Fiat Coupe Bargain?
Discussion
Looking for some information/thoughts/advice chaps from one our knowledgeable subsections.
The Mini has become a daily driver recently for my short commute but given the track-day suspension, the lack of heater and radio and the complete lack of any sort of silencing or soundproofing it's becoming a tad tedious.
I've been looking at various SOTW terrority "fun" cars GTV/Coupe/MX5/Puma/328 but not really settling on anything.
This morning though I was offered a green Fiat Coupe 20V, 1 previous owner, 82k, main dealer FSH, 6 months tax and test from a friend of a friend. Very well treated car but currently uneeded/unused and wants rid for £500.
Now I now it's not the quick Turbo that everyone goes on about and I know many here have preached on the dangers of dodgy <£1k Coupes but this sounds alright to me.
Thoughts. Is the non-turbo still worth a drive?
The Mini has become a daily driver recently for my short commute but given the track-day suspension, the lack of heater and radio and the complete lack of any sort of silencing or soundproofing it's becoming a tad tedious.
I've been looking at various SOTW terrority "fun" cars GTV/Coupe/MX5/Puma/328 but not really settling on anything.
This morning though I was offered a green Fiat Coupe 20V, 1 previous owner, 82k, main dealer FSH, 6 months tax and test from a friend of a friend. Very well treated car but currently uneeded/unused and wants rid for £500.
Now I now it's not the quick Turbo that everyone goes on about and I know many here have preached on the dangers of dodgy <£1k Coupes but this sounds alright to me.
Thoughts. Is the non-turbo still worth a drive?
MiniMan64 said:
Looking for some information/thoughts/advice chaps from one our knowledgeable subsections.
The Mini has become a daily driver recently for my short commute but given the track-day suspension, the lack of heater and radio and the complete lack of any sort of silencing or soundproofing it's becoming a tad tedious.
I've been looking at various SOTW terrority "fun" cars GTV/Coupe/MX5/Puma/328 but not really settling on anything.
This morning though I was offered a green Fiat Coupe 20V, 1 previous owner, 82k, main dealer FSH, 6 months tax and test from a friend of a friend. Very well treated car but currently uneeded/unused and wants rid for £500.
Now I now it's not the quick Turbo that everyone goes on about and I know many here have preached on the dangers of dodgy <£1k Coupes but this sounds alright to me.
Thoughts. Is the non-turbo still worth a drive?
Probably. Check it out as carefully as you can. The Mini has become a daily driver recently for my short commute but given the track-day suspension, the lack of heater and radio and the complete lack of any sort of silencing or soundproofing it's becoming a tad tedious.
I've been looking at various SOTW terrority "fun" cars GTV/Coupe/MX5/Puma/328 but not really settling on anything.
This morning though I was offered a green Fiat Coupe 20V, 1 previous owner, 82k, main dealer FSH, 6 months tax and test from a friend of a friend. Very well treated car but currently uneeded/unused and wants rid for £500.
Now I now it's not the quick Turbo that everyone goes on about and I know many here have preached on the dangers of dodgy <£1k Coupes but this sounds alright to me.
Thoughts. Is the non-turbo still worth a drive?
Electrics are a problem on Italian cars, but then they are on so many others.
Excellent drivers car: if it gives you 12 months motoring it will still fetch £200 odd scrap at current prices.
Problem with the Turbos are as you would expect. Reliability and repair costs
As a daily drive £500?
Certainly worth a serious look. Depends on actual condition.
For the most informed buyers guide and what to check/ look out for, get yourself onto the FCCUK forum. These is a whole section on there and plenty of very experienced owners to ask. There may even be one in your area willing to come and take a look with you. Would not contemplate buying one before reading some of the excellent info on there first!
pstruck said:
For the most informed buyers guide and what to check/ look out for, get yourself onto the FCCUK forum. These is a whole section on there and plenty of very experienced owners to ask. There may even be one in your area willing to come and take a look with you. Would not contemplate buying one before reading some of the excellent info on there first!
Ha ha! I tried to join yesterday and they don't accept hotmail addresses! 
ts they are easily one of the best cars Fiat have ever made. 20v has a bit more torque and power than the 16v (186Nm v 180 and 145bhp v 139) The later 20v (VIS) had another 10bhp or so. The 20v was only 20kg heavier than the 16v, and was marginally quicker to 60 (8.9 v 9.2)
The non-turbo 5-pot is a lovely lump, especially when it's allowed to make a bit more noise - it's a truly pleasant sound to hear.
The issue with Coupes (of any variety) is the potential for a big bill. As we all know, the cambelt is awkward on the 5-pot, but specialists can do it for around £400 (compared with Fiat dealers asking over a grand to take the engine out to do it). However, the 20v non-turbo is a lot gentler on its components, so if it has a decent maintenance history, £500 is a good price.
Watch out for rust though - we're talking 10+ year old Italian steel here (although the Coupe is far less prone that other Fiat models of the same era, as it was built at the Pininfarina factory, not on the Fiat production lines at Turin)
FCCUK is a mine of information (and a good source of spares too)
The non-turbo 5-pot is a lovely lump, especially when it's allowed to make a bit more noise - it's a truly pleasant sound to hear.
The issue with Coupes (of any variety) is the potential for a big bill. As we all know, the cambelt is awkward on the 5-pot, but specialists can do it for around £400 (compared with Fiat dealers asking over a grand to take the engine out to do it). However, the 20v non-turbo is a lot gentler on its components, so if it has a decent maintenance history, £500 is a good price.
