in an old Italian car...

@JeepCherokeeful

4 ай бұрын

You know what’s cheap to get on the road? A 30 year old American vehicle

I've owned a Milano Verde since 2014 and it averages about $1,200 / year in maintenance, repair and consumables and I have since accumulated 20K miles since purchase. It's not unreliable - far from it, it's never left me stranded - it's just that you're dealing with a 30+ year old car that's going to have needs. Show me a classic that doesn't cost AT LEAST $1K / year to keep and I will say bullshit. Milanos are incredibly underrated and just fantastic to drive. I would happily increase my annual budget 3 fold to keep mine on the road.

@AnnatarTheMaia

4 ай бұрын

I drive a 2004 mazda6 diesel wagon, first owner, and it costs me around 1,300 bucks per year in maintenance, so yeah, you're spot on. The upside of that is that I've cruised in it all over Europe and it's never, ever left me stranded, not even when it had a check engine light because of the clogged up EGR. Drove it 3,000 km that Summer; it just took it. I maintain the hell out of that car, and it still goes 220 km/h like the first day I drove her.

@mihaisirbu1

4 ай бұрын

Classic that needs under 1k? Golf 1-3! (I am talking about Europe). Especially the diesels

@Roberto-de8xv

4 ай бұрын

You're an outlier those are not reliable vehicles for most owners.

@mihaisirbu1

4 ай бұрын

@@Roberto-de8xv elaborate why Golfs are not reliable. Mine has 270k km, zero oil consumption (on a 1.4 8v 54hp TBI engine), I changed parts worth of 2500-3000e because they were old and I did it preventively, any car that reaches this age and mileage needs a bit of love. It was stupidly easy to work on and for that sum I changed everything (yes I went overkill) except for the fuel pump, blower motor and alternator. Even if I decided not to do anything but oil and filters it would still run although badly since the suspension was too soft and beat and the clutch had max 20k km left. The sum of 3000-3500e (500 were the wheels, that was not mandatory that's why above I said lower) during a period of 4 years of ownership doesn't sound bad, under 1k per year but now for the next 5 years I'll change the fluids, 1-2 bushings when they crack so its gonna be even lower since its sorted. Ah also you in the US always got far worse built VWs than eurospec, that's why they are bad in your opinion

@David-lr2vi

4 ай бұрын

Driving only 2000 miles a year probably has a lot to do with why you perceive it to be reliable. It doesn’t get much chance to play up if you’re barely driving it.

Having only ever owned on Alfa Romeo in my life that was similar to this one in that despite a full service history, it had never seen a spanner. So i know how it feels to be scammed! I was told by an independant Alfa expert that the one thing that these cars can't tollerate is neglected servicing, i found out the expensive way!

Come on. 32k - 12 K Purchase - 2k wheels and tires is arround 8k for a more or less sorted car. Thats not too bad if you outsource the majority of the work. And the prices for the parts seem a little high in the US. Cheaper over here. These Milanos/ 75s are really no space shuttles and actually pretty reliable if treated correctly. I own 2 of these, a V6 and a TwinSpark.

I have $50K in a GTV6 that I brought back to top level. These cars are labors of love that you have to know you will never get your money back. There is only one way to do it...the right way, so glad to see Bill treat this Milano properly!

Your $250.00 pre-inspection fee is a very reasonable price for peace-of-miond insurance. My grandmother had a good expression: "Don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish".

@bobnovaes9363

4 ай бұрын

I always wanted an AMG model. I found a CLK55 around 250 miles away from me. I paid $200 to the Lemon Squad. The dealer had said everything but the top was in great condition. Once the inspection was finished, had I bought the car sight unseen, I would have been holding 3 maybe 4 times the market price bill. Everything was broken. Best $200 I’ve ever spent.

$250 for a serious pre-purchase inspection is a steal.

@oldrrocr

4 ай бұрын

only problem I've had is that the inspector came back and said "Don't buy this car." then I'm out $300 and have to keep looking Join the car club first, THEN start looking.

@SkaiiV

4 ай бұрын

@@oldrrocr weird. normally they wont tell you whether or not you should buy it.

@motleydude73

4 ай бұрын

Considering all they're doing is running their eyes over things, checking fluid levels, jemmy barring ball joints, $250 is a rip. We just charge our normal charge out rate which is half that. Takes 30 minutes.

@Roberto-de8xv

4 ай бұрын

Are private parties going to let a stranger take their vehicle get inspected?

@motleydude73

4 ай бұрын

@@Roberto-de8xv Most have no problems with it if it helps secure a sale. Only a dodgy seller would refuse it.

Just a side note from Australia needing to replace the headliner. I found a local service here in Perth that came to me with 2 guys and big van with everything needed including a compressor to run the glue spray gun. They stripped it out in about 5 minutes and the new one installed in an hour. I opted for black to contrast with the grey visors and other trim. It cost A$350- a bit over US$ 200. So this is probably an example of a super efficient business that sometimes crops up.

I knew an independent Alfa mechanic years ago in Oklahoma City. C.H. was the only factory trained Alfa fuel injection technician between the Rockies and Appalachian Mountains for a long time. He could really make them sing mechanically. He could do everything on them and built the first VW trike I ever saw.

