Fiat coupe 20VT

[mikal83]

I have never seen this car b4 or even heard of it.

Def a marmite car, part of me says yes...........power.....part says moneypit...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-W-Fiat-Coupe-20V-Tu...

[kambites]

I rather like the styling - certainly one of Chris Bangle's better creations. They're surprisingly practical too; you can actually fit adults in the back and the boot is a decent size. Not the best chassis ever, but far from the worst.

I've no idea how reliable they are though. I'd guess not great but that might be unfair.

[mikal83]

Oh and this............

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-ALFA-ROMEO-SPIDER-T...

I was/am well maybe ....might buy an MG TF, as I'm looking for a cheapie ish ragtop. Thought the Alfa looks quite nice?

[andy-xr]

I think they tend to go pop quite often, but that may be to do with people turning up the engine a bit past what is reasonable given fuelling and general Italian'ness

[JDMDrifter]

mikal83 said:

Oh and this............

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-ALFA-ROMEO-SPIDER-T...

I was/am well maybe ....might buy an MG TF, as I'm looking for a cheapie ish ragtop. Thought the Alfa looks quite nice?

I swear that car gets better looking as each day passes.

[kambites]

If you're going to buy an Alfa find a V6.

[mikal83]

Why............MY OH had a Panda yrs ago,(35 yrs ago), so I'm an expert on them!!!

[aarondbs]

kambites said:

If you're going to buy an Alfa find a V6.

Yes and yes. I've had three Alfas, all V6, 1 in 3.0 flavour and one in 2.5. Never really tempted by a Ts. Alfa Busso must be a top five engine of last century...(and poss still a top 10 this century)...

On the Fiat, how can one never have seen one before.... Or is that me at my age!! I had a Fiat HGT with a Fiat 5 pot. Was a lovely engine. I've been tempted by these too...

[mikal83]

Had an alfa 33 back in the v early 80's, nice car plenty of go but oh those electrics....but the engine. Although only a 1500 flat 4, it really pulled.

I'm just faffing around looking for a rag top thats just a bit differant, (and cheap)....like me!

[NelsonP]

I had a 16v turbo coupe. Same engine as the Integrale. Cambelt snapped at 25k miles.
Fiat UK did the decent thing and rebuilt the top end of the engine with no charge.

If I was buying one now I would take a close look at when the cambelt was last changed.
I'd also look good look around for any dodgy electrics (the headlights have electric levelling which seem to have a mind of their own, sunroof motors can be tricky etc).

As already said, quite a few have been chipped etc but I'd say that any that are still around should have been looked after pretty well. I loved mine, when I had it.

[soad]

mikal83 said:

I have never seen this car b4 or even heard of it.

Def a marmite car, part of me says yes...........power.....part says moneypit...

Get out!

These look great.

3rd gear is the only one you really need, 20 to ~100mph without a gear change...

[Alex]

I had a Coupé Fiat 20VT from new. Superb engine, wonderful styling inside and out, very roomy, adequate handling. I traded it in for a Griff 500.

[Rawhide]

My mate has one being stored in a barn with only 44k on the clock. He's had to do quite a lot of major repairs on it including engine rebuild due to snapped cambelt. It's completely standard except for a stainless exhaust. We took it to the ring and a few circuits in the UK. The engine was great but the brakes seriously let down the package.

I'm wondering if he should sell it or if it might appreciate?

Edited by Rawhide on Friday 20th February 11:49

[mikal83]

Idealy I'm after a ragtop as I already have a runabout civic and a C5 for long distance. OH quite likes the twinspark and believe it or not, a MG TF...!

[soad]

A rag top, you say? How much are those 350Z now?

[kambites]

The TF is a good car if you can live with the rather hatchbacky driving position and the build quality.

The mk3 MR2 would probably be my choice if they're within your budget.

[mikal83]

Will have a look at some MR2's....when the original came out, I liked it then as it was tres differant.
I prefer the TF over the F. Want the 160ps power but have found several nice 135's. Would I really notice the differance??

[LordHaveMurci]

kambites said:

I rather like the styling - certainly one of Chris Bangle's better creations. They're surprisingly practical too; you can actually fit adults in the back and the boot is a decent size. Not the best chassis ever, but far from the worst.

I've no idea how reliable they are though. I'd guess not great but that might be unfair.

I had two, 1st one was ultra reliable, only needing a temp sensor apart from consumables like brakes etc in the 2yrs or so I owned it. Sadly it was hit by a fork lift whilst parked & written off, I'd probably still have it otherwise.

Replaced it with another, purchased unseen & turned out to be a bit of a lemon, gave up on it when the turbo blew (was told it was piston rings by a so called specialist) & sold it on for £500

Would have another one without hesitation, as said they are practical, quick, look great & the handling is 'fun'!

[ging84]

£2.5k????
the values on these look like they have now turned

[J4CKO]

soad said:

A rag top, you say? How much are those 350Z now?

Six to about thirteen grand, maybe the odd ropey import or broken one below six.