Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo.... opinions?

[TagoraSX]

I'm tempted to buy a good one of these before they all disappear.

 

I've always liked the styling and they have aged pretty well imo. I don't think prices for the good ones will go much lower.

So, apart from catastrophic engine failure what should I be worried about?

[Pete-M]

Cambelts are a bugger to do. Not the engine out job lots of 'specialists' will suggest, but not a piece of piss. Clutches are similarly awkward if memory serves me right.

 

They're a bloody good grin to drive, I'd have one.

[tonedepear]

I don't know about troubles, but a guy at work had a heavily modified one, which he swapped for a heavily modified "scooby" which was a right machine and he always regretted it and never shut up about how ace the Fiat was and how much he missed it. So they must have sommat about them. Same bloke had before it an xr3 convertible and some assorted shite that he didn't think was shite. He's got an X5 now.

[fiatdaft]

Fantastic cars that don't do catastrophic engine failure !

 

Things that can go wrong,

obv make sure the belt has been done,or if not the price accomodates that,front suspension arm's will be a job that will need done every other year,weak handbrakes (that don't work in winter either) low oil pressure when hot,preferably around 2 bar when fully hot,and slipping clutches.

 

Anything else is just the usual checks on a 12+ year old car.

 

 

They really ain't that bad,i would recommend you join the fccuk forum though.

 

Edit,beaten to some of the points !

[dollywobbler]

The noise is fabulous. I've only driven a leggy, knackered non-turbo, but they're great cars. Make sure it has both keys. Electrical gremlins can be a bit of a pain and they rely on suspension bushes not being knackered to handle well. The one I drove had more clonks than a sack of doorknobs falling down a staircase.

 

They do seem seriously cheap for the fun on offer. Shite money, but not actually a shite car. Engines are surprisingly hardy unless they've been absolutely thrashed and neglected.

[fiatdaft]

Both key's isn't a huge issue on a cheapy but nice on a decent one,I've broken 3 for spares and a mate is doing one at the mo ,electrical bits are reliable unless somebody has bodging about before.

 

I'd have another without a doubt.

[DSdriver]

I do like them... but not as much as these

 

[pompei]

I've got one that I bought from a mature lady with only 60k miles. It's bloody ace, though it eats front tyres and needs to be driven regularly to keep it running and stopping well. It came with a heap of bills but the only work I've needed to have done is replacing discs, pads and brake lines. I'd say get one but get a good one ...

[scooters]

yesyesyesyesyesyes - big wantage -

 

there's a buyer's guide in the back of Practical Brassics March Edition

[HMC]

Dont know anything about them, but I love the styling and the performance stats. I think they still look amazingly fresh and dateless for something penned in the early 90's

[oman5]

My lil' bro had one. SCARY fast, a license loser of a car. I coveted it the whole time he owned it.

something else to be aware of, and this is how my brother got stung, is that being a performance car they are more likely to have been twatted and repaired at some point. his wasn't done properly.

[Albert Ross]

My Dad hired one once and let me drive it...... FUCKING HELL!

[Volksy]

I PDi'd about 100 of them, They are great.

 

My favorite would be a Sprint blue 20v Turbo with black leather, the colour is a little lairy but from inside its ace.

[Pete-M]

My Dad hired one once and let me drive it...... FUCKING HELL!

 

Both Avis and Budget had quite a few of them, which meant I got them to go home in. They were brilliant when new. Not tried one since.

[Volksy]

This one..

 

quite.

 

d know

 

If I had a deposit on that Alfa, I'd know that it would be spunked on this.

[scooters]

This one..

 

quite.

 

d know

 

If I had a deposit on that Alfa, I'd know that it would be spunked on this.

 

 

Scooters: eyes half close, jizzes pants

[nigel bickle]

We have 3, all yellow. A 16valve n/a which I quite often use, the 20valve turbo that my Mrs adores, and a 20valve n/a kept on the continent -for when I work overseas. Mileage is around 280k, 160k & 120k respectively -the vast majority of the klicks put on by us.

 

None of them are any more problematic that any other car. The 2 20valves tend to give plenty of warning for the normal stuff (the n/a has a clicky valve -which has so far covered about 20,000 -but will need sorting soon). Cambelts & clutchs are a pain -but can be done in situ. Brakes do need tlc -depending on the driving style; but they have no specific inherent problems -esp when compared with a lot of 'moderns' out there!

 

Basically -usual rules apply -buy wisely! You'll absolutely love it

[Gompo]

I had one on my 'to buy' list for a while. Went to look a couple and upon closer look (and passenger ride) I decided they weren't for me. The looks that I liked from a distance seemed to get a bit awkward close up and the interior was a bit of a disappointment. My ride, while at a good pace, left me feeling like it was a bit boat-esque. Yes the car probably had worn dampers and the like but I'd decided it wasn't going to live up to my handling standards.

 

However, they're a good buy for a quick coupe. You wont get much more performance (in a straightline) for your money and if you like the looks then I'd say go for it. Yes there's faults already picked up in this thread but if you like them enough you may regret doing it while you still can.

[Skizzer]

We have 3, all yellow.

Nigel, you are truly a legend!

 

My opinion - unbiased, obviously - is that the Fiat Coupe is built on the same platform as the Dedra and therefore FOR WINNAZ. I remember them being much admired when new, and you get so-ugly-it's-cool Chris Bangle styling without any of the BMW baggage. Go for it.

[Betaphile]

Great cars but it's worth noting that they are prone to rot, especially around the wheelarches. That much is definitely true for the earlier cars, not sure if Pininfarina sorted this out on the later 20V stuff. Not to put you off, just something to watch for (and use as a bargaining chip if applicable).