RE: Fiat Coupe: You (Didn't) Know You Want To
Discussion
Mr2Mike said:
The point I am making is you can't judge a quick rack just by the number of turns lock to lock. In the Fiat's case it's only 2.2 turns lock to lock because there's bugger all lock, the gearing itself isn't particularly quick. The steering certainly isn't slow, and it might even be a little faster than the old 16V, but it's not really a quick rack.
For example, if the lock was restricted even further so you reached the lock stops with 1 turn, would that make the rack even quicker?
I see your point, but the Coupe rack isn't THAT restrictive - I agree it has less than some cars, but you very soon get used to it and it would never stop me attempting a three-point-turn (OK, maybe 5....)For example, if the lock was restricted even further so you reached the lock stops with 1 turn, would that make the rack even quicker?
Going back to the original question about the rack, its fairly feelsome. I've definitely driven FWD cars with better steering (top-end Clios, Integra TypeR, ect) but with a few choice suspension mods to bring it up to date, it can be made to handle very neatly indeed. I managed to drag mine round to two class wins in two years in the handling discipline at Ten of the Best, against some fairly handy machinery, so there's definitely a great chassis under the Coupe, that just needs to be exploited.
Bear in mind that many Coupes are still on original suspension, so the occasional criticism of it being a bit soft are entirely understandable
carinaman said:
How does the TT steering compare to the Coupe? Doesn't the Fiat have a quicker rack and bigger turning circle?
It's been many years but I never really liked that 'springy' feeling that Audi gave cars of that era so I definately preferred the Fiat - and yes, the turning circle was fairly large (tho many cars around that time were gaining wheel size and so losing turning circle!!)You need to see the Coupe for what it is tho - it's a 4 seat Coupe GT which covers ground at a scary rate. It's not really a hot hatch, it will understeer a BIT too much to encourage you pushing into the tighter corners - it has that "falling over it's tyres" feeling when you stress it - but at 90% it's lovely and 90% of it is still quite a lot.
cheddar said:
Oddball RS said:
The turbo when it was on song was great for out dragging Scoobies, just had to make sure it was a rolling start!
Me and my neighbourIt was close but the Scoobie was always a bit quicker
Escort Si-130 said:
I have always wondered why I hated this and its Alfa Romeo counterpart. Now I have just read it was designed by Chris Bangle; says it all. Kill it with FIRE, DIE DIE DIE!!!
Ugly 'kin car.
Fortunately, your opinion is as per usual as irrelevant as the car that inspired your forum name.Ugly 'kin car.
405dogvan said:
cheddar said:
Oddball RS said:
The turbo when it was on song was great for out dragging Scoobies, just had to make sure it was a rolling start!
Me and my neighbourIt was close but the Scoobie was always a bit quicker
Top speed was quoted at 156 iirc so no limiter. The cd was pretty low, under 0.30 I believe.
As for scoobies; I remember they would always be quicker off the line and up to around 70 - past that the coupe would go past and keep going. Lovely long 3rd gear would shove hard from 40-90 and drop most cars, wrx included. Did it many, many times.
As for scoobies; I remember they would always be quicker off the line and up to around 70 - past that the coupe would go past and keep going. Lovely long 3rd gear would shove hard from 40-90 and drop most cars, wrx included. Did it many, many times.
Nigel_O said:
I see your point, but the Coupe rack isn't THAT restrictive - I agree it has less than some cars, but you very soon get used to it and it would never stop me attempting a three-point-turn (OK, maybe 5....)
It's just a occasional and minor irritation. It doesn't stop you parking in tight spots, you just need to work a little harder. My current Civic Type R is also pretty poor in this respect, though not quite a bad.Of all the cars I've owned the Coupe is probably my favourite, with the MR2 running a close second. It never let me down, and always felt like a special car to drive.
I did quite a lot of work on it though. I bought it running on four cylinder as the previous incompetent owner had fitted a bleed valve, wound up the boost too far and melted a piston. I fitted one new piston, new rings for all the other cylinders, new big end bearings, rebuilt the head, rebuilt the turbo and welded up the inevitably cracked manifold and put another 50k fun filled miles on it. I also fitted Bilstein dampers all round, and replaced the top mounts, track rod ends and it had a steady diet of lower arms.
