RE: Fiat Coupe: Catch it While You Can
Discussion
cheddar said:
white_goodman said:
Itsallicanafford said:
its a bit confusing this article...20V N/a and turbo models were both available, as where 16V n/a and turbo models.
Yes, I found that a bit confusing as well and could lead to someone who doesn't know much about them paying over the odds for a 20v non-turbo! When purchasing, there's a simple test to confirm whether it's a NA 20V or Turbo 20V.
If it's a Turbo the gauges should look like this:
St John Smythe said:
cheddar said:
white_goodman said:
Itsallicanafford said:
its a bit confusing this article...20V N/a and turbo models were both available, as where 16V n/a and turbo models.
Yes, I found that a bit confusing as well and could lead to someone who doesn't know much about them paying over the odds for a 20v non-turbo! When purchasing, there's a simple test to confirm whether it's a NA 20V or Turbo 20V.
If it's a Turbo the gauges should look like this:
Would never have sold mine but the garage burned down.
I now have a BMW Z4M Coupe but really struggle to set the same track times as the Coupe did in its later 340bhp phase. Did Nurburgring in BTG 8.36 without even knowing my way around the track.
Also it was a fantastic grand tourer, Sweden - Italy - Sweden was no problem at all in those Recaro's and acre's of space.
Only rust was in luggage-floor/rearwheel-wells seam, but that was at 15yrs of age.
Mine did 273000km's before the garage fire - with 340hp from that 5cyl 2litre engine, it's certainly bullet proof!
I now have a BMW Z4M Coupe but really struggle to set the same track times as the Coupe did in its later 340bhp phase. Did Nurburgring in BTG 8.36 without even knowing my way around the track.
Also it was a fantastic grand tourer, Sweden - Italy - Sweden was no problem at all in those Recaro's and acre's of space.
Only rust was in luggage-floor/rearwheel-wells seam, but that was at 15yrs of age.
Mine did 273000km's before the garage fire - with 340hp from that 5cyl 2litre engine, it's certainly bullet proof!
Edited by Pereldh on Thursday 19th November 18:53
Seems like too much money to spend in restoring a potential rust bucket. The Fiat in not in same class as Peugeot 406 Coupe with 3.0V6 & 5 speed gearbox. It will take tuning to inlet & exhaust systems & software improvement. The PininFarina body is much better styled, it has a proper sized rear seat, so takes 4 comfortably with real leg room & has a huge boot. It has a strut brace to front suspension towers & with good tyres handles brilliantly. I have owned one for 7 years in New Zealand, best touring car & utterly reliable. I can compare with Pug 405 Mi16, 205 GTi, 306 XSi.
They are only just starting to rust. Mine is 17 years old with 196k miles, it has lived outside for at least the last 11 years and I don't know before that. It has been used in all weathers and not looked after as well as would be ideal, but there is negligible rust on it. My 12 year old Jaguar is much worse for rust and I have seen many younger cars from other manufacturers in much worse state. To claim they are prone to rust is completely wrong.
I had two 20V Turbos between 2004-6.
The second (below) was running at least 300hp, in addition to various upgrades like LE wheels and bodykit. Only my current supercharged Golf R32 gives a similarly thrilling combination of sensational noise, verve and outrageous speed. Everything else before and after these two (all my hot Clios, Audi S3 etc) just don't compare.
If I found myself in a position where I could only take the Fiat or the R32 to the grave with me, though... it would be that second 20V Turbo.
The second (below) was running at least 300hp, in addition to various upgrades like LE wheels and bodykit. Only my current supercharged Golf R32 gives a similarly thrilling combination of sensational noise, verve and outrageous speed. Everything else before and after these two (all my hot Clios, Audi S3 etc) just don't compare.
If I found myself in a position where I could only take the Fiat or the R32 to the grave with me, though... it would be that second 20V Turbo.
Not having had the experience of seeing these driving down the road, this distinctive car is hardly worthy of a five figure restoration. Despite the apparent potential of the powertrain, sometimes an old car is just that. The detail that Chris Bangle was the designer only confirms my belief that he is a legend in his own mind only. I am always open to having my mind changed by some other example of his particular style, should such exist. My neighbor says I am like the guy in the glass house as I am in the process of a resto-mod of a Lincoln Mark VIII, which he thinks a huge old car. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
St John Smythe said:
bubney72 said:
Superb cars. Nonsense comment regarding tin worm, they don't suffer from rust at all.
They will all suffer from rust eventually.
I had a 20v turbo new in 1999 and it was flawed but fabulous. Lovely to look at, great sound and fun to drive, suprisingly roomy in the back too for medium sized adults. Some fragile and impractical detailed parts of the design - switches falling in to the back of the dash 'cos they were glued on badly. Rear 'screen washer that is placed so it squirts in to the direction of travel so it cant be used when driving, wheel spin in third on a damp road, oh and the wippers waggle on the screen when going over 130mph 
All that said it was an amazing car and deserving of classic status
All that said it was an amazing car and deserving of classic status
richinlondon said:
I had a 20v turbo new in 1999 and it was flawed but fabulous. Lovely to look at, great sound and fun to drive, suprisingly roomy in the back too for medium sized adults. Some fragile and impractical detailed parts of the design - switches falling in to the back of the dash 'cos they were glued on badly. Rear 'screen washer that is placed so it squirts in to the direction of travel so it cant be used when driving, wheel spin in third on a damp road, oh and the wippers waggle on the screen when going over 130mph
All that said it was an amazing car and deserving of classic status
What tyres did you have on it, mine came with some crappy Nankangs or something and it was horrific, put some Continentals on and it was like a different car, traction no longer a problem, even in the wet if sensible.All that said it was an amazing car and deserving of classic status
donaldwh said:
Seems like too much money to spend in restoring a potential rust bucket. The Fiat in not in same class as Peugeot 406 Coupe with 3.0V6 & 5 speed gearbox. It will take tuning to inlet & exhaust systems & software improvement. The PininFarina body is much better styled, it has a proper sized rear seat, so takes 4 comfortably with real leg room & has a huge boot. It has a strut brace to front suspension towers & with good tyres handles brilliantly. I have owned one for 7 years in New Zealand, best touring car & utterly reliable. I can compare with Pug 405 Mi16, 205 GTi, 306 XSi.
Sorry mate, but you clearly have no clue.I could have had a new 16VT as a company when they came out but elected to take a VR6 Corrado instead. A few years later when I came out of company cars I went back to the itch and bought a 20VT. Always loved the styling (never realised until very recently it was a Bangle design - hated his BMW work) and, like the Corrado was a supreme all-round GT car. However, I always consider a flawed diamond. It was quicker than the 1st gen Boxster that replaced it and made a great warble but the Viscodrive traction control used to drive me nuts. Being a hydro-mechanical system you couldn't switch it off and coupled with big turbo it was lethal setting off in tight gaps. White knuckles with zilch under 2k then woosh-hurtle. Nearly caught me out a few times. I would have loved to drive a non-turbo to see whether it was more pure but probably would not have been anything like as quick or stoppy.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff