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← Alfa Romeo Milano (75) · 1986-1989 · 162

Alfa Romeo Milano (75) Sole Generation

Wedge-styled Italian sport sedan. V6, rear transaxle, de Dion rear. The Verde with manual + LSD is the collector pick.

Verdict
B
BHP
154-183 bhp
0–60
7.6 s
Top speed
140 mph
MPG
22.0 mpg
Used
$8,000-$30,000

Designed by Ermanno Cressoni at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the 75/Milano shared underpinnings with the outgoing Giulietta but in a sharper wedge body. US Milanos came only with V6s: the 2.5-litre Busso making 154 hp (1986-1989), or from 1987 the 3.0-litre 'Verde' Quadrifoglio with 183 hp. Five-speed manual standard with an optional 3-speed ZF automatic on the 2.5. The 3.0 Verde was manual only in the US. Trims: Silver (base), Gold (more equipment), Platinum (leather, sunroof, ABS, LSD), and Verde (3.0 V6, fender flares, orange gauges, Recaro option). Roughly 900 US Verdes were built. The unusual chassis — rear transaxle, de Dion rear, inboard rear discs — gives the Milano character no contemporary German rival had. Reliability has been mixed; electrical issues are common. The Milano is now firmly cult-classic territory and Verdes have appreciated significantly.

Strengths

  • Busso V6 is one of the best-sounding production V6s ever
  • Rear transaxle gives near-50/50 weight distribution
  • de Dion rear with inboard brake discs — exotic for a sedan
  • Verde with manual + LSD is genuine cult car (~900 US units)
  • Last RWD Alfa sedan officially sold in America

Weaknesses

  • Electrical reliability is poor (the 'flaming Platinum ABS' is a thing)
  • Wedge styling polarises — not classic Italian beauty
  • Rust is common, especially in the Northeast
  • Specialist service required
  • Unusual transaxle layout makes clutch jobs expensive

Notable tech

  • Busso 2.5/3.0L V6 (one of the great V6s)
  • Rear transaxle with de Dion rear suspension
  • Inboard rear brake discs at the diff
  • Front torsion bar suspension
  • Limited-slip diff on Platinum and Verde trims
  • Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection

Common issues

  • Electrical gremlins — Platinum ABS notorious for failures
  • Engine oil leaks (Busso V6 cam covers, front and rear mains)
  • Rust — sills, rear arches, trunk floor
  • Transaxle clutch wear (expensive to service)
  • Cracking dashboard from sun exposure

Used-market budget

$15,000

2.5 Silver/Gold from $7-12k. Platinum $10-15k. Verde 3.0 (the cult pick) $20-30k+ for clean manual examples. Documented service history is critical given the electrical reputation.