Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, am I crazy?

colatube

Been getting a serious lust for these things lately.
Especially considering, it's a 2 litre, 5 cylinder 20 valve turbo, with 220 hp, in something that looks like a baby ferrari

I'm hearing some mixed reviews on the internet. Has anyone on here owned or driven one? Or able to pass over any relavent information to me about these cars?!

I'm expecting to pay about 4,500 euros and will try my best to get a good example. I'm wondering tho, if this car will just be a complete money pit?! Are they worth it?! :pac:

A few I was looking at...

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1452211.htm

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1460849.htm

Any advice lads?

maddness

Great car. Drove a couple a few years ago and they really are fast with a great noise from the 20 valve engine from the Intergrale. I think they look great too. On your budget you should get a fairly straight one too. Good luck.

TestTransmission

Yeah,they're expensive to insure.what age are you?

unkel

Why would you be crazy? The people not buying them are crazy

One of the few cars around that won't depreciate any more if you keep them in good condition. Guaranteed future classic :cool:

Of course it will cost more to run than a Golf, but you know all that already

Try and buy a cherished car from an enthusiast, hopefully with lots of service and a recent belt job, or a price reflecting this job still needs to be done.

Those two look like prime examples.

Tropheus

I had a Limited Edition from new in 1999. I had it for four years. It was a great car. I really loved the design, but the overall build quality could have been better.

It was very reliable except for the turbo failing. Cost me €2k to replace:mad:. I was very unlucky as they are not known to fail.

I'd say your only problem will be insurance.

colatube

Hi guys thanks for your replies, much appriciated.

Just sent an email to the guy in England with the possibility of me traveling over this weekend.

I don't mind doing a bit of traveling for a good one, as over here they're rarer than a set of hen's teeth!

As for insurance, if I thought I was going to be phazed by the astrimnomical ammount I'm about to pay for it, I'd stick to a ford focus. I'm at that age now where I think I deserve a treat - 26.

Are these cars just good in a straight line? I heard the traction control on them is a pig, cutting the revs down a fair bit on the corners. I know the only way I'll know is by test driving them, but hopefully I'll find my Sunday afternoon cuiser

bryaner

Mate of mine has one, and he vows never to sell it

loves it and he has it 5 years normal few bits and bobs

needed doing on it over the years bushes shocks etc,

but parts are pretty cheap for an absolute weapon

Tropheus

They are quick in a straight line but there is a bit too much power to the front wheels. You notice in the wet more. The turbo does have a viscous coupling as a sort of mechanical traction contol, but I never noticed it doing much. The wheels still spin like hell when you give it welly off the line:D

One thing I didn't like was the gear change. The throw was too long and it felt more like a saloon car.

When you're looking at one, it's essential that it has a good maintenance record. There are a fair few specialists in the UK so main dealer is not necessary. In fact main dealer service could be seen as a disadvantage as the main Fiat dealers knew very little about them.

Best of luck with it and let us know how you get on.

Lenny

bryaner wrote: »

but parts are pretty cheap for an absolute weapon

From workin in a fiat dealer the parts weren't that cheap, manifold gasket abt 90e says it all!

bigfeather

ksimpson wrote: »

They are quick in a straight line but there is a bit too much power to the front wheels. You notice in the wet more. The turbo does have a viscous coupling as a sort of mechanical traction contol, but I never noticed it doing much. The wheels still spin like hell when you give it welly off the line:D

One thing I didn't like was the gear change. The throw was too long and it felt more like a saloon car.

When you're looking at one, it's essential that it has a good maintenance record. There are a fair few specialists in the UK so main dealer is not necessary. In fact main dealer service could be seen as a disadvantage as the main Fiat dealers knew very little about them.

Best of luck with it and let us know how you get on.

Agree with all these points, it's pretty good in the dry but in the wet you'll either have a lot of fun or sit there spinning until the cows come home

bryaner

Lenny wrote: »

From workin in a fiat dealer the parts weren't that cheap, manifold gasket abt 90e says it all!

That would be just silly im talkin about Elring aftermarket gaskets and Febi

bushes etc etc top quality stuff.. a full head set is not much more than €90

mickdw

This is not going to go down well here but to me those cars are one of the worst pieces of design ever. I think they look so clumpy and then the slashes down the down dont work with the whole design and the wheels look way out of proportion.
Its a strange one. I know most people love the look of them

Anan1

maddness wrote: »

Great car. Drove a couple a few years ago and they really are fast with a great noise from the 20 valve engine from the Intergrale. I think they look great too. On your budget you should get a fairly straight one too. Good luck.

Not to be nit-picking, but the 16v turbo had the engine from the integrale, the later 20v engine was a straight 5cyl.

Tropheus

Anan1 wrote: »

Not to be nit-picking, but the 16v turbo had the engine from the integrale, the later 20v engine:D was a straight 5cyl.

That's correct. The only other cars the 20v engine was used in was the Marea and Bravo HGT in it's normal aspirated form. There could have been others that weren't sold in Ireland.

maddness

Anan1 wrote: »

Not to be nit-picking, but the 16v turbo had the engine from the integrale, the later 20v engine was a straight 5cyl.

Correct. My mistake.

itarumaa

Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo was tested in car magazine and it went 0-100km/h 6.3seconds, but it was a tricky to get it moving without excess wheelspin.

I am suprized that no-one has mentioned the timing belt job, what is a pain to do in these cars.

Lovely car and definitely one of my dream cars.

unkel

itarumaa wrote: »

I am suprized that no-one has mentioned the timing belt job

You sure no-one mentioned it?