My New Fiat Coupe 20VT.

Alfasudcrazy

As you may have known I was looking for a nice 20V Turbo coupe for ages and it was a very frustrating search as there are so many dodgy ones about but I think I have finally found the one I was looking for.

Its a year 2000 20VT, Six speed gearbox, aircon, sunroof, brembo's, push button start and black leather in brilliant 'electric metallic blue' - my favourite colour. :P

Going over Wednesday for it - thank you for your patience and you can all relax now as I have had my 'fix' - well for this year at least.

Some pics.

colm_mcm

Wow, that one is gorgeous. that would be a special edition model wouldn't it?

I want one in Broom Yellow at some stage.

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I have had my 'fix' - well for this year at least.

The fixing's only just begun!

Anan1

Love it, congrats! Is the cambelt an engine-out-job on the 5 cylinder ones?

Frankie Lee

Anan1 wrote: »

Love it, congrats! Is the cambelt an engine-out-job on the 5 cylinder ones?

According to my timing belt book it is.
I'd prefer the Alfa GTV to be honest.

colm_mcm

I think you can remove one of the engine mounts and tilt the engine instead of removing it.

Alfasudcrazy

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think you can remove one of the engine mounts and tilt the engine instead of removing it.

Yes - that's it - all that 'engine out' baloney stopped me buying one of these fine cars when new so I am making up for my stupidity now.

I already have a neat 16v (non turbo) which obviously is now for sale if anyone is interested. (Now Irish registered btw)

RichyX

The blue coupe looks fantastic, the whole thing has aged even better than the GTV imo.

Would be great to see more of these on the roads in Ireland. I find they're a rare enough sight.

unkel

Looks like you picked a superb specimen. Nice one!

L1011

Designed by the bloke who's done the entire current BMW range; rarely see them (or the Barchetta) about; would love to see more examples of it (and the Barchetta ) on these shores.

colm_mcm

Barchetta has the disadvantage of being LHD though

Biro

The red one looks clean, but I'll buy the blue one if the price is right!

PaulieC

looks lovely. I put a deposit on one last week and looking forward to picking it up this week. It's not as nice as this one though...

Cyrus

lovely

have always liked them :cool:

Hotwheels

I'm soooo jealous...:)

Best of luck with the sexy Bella...

maidhc

Stunning!

Best of luck.

pburns

Gorgeous and unique design. Very 90s. AFAIK Chris Bangle designed this in his pre-BMW days.

Anan1

There's a story that, at the launch, some journalist asked how the headlights could be cleaned. (they're a funny shape for either washers or wipers) The reply was 'With love.'

siralfalot

Frankie Lee wrote: »

According to my timing belt book it is.
I'd prefer the Alfa GTV to be honest.

Nope, remove the engine mount and tilt it down, its a 2 hour job in motormech, the fiat coupe specialists

and the 20VT Coupe will leave even the V6 Alfa GTV for dust :cool:

as for looks, I think is so hard to decide between the two, so the power of the coupe tips it for me

well wear!!

now, you need the reg 00 - KY - 666

siralfalot

ooh and did I mention the noise they make??

that manic 5cyl warble that rises to a scream, and and is accompanied by the whooooooossssssshhhhhh of the turbo sucking in air, small animals, pedestrians etc.... oooooooohhhhhh


feck this, I'm off for a drive :cool:

Anan1

siralfalot wrote: »

and the 20VT Coupe will leave even the V6 Alfa GTV for dust

There was a 2.0 V6 turbocharged engine available in Italian-market GTVs, I wonder how that would compare? Very similar power figures, as I recall.

biggus

They're getting so rare now I'd stick a few ferrari badges on it, 90% of people would't know the difference. Made by the same company anyway !!! Good luck with it, enjoy. Let's know how hard the VRT man hits you.

siralfalot

Anan1 wrote: »

There was a 2.0 V6 turbocharged engine available in Italian-market GTVs, I wonder how that would compare? Very similar power figures, as I recall.

GTV 2.0 V6: 202bhp, 260nm of torque, 0-100kph 7 sec, top speed 149mph

Fiat Coupe 2.0 5cyl 20VT: 220bhp, 310nm of torque, 0-100kph 6.3 sec, top speed 155mph

siralfalot

biggus wrote: »

They're getting so rare now I'd stick a few ferrari badges on it, 90% of people would't know the difference. Made by the same company anyway !!! Good luck with it, enjoy. Let's know how hard the VRT man hits you.

nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!:eek:

having said that, I can't talk, there are abarth badges on mine

VRT on my 98 was €713 :cool::D

Vertakill

I've been resisting the urge to post, but screw it..

