Uncontrollable urge to buy a fiat coupe

Cyrus

i cant shake my urge to own a fiat coupe. im seriously thinking of selling the golf (1.8t gti, remapped to 200bhp) and going to the uk and trying to find a mint fiat 20vturbo plus.

am i mad, it is one sexy machine in my eyes

pics



mmmmmm:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&item=220004230154

Blue850

Make sure it has the timing belt replaced recently, when I worked in a Fiat dealership, the mechanics reckoned the engine would have to come out to change one.

Cyrus

yeah im aware of that i owned a 156

id say gerry @ ti would do the belts if needs be

Henry Ford III

You could do worse. I read the 5 cylinder turbo ones are the best of them.

Good looking coupes. Just do it.

gstonesmx5

the one in your pic has body kit fitted.
there is a yellow 20v turbo in donohue's on the kilmore rd in dublin for €10950.
talh to derek. was looking at them recently and you get some car for the money.

alias no.9

There are companies in the UK who change the belts without taking the engine out, I've heard it involves cutting part of the chassis leg so I'd be wary if this was done.

Wibbs

Lovely car. I've been tempted myself. As others said make sure the work is done on the engine, belts etc. Repairs are expensive and if you're not careful often. My uncle ran one for a few years and it cost him. That's obviously only one example, but I've heard those in the know say simliar. Niggling electrical worries are another issue. A low milage british one with a full service histroy would be my advice. The history can have gaps on too many here. The other thing check the insurance on the turbo model. It can be ridiculously high. They are a gorgeous car though. Nice to drive too. Plenty of torque.

Cyrus

gstonesmx5 wrote:

the one in your pic has body kit fitted.
there is a yellow 20v turbo in donohue's on the kilmore rd in dublin for €10950.
talh to derek. was looking at them recently and you get some car for the money.

le kit as far as i know

yellow, dunno if i could stomach that!!

smash

I think you need some kinda professional help.... FIAT (Fix It Again Tomorrow) - I've have bad experiences with fiats, stick with the Golf in my opinion!

bennyx_o

Always liked the look of the Fiat Coupe, very nice styling. I Know a few people who've owned both Alfas and Fiats with no problems.

Cyrus

steve06 wrote:

I think you need some kinda professional help.... FIAT (Fix It Again Tomorrow) - I've have bad experiences with fiats, stick with the Golf in my opinion!

erm this isnt the thread for that nonsense

Eoin

Cyrus wrote:

erm this isnt the thread for that nonsense

Come on Cyrus, you know it was always going to happen!

OT, go for it - I think they are a fantastic looking car, and they seem an awful lot rarer than the 3 series coupe you are/were also thinking of. The performance from the turbo model is supposed to be absolutely fantastic.

TempestSabre

Buy a good one, and don't pimp it!

Slinky>

Ive heard of them selling for under £2k stg in the uk, you should may a better serviced one over there too,

I like them but as above if you get an abused one it could easily end in tears.

smash

Cyrus wrote:

erm this isnt the thread for that nonsense

erm he asked "Am I mad" and I think he is. Just my opinion but I think the car is very dated looking and I have had problems with Fiats before.

This is from Top Gear:
"Watch out for earlier 16 valve Turbo models as they can suffer from minor electrical hassles, and keep an eye out on all Turbo models for smoke from the exhaust that suggests a blown turbo through abuse."

This is from honest John:
"Quality/assembly problems. As with a Ferrari, timing belt changes of 5 cylinder cars are an engine-out job and can cost as much as £1,300, though some specialists can do it engine in situ for £500. Has same plastic timing belt tensioner problem as other FIATs with same engine. Belt and tensioner need to be replaced every 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first without fail (whatever FIAT says). Condensation from parking brake cable can disintegrate parking brake pads and the debris from this seizes up the rear calliper pins. Should be possible to clean it off, but some dealers specify expensive new callipers. Exhaust manifolds of early 20vs prone to crack. New maniford with same part number solves problem, but a/c compressor needs to be moved slightly to to fit. It it has to be re-moved, then a/c will need to be re-gassed. Dropped from range in spring 2000. S and T platers 15th from bottom in 2001 Top Gear / J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. FIAT/Alfa joint worst for breakdowns attended by German ADAC during 2001. FIAT Coupe 1995-2001 8th least reliable car in 2005 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey with 49 repair claims per 100 cars. Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk"

Paul (MN)

places up North will to the belt alot cheaper then down here.

bazz26

A few examples here:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=8&xMakeID=8&ModelID=66&xModelID=66&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E

bazz26

Are the Fiat Coupe and Alfa GTV based on the same platform?