My Father used to say, you can buy something but can you afford it. I have 2 six foot bookcases filled with car & motorcycle books. Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, Lotus, & Miller engine design and history books. I cannot afford the nice toys but I can afford the books. Neat part, none of the books leak oil.

Years ago I had a MGB that I got tired of fixing and decided to sell it. A guy saw it where I had it beside the road and called me. He said if I would drive it to him, he would take it. I drove it from Knoxville, TN to Jellico, TN over a mountain. I stopped on the mountain and made sure the oil was full. The guy met me and gave me the money and I gave him the title. As I turned to go, he asked me what gear I usually used. I told him to start in first and when the engine got loud, then go to the next gear. I jumped in with my wife in our other car and was back on the interstate before he got in the MG.

@kevinshort3943

4 ай бұрын

What gear? That sounds like the poor MG didn't live long. You Sir, are responsible for it's death!

@billhe372

4 ай бұрын

I have a friend with 3 MGB’s and I have worked on all of them. He said he is leaving the 1969 MGB to me in his will. I asked him what did I do to make him mad at me 😊.

@stephenkutney9626

4 ай бұрын

I have a 1980 MGB. I have over 20k into it. Expensive paint job,, SU carbs, rubber bumpers replaced with chrome.

@TheopolisQSmith

4 ай бұрын

Amateurs, I had a 1969 MGC-GT. More breakdowns per mile than any other car I ever owned.

@timhancock6626

4 ай бұрын

If you are a careful buyer you can still get a very nice MGB in the UK for reasonable money. Spares are pretty available, you just need to be sure you don't buy somebody else's failed project car unless you really know what you are doing. Nobody ever makes money restoring cars.

My father bought Alfa just like this one shortly before I was born, I have so many beautiful childhood memories in this car, I just love it!

Writing from Switzerland: this was a good market for the 3.0 V6 back in the day, so there are quite a lot for sale. Prices vary wildly from the low teens up to 50,000 dollars for fully restored cars with documented evidence of all the work done. This video explains why they can cost so much - and it may be worth it rather than going for a low-end car and “hoping”’it will be ok

Years ago I purchased a used RX7 which unknown to me at the time had combustion gases leaking into the coolant system. I realized that there was an issue when the the top radiator hose would swell up from the combustion gas leaking into it. Someone had drilled a hole in the radiator cap shaft and inserted a bolt into it to keep the radiator from blowing out coolant. I took it back to the used car dealer I bought the RX 7 from and traded it for a different car at no extra expense.

I owned and drove the 2.0 Twin Spark version of that car for about three years back in the ‘90s (in Italy, where it’s called the model 75). Everything about it was awesome, except the FIAT (Fix It Again Tony) electrics, which still were relatively reliable. That said, due to its great suspension and drivetrain, it was a very satisfying car to drive.

@izno73

4 ай бұрын

what do you mean by "Fiat"-electrics? There´s nothing "fiat" in it. The injected 75 come with Bosch injection and parts.

@jameslewis8227

4 ай бұрын

@@izno73 What I mean is the choice of components made by industrial engineers who work for the FIAT group, and by electrics, I mean wiring harnesses, lighting fixtures, relays, etc.. The Bosch components you mention are the electronics systems, not the electrical systems.

@eelcoengelaar798

4 ай бұрын

​@@jameslewis8227the 75 was developed before Fiat took over Alfa Romeo. And it is the Bosch components that always fail on Italian cars...

@jameslewis8227

4 ай бұрын

@@eelcoengelaar798 While the 75 was in no small part based on an older Alfa Romeo design, specifically the Giulietta, the vast majority of the vehicles produced were built AFTER FIAT acquired Alfa Romeo in 1986. The 75 was put on the market in 1985. Consequently, I blame FIAT for not choosing to use higher quality/reliability electrical components. My Alfa 75 had absolutely no problems with its engine, engine management electronics or drivetrain while I owned it. It only had the electrical problems common to just about all FIAT group cars of the time. That said, you people need give your trolling fingers a rest, because your comments aren’t even relevant to the points I made in my own comments, and consequently you are not adding any useful input to this exchange of comments. I freely admit it’s little unfair to blame FIAT for electrical problems with slightly older Alfa Romeos, but that’s beside the point, because under FIAT’s control, neither Lancia, nor Alfa Romeo exhibited any particularly notable increases in build quality and reliability.

@eelcoengelaar798

4 ай бұрын

​@@jameslewis8227 hold your horses and start thinking about your heart man. And quit calling people trolls. I have owned several 75's, have daily driven a few of them and still.own an '88 3.0. And nothing wrong with their electronics. They are pretty reliable cars, very tough and well maintained they are able to do many, many miles. They most of all need to be driven. And when that is the case, their electronics aren't any worse than your average German car from that age

32 grand into a project car sounds fine to me. The trouble I'm having with mine is finding a shop in the Reno area that will work on an XJS and do it in anything resembling a timely manner.

