Alfa Pages

Matthew Kirkcaldie · Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:17 am Post subject: Going "75" - what do you reckon?

Our flaky and deteriorating 33 is starting to irritate mightily and also smokes like a steam train. I'm losing my enthusiasm for a replacement 33 and have been thinking about a 75. But I'm not sure how I'd like it! What do you guys think of 75s to drive, and what 75 is worth looking for? What problems should I look out for?

Thanks for any help you can give.

JF · Guest

Hi

I did it the other way round! My 75 Twin Spark LE failed the MOT last year (annual government safety check) and I had to say goodbye to it. I loved it - it handled well, it was comfy to drive (the LE has Recaro seats), and was pretty reliable (I do over 600 miles per week) and never really let me down. My mother in law didn't like it as she found the doors a bit low and the seats abit difficult to get out of.

Then I bought a 33 SportWagon 1.7 16v - it was that or a Ford Escort diesel estate or something equally hideous. I found this somewhat uncomfortable after the 75, but I changed the seats for Recaros and that made a big difference - although the mother-in-law really struggles to get out of the car now! The car has been fairly reliable too.

Differences = fuel economy is better in the 33, but only by about 10-15% - certainly it isn't as relaxed a cruiser as the 75, and it is noisier too. The seats not folding in a 75 make it possibly less practical, and the v6 version has quite a small boot / trunk due to the huge fuel tank.

Things to look out for - rear gearbox mountings and propshaft couplings - anything to do with that back end really - especially the brakes. It took our local Alfa dealer over 3 hours just to change and adjust the pads 2 years ago - the lad was in tears and swore never to touch a 75 again in his life!! Luckily they had a fixed price menu system so I only paid the standard £35 for the work rather than the time / money it should have cost... I think the engines are fairly bullet proof - certainly my twin spark was - only changed the spark plugs once in 50000 miles, and the oil every 6000 miles religiously, just like the 33.

I think that's quite enough from me!

Regards, James F

philk · Guest

I have owned a 3litre 75 , but now own a series 3 33. The great thing about my 3litre was the sound and performance of the engine - unreal!!!! plus the advantage of rear wheel drive (great fun) however the agilityof the 33 is far superior plus the petrol money i'm saving. Also if you didn't like the gear shifting on the 33 you def'n won't like the 75's gear changes.

I wish I had the two.

Matthew Kirkcaldie · Posted: Mon May 31, 2004 7:47 am Post subject:

I'm going to have to drive one, I guess.

Admin · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2004 11:10 pm Post subject:

Hi

I bought a 75 TS to replace my old series 2 1.7 Sportwagon 33. I now have a P4. That might answer your question Laughing

.

I just found the 75 too big and rolled too much. Engine is very nice in the TS though.

Rear brakes are a pig. Clutch slave cylinder was a nightmare to change.

All the best

Keith