What's the modern day Fiat Coupe?

[405dogvan]

MiseryStreak said:

405dogvan said:

Red was the Calibra 'signature colour' and your point is?

My point was most of the ones I've seen are that colour, it was always shown that colour when released and I assumed it was a favourite, certainly not challenging. I could well be wrong, it's certainly not a typical colour that any car would look good in.

What is your point about the Calibra? That they look st in red? I don't disagree, especially as they all faded within a year.

My point was that the "signature" colour is just the one which looked good on the brochure (sometimes I think it's just whatever colour the press office picked for the first press car) - whilst it's OK on the Coupe, my problem was really with the cream interior.

The exterior colour continues inside (as with Beetles but moreso) which means interior colour matters a lot more - Flat Blue and Cream is not a winning combo

The one owners club meeting I saw pics from - Silver was probably the goto colour anyway - easily half the cars were Silver (it was on ALL cars at that time tho)

Also - wasn't the blue more for earlier cars - didn't the 20v debut in the metallic lighter blue?

[Alex]

Sprint Blue was the only colour that was only available on the Turbo, so it was special for that reason.

[MiniMan64]

Beautiful sunny evening, stopped at the pub on the way home, sat and looked at it, took the scenic route home sd even the clunk the front suspension couldn't ruin the soundtrack.

Not sure I want to sell it even with all the problems!

[MiseryStreak]

MiniMan64 said:

Beautiful sunny evening, stopped at the pub on the way home, sat and looked at it, took the scenic route home sd even the clunk the front suspension couldn't ruin the soundtrack.

Not sure I want to sell it even with all the problems!

Don't do it, you'll only regret it. Just get it fixed up. A neighbour used to own one and it was often parked directly opposite our house. A lovely bold bit of design, sounded great too.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Didn't realise the Nissan 350GTs can be acquired for less than £6k. Not sure about the looks, but should suit the op requirements.

[-Pete-]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Didn't realise the Nissan 350GTs can be acquired for less than £6k. Not sure about the looks, but should suit the op requirements.

It's not a 2+2, there's a Nissan Fairlady import with the same engine which is a four-seater, but it's challenging in the looks department.

[nct001]

BMW 645... these are serious value now... very very under rated

I had a manual one and it offered 996 bashing performance for no money and 32mpg on a run and pulled from 70-120 in supercar style...

[J4CKO]

I had a 20VT Coupe a few years ago, I did like it, loved the looks and performance but never really gelled with it, the leather seats were useless, as was the turning circle. I never found the brakes or handling to be up to much either.

A 944 S2 (Just sold mine) is not quite as quick (standard for standard), a Turbo is on a par, possibly a bit quicker but handling wise, and its not a dig at FWD, the Porsche is a joy in comparison, the Fiat wasnt bad per se, just not very involving, mine did improve markedly when I put a set of Continentals on it though, wish theuy had done a factory 4wd (Integrale ?) version.

I think the Astra VXR or something is the nearest modern alternative, in terms of the drive and power deleivery but the Coupe was unique, despite not being all that thrilled, I still have a soft spot, I think its the styling and the sound, Sprint Blue with Black Cloth interior for me, they have something, that an Astra can never have, trouble is, its something you cant put your finger on, destined to go up in value, a quick check on howmanyleft suggests there are only 2100 still out there being used.

[Mr2Mike]

J4CKO said:

I had a 20VT Coupe a few years ago, I did like it, loved the looks and performance but never really gelled with it, the leather seats were useless, as was the turning circle.

The turning circle on the coupe is comically bad, it makes a super tanker look pretty manoeuvrable.

[mattikake]

MiniMan64 said:

As expected of course I've had a few problems with it, it's a 16 year old Fiat after all! They're starting to stack up a bit now and with a new kid on the way I'm starting to wonder about something a bit newer and hopefully more reliable.

Thing is I still want the same type of car, SWMBOs got a Fiesta so I don't need something sensible.