I reeeeeeally don't understand the idea that (Fiats...) Alfa's are stylish. (Bad habit of lumping those 2 together!) < Edit
I absolutely hate the idiotic lines over the wheel arches which seems to fk up the whole symmetry of the car. I'd need some huge aggressive alloys to on one to draw the attention away from the silly lines. At least this car doesn't have the stupid triangular surround for the alpha logo on the front though.

The interior looks decent, I quite like the back and I love the blue colour - but it wouldn't be enough to make me drive one with those damn lines. Now I know there's obviously people that absolutely love this design just as much as I hate it but I just thought I'd get that off my chest..

I absolutely love the Alfa GT though - that's a top quality design.



*Grabs flame retardant coat*

MSporty

Whats so good about this car?? Might get a backpat on Octane but some of the italian cars of the 80s and 90s are pure ****e, over rated and unreliable. Just because something is italian doesnt mean its a timeless classic. The fiat coupe is probably the best of a bad lot.

unkel

Vertakill wrote: »

I reeeeeeally don't understand the idea that Alfa's are stylish.

Wrong thread. This one is about a FIAT

Nonoperational

Sweet car. Very nice!

Anan1

MSporty wrote: »

Whats so good about this car?? Might get a backpat on Octane but some of the italian cars of the 80s and 90s are pure ****e, over rated and unreliable. Just because something is italian doesnt mean its a timeless classic. The fiat coupe is probably the best of a bad lot.

Educate yourself - I couldn't be arsed.

Yakult

Looks great from the front and back, but the front/rear wings and arches are just a huge put off for me, especially with the 14's/15's there.

Alfasudcrazy

Well its like everything - some like it others don't. I have always loved the Fiat coupe but they were very expensive when new so I could not afford one back then.

I did own an Alfa GT (bought new in 2005) but as I only used it now and again there was too much money tied up in what was essentially a toy so I sold it after two years.

The Fiat is really the replacement for the GT (put my toe in the water with the 16V Coupe) Less money tied up in it and skilled specialists in the UK to repair it if anything major goes wrong. Its as close to Ferrari ownership as I am likely to get.

Best part is that because of high insurance many of the 2.0VT's escaped the boy racers and this one is totally standard. I might plan a few tasteful mods but the exterior won't be touched - its just too perfect to spoil in any way. :cool:

Anan1

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Well its like everything - some like it others don't.

I don't like it. I love it.;)

littleknownfact

MSporty wrote: »

Whats so good about this car?? Might get a backpat on Octane but some of the italian cars of the 80s and 90s are pure ****e, over rated and unreliable. Just because something is italian doesnt mean its a timeless classic. The fiat coupe is probably the best of a bad lot.

as an owner of one a few years back, i would say it was stunning to look at, great to drive, able to carry two adults in the back, well equipped, quick, involving to drive with a wonderful engine note from the 5-cyliner engine. that is what is so good about it.

yes there were issues, especially the the all important cambelt change but looked after they are no better or worse than any other 10-15 yr old 2 door coupe.

timeless classic, no not yet, but classic of the future yes, up there with the corrado VR6 and GTV imho

@alfasudcrazy - looks great. i hope you have as many years of enjoyable ownership as i did

MSporty

Anan1 wrote: »

Educate yourself - I couldn't be arsed.

Ok Onan

colm_mcm

Another thread that's doomed to being locked.........

MSporty

Doooommmmmmed

Marcus.Aurelius

I for one think its hideous looking, sorry OP!

On the bright side, it looks to be in excellent condition and I'm sure you'll enjoy driving it, and I guess that's all that really matters anyway. Was looking at the power figures, drooling away. Wouldn't mind a spin in one!

Anan1

MSporty wrote: »

Ok Onan

Diddums, and you were only today wondering why you'd been banned from Octane.:D

MSporty

One of the good things about the boards is there are no Octane style love ins here, too many people passing through to have a clique. No EOB and helpers here to ban anyone who doesnt like italian cars!!

Mr.Diagnostic

MSporty wrote: »

Whats so good about this car?? Might get a backpat on Octane but some of the italian cars of the 80s and 90s are pure ****e, over rated and unreliable. Just because something is italian doesnt mean its a timeless classic. The fiat coupe is probably the best of a bad lot.

