One Coupe or two?
Discussion
Everyone wants a bargin.
Otherwise there would be no Macro, Tesco value, or Vauxhall.
So when daydreaming of Italian hypercars such as Lambo’s and Zondas (notice I didn’t say Ferrari) and you happen upon a 200bhp+ Italian coupe, what should stop you?
Well I’m lucky enough to have 2 of the Italian beauties currently residing on our drive.
First off a Fiat coupe turbo 20v. Styled by the pen of ‘flame surfacing’ Chris jingle jangle Bangle the car is like marmite. Either you love it or hate it.
But you cannot argue that it invokes some passion within you.
So already its plan is working, its getting under your skin.
Opening the hidden handles on the door pillars reveals an Italian interior. You know the sort, beautiful, stylish and about as well constructed as the theory of religion.
Swoops of tan leather and a very neat body colour dash trim make you feel like you’re in something special. The fisher price door handles do not.
Twist the key and the 20v inline 5 cylinder catches with awkward idle, with hints of group b Quattro about it.
The gearstick throw is notchy, but doesn’t impede proceedings as you move off.
Plant the throttle though and any concerns of the quality of the Christmas cracker stitches are pushed to the headrest.
0-60 in 6.5 doesn’t do the 220bhp car justice.
As the 25-60mph seems to happen in 2 seconds. Such is the kick of the turbo.
Rather uncouth for such a pretty car to hit you soo hard and in one big lump, that can cause problems modulating corners.
But it is rather addictive.
Brakes are the same Brembo Calipers as the Alfa, and have a slightly vague feel to them, but work well when needed.
The ride is soft but comforting, which indicates good damping, with minimal body roll.
At £2.5k for a tatty 20v the cars are well worth a look, but should they really be half the price of the bigger brother, the Alfa GTV.
Styled by Pininferina the car looks odd at best with the large slice rising to the flanks adding to its drama.
This is not going to be confused with a focus.
No door handles here, just a button, with releases the door enough to put your fingers down the beautifully crafted slot, to open the door.
Inside is the same flair and style, but this time material have been chosen that might actually outlast the warranty.
Typically as with the coupe, the seating is all wrong (Italians having one arm and one leg longer than the other apparently). Add to this the Momo leather park bench seat support, and already you’re disappointed.
However twist the bright red key and the big 3.0 24v V6 catches into a menacing deep tickover.
Nothing, but nothing sounds like an Italian V6.
Except perhaps the orgasm calls of Jessica Alba.
The V6 is soo progressive and soo smooth, that next to the fireworks of the Turbo, it almost feels tame.
But the car is so easy to modulate, so easy to push that’s its easier to hustle.
Even if the seat cause you to keep the windows up for fear of falling out.
At £4k for the Alfa its almost twice that of a fiat coupe.
It offers less rear legroom, a small padded shoe box for a boot. Its more thirsty and has complicated suspension that cannibals itself every 3 miles.
But this car makes you feel special.
The noise the looks and the special glow it leaves cannot be bought.
So to summarise, if you fancy a weekend floosie, buy the alfa.
It will steal your money, make you cry and make your friends jealous.
The fiat will do 90% of the above, but will also make your tea and wash your socks.
Otherwise there would be no Macro, Tesco value, or Vauxhall.
So when daydreaming of Italian hypercars such as Lambo’s and Zondas (notice I didn’t say Ferrari) and you happen upon a 200bhp+ Italian coupe, what should stop you?
Well I’m lucky enough to have 2 of the Italian beauties currently residing on our drive.
First off a Fiat coupe turbo 20v. Styled by the pen of ‘flame surfacing’ Chris jingle jangle Bangle the car is like marmite. Either you love it or hate it.
But you cannot argue that it invokes some passion within you.
So already its plan is working, its getting under your skin.
Opening the hidden handles on the door pillars reveals an Italian interior. You know the sort, beautiful, stylish and about as well constructed as the theory of religion.
Swoops of tan leather and a very neat body colour dash trim make you feel like you’re in something special. The fisher price door handles do not.
Twist the key and the 20v inline 5 cylinder catches with awkward idle, with hints of group b Quattro about it.
The gearstick throw is notchy, but doesn’t impede proceedings as you move off.
Plant the throttle though and any concerns of the quality of the Christmas cracker stitches are pushed to the headrest.
0-60 in 6.5 doesn’t do the 220bhp car justice.
As the 25-60mph seems to happen in 2 seconds. Such is the kick of the turbo.
Rather uncouth for such a pretty car to hit you soo hard and in one big lump, that can cause problems modulating corners.
But it is rather addictive.
Brakes are the same Brembo Calipers as the Alfa, and have a slightly vague feel to them, but work well when needed.
The ride is soft but comforting, which indicates good damping, with minimal body roll.
At £2.5k for a tatty 20v the cars are well worth a look, but should they really be half the price of the bigger brother, the Alfa GTV.