Watch out for rust though - we're talking 10+ year old Italian steel here (although the Coupe is far less prone that other Fiat models of the same era, as it was built at the Pininfarina factory, not on the Fiat production lines at Turin)
FCCUK is a mine of information (and a good source of spares too)
N/A 20V performance only a little more practical. 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120882637579?ssPageName=...
Also the 20VT engine and bits are a straight swap.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120882637579?ssPageName=...
Also the 20VT engine and bits are a straight swap.
I've run one of these for the last 3.5 years or so, got the later VIS (155BHP)model and really recommend the non turbo models. Only complaint is running costs are very similar to the turbo for obviously 2/3rds of the power.
The NA's are an easier round town car and great on the back roads but motorways are a bit noisier (3500 rpm @70) than a turbo. Even fully sorted it will never feel raw like a proper mini but then nothing really does.
It sounds a good buy the one you have described and it should be very reliable as it is a pretty unstressed engine and rust isn't so much of an issue (wheel arches mainly)on the pre 99/00 cars. Would check radiator and suspension though as unless the previous owner has done them they will be shot. Dodgy electrics are an urban myth on these cars.
Great car though and it will be the best £500 you spend on a car, go for it.
The NA's are an easier round town car and great on the back roads but motorways are a bit noisier (3500 rpm @70) than a turbo. Even fully sorted it will never feel raw like a proper mini but then nothing really does.
It sounds a good buy the one you have described and it should be very reliable as it is a pretty unstressed engine and rust isn't so much of an issue (wheel arches mainly)on the pre 99/00 cars. Would check radiator and suspension though as unless the previous owner has done them they will be shot. Dodgy electrics are an urban myth on these cars.
Great car though and it will be the best £500 you spend on a car, go for it.
Edited by wal 45 on Sunday 25th March 19:18
For it to be a bargain it has to not cost much to run, you would have to inspect/have it inspected before buying by someone who knows what they are looking at for this to be the case. Usual suspects are front swinging arm bushes, rear swing arm bearings, wheel bearings all worn, belts needing doing and corrosion. If all this is ok you may have trouble free motoring for a year.
You do buy Italian cars with heart not head though and it is afterall an old Fix It Again Tomorrow car.
You do buy Italian cars with heart not head though and it is afterall an old Fix It Again Tomorrow car.
I run the same engine in the lighter and therfore (marginally) faster Bravo 155HGT, 7.8 or 8.0 0-60 dependent on source, the engine note is addictive in the N/A models; it sings sweter than the turbos. It's not 'PH' fast but it is reasonably rapid when kept in the 4500-6800 rev range.
There's a reputation for fragility but you just need to budget for regular cam belt/tensioner/water pump changes, look after the front bushes/arms and the brake/clutch master servo.
There's a reputation for fragility but you just need to budget for regular cam belt/tensioner/water pump changes, look after the front bushes/arms and the brake/clutch master servo.
Sooooo, been a while since I posted this and due to the car being in Sulffolk and me being in Plymouth it's taken a while to organise purchase. In the end it ended up being a bit of a Top Gear Challenge style weekend with another mate buying another car in Essex.
Anyway, the car. In the end I think I've got a bit of a bargain, it needs some sill rust sorting (but I'm a Mini owner so nothing new!) it probably needs front disks doing and it needs a little bit of paint touching up. And it needs an MOT.
BUT, the cambelt is done, full dealer service history, tax till the end of the year and it's just done 400 miles from Essex to Plymouth without missing a trick.
Oh and it was £350!
I really want to get stuck in and get her looking mint!
Oh and the other car was a Clio Williams. Quite the pair they made!
Anyway, the car. In the end I think I've got a bit of a bargain, it needs some sill rust sorting (but I'm a Mini owner so nothing new!) it probably needs front disks doing and it needs a little bit of paint touching up. And it needs an MOT.
BUT, the cambelt is done, full dealer service history, tax till the end of the year and it's just done 400 miles from Essex to Plymouth without missing a trick.
Oh and it was £350!
I really want to get stuck in and get her looking mint!
Oh and the other car was a Clio Williams. Quite the pair they made!
Looks like a cracking bargain. Keep it in fine fettle and it will treat you well. I'm a fairly new owner myself (also in the SW) and have to say every time I drive mine it always feels special, despite it's age. You've just got to love that 5 cylinder soundtrack also! Enjoy it.
Did you manage to get registered on The FCCUK forum? It really is a must I would say for all FC owners.
Did you manage to get registered on The FCCUK forum? It really is a must I would say for all FC owners.
Liquid Knight said:
Funny you should mention that as I'm considering 'charging my other car! The Fiat is plenty quick enough as it is. For now. pstruck said:
Looks like a cracking bargain. Keep it in fine fettle and it will treat you well. I'm a fairly new owner myself (also in the SW) and have to say every time I drive mine it always feels special, despite it's age. You've just got to love that 5 cylinder soundtrack also! Enjoy it.
Did you manage to get registered on The FCCUK forum? It really is a must I would say for all FC owners.
Where are you based? I don't think I've ever seen another one down here Plymouth! Apparently there's a decentish Alfa/Fiat independent in town so I may drop it in there soon, get the MOT renewed too. Could probably do with the front disks doing but I might manage a DIY in thatand obviously the body needs sorting. Few chips at the front I'm not fussed on, a fairly big crack/split in the passenger door where it might just be easier to replace the door and the usual Coupe sills that need taking care of at the wheel arches and under Pinni badge. Did you manage to get registered on The FCCUK forum? It really is a must I would say for all FC owners.
Besides that I'm fairly tempted by some tan leather interiors and some later Turbo wheels but for now I'm just enjoying the drive. And the noise. Oh that wonderful noise......
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