Fiat 20v Turbo.... talk to me
Discussion
The above words get thrown around in the PH forums almost as much as the mx5. I've to pick something for a fun run around soon, due to the wife going back to work with the daily.
They look fun, tuneable and cheap.
But, how do they handle in standard guise?
Are they actually good to tweak safely?
Any major issues with them or any components of them?
Experiences good and bad welcome, as ever id read around but since the search option is as good as an inflatable dart board here i am....
Talk to me PH massive
ATB
Mike
They look fun, tuneable and cheap.
But, how do they handle in standard guise?
Are they actually good to tweak safely?
Any major issues with them or any components of them?
Experiences good and bad welcome, as ever id read around but since the search option is as good as an inflatable dart board here i am....
Talk to me PH massive
ATB
Mike
I'll post up a few thoughts later, but in the meantime get yourself over to the FCCUK forum and read the buying guides. Oh and I'm sure Nigel O will be along soon with a detailed response.
Mine is running a very reliable 320bhp and is hugely enjoyable to drive and the noise is intoxicating.
To the two comments above:
Can't say I've had any issues with excessive understeer.
No, cambelts can be done by a specialist without removing the engine for about £400.
Mine is running a very reliable 320bhp and is hugely enjoyable to drive and the noise is intoxicating.
To the two comments above:
Can't say I've had any issues with excessive understeer.
No, cambelts can be done by a specialist without removing the engine for about £400.
Edited by pstruck on Saturday 21st July 21:03
I've owned two and have worked for a midland based specialist. If properly maintained they are reliable and quick. Weak points are front bottom suspension arms, manifolds can crack (but can be repaired), radiators can leak but are an easy swap. Cambelt replacement with all tensioners and water pump replacement is quite reasonable pricewise IMHO if taken to a specialist. Clutch swaps are an unpleasant and long winded affair but again not excessively pricey through a specialist. Bear in mind though that if the car you buy needs all of these "big ticket" items doing it may well cost more than the car is worth. As far as tunind goes wait till Nigel shows up, What he doesn't know about that side of it is probabaly not worth knowing. 
I've had a few they are great value for money now.
They do go well and can easily run more boost safely.
Good ones drive very nicely, typical less well maintained ones feel very worn and will have lots of annoying niggles.
Gives good mpg on the motorway for such a quick car.
Handling not bad but not sporty, steering lacks feel, the cars feel nose heavy when pushed but having said that they do have plenty of grip and corner nice and flat/stable. Brakes feel a bit wooden and lacking if pushed.
Later models (and LE models) have 6 gears but the normal 5 speeder is fine, in a high geared GT car way.
Unusual looks, comfy, great high speed cruiser, 5 cyl makes a nice sound, plenty quick enough to be fun - what is not to like for £1500?!
Clutch and cambelt are expensive so worth checking recent history to see what has already been done.
2 good specialists for these one in Essex one in Birmingham, only need to use a specialist if its a pain in the neck job like clutch,cambelt, cracked exh manifold, local garage fine for most other stuff.
They do go well and can easily run more boost safely.
Good ones drive very nicely, typical less well maintained ones feel very worn and will have lots of annoying niggles.
Gives good mpg on the motorway for such a quick car.
Handling not bad but not sporty, steering lacks feel, the cars feel nose heavy when pushed but having said that they do have plenty of grip and corner nice and flat/stable. Brakes feel a bit wooden and lacking if pushed.
Later models (and LE models) have 6 gears but the normal 5 speeder is fine, in a high geared GT car way.
Unusual looks, comfy, great high speed cruiser, 5 cyl makes a nice sound, plenty quick enough to be fun - what is not to like for £1500?!
Clutch and cambelt are expensive so worth checking recent history to see what has already been done.
2 good specialists for these one in Essex one in Birmingham, only need to use a specialist if its a pain in the neck job like clutch,cambelt, cracked exh manifold, local garage fine for most other stuff.
Had 3 over a period of 8 year (kept going back for some reason).......real character, quick (explosive on boost) and pretty much 100% reliable but keep an eye on the oil.
Handling is so so, definitely under steer but strut brace helps handling. Forum very good.
In my view nothing touches for the cash.
Handling is so so, definitely under steer but strut brace helps handling. Forum very good.
In my view nothing touches for the cash.
valverguy said:
What kind of corner entering speeds are we getting understeer in them? Any way to sort it, without going down the thousands of pounds route?
Ultimately i want to spend £1500-£2000 on a car that's turbo and fun on twisties.... :-(
ATB
I found them a bit souless TBH. Ultimately i want to spend £1500-£2000 on a car that's turbo and fun on twisties.... :-(
ATB
Sound good, look different, quick, but for me not a car that's fun in the twisties. Just safe, reliable and quick, but not exciting.
I also spent thousands of pounds, and had absolutely no faith that it would get me to my destination.
Random things like sensors, electric issues, oil pipes, steering rack, last MOT cost £1650.
It's the car that made me splash out on a Lotus - I thought if I was gonna spend thousands of pounds running a car, it may as well be a car that's worth a bit and can also offer thrills in the corners.
I'm sure they can be set up better, but it's always going to be compromised by the layout.