Under £6k
2+2
Comfortable GT/Sport type car
Bit different/interesting
Good engine that makes a great noise
Not so fussed about amazing handling, I've got a proper Mini for that!
Not made of cheese

Bit of a thread resurrection, but I was bored and did one of those random searches...

I have a 17yo Coop on 112K miles that just sailed through another MOT today, faultlessly, again. And it humiliated a brand new Boxster S on the way to the MOT centre too, much to their disdain but then my little Coop hasn't been standard for 11 years... like I would tell them! Anyway I digress. I stumbled across this thread.

I see you still list a Coop in your PH garage.

So I assume like me, you think of Coops the same way and I always thought a TVR - Cerb or Chim was my personal spiritual successor to my Coop. I nearly bought a Chim a few years ago, but this was to go alongside the Coop. My replacement would and always has been, a Cerb. Yeah, not a £6K car, but in all other respects, it's the only true Coop successor.

Fast and faster than you, or anyone else, expects.
Big noticeable noise.
Similar hand-built "variable" quality, sorry, "soul". (I like the hand-holding dependant pet feel on maintenance)
4 seats.
Comfortable.
Different.
Rare.
Head-turner on looks, rarity and/or noise.
Street cred.
Fantastic interior and styling that a Coop has no doubt turned you into an interior-snob.
You CAN drive them lazily, despite what some may say.

A Chim is closer, but you lack the 4 seats, although £6K is a reasonable budget. Similar to a Cerb and still a real sleeper for speed.

I have never thought and can still not think of, anything that can tick as many boxes. Oh except maybe the new Z06 when the 2nd prices come down.

Amongst most of the suggested, over the years I've also test-driven and failed;
S2000s
Z4s
Boxsters
VX220s (but haven't ruled out VX220 Turbos yet)
Monaros
350Zs
R34s
Cupra Rs
Astra VXRs
R26s
E36 M3s
3 and 6 MPSs
+ more I forget right now

[k-ink]

We had a new GTV back in the day, then a 147 GTA. The Fiat Coupe Turbo is quicker in the real world, due to the mid range shove. The Alfa is probably sexier to look at and listen to. But there is something cool about the Fiat. It is quirkier. My only niggle is they are obviously FWD. Aside from that I'd be in one now. Great cars though.

[Welshbeef]

How about the XKR? Lovely coupe lovely V8 and Eton supercharged fun 420bhp though weight holds it back somewhat.

[biscione]

147 GTA. Not a coupe though but very good looking

[Welshbeef]

Doesn't 350Z and 370Z also fit into the brief now?

[J4CKO]

mattikake said:

MiniMan64 said:

As expected of course I've had a few problems with it, it's a 16 year old Fiat after all! They're starting to stack up a bit now and with a new kid on the way I'm starting to wonder about something a bit newer and hopefully more reliable.

Thing is I still want the same type of car, SWMBOs got a Fiesta so I don't need something sensible.

Under £6k
2+2
Comfortable GT/Sport type car
Bit different/interesting
Good engine that makes a great noise
Not so fussed about amazing handling, I've got a proper Mini for that!
Not made of cheese

Bit of a thread resurrection, but I was bored and did one of those random searches...

I have a 17yo Coop on 112K miles that just sailed through another MOT today, faultlessly, again. And it humiliated a brand new Boxster S on the way to the MOT centre too, much to their disdain but then my little Coop hasn't been standard for 11 years... like I would tell them! Anyway I digress. I stumbled across this thread.

I see you still list a Coop in your PH garage.

So I assume like me, you think of Coops the same way and I always thought a TVR - Cerb or Chim was my personal spiritual successor to my Coop. I nearly bought a Chim a few years ago, but this was to go alongside the Coop. My replacement would and always has been, a Cerb. Yeah, not a £6K car, but in all other respects, it's the only true Coop successor.

Fast and faster than you, or anyone else, expects.
Big noticeable noise.
Similar hand-built "variable" quality, sorry, "soul". (I like the hand-holding dependant pet feel on maintenance)
4 seats.
Comfortable.
Different.
Rare.
Head-turner on looks, rarity and/or noise.
Street cred.
Fantastic interior and styling that a Coop has no doubt turned you into an interior-snob.
You CAN drive them lazily, despite what some may say.