@dddevildogg

4 ай бұрын

No trustworthy mechanic/tech shop owner will give a time to do anything on a European brand.Unlike the popular makes,where parts dealers are everywhere,even on line-that does not mean the tech can get the part you need,after he diagnoses, and takes the car apart where it either eats up a bay or has to be pushed in/out Take your car for an estimate ,note the parts you'll need and look them up (their availability) Remember Jaguar sold to Tata Motors of India...and if you have a pre-Ford XJ-S there's probably a Jag Club in that area with experienced members XJ-S very complicated and aged parts very hard to get OEM quality, Look for yourself if the underside has some serious problems that will take many part $$$$ and labor time $$$$

@davidhollenshead4892

4 ай бұрын

The Jaguar Owners Groups will know who to take it to in Reno...

@porsche928s4

4 ай бұрын

I'm working on 2000s jags I can't even imagine your pain of the XJS

@sha22276

4 ай бұрын

Have you had any experience with X350 Jag XJ? I'm thinking of buying one ​@@porsche928s4

I had a Platinum and a Verde version. Loved them.

@davidsherrick898

4 ай бұрын

Two Golds and a Verde. Still have a Gold Automatic! And 14 other Alfas over the years!

I have an '82 Chevy S10 that my Dad bought me to drive to college in 1994. I drove it to college, then my brother drove it to college. It got passed some more around the family. Then sat for 15 years until I got it back. I've rebuilt the transmission and been working on other items. A little money into it but I've enjoyed working on it and driving it again. ❤

In 1985 I began a 35 year relationship with the Saab brand. Before purchasing my first one of four that I owned, I searched to find an auto shop that could work on them. I did find an independent Saab specialist practically in my back yard. For all those years we had a great relationship because I knew they were professional, trustworthy and the prices were fair for work done. Nice video Wizard!

@lando0861

4 ай бұрын

In 2021 I really fell in love with the Saab brand aswell and haven’t been the same since 😅

@adrianotero7963

4 ай бұрын

Had a similar experience with a 76 EMS....dad had one when I was a kid.....finally found one .....unfortunately for me....the Saab dealer close to me was only good at repairing modern Saabs and were no help at all.....

@lando0861

4 ай бұрын

@@adrianotero7963 it started back in 2011 when my dad had a rental 9-3 2.0t and I found out later on that we had a Saab dealer because I was a toddler when he rented it and haven’t been the same since haha

@user-fs5zx7wc6e

4 ай бұрын

Shame, my shop even worked on two-stroke ones.@@adrianotero7963

@donswier

4 ай бұрын

Clutch in front of engine. Timing belt at the back of engine. Ignition switch on floor. At least they can't be called 'copycats'☺️

I don't consider body work and wear items like brakes and tires as 'repairs' per say. And definitely not the wheels. More like upkeep and bling items. And then you also have maintenance items. But they definitely add up. Edit: Always make sure the check engine light comes on with the bulb check (ignition on, engine off) before starting, when buying a car.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

that's genuinely great advice, the sorta thing most wouldn't even remember to do

As an Alfa Romeo fan,I'd spend any amount to get it right.

Coolest car I ever owned - I had a dark blue 75 (2.0 Twin Spark) 30 years ago. Funnily enough, I paid the same amount back then, and the A/C had also self-destructed. I remember getring it fixed all the time, but I still loved that car - great engine, huge character and beautiful looks, at least in my eyes. Well done Bill and Wizard!

I own a 164 and put the same amount of money... and there is still work. glad this 75 owner almost finished his project. it looks really cool!

I can relate. I bought a Milano in 1988. Although it was a 2.5, and I’ve had many, many cars after I sold it in 1994, it is the car I miss the most. Kudos to the owner for spending the money to keep it alive.

I had same color Verde I flew to Denver in 2006 bought it and drove back to Boston. The Busso 3.0L with a long gear ratio has amazing power and with ANSA exhaust the V6 Busso sound no like other V6. Kept it until 2017, I miss it but have other Alfa’s to enjoy!

I understand why he does it. I’ve got an 88 spider and there’s something different about driving an Alfa that makes it so special

He must be a single car guy,it isn't to many wives would allow this.

@powertothesheeple5422

4 ай бұрын

Nah, just a rich one. I bet his wife has 30K worth of Louis Vuitton to make up for it.

@jimihendrix731

4 ай бұрын

Can’t be that rich, otherwise he would have bought something newer or well sorted from a reputable dealer.

@adotintheshark4848

4 ай бұрын

Bill should have taken it on a test drive first. I've a feeling he knew what he was getting into.

@dinispaulino7512

4 ай бұрын

@@jimihendrix731 I think it's pretty obvious he's an enthusiast, he doesn't buy old cars because that's all he can afford... And I'd rather spend 50k or more on 3 cool old cars than just one new one.

@sreilly

4 ай бұрын

@@jimihendrix731newer cars aren’t even well sorted when new 😂

Back in the 90's my stepfather had an Alfa 75 with the 3 lt V6 & a 5 spd manual transaxle in the rear & THEY ARE AN AWESOME DRIVERS CAR & this is worth it & he'll get his $$ back cos there are dudes out there that LOVE ALFAS 🔥👍

That thing is awesome. Anybody who has dealt with rare European cars would not be shocked by this price tag at all.