Edited by pthelazyjourno on Sunday 22 July 22:30
All I know, is I was on an empty motorway autobahn on my GSXR600. I was behind a Fiat 20v turbo and waiting for the driver to leave lane 3 and move into lane 2. Without noticing my speed, I was gradually accelerating to keep a close-ish distance to the Fiat in front. I then thought he's not slowing down nor moving over so I glanced down at the clocks and I realised I'm touching 120MPH. I then realise the driver clearly wants to play a little, so I edge into lane 2, say hello and we both boot it.
The Fiat kept up so well, I was absolutely amazed! Past 140+mph it was making serious headway. Called it a day when I realised I need a 1000cc to keep up with him.
Went home with a bruised ego that day.
Always wondered if it was a Pistonheader...
The autobahn is known by locals as the M11 and I was going southbound...Anyone?!!
The Fiat kept up so well, I was absolutely amazed! Past 140+mph it was making serious headway. Called it a day when I realised I need a 1000cc to keep up with him.
Went home with a bruised ego that day.
Always wondered if it was a Pistonheader...
The autobahn is known by locals as the M11 and I was going southbound...Anyone?!!
Leave this thread until the morning and you'll get a rash of "they're s
t", "they rust", "they're Italian, what do you expect", "buy an Alfa GTV instead, same car but better" (neither of which statements are true) etc etc, just the same as every month when someone asks this question on here.
I've been a member on FCCUK for about 12 years and there are some very knowledgable people over there, and they won't pull their punches, they'll tell you what's good, bad and indifferent.
Biggest problem with the car these days IMO is that they are (or at least can be) now extremely cheap for the not insignificant performance they can deliver, and for the cost of a pipe clamp you can get significant power gains for 30 secs work. However, although a properly prepared, properly set up car can easily deliver 300bhp, the above route will deliver you something close but only for a very short time until something cries foul. The performance is all there but it's not free and it does require looking after to some extent. Once the kids get their hands on a 6-second car for a grand, it's all going to go south very quickly.
I think they handle quite respectably for a FWD car, as long as everything is in good order. I think press comments in the last have alluded to decent-enough handling.
Mine, which has been rebuilt almost from the ground up, is admittedly something of a garage queen these days, having been a daily drive for a long time prior to an extensive refurb a few years ago. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't up to a 1200 mile trip around Germany last September, accompanying a mate's 355 Spider and not embarrassing itself in such company.
t", "they rust", "they're Italian, what do you expect", "buy an Alfa GTV instead, same car but better" (neither of which statements are true) etc etc, just the same as every month when someone asks this question on here.I've been a member on FCCUK for about 12 years and there are some very knowledgable people over there, and they won't pull their punches, they'll tell you what's good, bad and indifferent.
Biggest problem with the car these days IMO is that they are (or at least can be) now extremely cheap for the not insignificant performance they can deliver, and for the cost of a pipe clamp you can get significant power gains for 30 secs work. However, although a properly prepared, properly set up car can easily deliver 300bhp, the above route will deliver you something close but only for a very short time until something cries foul. The performance is all there but it's not free and it does require looking after to some extent. Once the kids get their hands on a 6-second car for a grand, it's all going to go south very quickly.
I think they handle quite respectably for a FWD car, as long as everything is in good order. I think press comments in the last have alluded to decent-enough handling.
Mine, which has been rebuilt almost from the ground up, is admittedly something of a garage queen these days, having been a daily drive for a long time prior to an extensive refurb a few years ago. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't up to a 1200 mile trip around Germany last September, accompanying a mate's 355 Spider and not embarrassing itself in such company.
pthelazyjourno said:
I found them a bit souless TBH.
Of all the things that can be criticised about the Fiat Coupe, you're the first person I've known to say a 5-pot turbo doesn't have any 'soul'.redgriff500 said:
Depends how you get your kicks...
Slower perhaps but I'd buy a (RWD) 200SX instead.
Now these really are yawn inducing, even with 200bhp and RWD.Slower perhaps but I'd buy a (RWD) 200SX instead.
Depends on whether you're moved by other parts of the car rather than just the engine and styling.
Engine sounds lovely, I'm not doubting that.
The steering is numb, however, and the safe nose-heavy handling takes all the fun out of it for me.
I can see that souless is perhaps a little harsh, but as a driver's car I found it a bit crap. It's a nice car though, so I didn't want to lead with crap - hence souless!
Great all-rounder, mind you, and they are quick.
I wouldn't have another. Or an Alfa GTV.
Depends where you get your kicks though. I'd take a 106 GTi every day of the week, but that's a fraction of the speed. No doubt most Coupe owners wouldn't touch a 140bhp french hatchback with a bargepole.
Engine sounds lovely, I'm not doubting that.
The steering is numb, however, and the safe nose-heavy handling takes all the fun out of it for me.
I can see that souless is perhaps a little harsh, but as a driver's car I found it a bit crap. It's a nice car though, so I didn't want to lead with crap - hence souless!
Great all-rounder, mind you, and they are quick.
I wouldn't have another. Or an Alfa GTV.
Depends where you get your kicks though. I'd take a 106 GTi every day of the week, but that's a fraction of the speed. No doubt most Coupe owners wouldn't touch a 140bhp french hatchback with a bargepole.
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