Looking for a runaround

PaulieC

Hi All,

After considering the usual suspects (121, Polo, Yaris etc) I've decided (or rather the missus did) to go for something a little more exotic - top end of the budget is ~5k.

Here's the shortlist

Ford Cougar
Alfa GTV
Honda Prelude
Fiat Coupe
Ford Puma

Anything I should look out for on these ? Anyone have any experience with the Italian pair in particular?

Thanks
Paul

siralfalot

these are just my opinions of these cars


Ford Cougar - fat and slow, not that pretty
Alfa GTV - beautiful car stunning design, but it needs the V6 engine, which sounds like an orchastra in full tilt
Honda Prelude - Very good car, I just find them boring
Fiat Coupe - even better than the GTV, the 20V Turbo is devastatingly fast, (I Have one;):cool:)
Ford Puma - compared to all the above? hell no

PaulieC

siralfalot wrote: »

these are just my opinions of these cars


Ford Cougar - fat and slow, not that pretty
Alfa GTV - beautiful car stunning design, but it needs the V6 engine, which sounds like an orchastra in full tilt
Honda Prelude - Very good car, I just find them boring
Fiat Coupe - even better than the GTV, the 20V Turbo is devastatingly fast, (I Have one;):cool:)
Ford Puma - compared to all the above? hell no

thanks Sir.

While I would love an Alfa V6, current finances will not allow it...

As for the Alfa or the Fiat, if I was to look at them, what should I be looking out for?

Mr.David

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Here's the shortlist

Ford Cougar
Alfa GTV
Honda Prelude
Fiat Coupe
Ford Puma

Anything I should look out for on these ? Anyone have any experience with the Italian pair in particular?

Thanks
Paul

Stay away from the Cougar, its a complete bag of sh**! I've driven Preludes they are capable and reliable but a bit dull really. The Italian pair are the most tempting, you could get a 2000 GTV for €5k. Of course the reliability with both is very suspect so you need to be prepared for some heartbreak. The Alfa is better value 2nd hand than the Fiat, but if you go for the Fiat get the Turbo its quite fun and quick. I would say:

1. Alfa
2. Fiat
3. Prelude
4. Give the money to Charity
5. Smoke the money
6. The Cougar
7. The Puma

Mr.David

Things to look out for:

Fiat:

Electrical
Engine Compression
Paint finish & rusting

Alfa:

Mechanically ok as long as FSH
niggly electronics too

The V6 Alfa is obviously the most desirable but the 2litre does have a better weight distribution and handles better, less understeery!

alias no.9

Ford Cougar - Avoid, heavy, slow, thirsty, did I say slow?
Alfa GTV - Shop around for a good one, most of my advice to a prospective 156 buyer would apply here, particularly for a 4 cylinder model
Honda Prelude - the last generation prelude is very boring, earlier ones are likely to be well tatty and to have been thrashed to within an inch of their lives and potentially just as much heartbreak as the worst alfa
Fiat Coupe - stunning looks and stunning performance from the 20v turbo, cambelt changes on 20v models are a nightmare and require the engine to come out :eek:
Ford Puma - probably fits the runabout tag best, needs the 1.7 but fun to drive. Possibly a bit girly, if you're a sensitive soul the slagging may get to you.

Mr.David

You could also consider one of these and save on insurance etc:

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/ALFA+ROMEO+SPIDER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-11-18-240-4294966405-4294967222/advert.action?R=200832315888175&distance=68&postcode=cv5+6pd&channel=CARS&make=ALFA+ROMEO&model=SPIDER&min_pr=3000&max_pr=4000&max_mileage=

siralfalot

Fiat Coupe

Alfa GTV

Zube

A few more off-the-wall suggestions:


Merc 300 CE?

Clio Williams?

oops, still on UK plates, will cost a few bob to change...


Rover 75?

Saab 9-3 turbo?

Subaru SVX?

Volvo C70?

PaulieC

thanks for all the replies...I should have stated in OP that I was limiting myself to 2000cc.

Any opinions on the specific Alfa and Fiat in the original post ??

siralfalot

cambo_gueno wrote: »

thanks for all the replies...I should have stated in OP that I was limiting myself to 2000cc.

Any opinions on the specific Alfa and Fiat in the original post ??

the Alfa looks ok, the Fiat is a 16v Turbo, if I were you I'd hold out for the 20V turbo, better car all round, plus it has the LSD and Brembos

you will find better value, and better looked after cars of that type in the UK

alias no.9

cambo_gueno wrote: »

thanks for all the replies...I should have stated in OP that I was limiting myself to 2000cc.

Any opinions on the specific Alfa and Fiat in the original post ??

The photos are only so-so on both of them, dark colours in partial shadow and no interior shots. The fiat is a 16v turbo so while it's not quite as quick or sweet as the 20v turbo, it should be cheaper to maintain. Best advice is for you to go and take a look at them, go for a test drive and if you like them, get them properly checked out by a mechanic. Probably worth running a HPI check on the fiat because it's a UK import.

Eoin

A lot of people who have actually driven the Ford Puma say it's a very fun car to drive. The Fiat coupe would be probably be at the top of my list.

PaulieC

decided to go for a Fiat Coupe. Anyone recommend a good Fiat specialist ? According to everything I've read, it's probably a good idea to get on friendly terms with one form the get go

Seth Brundle

Mr.David wrote: »

Stay away from the Cougar, its a complete bag of sh**! I've driven Preludes they are capable and reliable but a bit dull really. The Italian pair are the most tempting, you could get a 2000 GTV for €5k. Of course the reliability with both is very suspect so you need to be prepared for some heartbreak. The Alfa is better value 2nd hand than the Fiat, but if you go for the Fiat get the Turbo its quite fun and quick. I would say:

1. Alfa
2. Fiat
3. Prelude
4. Give the money to Charity
5. Smoke the money
6. The Cougar
7. The Puma

I'd probably agree with this list!

eoin_s wrote: »

A lot of people who have actually driven the Ford Puma say it's a very fun car to drive.

Its a fiesta in drag - how people can say its fun to drive is a mystery to me!

siralfalot

cambo_gueno wrote: »

decided to go for a Fiat Coupe. Anyone recommend a good Fiat specialist ? According to everything I've read, it's probably a good idea to get on friendly terms with one form the get go

good call!!

which one are you going for?

where abouts are you based? Gerry in TI autos should sort you out if you're in Dublin.

John in JOMO Engineering looks after my 20 valve turbo Coupe for me whenever she needs some work done.

PaulieC

siralfalot wrote: »

good call!!

which one are you going for?

where abouts are you based? Gerry in TI autos should sort you out if you're in Dublin.

John in JOMO Engineering looks after my 20 valve turbo Coupe for me whenever she needs some work done.

Looking at a 99 20v turbo. I'm based in Dublin 4. Where is TI autos?? Never heard of them...

siralfalot

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Looking at a 99 20v turbo. I'm based in Dublin 4. Where is TI autos?? Never heard of them...

Gerry Campbell-Ti Autos in Smithfield. 01 8386567 very well known among those of us with specialst Italian cars

by the way, you should have a look here for all the coupe knowlage you will ever need

and here, there is quite a few Coupe owners on here

PaulieC

siralfalot wrote: »

Gerry Campbell

Cool, that's my Dad's name!!

Thanks for the other info...