I live in Tasmania and have owned at least a dozen Alfas since 1977, including a V8 Montreal, several 33s, an Alfetta, a GTV, a couple of Alfa Sprints and five Alfa 75s with 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines. These 3ltr 75s are becoming very collectible and are a delight to drive The 2ltr Twin Sparks are the niftiest (easiest handling) but the 2.5 and 3.0 liter V6 engines have the sweetest sound. My Alfa 75s have all been reliable and have not given me grief. These days 3ltr Alfa Milanos or Americas are hard to find in Australia in good condition. They're not cheap either..A$30.000 (US $20K is not uncommon. I totally share your client's enthusiasm for the Alfa 75 and wish him many enjoyable trips in his America.

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

Ah, the Montreal! What a stunning car, and such a rare one.

Great car , some say , including myself , the last of the “Real “ Alfa Romeos . Had two , first 75 was the 2 litre Twin Spark , then later the 3.0 litre V6 . It all comes down to the example you buy . How it’s been cared for , looked after, and maintained correctly.

I had one of these, and eeven 20 years ago, the parts prices were pretty spicy! I recall a break caliper seized on the rear - and that was £500, then, and I couldn't afford to do both sides. That would have been £1k just for a couple of brake calipers. Oh, and then the head gasket went. That was £1200. I still have the bills. I wasn't even earning £1200 a month, I virtually gave it away. It was only worth £1k at the time, and I spent £2k on it before realising the futility of owning an Alfa on a budget.... It was in parts an amazing car, and amazingly, often a car in parts.

@startingtech3900

4 ай бұрын

Tried to stunt while broke 😅

It is a handsome ride! This has the trans on the rear axle right? Super balanced! Glad it found an owner with deep pockets!

Alfa 75 as known in Europe is consider as last real Alfa before Fiat really took over. Parts are expensive because it is exotic car in the US in Italy you can get parts for a decent prices.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

really depends on who you ask, some say the 164 was the last one as it was the final car built at arese

@altergreenhorn

4 ай бұрын

@@tiagobelo4965 164 was all ready on multicar platform not on Alfa platform, also it is FWD, which doesnt mean it was/is a bad car

@martinssmits3170

4 ай бұрын

​@@tiagobelo4965 164 is Fiat Croma / 1st gen Saab 9000. Not a real Alfa. Sorry.

Milano will appreciate in value. Busso V6 in 3Litre, rear transaxle in manual. 4 door saloon for rs for a lot of unique features thet make it appealing and interesting. The fact this one is up to date maintenance wise means he can command good money if he sells and in 20 years time this will be a collector

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

Just what I was thinking.

Considering a $250 pre-purchase inspection can save you thousands of dollars, there's no reason not to do it.

@romulus_

4 ай бұрын

and if the seller balks, walk!

I owned an '82 GTV6 and much more recently an '89 Milano Verde, which was close to a basket case, but I knew that going into it. I did a performance rebuild on the engine and got a lot of neglect taken care of too. Both Alfas after sorting and maintaining them properly were some of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Whether new or old, do the maintenace and do it by the book. Italian cars especially are more highly strung and they will bite you hard if you dump magic stop-leak into them and hope for the best. My Verde had over 2" of rock hard stop leak at the bottoms of the cooling jackets around the cylinder liners. I had to use a hammer & chisel to clean it out. The cams were flat because somebody used whatever oil was the cheapest. I could go on and on, but the moral of the story is, do it right the first time! It's cheaper that way!

Nice looking car. Have a 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider. Love it. Its worth it. Great work Wizard, thanks for bringing this back to its former glory.

I have had several of these both V6 and 2.0 TS,, in Europe it was named "75" not "Milano", the Milano designation was for US-cars only. I did buy a Milano that never made it to the US, loved it. It was quite the challenge to keep in good shape when it was five years old, can't imagine it now... :) I prided myself in having a fully functioning A.R.C. in the center dash for instance, those who know, know. The corrosion willingness of the -80's Alfas are just from another world too, just horrendous.

@brianshorey

4 ай бұрын

Somebody on the AlfaBB reverse engineered the ARC and discovered that a simple transistor was under sized. For a couple of bucks you can solder in a proper transistor and the ARC disco light show is a thing of the past!

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

The trick is to have them rust sprayed from the get go, and repeated on a yearly basis. When I sold my Milano after six years of daily use in Canada where the roads are salted in winter, there was no rust at all, anywhere. A good spray = no rust.

You are a totally trustworthy professional, last time I dealt with a garage like yours was the Mercedes- Benz dealership in Lahr, West Germany back in the late 70s when I was posted overseas with the Canadian NATO Forces.

@kevinshort3943

4 ай бұрын

What?! The Wizards one of the few trust worthy Septics.

@Chuck59ish

4 ай бұрын

@@kevinshort3943Well I was talking about 50 years ago and in Germany.

I have had 17 Alfa Romeo's. I currently have a 1988 Milano Gold Automatic!! Yes it runs and drives. It needs brakes! I hope i don't spend $$$ that much on repairs! Beautiful example, great video!

The suggestion of checking the condensate water to establish whether a car's AC evaporator is leaking is a fantastic tip - thank you. However, in your video you also mentioned that the Alfa Milano 3.0 litre is fitted with a torque tube that is similar to the C5 Corvette. The aforesaid is not correct as the Alfa Milano is equipped with a two-piece prop shaft incorporating three shock absorbing donuts known as Guibos.

