Fiat Coupe questions
Discussion
Went to have a look at a Fiat coupe at the weekend (20v non turbo), just to try and get a feel for the car. It was a bit of a fleeting visit but I came away with more than a few questions, and I was wondering if anybody could point me in the right direction. (Personally I think this example was just worn out and the dealer was having a laugh but.....)
-The front seats seem to have a lot of “give” in them. No matter where I set the seat back to, there was a good inch or mores worth of movement. Is this normal?
-My head was rubbing against the sunroof. Is headroom an issue with these cars(I'm 6ft 2in). Is the seat height adjustable? Can you get them without sunroofs?
-How well made is the trim? This car registered 75K however the gear knob was worn smooth and the ash tray looked like it had been opened by somebodies size 9. Are these things common? (What should I expect bearing in mind the age & build of the car)
-It was missing it's red key. How much is this to fix? (Not Fiat dealer)
-The engine had a slight metallic sound on start up lasting a few seconds. Is this normal?
-This particular example had a stamp book with the two stamps missing and no receipts. Whats the acceptable limit on buying with less than full service history with these things?
-Rust. Nothing major, but there was at least one rust bubble on the B pillar. Expected or a bad sign?
One last point. The 16V versions. How bad are they? Bearing in mind they seem very cheap in comparison.
Thanks
-The front seats seem to have a lot of “give” in them. No matter where I set the seat back to, there was a good inch or mores worth of movement. Is this normal?
-My head was rubbing against the sunroof. Is headroom an issue with these cars(I'm 6ft 2in). Is the seat height adjustable? Can you get them without sunroofs?
-How well made is the trim? This car registered 75K however the gear knob was worn smooth and the ash tray looked like it had been opened by somebodies size 9. Are these things common? (What should I expect bearing in mind the age & build of the car)
-It was missing it's red key. How much is this to fix? (Not Fiat dealer)
-The engine had a slight metallic sound on start up lasting a few seconds. Is this normal?
-This particular example had a stamp book with the two stamps missing and no receipts. Whats the acceptable limit on buying with less than full service history with these things?
-Rust. Nothing major, but there was at least one rust bubble on the B pillar. Expected or a bad sign?
One last point. The 16V versions. How bad are they? Bearing in mind they seem very cheap in comparison.
Thanks
-The front seats seem to have a lot of “give” in them. No matter where I set the seat back to, there was a good inch or mores worth of movement. Is this normal?
No it's not. That sounds odd.
-My head was rubbing against the sunroof. Is headroom an issue with these cars(I'm 6ft 2in). Is the seat height adjustable? Can you get them without sunroofs?
Sunroofs were optional. I'm 6'1 and it doesn't bother me, although i guess it is a bit tight.
-How well made is the trim? This car registered 75K however the gear knob was worn smooth and the ash tray looked like it had been opened by somebodies size 9. Are these things common? (What should I expect bearing in mind the age & build of the car)
For a 90's fiat it is pretty well made imho. Knobs can get a bit smooth (ahem) but the ashtray? Odd.
-It was missing it's red key. How much is this to fix? (Not Fiat dealer)
Red Key is the one with the chip to re-program the ignition code. I've got a red key and have never needed it in two years of ownership. You can get one made up for a couple of hundred quid as far as know.
-The engine had a slight metallic sound on start up lasting a few seconds. Is this normal?
Not normal. Could be manifold which have a habit of cracking, and then disapears as the manifold warms and seals the crack up. Powerfiat in essex will charge £400 for a new manifold, or if you're lucky it might just need tightning up (as in my case) and this is much cheaper.
-This particular example had a stamp book with the two stamps missing and no receipts. Whats the acceptable limit on buying with less than full service history with these things?
If i was buying a coupe now i would be wary of anything without good history and a wad of receipts. These things need looking after, they can eat pads, disks, tyres etc. Has the belts been done? Clutch? At 75k you are entering the mileage for these things to have been done, or prepare to get your wallet out.
-Rust. Nothing major, but there was at least one rust bubble on the B pillar. Expected or a bad sign?
Should be rusting there, round the rear lights perhaps, but not the b pillar.
One last point. The 16V versions. How bad are they? Bearing in mind they seem very cheap in comparison.
The 20v and 20vt are the cars should have been in the first place i reckon. The later cars have so many improvements over the earlier models, that any money you save in purchase price does not bear any comparison in driving enjoyment.
These are great cars, however there is no such thing as a 'cheap' coupe, as it will turn around and bite you in the gonads at some point if it has been neglected.
Come and have a gander here:
www.fccuk.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?Cat=
There are people with so much experience of the cars here, who have forgotten more than i know. If you are going to buy a coupe, there are some good examples for sale, and people willing to help you out as well.
Cheers
No it's not. That sounds odd.
-My head was rubbing against the sunroof. Is headroom an issue with these cars(I'm 6ft 2in). Is the seat height adjustable? Can you get them without sunroofs?
Sunroofs were optional. I'm 6'1 and it doesn't bother me, although i guess it is a bit tight.
-How well made is the trim? This car registered 75K however the gear knob was worn smooth and the ash tray looked like it had been opened by somebodies size 9. Are these things common? (What should I expect bearing in mind the age & build of the car)
For a 90's fiat it is pretty well made imho. Knobs can get a bit smooth (ahem) but the ashtray? Odd.
-It was missing it's red key. How much is this to fix? (Not Fiat dealer)
Red Key is the one with the chip to re-program the ignition code. I've got a red key and have never needed it in two years of ownership. You can get one made up for a couple of hundred quid as far as know.
-The engine had a slight metallic sound on start up lasting a few seconds. Is this normal?
Not normal. Could be manifold which have a habit of cracking, and then disapears as the manifold warms and seals the crack up. Powerfiat in essex will charge £400 for a new manifold, or if you're lucky it might just need tightning up (as in my case) and this is much cheaper.
-This particular example had a stamp book with the two stamps missing and no receipts. Whats the acceptable limit on buying with less than full service history with these things?
If i was buying a coupe now i would be wary of anything without good history and a wad of receipts. These things need looking after, they can eat pads, disks, tyres etc. Has the belts been done? Clutch? At 75k you are entering the mileage for these things to have been done, or prepare to get your wallet out.
-Rust. Nothing major, but there was at least one rust bubble on the B pillar. Expected or a bad sign?
Should be rusting there, round the rear lights perhaps, but not the b pillar.
One last point. The 16V versions. How bad are they? Bearing in mind they seem very cheap in comparison.
The 20v and 20vt are the cars should have been in the first place i reckon. The later cars have so many improvements over the earlier models, that any money you save in purchase price does not bear any comparison in driving enjoyment.
These are great cars, however there is no such thing as a 'cheap' coupe, as it will turn around and bite you in the gonads at some point if it has been neglected.
Come and have a gander here:
www.fccuk.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?Cat=
There are people with so much experience of the cars here, who have forgotten more than i know. If you are going to buy a coupe, there are some good examples for sale, and people willing to help you out as well.
Cheers
Edited by mr brightside on Sunday 15th October 20:43
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