Some nice GTVs here also for similar money:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=search&maxrows=100&MakeID=1&xMakeID=1&ModelID=7&xModelID=7&Year=&xYear=&submit=Find+cars+%3E%3E

TJM

bazz26 wrote:

Are the Fiat Coupe and Alfa GTV based on the same platform?

No. But a 3 litre GTV would make a good alternative to the Coupe turbo. You'll have to go to England for one though - the Irish ones are almost always the 2 litre twinspark.

cargrouch

steve06, via top gear wrote:

minor electrical hassles, be wide for blown turbos

Fairly standard advice for any second hand turbo'd car. "Minor hassles" is relative, minor compared to other FIATs is good, minor compared to other marques would be great!

steve06 wrote:

This is from honest John:
"Quality/assembly problems. As with a Ferrari, timing belt changes of 5 cylinder cars are an engine-out job and can cost as much as £1,300, though some specialists can do it engine in situ for £500. Has same plastic timing belt tensioner problem as other FIATs with same engine. Belt and tensioner need to be replaced every 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first without fail (whatever FIAT says).
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FIAT belt and tensioner trouble I can vouch for. The (whatever FIAT says) refers to FIAT officially stating approx 70K for belts, then unofficially saying 36K when belts start snapping. Alfa had the same trouble. This would be my main gripe with FIAT, a lot of stuff you can live with but a belt snapping more than 20K before the official mileage?

The other thing to watch, and I don't know if this affects the coupe, is the 2 blue keys, one red key setup. The red key is a ECU(and immobiliser I presume) reprogrammer/reset jobbie I think, and the advice on any other FIAT with this set up was walk away unless you get all keys or push for a hefty price drop.

TempestSabre

cargrouch wrote:

...This would be my main gripe with FIAT, a lot of stuff you can live with but a belt snapping more than 20K before the official mileage?...

Now imagine its a 20k or less on a 996 or Boxster and your engine goes puff!

You'd be surprised how common that is...

Deer

Just saw this thread. I'm after selling my 147 and have also seriously thought about one of these cars. However I'm the type of person that drives the arse out of my car. The alfa god bless her played a blinder in that department - engine, clutch and brakes held up remarkably well. I've been driving my mothers demio for that past few days now and if cars could talk this one would be damning me to hell I've made it work so hard.

Anyway my point really is - can the fiat coupe handle a "rough" driver (for want of a better term)?

Oh yeah - that belt thing your on about - is that the belt that often has to be changed or is that the fan belt I'm thinking about?

Cyrus

timing belt, like all alfas and fiats should be changed every 36k or 5 yrs whichever is sooner

check out http://www.fccuk.org/forum/

plenty of people drive em hard!

cargrouch

Deer, I don't think there have been fanbelts in many cars for a while now - most (I hesitate to say all because the smart asses will find about a hundred exceptions) fans are electric motor driven now.

Most of the new alfa engines (even the four pots) use timing chains now to get away from the 36k timing belt changes. I for one will be interested to see how the new generation performs, keeping a beady eye on the Brera, waiting for the moment to pounce.

Of course petrol will be 5euro a litre by then so we'll all be driving 1L cars or priuses:(

matt cork

i had one of these (20v turbo anyhow) when i was in the uk, albeit in sprint blue, which it is fair to say isn't its best colour. but for value for money and if you can get a mint version well, well worth it. if the mileage is anywhere near 60k make sure you price in the cambelt change which is extremely expensive. most services don't come cheap so getting a fully stamp dealer service may mean checking the uk out - great choice aswell.

as was mentioned before make sure it has the red key. without it walk away

if you can find one get a black limited eddition 6-speed version.

happy hunting

unkel

You (still) know you want one

eoin_s wrote:

Come on Cyrus, you know it was always going to happen!

At long last! Not too late to get a few bob back for the Mk4 GTI from another indoctrinated punter

smash

cargrouch wrote:

The other thing to watch, and I don't know if this affects the coupe, is the 2 blue keys, one red key setup. The red key is a ECU(and immobiliser I presume) reprogrammer/reset jobbie I think, and the advice on any other FIAT with this set up was walk away unless you get all keys or push for a hefty price drop.

I've also heard this, if you don't get the red key, get the discount!

Earlsie

I've had a 20VT Fiat Coupe for the last 2 years and I can honestly say it still puts a smile on my face every day driving into work.
The power is awsome and that magic 3rd gear that rips the spine out of ya.