Yeah, I've had one with a 2.5L V6. A Japanese tourist bought it new and toured around Australia. I bought it at 80,000km with a blown right bank head gasket. Replaced gasket, fanged it for a couple of days and sold it for AU$1000 profit. Noisy but nice to drive. Not my favourite Alfa (I once had a 2600) but enjoyable. A 1978 GTV would be my choice if I could find one these days, but 147's are far cheaper and my second one is being delivered today. Gotta love that 2.0L twin spark engine. 🙂

@tedburnard841

4 ай бұрын

The 78 GTVs had very bad rust issues. I bought an Alfetta 1.8 brand new In Adelaide in 1976 and had it faithfully serviced and it was very reliable but it rusted like crazy around the windscreen and back window. Sold it in 1980 with 96000km. In 1984 I bought my GTV 2.0 late 81 model with the plastic bumpers and the old crazy dash. Loved it like I loved the Alfetta. Lost interest in Alfas after they switched to fwd.

The 75 was our first Alfa and the last RWD. 164 followed and the 916 GTV was next. We still have the GTV and next year is going to be 30 yo with classic car plates. My brother has the 159 and I drive a Giulietta. Great cars but not stupid proof. They need love.

@froggy0162

4 ай бұрын

Dunno, my Giulietta has been bulletproof. Well, this one has been. The last one I let the dealer work on and they messed it up so badly I had to get consumer laws invoked to make them replace the whole car… I decided the warranty wasn’t worth much so do my own work and it’s been great 😂

@karacop78

4 ай бұрын

@@froggy0162 You're right, I should mention that this goes for the older models mostly. Indeed, the Giulietta as well as my brother's 159 haven't given us any serious problems. In addition, my G (2016 170hp DCT) is my first Alfa with completely silent cabin.

This has been one of my favorite cars since the first time I saw one in the early ‘90’s. Beautiful car. Those wheels are perfect. Awesome video.

Sometimes logic goes out the window when sentiment is involved, and I completely understand that. My parents have my grandfather’s beloved 99 SL600; it sat for a year before they got it and that took its toll, but there’s zero question about keeping up with repairs and keeping it in original condition. I’ll do the same with it one day.

I'd have that over many an exotic... But I'd get 'another' early 156 because those go and handle like a true pedigree. They look lovely too. Edit: Though, thinking about it for just a little, it would be a tough choice as these are so full of character too.. My fave is almost any 50s or 60s Alfa and when I was a kid the 1600 GT Junior was affordable!.. Those and original Minis (I've had 3) are 10x more fun than any new Lambo or Ferrari. Yes, they are. And they look better too. Call me crazy.

@xyz-md2mv

4 ай бұрын

You are not crazy. I stand with you😉

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

as someone who daily drives a 156 (1.9jtd, not very exciting for a 156, but still goes more than enough), I can definitely confirm that the handling is superb, especially for a FWD sedan, and whilst the BMW guys might scream at me for saying this, it was definitely the best looking option in the segment at the time. those 60s alfas are works of art though, those "letterbox"/scalino GTs are something else

@martinssmits3170

4 ай бұрын

155 handles somehow better imo

3 liter Alfa V6 one of the best engines ever

Some of my best childhood memories inside an alfa romeo just like this one.. Hello from Greece

I don't think there's anything wrong with spending money in this way on a car. Always when you're looking for a specific model and year there's going to be a certain price to pay, but after that, you have a car for life. And compared with the 'piano down a lift shaft' rate of depreciation on a new car, money spent on a car like this is like buying gold bars.

What a great car, always admired them back in the day. I'll bet when Bill finds some more loose change all the front lights will be replaced, and that will make a huge difference to the look of the car. Nice one Bill you have my deepest respect for getting her back to snuff.

@georgebettiol8338

4 ай бұрын

The front lights are glass - i.e. not plastic. They just require a simple clean.

@Ralph2

4 ай бұрын

@@georgebettiol8338 Of course, and that's even better! I think the indicators are plastic though, hope they can still be sourced. 🤞

It's like he said. A car is worth what someone will pay for it. Since he truly likes this car, the $32k spent is a good deal. Great video!

That’s why these are supposed to be DIY weekend projects. As a 30 year owner of a GTV6, yep that’s what it costs. People use to not send this stuff out, no matter how difficult. They were not buy and drive cars new, although mine has never left me stranded, they fall apart and you have to chase the gremlins always.

@delahayenator

4 ай бұрын

Dont agree on the not buy and drive cars while new. My dad had a Giulietta 1.8, Alfetta 2.0 and a very nice GTV6 all new. These cars just had the regular maintenance at a good dealer (thats where usually the problems came from. Sloppy maintenance by the dealer while charging a lot of money)He drove them quite hard and did 60 to 70.000 km per year. No rust or mechanical problems at all. Before these he had 2 Giulia 1600 Supers and a Sud 1.3 TI, same story there. All bought new, and traded in on a new Alfa usually after 3 years. Older second hand Alfas can be tricky when not knowing these cars. If you know the model and things to check it should not be a big risk. Agree on the work yourself on these older cars. Theyre fun to work on, I like the engineering on the 116 series. Had a 81 2.0 Alfetta and a Giulietta an a 75TS, these were a bit rusty here and there but not terrible. Driveshaft revision on such old car is a good idea as the hardy/guibos tend to dry out and shear. Can be done on jackstands on the street if neccesary haha. Even did a rearaxle&gearbox/clutch swap like that :) Love these cars.