The clutch started to slip with about 130k on the clock, and I would have gladly fitted a new one and kept it except that it was starting to rust in the boot floor, inner wings and the two pillars that support the intercooler and oil cooler.
Edited by Mr2Mike on Saturday 4th April 09:10
A Fiat launch photo, have that on my bookshelf.
Had my Coupe 20vt for over 10 years and I still absolutely love it, the styling, the performance the relative rarity (although there are 2 local to me within a mile radius) for such an old car it still feels special to drive and is a brilliant and practical GT car, that still surprises other performance cars. I meet regularly with other owners via FCCUK and enjoy the whole 'scene'.
I do always have a giggle at the usual derogatory posts when the Coupe is mentioned on PH's usually (aesthetics aside) from people that afr have never owned one.
Had my Coupe 20vt for over 10 years and I still absolutely love it, the styling, the performance the relative rarity (although there are 2 local to me within a mile radius) for such an old car it still feels special to drive and is a brilliant and practical GT car, that still surprises other performance cars. I meet regularly with other owners via FCCUK and enjoy the whole 'scene'.
I do always have a giggle at the usual derogatory posts when the Coupe is mentioned on PH's usually (aesthetics aside) from people that afr have never owned one.
Edited by Flanners on Saturday 4th April 17:29
Steering feel: you need to set the front camber slightly negative, -1.5deg or so. Great feel and turn-in, I loved roundabouts!
H&R make good camberbolts.
Here's a pic from my 8.38 (btg) lap at Nürburgring a few years back. (On youtube aswell for those interested)
(Too bad I never got around to better it with track knowledge, brakes and power in later years)
H&R make good camberbolts.
Here's a pic from my 8.38 (btg) lap at Nürburgring a few years back. (On youtube aswell for those interested)
(Too bad I never got around to better it with track knowledge, brakes and power in later years)
Edited by Pereldh on Sunday 5th April 00:26
I've had my 20VT for 11 years now and love it. No issues with reliability but it did need the oils coler pipes about 4 years ago. Cambelt has been chnage d regularly but not as often as 36k as that isn't needed on the 20VT. I did retire mine from everyday use about 3 years ago so it now gets treated to use as a hillclimb competitor, I can't quite beat an Impreza which is in the same class but has has mods to give at least 300hp but is only around 1-2 seconds quicker on a 70 second climb so not bad. One last thing, mine is now showing 192k miles. Hoping to hit 200k on a hillclimb run!
andyps said:
I've had my 20VT for 11 years now and love it. No issues with reliability but it did need the oils coler pipes about 4 years ago. Cambelt has been chnage d regularly but not as often as 36k as that isn't needed on the 20VT. I did retire mine from everyday use about 3 years ago so it now gets treated to use as a hillclimb competitor, I can't quite beat an Impreza which is in the same class but has has mods to give at least 300hp but is only around 1-2 seconds quicker on a 70 second climb so not bad. One last thing, mine is now showing 192k miles. Hoping to hit 200k on a hillclimb run!
Now that's a proper car - proper miles - proper usage - I imagine when something inevitably goes pop and is beyond sensible repair (most likely structural rust?) you'll miss it like a lost family member - or throw money at it ;0The Coupe 20vt is probably THE most underrated car I've ever driven. If they'd had an Alfa badge - indeed ANY badge other than FIAT - they'd be a stone-cold classic.
Absolutely love these. I worked as a Parts Adviser at Fiat in New Southgate (Desira back then) and I drove a Sprint Blue Coupe. They look so much better and less tacky (sorry owners) then the LE.
They don't feel that fast as the gears are very long but the speedo showed silly speeds. I remember Autocar getting 6 sec 0-60 which was the quickest FWD car to 60 recorded.
The Cool Car Wall on FB eh? Just requested to join as anything to do with the Strada Abarth is a bit of me
They don't feel that fast as the gears are very long but the speedo showed silly speeds. I remember Autocar getting 6 sec 0-60 which was the quickest FWD car to 60 recorded.
The Cool Car Wall on FB eh? Just requested to join as anything to do with the Strada Abarth is a bit of me
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