Picture

davidclayton

i looked into these aswell

to break it down simply...
your heart will buy the fiat. fun, upfront value for money, great performance, high running costs.
your head will buy a sensible car. something reliable. something japanese.

what i eventually went for was something japanese and fun. best of both worlds!

unkel

Earlsie wrote:

I've had a 20VT Fiat Coupe for the last 2 years and I can honestly say it still puts a smile on my face

Very nice Coupe, Earlsie

Looks like it is too late for Cyrus though. Seems he is going for a BMW this time, or a Skoda diesel, or was it an Audi?

Cyrus

rofl @ Unkel

its between three

bmw 320ci, audi tt or a mint le coupe if i can find one

for now anyway

and no skodas for me

Earlsie

How about this
http://www.fccuk.org/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=149626&an=0&page=0#Post149626

All the usual LE extras

- Unmarked Recaro interior
- Starter button
- 6 Speed gear box
- Climate control
- Titanium coloured alloys (very few scuffs), mirrors, headlights and grill
- Pristine highly polished Red bodywork
- A tight and strong engine car has covered 90k miles
- Refurbished Red rocker cover.

New Parts

- Fully resprayed front end, to rid it of stone chips.
- New starter motor 4k ago
- New radiator 4k ago
- New Clutch has done about 3k
- New front discs, and pads all round

Mods/Extras

- Gtec2
- Pipecraft s/s exhaust and de-cat
- Apexi AVC-r boost controller installed in ash try
- Aquamist system 1s with DDS 2 in car display
- K&N Induction kit (std airbox available)
- Auto Meter boost gauge with chrome bezel to match interior rings
- All Alu interior heater, speedo etc rings
- JVC EXAD touch screen cd/mp3 head unit with remote
- JVC 12 disc mp3 reading auto changer (not installed)
- AMP and 10" Kenwood sub installed in the boot

This car is fantastic, it looks amazing, sounds awesome, and performs relentlessly. It feels like a car that has done 30k miles everything is tight, rattle, clunking and knocking free. It has covered less than 1k since having the full front end respray to rid it of stone chips and some peeling lacquer.
The Pipecraft exhaust doesn't boom and drone, but sounds fantastic at full chat.

I have barely used the car since November though it has been run to keep the oils and fluids circulating. I took it to the Lake District at the end of May for a proper run, it covered 700 odd miles without missing a beat. It was superb.

There is a full Fiat service history and Powerfiat since my ownership. Rog knows the car well and would be happy to give it a reference i'm sure!

I'll be very sad to see it go but i can't keep it forever.

I am certain this is one of the best out there and will sell to the first person to view her.

I am asking £6,250.00 with all the extras or make me an offer.

unkel

Cyrus wrote:

bmw 320ci, audi tt or a mint le coupe if i can find one

Looks like Earlsie might have found you one. About €12k (incl. €3k for VRT) seems an ok price for a '01 LE that has obviously been very well looked after

What says thou, Cyrus?

junkyard

Cyrus wrote:

rofl @ Unkel

its between three

bmw 320ci, audi tt or a mint le coupe if i can find one

for now anyway

and no skodas for me

Your not seriously considering buying a Fiat over a BMW or an Audi are you?

Cyrus

the fiat coupe is more ferrari than fiat imo

@ unkel i saw it before, looks good but its approachin 100,000 miles

unkel

Cyrus wrote:

@ unkel i saw it before, looks good but its approachin 100,000 miles

On an Irish one without history, I'd run away as fast as I could. On a UK one with fully documented FIAT history, 90K miles would not deter me at all

siralfalot

junkyard wrote:

Your not seriously considering buying a Fiat over a BMW or an Audi are you?

I would, far better looking and performing car for the price

get the 20V turbo

junkyard

siralfalot wrote:

I would, far better looking and performing car for the price

get the 20V turbo

Sorry guys I'm not with you, but then again I have to rely on these things to make a living. Good luck with your choice though.:)

unkel

Junkyard, it is a rare sportscar with great performance and handling. And then there are the looks

Yes, it is a FIAT and yes, there's a good chance maintenance will be more costly than on most other cars of the same value. Most owners are well aware of this, budget for it and don't whine when a fairly major job needs doing. It is the price of having something very special

siralfalot

unkel wrote:

Junkyard, it is a rare sportscar with great performance and handling. And then there are the looks

Yes, it is a FIAT and yes, there's a good chance maintenance will be more costly than on most other cars of the same value. Most owners are well aware of this, budget for it and don't whine when a fairly major job needs doing. It is the price of having something very special

exactly, I mean how common are bimmer 3 series these days?

I'm getting a 156 GTA after christmas, sure i could have bought a beautiful 325i for the same cash, but hey, how many times have you seen a GTA?