90/00's coupes: Fiat 20VT, Alfa GTV and the likes....

[pstruck]

I’d like to re-open a age old debate as I’m interested in the opinions of others, particularly those with ownership experience of both of these ageing Italian coupes. So, the Fiat Coupe 20V turbo and the Alfa Romeo GTV V6. Both of a similar era, distinctive yet distinctly different in their styling. Both front wheel drive with similar power output (as standard), yet probably quite different in their driving and handling characteristics. One turbo charged 5 cylinder and one normally aspirated V6. Both ‘getting on a bit’ and a in need of quite a lot of ongoing maintenance to keep in fine fettle. Both probably at the stage where a decent, solid example if becoming increasingly difficult to source. Future classics? Maybe.

I have owned and run a Fiat Coupe 20VT in the past. It was an experience for sure. I certainly spent quite a lot of money on it, but I didn’t resent it, as driving it was always an event and always put a smile on my face. I liked the way it looked, loved the way it sounded and the speed and acceleration (it was up on standard power at 320bhp) was addictive. When finances allow (sometime next year hopefully) I would like to buy another. The plan being to keep it tucked up during the winter months, but drive it as a weekend car during the warmer months and take my time to restore/improve it through a mix of DIY and specialists.

I have not owned an Alfa GTV, or any other Alfa, yet.

So based on the following criteria – coupe, four seats, a bit of style, decent power and speed, nice noise, DIY maintainable, parts available, not ruinously expensive to run (£4-6k to buy, £1k per to maintain not inc tax/insurance/fuel) – which of these two would you choose and why? If you think neither and have ideas as to what fits the bill then throw it into the discussion.

I don’t want this to go in ‘Car Buying’ as I would prefer to read some interesting opinions and discussion around the alternatives rather than focusing on my specific buying scenario.

[Where_does_this_bit_go]

From experience (I've owned both and currently have a GTV v6) I'd say the GTV, however the rear seats are useless. Nothing more than a nicely upholstered parcel shelf. It's also very difficult to fit a decent sound system as the speaker locations aren't sealed. However that engine and OMG the sound it makes, is more than you could ever wish for. The Fiat doesn't feel anywhere near as special. HTH

[kambites]

I would (and did) get a Corrado. Except for body panels and major interior components most of the bits are lifted straight from far more mundane cars so are still pretty easy to get hold of. It's from an era when "German reliability" arguably meant something, too.