Coupe Wars

[Justin Case]

Now that winter draws on, it is of course time to be looking for something open, draughty and not very weatherproof ie a traditional British Sports Car. I most confess though that before my quest has really started I have been distracted by a couple of tin tops, both at Autoshite-friendly prices.

 

In the silver corner (inevitably) we have an Audi Coupe, 1990, parked outside a farm deep in the weeds with a For Sale note on it; from its local registration it is likely to have spent its life in rural Shropshire. It doesn't appear to be on the DVLA database so I don't know what engine it has, and its entire history is a scruffy notice in the window saying it has 12 months MOT.

 

In the lilac corner we have a 1998 Fiat 20v Turbo, 11 months MOT, and a very informative and honest advert in the window, listing a lot of work that has been done, and a shorter list of the bad bits which need to be done (no doubt the mission impossible ones .)

 

I know exactly nothing about either car, so I'm unsure whether to take either further the next time I'm in the area. I know that the standard Autoshite answer is get both, on the offchance that one or other of them 'should' be working at any one time, but lack of space and money rules out that ideal solution. So has anyone experience of either or both and WCPGW?

 

Ta.

[2MB]

My dad had one of each a while ago (not at the same time I hasten to add) and they were both faultlessly reliable

[Jim Bell]

Fiat Coupes are for winners. Cam belts can cause sucking of teeth though. I'd have one tomorrow.

[skattrd]

Fiat coupe every time. Based on the Tipo floorpan so handles gr9. Cambelt can be a pig, so get one with it done or haggle it down.

The early 16v turbo motors are the same bottom end as Lancia Themas & Deltas, but the 20vt is supposed to be the pick of the bunch.

Doesn't Mr Bickle drive Fiat coupe? That should be enough recommendation

[barmatt]

If the Audi is the 5 pot 20v go for it, great engine and more powwah than the v6. Stay away from the 4 pot they are seriously underpowered and thirsty.

 

I have heard v good things about the fiats though.........it would be a difficult choice......so I say............

 

 

Just get both,

 

 

Hope that helps.

[cort1977]

Have to say, fiat coupes with headlights like arses are for winners.

[filthyjohn]

The Fiat 20v has 25 more horsepower than the 16v, iirc, but the cambelt requires full engine removal, so a lot of people say the 16v is the better bet. I'd risk it though.

[Craig the Princess]

Alfa GTV? Always thought these were the best looking of the 90s coupes beating even the Tomcat Rover, Peugeot 406 and Vauxhall Calibra.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-T-spark-Lusso-16v-PETROL-MANUAL-1999-P-/261541186619?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3ce511cc3b

 

[andy18s]

I could possibly take a look at the audi if not to far from m drayton-whitchurch

[stephen01]

The Fiat 20v has 25 more horsepower than the 16v, iirc, but the cambelt requires full engine removal, so a lot of people say the 16v is the better bet. I'd risk it though.

 

20v's don't need engine out, you can 'push' it over and replace belt, people do it DIY, but there are plenty paces that can do it, expect to pay £400+ though

[Pete-M]

I'd go for the Fiat if the belt is recent. Or that Alfa.

 

I've always found Audi Coupes a bit dull. The Fiat Coupe is anything but dull.

[Negative Creep]

Volvo C70 T5 and feel like a BAMF

[dugong]

Isuzu Piazza Turbo. Fill with Dinitrol and fall off roundabouts thanks to the 'elective' limited-slip differential. 

[Junkman]

I win.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pontiac-Firebird-1993-/251673839264

 

 

You lot lost.

[panhard65]

I have had both. The Audi is the sensible choice as they are well built and don't fall to bits. They are however pretty boring. The Fiat coupe in 20v turbo flavor is a cracking bit of kit. They go like shit off a stick and handle well as long as they are well looked after. The downside is the cambelt job and just about anything can and will fall off. If it is cheap enough buy it and rag it silly. Don't bother doing the cambelt and bin it if it breaks. My one needed a belt but I flogged it before it snapped. The next owner wasn't so lucky at cam belt roulette though.

[stephen01]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-FIAT-COUPE-20V-TURBO-BLUE-/191372461270?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2c8eb004d6

[Station]

Deffo Fiat, they are at rock bottom price, but so are the Audi coupes.

[sporty-shite]

Those Audi coupes are dull as ditchwater. I had one and it was well put together but slow and thirsty. I'd love a go of a 20v Fiat, so I think you should get one! Otherwise, the Alfa is a good call, or a Gen 6 Celica moght be a good bet, as long as you get a 2.0.

[155V6]

Fiat Coupes are great,mine was easily uprated to 260 Bhp if you like that sort of thing.Still fancy a Volvo C70 T5 though 

[dollywobbler]

I'd have the Fiat all day. They're astonishing, in many ways. Proper Italian motoring. Take a humble hatchback, shove a big engine in it, stick a pretty body on top. Don't worry too much about trim quality or electrics. 

[Sloth in a bowl]

I'd take a Fiat over the Audi, but that Pontiac the Junkman found is fantastic.

[Fabergé Greggs]

FIAT FIAT FIAT FIAT 

FIAT FIAT FIAT FIAT 

FIAT FIAT FIAT FIAT 

FIAT FIAT FIAT FIAT 

FIAT FIAT FIAT FIAT 

 

Because Turbo.

 

also FIAT. 

[brickwall]

Fiat

[Cavcraft]

One is an unreliable packet of toss that will disintegrate before your eyes, the other is a FIAT. Here's the thinking man's choice.

 

 

 

[Hertz]

Fiat coupe wins for the rear end every time. I would have one myself if I had the balls.

 

[eddyramrod]

Firebird, every time.  Or Fiat, but never ever Audi, for any reason whatsoever.

[Honey Badger]

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-ACCORD-COUPE-ES-1996-2-2-AUTOMATIC-12-MTHS-MOT-1-OWNER-PRELUDE-CELICA-/111475275102?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19f471b55e

[oman5]

Audi for me IF it's the 5 pot. Fiat will be high maintenance but f*ck me do they ever go.

[dugong]

FORD PROBE 

[dugong]

With an Isuzu Piazza Turbo, you get Alfa Montreal eyebrow covers, a front hinged bonnet like a MkII Fiesta and a Bedford Midi van engine, together with the world's most appalling tax disc location. 

 

HOW CAN YOU RESIST?

 

(all the photos I have of D888 XJM are shite because I didn't have a camera at the time, just a Sony Ericsson potato instead).