Anan1 wrote: »

Diddums, and you were only today wondering why you'd been banned from Octane.:D

Good point Anan. Of course the reason he posted has nothing to do with the OP being a member on Octane.

Anan1

MSporty wrote: »

One of the good things about the boards is there are no Octane style love ins here, too many people passing through to have a clique. No EOB and helpers here to ban anyone who doesnt like italian cars!!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with not liking Italian cars. Claiming in relation to '80s and '90s Italian cars that the FIAT coupé is 'the best of a bad lot', though, betrays a level of automotive ignorance that would be disappointing in a five-year-old. If I knew as little about cars as you do, i'd at least have the sense not to advertise the fact.

peasant

Back on topic ...

Personally I've never really warmed to the lines of the Fiat Coupe ...that crease running up it's side just doesn't do it for me.

Since I learned (in this thread) that it was designed by Chris Bangle I also know why ...I've yet to come across one of his designs that I like

MSporty

Anan1 wrote: »

There's absolutely nothing wrong with not liking Italian cars. Claiming in relation to '80s and '90s Italian cars that the FIAT coupé is 'the best of a bad lot', though, betrays a level of automotive ignorance that would be disappointing in a five-year-old. If I knew as little about cars as you do, i'd at least have the sense not to advertise the fact.

How is my opinion ignorant? im entitled to express my opinion. You expressed your opinion about my car and i didnt call you ignorant

littleknownfact

removed

peasant

enough of the personal attacks now !

Anan1

MSporty wrote: »

How is my opinion ignorant? im entitled to express my opinion. You expressed your opinion about my car and i didnt call you ignorant

To suggest in relation to '80s and '90s Italian cars that the FIAT coupé is 'the best of a bad lot' betrays a complete ignorance of Italian cars of the period, to quote the most obvious, the Lancia Delta HF integrale. This, MSporty, is how your opinion is ignorant. That the best response you could come up with was to call me 'Onan' displays a touching level of mental impairment. They still shouldn't be letting you near a computer unsupervised, though.

pburns

peasant wrote: »

Back on topic ...

Personally I've never really warmed to the lines of the Fiat Coupe ...that crease running up it's side just doesn't do it for me.

Since I learned (in this thread) that it was designed by Chris Bangle I also know why ...I've yet to come across one of his designs that I like

I don't like Bangle's Bimmers myself but his avante garde style is much more suited to a low(ish) volume Italian sports coupe than classic German sports saloons I think.

There are aspects of the Fiat I'm not sure about either but the lovely detailing and interior just kinda make it special. And I love cars that are a bit different without being ostentatious. That's why I personally can't warm to the me-too bandwagon-jumping Teutonic stuff most people on here find so exciting. But the coupe is above all that, a car for those in the know, like a Corrado or Integrale.

peasant

pburns wrote: »

I don't like Bangle's Bimmers myself but his avante garde style is much more suited to a low(ish) volume Italian sports coupe than classic German sports saloons I think.

There are aspects of the Fiat I'm not sure about either but the lovely detailing and interior just kinda make it special. And I love cars that are a bit different without being ostentatious. That's why I personally can't warm to the me-too bandwagon-jumping Teutonic stuff most people on here find so exciting. But the coupe is above all that, a car for those in the know, like a Corrado or Integrale.

Don't get me wrong ...I'd happily have one if it was given to me ...after all, from the inside it looks fantastic (and you can't see that crease either:D)

Mr. Presentable

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

Its a year 2000 20VT, Six speed gearbox, aircon, sunroof, brembo's, push button start and black leather in brilliant 'electric metallic blue' - my favourite colour. :P

Congratulations on what looks a fantastic car.

littleknownfact

well put pburns. i don't understand the sweeping statement that all 80's and 90's italian machinery are ****e, unless of course you have owned a selection of these cars over the years and are speaking from experience - in which case i apologise

i can understand the comments on the cars looks but not the sweeping statements. i would concur with anan1's comments that this is just ignorance

MSporty

littleknownfact wrote: »

well put pburns. i don't understand the sweeping statement that all 80's and 90's italian machinery are ****e, unless of course you have owned a selection of these cars over the years and are speaking from experience - in which case i apologise

i can understand the comments on the cars looks but not the sweeping statements. i would concur with anan1's comments that this is just ignorance

You dont have to have owned every car in history to have an opinion on one

Anan1

MSporty wrote: »

You dont have to have owned every car in history to have an opinion on one

No, but it does help to know a bit about cars in general. And you don't.