Thanks for being so honest Car Wizard. Mrs. Wizard as well.👍

An honest mechanic is hard to find. In Pennsylvania, we have yearly inspections. I was told both of my rear axles were leaking. To the point it almost failed inspection. The next da, I pulled the wheels and found the seals to be dry.

@billholemo2518

4 ай бұрын

I lived in Maryland for 25 yrs. Annual inspection st. Money Grab for Mechanics.

Used to sell BMW Motorcycles. Owner had a Alpha dealership across the street. Saw a lot of 164's. Fantastic cars when new. BMW eaters.

If you've ever watch episodes of Ian Tyrrell's exotic car renovations, you will have seen the extreme expense that owners will endure for certain collector cars like Lamborghini Miura or Dino. On any common car they would have been written off years ago due to horrendous rust or unobtainable parts by normal means. But then spending $100K on a car worth ten times that at auction makes sense if you have the funds available. People who want to restore common cars on a beer budget, defies any form of logic. These cars were designed to time-expire... NOT be collector items. Because in the end, you can never recover what you've put into your project. It boils down to "If you have to ask the price, you likely can't afford it."

@stuffhappens5681

4 ай бұрын

You are exactly right. Italian cars aren’t build to last which is why owning one is a challenge but if you can keep one in nice shape in spite of itself it is a treat mainly because most have long since expired.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

I mean, this is an alfa 75 3L, if an E30 M3 or a Cosworth 190E is worth looking after then so is this.

Top Gear: “the Alfa performs brilliantly…..briefly”

It's an amazing looking car though, and he'll have the nicest one in the country. Any chance Tyler can do a review on it? This is right up his alley (or at least before you guys fixed it up).

@volvo09

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, that's a nice car. Really cool!

32k is not a lot for a car you really love

That V6 engine is called The Busso engine, named after the Italian engineer who designed it. In Europe that car is an Alfa Romeo 75, not a Milano (which is not pronounced Milarno)

Just look at it, its stunning, had a 75 many years ago, still miss it now, same car in the US, stunning car. $32k for a car you have always wished in the condition you need it to be, is it truly expensive? or is it a bargain to have what you love in the condition you love.

ITs still better than PAYMENTs apps to start / Subscriptions / Endless Updates & overall poor designed lacking quality builts of the NEW CarTruckSUVetcs Gas or Electric .

When I sell a car I tell the buyer everything that I would get fixed immediately or would like to fix. If a deal is not a win-win then it's not worth doing

@luciano5137

4 ай бұрын

That is the best way to do of course but not everyone is wealthy and some people are broke and just want to make a quick buck On the other hand some people have a lot of money they just choose not to be honest

@elesjuan

4 ай бұрын

That’s cause you have something called integrity, which the seller is this car did not. Obviously.

@stevonkoch8002

4 ай бұрын

@@luciano5137 in my used car buying experience the average people are honest and the people with money are sneaky.

@karvast5726

4 ай бұрын

I sold a car without saying anything once cause it was my first car and i got scammed and i was broke so i sold it for a little bit more than scrap value although it was definitely only worth scrap except for the engine,that was pretty much my only solution to getting some money back that i fought to get in the first place

@samuelgoodman2825

4 ай бұрын

Agreed.I like to sleep at night lol.

My dad had 2 alfa 75 which is what they were called in europe. First the 2.5 V6 and then later the 3.0 V6. No major issues over more than 20 years between them both. The few things that showed up were not expensive but we are swedish so parts were easy to com by. Later in life i owned a 155 twin spark. Loved the car. Sadly a mecanic didnt put the nutt back right after a oil filter change and the engine blew. Its very similar to the 75 in the way it feels but is front weel drive and usually cheaper.

Can relate. A. Had a predessor, a 1982 Alfa Alfetta 2 litre with the same transaxel layout. One of the best balanced front engine rwd cars I have driven. B. Have a had Porsche 964 for 20 years. Nearest official Porsche dealership clearly showed moderate intrest in doing repairs or sourcing parts, except for one of the older mechanics.