Styled by Pininferina the car looks odd at best with the large slice rising to the flanks adding to its drama.
This is not going to be confused with a focus.
No door handles here, just a button, with releases the door enough to put your fingers down the beautifully crafted slot, to open the door.
Inside is the same flair and style, but this time material have been chosen that might actually outlast the warranty.
Typically as with the coupe, the seating is all wrong (Italians having one arm and one leg longer than the other apparently). Add to this the Momo leather park bench seat support, and already you’re disappointed.
However twist the bright red key and the big 3.0 24v V6 catches into a menacing deep tickover.
Nothing, but nothing sounds like an Italian V6.
Except perhaps the orgasm calls of Jessica Alba.
The V6 is soo progressive and soo smooth, that next to the fireworks of the Turbo, it almost feels tame.
But the car is so easy to modulate, so easy to push that’s its easier to hustle.
Even if the seat cause you to keep the windows up for fear of falling out.
At £4k for the Alfa its almost twice that of a fiat coupe.
It offers less rear legroom, a small padded shoe box for a boot. Its more thirsty and has complicated suspension that cannibals itself every 3 miles.
But this car makes you feel special.
The noise the looks and the special glow it leaves cannot be bought.
So to summarise, if you fancy a weekend floosie, buy the alfa.
It will steal your money, make you cry and make your friends jealous.
The fiat will do 90% of the above, but will also make your tea and wash your socks.
Edited by _Batty_ on Saturday 27th October 13:21
.Rob_F said:
Slut tints on an Alfa? How very..... council. 
Nice cars tho', chap over the road has an Alfa GTV. The bonnets invariably up at the weekend, which is why i wouldn't buy one - i'd rather go caning then spend my time polishing/fixing/posing. Cheap style, and make no mistake.
the tints where fitted pre-ownership, i've yet to remove them Nice cars tho', chap over the road has an Alfa GTV. The bonnets invariably up at the weekend, which is why i wouldn't buy one - i'd rather go caning then spend my time polishing/fixing/posing. Cheap style, and make no mistake.
you see the GTV make you want to get involved. even if it checking the oil, checking the coolant.
It's good to see you have both. We used to have the GTV when they were new in S reg.
I once test drove the coupe turbo as I loved the look of them too.
I buried the throttle and it just sat there for a half a second, struggled forward like a milk float for another second, then blasted off in a wild jerk of turbo frenzy. A second later you were changing gear and dropping the hammer again. Only to be left trundling along with zero acceleration.... wait for it, wait for it.... Wollop! Your off again on another wave of boost. The engine is either on or off. It has absolutely nothing in between. Fun, but maddening.
But what a wonderful driveway ornament! Enjoy!
I once test drove the coupe turbo as I loved the look of them too.
I buried the throttle and it just sat there for a half a second, struggled forward like a milk float for another second, then blasted off in a wild jerk of turbo frenzy. A second later you were changing gear and dropping the hammer again. Only to be left trundling along with zero acceleration.... wait for it, wait for it.... Wollop! Your off again on another wave of boost. The engine is either on or off. It has absolutely nothing in between. Fun, but maddening.
But what a wonderful driveway ornament! Enjoy!
Edited by zagato on Saturday 27th October 17:21
Great post.
I'm always wondering about the differences between these two sister cars, it must be rare to find someone who owns both!
Unfortunately my budget didnt quite stretch to a decentish example of either when I bought my last car. I couldn't have lived with 'only' a 4 cylinder model.
I'm not sure which one I like best.
I always wondered, how can 2 cars that are so similar, have such different interiors - the Fiat is famed for being deceptively roomy, with usable rear seats, yet the alfa, which is exactly the same size, is tiny you say, with no boot?
It would be such a difficult choice. The Alfa has the engine, i think we would agree on that. Not many engines are 'beautiful'. But I think the Fiat is the better looking car....
I'm always wondering about the differences between these two sister cars, it must be rare to find someone who owns both!
Unfortunately my budget didnt quite stretch to a decentish example of either when I bought my last car. I couldn't have lived with 'only' a 4 cylinder model.
I'm not sure which one I like best.
I always wondered, how can 2 cars that are so similar, have such different interiors - the Fiat is famed for being deceptively roomy, with usable rear seats, yet the alfa, which is exactly the same size, is tiny you say, with no boot?
It would be such a difficult choice. The Alfa has the engine, i think we would agree on that. Not many engines are 'beautiful'. But I think the Fiat is the better looking car....
snotrag said:
I always wondered, how can 2 cars that are so similar, have such different interiors - the Fiat is famed for being deceptively roomy, with usable rear seats, yet the alfa, which is exactly the same size, is tiny you say, with no boot?
The GTV has fancy-ish rear suspension, which uses up a lot of the space where the boot/rear seats would normally be.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff