Tell me about Fiat Coupe 20vs

[Rollcage]

Got a chance of a cheap Fiat Coupe 20v - what can PH tell me about these? It's had a recent cambelt and waterpump, and has a few bits that need sorting out, but its cheap , so I don't mind doing a few jobs.

Sadly, it's not a Turbo!

Over to you guys!

[V8Wagon]

I adore the look of 'em. Inside and outside. I test drove a Turbo once and it was very very quick and made a great noise.

I loved it and I'd have one if it was cheap enough. Just a bit old now.

[Deluded]

Nowt wrong with the non turbo. The Fiat 20v engine is superb. It sounds amazing and is very very smooth.

Obviously wont be as quick as the turbo but should prove to be more reliable.

[miniman]

The Turbo is awesome. I reckon you'll be disappointed with the normal one.

[Rollcage]

Deluded said:

Nowt wrong with the non turbo. The Fiat 20v engine is superb. It sounds amazing and is very very smooth.

Obviously wont be as quick as the turbo but should prove to be more reliable.

I can remember hearing one in a Brava Estate once, sounded nice!

[Liquid Knight]

20V n/a you say?

http://youtu.be/D-HbRiQrH1k

Great engine in a fine chassis, good ones are sublime, ropey ones can be problematic. Cosmetic parts to look out for are the aluminium tail light trims and fuel cap, wings rust and the heavy bonnet can be a pain in the neck if the stays give way. Also by now the headlight covers should have been or will need replacing soon as the plastic tends to cloud over after a few years. They can be polished but never as good as new. Depending on how much the M.O.T tester likes the end of his bell you could get away with it. Good for 30+mpg on a run, reasonable insurance and okay performance by modern standards.

Plenty of tuning potential as the Stilo Abarth block will drop straight in and give you more cc's to play with.

Enjoy.

[Rollcage]

miniman said:

The Turbo is awesome. I reckon you'll be disappointed with the normal one.

It's more about the looks and style at the pricepoint to be honest! I know a Turbo would be better, but it wouldn't be as cheap to buy and the one I could buy is Yellow, which appeals to me!

[Deluded]

The non-turbo is 147hp. They aren't slow but obviously the turbo is quicker. I've never owned a Coupe but had a Bravo HGT and Marea weekend (had 2) with the same engine.

[Liquid Knight]

Rollcage said:

It's more about the looks and style at the pricepoint to be honest! I know a Turbo would be better, but it wouldn't be as cheap to buy and the one I could buy is Yellow, which appeals to me!

Broom Yellow is perfect for the car (alough my favorite is Portofino Blue).

Here's mine next to my Lancia Beta (drunk eBay purchase)



...and Uno Stage Rally car.



Credit crunched and dearly missed.

How cheap is your 20V going for and will they be interested in a Rover 213S as a part exchange?

[Highway Star]

I've owned a n/a Coupe and a tuned Turbo - the engine note of the n/a is lovely and its a smooth drive.

Get yourself onto the Fiat Coupe forum (www.fccuk.org); an absolute wealth of information awaits.

[Rollcage]

It's cheaper than a cheap thing that's had some money knocked off - we ain't talking thousands!

As I'm a Fiat daily driver these days, something slightly more exotic than a Panda Multijet as a bit of a toy does appeal.

Highway Star - just awaiting approval of FCCUK!

[Rollcage]

I can sense a new car on the horizon, as I'm looking at it in the morning, which I feel will probably only go one way. I mean, Broom Yellow with full leather, what's not to like!

[Highway Star]

Is it a VIS engined n/a - that gets you a few more bhp?

The Coupe n/a is a really good, underrated car, I'd probably still have mine if I hadn't moved abroad. The only bad part are the horrible 'washing machine rotor' wheels. It's not got the whack in the back that a turbo'd Coupe has, but it felt so much faster than my current 4x4 Octavia does which has the same power. Also, on many drives at Coupe meets, I never had trouble keeping up with 20vts.

[2thumbs]

I recently got a 20v non turbo for a daily beater. The engine sounds fantastic & has enough power to make it fun. My favorite thing about the car is the interior, it has full black leather, it's a lovely place to be & has one of the best driving positions I've experienced. For an old Fiat I expected it to be 'hanging' mechanically, but it is far from it. With just under 150k under it's belt it still feels solid, everything works & nothing rattles or squeaks. The bodywork has no signs of rust but has plenty of parking dings, & the lacquer is peeling here & there but this matters not as like I said, it's a daily/shopping/ tip run/ dog car. The headlights might as well not be fitted as they are completely crap & the boot opening is tiny but I'm very impressed with it overall & all for £600

[Rollcage]

Highway Star said:

Is it a VIS engined n/a - that gets you a few more bhp?

The Coupe n/a is a really good, underrated car, I'd probably still have mine if I hadn't moved abroad. The only bad part are the horrible 'washing machine rotor' wheels. It's not got the whack in the back that a turbo'd Coupe has, but it felt so much faster than my current 4x4 Octavia does which has the same power. Also, on many drives at Coupe meets, I never had trouble keeping up with 20vts.

I'm not sure if it is a VIS car, its R reg, Feb 1998. I'll find out soon!

[Rollcage]

Having been to have a look, its a decent car, but will need more time putting into it than I had hoped, so I'll be having a think over the next day or two and see what I decide.

Which will probably be to buy it regardless, as it's cheap!

[Liquid Knight]

If you don't one of us will.

[Rollcage]

Liquid Knight said:

If you don't one of us will.

Maybe, maybe!

[Rollcage]

Rollcage said:

Liquid Knight said:

If you don't one of us will.

Maybe, maybe!

Ahem.

One of us has!

Picking it up on Wednesday hopefully.

[soad]

Rollcage said:

Picking it up on Wednesday hopefully.

Good stuff, they look fantastic - a beauty.