Part of the fun of driving an alfa is the adventures you have when it breaks down.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

much like a beetle its a great first car for anyone you want to have become a mechanic. you'll end up having to learn some stuff to keep it going, and also to keep it in tip top shape because you can't accept any less

2:20 Of course they need just 2 items: 1: Bottom half 2: Top half

@Sam-go3mb

4 ай бұрын

What I want to know is why on a video with the word 'scam' in the title Wizard read out a $32k list of repairs then immediately said, but it's actually been very reliable 😂

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

Yeah, anybody who thinks they are getting a well sorted Milano Verde for 12 grand is dreaming in technicolour.@@Sam-go3mb

Yeah, that brings back memories. I tried to buy one of these in the States for several years, couldn't find one which wasn't beyond repair. But I had a 2.5 l V6 version, apparently s Swiss model for years and loved every moment of it. You know, I can't really say what it is with these cars. They are weird. They have this huge handbrake, they have the power window switches on the ceiling, the interior quality isnt even great, I mean, it is an eighties Alfa, what do you expect, right? And this weird shape, what is up with that? It's just one of these misteries. This car just puts a smile on your face every time you drive it. It's magic, Italian car building magic. So I totally get Bill, or whatever his name was again. And I appreciate his dedication. What he goes for is not some ultra elusive, exclusive and expensive man toy to show off with. What he goes for is going about his life, which makes it necessary to go from A to B sometimes, except he wants to do it with a tremendous fun factor. And I know from my own experience, this car will provide it. And sometimes, it is all you need in life. Sit in a great vehicle where you know, the people who designed and built it, had fun doing it, too. And that is, I think, what makes this car so special. It's a typical, Italian product. Make something everybody can use, thus don't make it too expensive or unattainable, but pick some people who can feel something, infuse their own emotional connection into the product. I totally get Bill or whatever his name was. Good job keeping your dream alive. And keep enjoying it, I envy you, I really do.

Here in South Africa during the 70's, Alfa had its second biggest market outside of Italy. However due to sanctions they had to pull out. When they left they dug a hole in the ground, and dumped all its new parts etc etc. I currently have a 1998 Spider with the 2.0 Twin Spark. Very solid engines and had been very reliable. I previously had the 147 Selespeed. So sad I sold it but the automated manual gearbox was giving issues.

Never forget people Fiat the owner of Alpha Romero, has been ranked for nine years straight the worst vehicle manufacturer in the world.

@wanderer7779

4 ай бұрын

It's kinda the tradition at this point 😂

@Desertduleler_88

4 ай бұрын

All the cars produced by FIAT is crap, that includes Ferrari.

@SombreroKnight

4 ай бұрын

Fix it again Tony

@richardsheil5289

4 ай бұрын

Fiat had nothing to do with this car. It's based on 1974 Alfetta.

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

I highly doubt that, especially since they are known for being totally fine cars around these parts, so a source would certainly be appreciated

This Alfa Romeo does "not" have a torque tube as mentioned in the video but an open prop running at engine speed linked to the rear clutch/gearbox in one unit, so unlike the C5 Corvette, and saying it will break again is also nonsense if properly maintained. A third of that cost list was the purchase price (which was cheap compared to Europe) and the rest of the items should have been taken care of with regular servicing , because the Milano/75 was very reliable in Europe with regular maintenance. The same costs would apply with other foreign motors that were not serviced for many years, including German cars. The Milano/75 was more reliable than any Ferrari of the time and one that is pre Fiat, the last fully Alfa Romeo engineered car; when I was in italy in the 80s/ early 90s it was very common and very reliable which is why people used them. I maintain my fathers transaxle Alfa from new which was an earlier car with the same platform and it has given "zero" major issues and zero rust either since it was always garaged, but it has been maintained and maintenance cost is akin to exotic car prices because of the transaxle platform. Important also to buy NOS parts and go to an Alfa Specialist also that knows the cars, preferably a mechanic that worked for dealers when the particular Alfa was current. Fully working Milano/75 v6 cars without issues are available in Europe but they are, without excessive mileage (80k), at the USD27k mark looking on autoscout24 which gives a good estimate of prices in Europe, up to USD40K for much lower mileage cars. These cars have those prices in Europe so the US has it lucky if you can get a well maintained Milano/75 for much less.

@giuliettaevo

4 ай бұрын

Amen to that👍🏻

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

Agree wit all, but the driveshaft balance issues with the 75/Milano are well known, and require a lot of maintenance.

@cbca6567

3 ай бұрын

@@davidturgeon2087 yeah that is true but "with" the regular competent maintenance a lot of issues could be avoided, which was not done in the example in the video. This is also true of many other brands that regular maintenance will stop problems, so it is unfair to judge the 75/Milano in this sense. Lots of people I spoke to implied a car of ITalian origin means it will not be as reliable., and a lot of these people never owned an ITalian car.

That thing is unique and has a lot of character. The wheels really really set off the look.

Good information. Years ago I looked ay buying a Mercedes SL55 circa 2004. Did a pre purchase inspection. Ended up being at same independent Mercedes specialist that the vendor used. Most of the issues had already been advised to him but he chose to ignore them. Told me he disagreed with their opinion, suffice to say I walked away form that deal. Always do a Pre Purchase Inspection, think it cost me like $150 which was nothing compare to purchase price. People lie and just want to sell stuff with issues. Car wizard is on the money here.

I just sold a 2017 Mazda 6 to a guy in Chicago area. He flew out to Northern California. I had it smogged and ready to go. Drove all the way back home no issues with 150000 miles. I am mechanic as well.

Hoping a SAAB 9000 Aero comes through some day

@lotusespritdecorps

4 ай бұрын

Me too

I love the idea of restoring and driving an older classic car but the practical side of me asks, what if it gets hit by another driver?

