RE: SOTW: Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo

RE: SOTW: Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo

Author
Discussion

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
I like Coupes, so thanks for all the pics, but the debate about running costs seems to be getting slightly silly.

As they've just appeared in Practical Classics then perhaps potential buyers should expect similar costs to those running a classic? The running costs are comparable to a MK2 Golf GTi or Mk1 MX-5?

Like many used cars they seem to be advertised with a 'to do' list of stuff that needs remedying be it a cambelt, clutch, fractured manifold or laquer peel or by vendors that have almost bankrupted themselves keeping their Coupes pristine so I am not sure how that fits with the idea of average running costs?

Someone I know bought a new Pug badged Aygo and got their 'man' and not the Peugeot dealer to service it. I am not sure it impacted on the resale value as they're now running around in another, new larger Pug hatchback.

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
Surely any running costs comparisons should be against cars it was comapred to when new?

So there's the CAR comparison test of Coupe, GTV V6, Cougar V6, Pug 406 Coupe V6 and I think Autocar did a bit of a goodbye feature when it went out of production comparing it to the 2.2 VTi Prelude saying that they thought it would be rewarding to learn the hidden depths of the Honda than the more obvious, in your face charms of the Fiat Coupe.

The best thing to be said about running costs are they're less than a V6 Alfa?

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
carinaman said:
So there's the CAR comparison test of Coupe, GTV V6, Cougar V6, Pug 406 Coupe V6 and I think Autocar did a bit of a goodbye feature when it went out of production comparing it to the 2.2 VTi Prelude saying that they thought it would be rewarding to learn the hidden depths of the Honda than the more obvious, in your face charms of the Fiat Coupe.
Also the Top Gear group test from page 3

http://www.labrutabellezza.com/images/topgear1997....

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
Thank you s_m, I've not seen that Top Gear article before. Tiff has the GTV sideways. smile

snotrag

14,446 posts

210 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
carinaman said:
Surely any running costs comparisons should be against cars it was comapred to when new?
I'm not sure I agree - surely, in the terms of what we're discussing now we should compare it to the kind of other cars that a prospective buyer is also likely to be considering - so some of thos listed, but perhaps older or newer cars too.

carinaman said:
The best thing to be said about running costs are they're less than a V6 Alfa?
Again - not sure this rings true - I've read up a fair bit recently on the Alfa, and IMO it osunds like there a bit sturdier.

It probably boils down to the lazier, lower stressed enginer - and also the fact that I bet lots of problems on the 20VT come from upping the boost and modding, putting more stress on the rest of the car.

The Vast Majority of V6 Alfas appear to be bog stock standard in the engine roomm other than the usual exhaust/intake. Which surely leaves all the other parts, brakes, drivetrain etc well within manufacturers performance tolerances...?

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
I think the Alfa V6 is much juicier, certainly in 24V form.

rs48635

554 posts

213 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
carinaman said:
Surely any running costs comparisons should be against cars it was comapred to when new?

So there's the CAR comparison test of Coupe, GTV V6, Cougar V6, Pug 406 Coupe V6 and I think Autocar did a bit of a goodbye feature when it went out of production comparing it to the 2.2 VTi Prelude saying that they thought it would be rewarding to learn the hidden depths of the Honda than the more obvious, in your face charms of the Fiat Coupe.

The best thing to be said about running costs are they're less than a V6 Alfa?
Fair comment - Had 20VT back in the day, still for an alfa V6.

Reckon both can still empty a wallet pretty fast.

magooagain

9,907 posts

169 months

Friday 24th February 2012
quotequote all
The Fiat coupe is nearing the realms of a weekend car. Mine are just that. Therefore dont cost alot. Its pure pleasure and fun.
I dont compare them to any other car. Its not worth it at the age they are. They are a car to be enjoyed.
The buzz i get from my coupes is priceless !!

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Saturday 25th February 2012
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Nice photos Magooagain. smile

thesoundcriminal

9 posts

162 months

Sunday 26th February 2012
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Any thoughts on the car in the ad as my willpower is crumbling fast and I need a coupe and its not to far from me but as mentioned it is on ebay again same area, same car same advert but different seller. It does sound very fishy bit he does mention pistonheads so not sure ?

carinaman

21,206 posts

171 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
quotequote all
thesoundcriminal said:
Any thoughts on the car in the ad as my willpower is crumbling fast and I need a coupe and its not to far from me but as mentioned it is on ebay again same area, same car same advert but different seller. It does sound very fishy bit he does mention pistonheads so not sure ?
I don't know? Are you a 'messer'? Do you buy cars blind or do you check them over and walk away if they're not the car for you or they have serious defects that may make it unroadworthy or not worth the price asked?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/okey_dokey1/m.html?_nkw=...

Fiat Coupe prices are on the up! Must've been that Practical Classics article. That or the kudos of being PH's SOTW. wink

eric twinge

1,613 posts

221 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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I loved mine and miss it very much. The noise and punch in third gear was fantastic.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Tuesday 28th February 2012
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eric twinge said:






I loved mine and miss it very much. The noise and punch in third gear was fantastic.
Lovely photos
You can see Criccieth Castle in the background of the second pic.
Blackrock beach....

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Wednesday 29th February 2012
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Anyone else notice that's Blackrock beach and in the second pic you can see Criccieth Castle in the background

pstruck

3,518 posts

248 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
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I knew I should have stopped reading this thread agaes ago........ rolleyes

Deposit now paid on a cracking 20VT. This one is quite a bit above 'shed' territory though, but the price reflected the condition and amount of money that has been spent on it to get/keep it in tip-top order. It has been 'tweaked' also, so it was is rather rapid! eek

Just now to wait until I can go and collect it.

Oh dear, what have I done? biggrin

DuncanM

6,105 posts

278 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
pstruck said:
I knew I should have stopped reading this thread agaes ago........ rolleyes

Deposit now paid on a cracking 20VT. This one is quite a bit above 'shed' territory though, but the price reflected the condition and amount of money that has been spent on it to get/keep it in tip-top order. It has been 'tweaked' also, so it was is rather rapid! eek

Just now to wait until I can go and collect it.

Oh dear, what have I done? biggrin
You've done a good thing, spent money buying a car for the right reasons smile.

Hope you enjoy it!

Duncan

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
Welshbeef said:
Anyone else notice that's Blackrock beach and in the second pic you can see Criccieth Castle in the background
Yes!

Any kerfuffle and the Beach Patrol will be down to sort you out...... smile

leeson660

429 posts

164 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
pstruck said:
I knew I should have stopped reading this thread agaes ago........ rolleyes

Deposit now paid on a cracking 20VT. This one is quite a bit above 'shed' territory though, but the price reflected the condition and amount of money that has been spent on it to get/keep it in tip-top order. It has been 'tweaked' also, so it was is rather rapid! eek

Just now to wait until I can go and collect it.

Oh dear, what have I done? biggrin
Awesome nice one clap

Got to stick a photo up.

I wish I had the balls to do what you've just done biggrin

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
No one noticed my comment that in that pic it was Criccieth Castle??

Rollcage

11,327 posts

191 months

Tuesday 6th March 2012
quotequote all
Two posts up!