A Chim is closer, but you lack the 4 seats, although £6K is a reasonable budget. Similar to a Cerb and still a real sleeper for speed.

I have never thought and can still not think of, anything that can tick as many boxes. Oh except maybe the new Z06 when the 2nd prices come down.

Amongst most of the suggested, over the years I've also test-driven and failed;
S2000s
Z4s
Boxsters
VX220s (but haven't ruled out VX220 Turbos yet)
Monaros
350Zs
R34s
Cupra Rs
Astra VXRs
R26s
E36 M3s
3 and 6 MPSs
+ more I forget right now

So you "humiliated" a 326 bhp Boxster ? with a Fiat Coupe, am guessing no corners were involved and that your Coupe must be running at 400 bhp plus.

I have a soft spot for the Coupe having had one but I wouldn't swap my 350Z for one.

[white_goodman]

biscione said:

147 GTA. Not a coupe though but very good looking

+1

or a 156 GTA. Neither of them are coupes but newer, look fantastic, useable rear seats, sound glorious and go like stink!

or thinking laterally, how about a Focus ST. 5-cylinder turbo (so you have that soundtrack) and similar power, 4 seats, FWD, very tuneable. Can't compete on looks but you can get one in orange or Ford Racing blue if you want that shock factor!

Or a Volvo C30 T5 (same engine as the ST) but more individual looks and less of an Essex boy image perhaps?

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 21st August 16:18

Edited by white_goodman on Thursday 21st August 16:34

[Welshbeef]

J4CKO said:

So you "humiliated" a 326 bhp Boxster ? with a Fiat Coupe, am guessing no corners were involved and that your Coupe must be running at 400 bhp plus.

I have a soft spot for the Coupe having had one but I wouldn't swap my 350Z for one.

A big standard Coupe 20V Turbo with 220bhp does 0-100mph in 14.2 seconds a Novatec chip gets you to 280-300bhp (£50 chip).

When I had mine it felt rudely quick and I kept mine standard so a modified one would be even more fun



http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Porsche/old/Boxste...
Remember also that the Fiat is turbo so gets going very quickly and can get the jump on many a car the Porsche needs lots of revs

The S2000 with its 255bhp is slower to 100mph over a std Fiat coupe 20v turbo.
.

[J4CKO]

Welshbeef said:

J4CKO said:

So you "humiliated" a 326 bhp Boxster ? with a Fiat Coupe, am guessing no corners were involved and that your Coupe must be running at 400 bhp plus.

I have a soft spot for the Coupe having had one but I wouldn't swap my 350Z for one.

A big standard Coupe 20V Turbo with 220bhp does 0-100mph in 14.2 seconds a Novatec chip gets you to 280-300bhp (£50 chip).

When I had mine it felt rudely quick and I kept mine standard so a modified one would be even more fun



http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Porsche/old/Boxste...
Remember also that the Fiat is turbo so gets going very quickly and can get the jump on many a car the Porsche needs lots of revs

The S2000 with its 255bhp is slower to 100mph over a std Fiat coupe 20v turbo.
.

I thought the chip took them to about 260 ?

The 0-100 of the coupe was widely reported as 14.5 but a lot said that the press cars had been "optimised" a smidge.


Even if it had 300 bhp how would it "humiliate" a car with more power, as in be able to leave it for dead ?

Edited by J4CKO on Thursday 21st August 16:29

[Mr2Mike]

J4CKO said:

I thought the chip took them to about 260 ?

That's about right. You can't reliably extract 300bhp from a Coupe with just a remap.

[J4CKO]

Mr2Mike said:

J4CKO said:

I thought the chip took them to about 260 ?

That's about right. You can't reliably extract 300bhp from a Coupe with just a remap.

I remember being told I would need a new intercooler, air filter, exhaust and some other bits to get anywhere near 300, the "Gtec" chip claimed to add 25/30 bhp, have things moved on that far ?