@tiagobelo4965

4 ай бұрын

well, then at least it got to be back at its full glory for a while instead of being scrapped by the first fool to have trouble with it

I have bought tools off of your website by your recommendations. and I got to say they're pretty terrific exactly what I needed.thank you.

Wizard I owned that exact year and model from new in 88....it spent more time at the dealer than in front of my house...fun fact the heads are a different alloy than the block...expand at different rated...can you say leaking gasket in 4k miles? I can. unload that thing

@brianshorey

4 ай бұрын

First I've heard of different alloys with the heads and block. I know the early GTV6's had 2 piece head gaskets that were prone to leaking, but the Milano had an upgraded single piece head gasket and those weren't known for head gasket problems. I've owned many, and the only head gasket failure I have experienced to date was with a 24 Hour of LeMons raced car that we hammered the bejesus out of.

@bobgaysummerland

4 ай бұрын

That was the story I got back then..Dumped that car first chance I got. Sure it was fun...when it wasn't dumping oil.@@brianshorey

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

Umm. no. The Busso V6 engine, including the heads and the sump, is all aluminum alloy. I know, having owned one.

I owned an Alfa 33 wagon of similar vintage. It seduced me with its good looks, then proceeded to empty my wallet. Which is why I now drive a Toyota.

@davidturgeon2087

3 ай бұрын

That's a really sad ending. No one should have to drive a Toyota.

Having owned a lot of Alfa Romeo's and still driving one i can say the Alfa 164 from end 80's is one of the best and most reliable Alfa''s build in that time. Also the 166 later in the and 90's is a very solid car. Owned both of them and had a 166 3.0 V6 24V Busso engine and they are special if you have a good one! The one i miss the most is the infamous Alfa ROmeo Sud 1.5 TI QV! That car was special in every way. I wish i would still have one now! After is think both 164 and 166 were great. And now still enjoying my 156 Alfa. I drove 100.000's of miles with Alfa's. Bot search all of them, tested and cheked them before buying and left more of them standing then i bought. My 5th 166 was the one i bought and my brother still drives this car today.

@davidsherrick898

4 ай бұрын

On number 17! I currently have a 1988 Milano Gold Automatic!

Alfa Romeo - a more expensive Fiat.

@michieljansen648

4 ай бұрын

A poor man's Maserati

@dl6860

4 ай бұрын

A cheaper Ferrari

@jaceworkshop7284

4 ай бұрын

No, this is before Fiat took over Alfa Romeo so Fiat has notning to do with the 75 model (or Milano as the US market call them)

@Rawmusse

4 ай бұрын

I hate fats..

@alphakky

4 ай бұрын

Porsche. A more expensive Volkswagen.

Why are Alfas so fast? So it gets to your destination before falling apart.

Despite the long list of repairs, none of those items was out of line.

I own a 2004 156 since 2017 and still keeping it. Love it since first time driving. The 2.0 twin spark is a rock but the selespeed gave me quite a lot headache. I wish I could get a Busso engine which Euroasianbob just got one. Italian can really make cars.

The best way to not get scammed is not to buy a Alfa Romeo or any Italian car.

@Grumpy262

4 ай бұрын

Very true 💯

@rj12427

4 ай бұрын

Try finding a car that's 40 years old that has never been maintained and has sat most of its life that DOESN'T have these issues... have you ever owned an old car? Or do you lease crossovers every 3 years?

@jameslee2680

4 ай бұрын

@@rj12427 I own a Toyota Tacoma thanks for asking. I don’t lease, as leasing is the biggest waste of money. I have zero interest in owning old cars as most of them are endless money pits. Alfa Romeos are no exceptions as they are endless money pits that fall apart like the one that was shown.

My brother-in-law had an ‘87 Milano. Cool car! That V6 engine was smooth and the inboard rear brakes were cool, but the car was very finicky and always needed some work and was expensive to repair. That car made me an Alfa fan and convinced me never to own one. 😂

Not gonna lie. I put over $17,000 in a Saturn SL2. It was my first car ever and it was the car that helped me get through a tough time when I was in my 20’s. My friends will not understand why I would do that but I have money now and that car meant a lot to me.

I don't know if it's been mentioned or done but the heater fan needs to be checked forvold leaves. Theres a resistor that will ignite old leaves. Guaranteed. Checking and clearing is a must

I know a guy as stupid as Bill. He spent twenty-eight thousand on a 1981 Jeep Cherokee Laredo making it what he wanted. He's me.

Beautiful car. I had a 1986 Spider Quadrifoglio in new showroom condition for may years. Took first place in car shows always. Sold it and I miss that car. No issues with that car. I also had a 1993 164S that I also loved as my daily driver then and that car had many issues. It ran hot no matter what was repaired. Dealer couldn’t find the issue. I wish I was near you back then Wizard 😞

PS Thanks Wizard (and Bill) for showing us the beautiful Alfa.

I've called ahead to have a possible purchase inspected by a shop local to the car's location. Saved me some serious problems. Usually I buy locally though. Nowadays, I've used Carmax. Their warranty is solid... I've used it a few times.

I love Alphas, had a 1750 GTV years ago, you have to be a real enthusiast to own on, great to see no interior guided tour by Mrs Wizard