Fiat coupe 16v turbo journey
Discussion
Hi all. Like a lot of car nuts, I feel compelled to write about my car journey on here. I've always loved cars and now I'm hitting middle age I finally will soon be the proud owner of a double garage.
Basically, we've not even exchanged contracts and I'm already committed on a new car... priorities right?!
So how did I settle on this car? I was originally looking at Alfa 156 GTA, Focus RS mk1, Integra Type R DC2. These were all hero cars I used to read about in magazines. As I've got older my driving tastes have changed. I'm less hung up about being the fastest guy on the road and more interested in something I interesting that im motivated to restore and look after. Loving all things Italian, the Alfa was the front runner.
After some research I felt that the regular maintainance costs were a little too high for me. I still wanted something stylish that I could waste hours polishing and drive out on a Sunday. With the house move I also wanted to find something in decent condition with a lower entry cost.
The Fiat Coupe grabbed my attention as the price ranges are so low, which made me think I had a chance of getting a more sorted example. I was also interested in having a Turbo engine and loved the design.
When researching I saw lots of tired models for sale and many either breaking for parts or rusting. The sought after LE and Plus models didn't float my boat. I preferred the non body kitted shape which meant looking for earlier 16v ot 20v models. The 20v turbo is the model that people remember and I was open to either. Using only youtube as a guide I decided each had their pros and cons. I actually preferred the rorty sound of the 16v to the 5 cylinder which gave me more choice.
I resorted to posting in Fiat coupe groups to find cars that weren't advertised for sale but would be considered for a.good home. This seemed like the best approach and I had a few people contact me about their cars. These were in much better condition than the ones I'd seen for sale.
One car caught my attention as it was unusually rust free on the body and the seller was obviously very passionate about the car. Originally a press car, it had been stored in 2010 and had done only a handful of miles since.
Meeting the seller and seeing the car just reinforced my impressions that the car was honest and a very good starting point for me.
What's next? My house move needs to go through and then it's MOT for the car and some time with a specialist to do a healthcheck and potentially some other bits before I pick her up.
Basically, we've not even exchanged contracts and I'm already committed on a new car... priorities right?!
So how did I settle on this car? I was originally looking at Alfa 156 GTA, Focus RS mk1, Integra Type R DC2. These were all hero cars I used to read about in magazines. As I've got older my driving tastes have changed. I'm less hung up about being the fastest guy on the road and more interested in something I interesting that im motivated to restore and look after. Loving all things Italian, the Alfa was the front runner.
After some research I felt that the regular maintainance costs were a little too high for me. I still wanted something stylish that I could waste hours polishing and drive out on a Sunday. With the house move I also wanted to find something in decent condition with a lower entry cost.
The Fiat Coupe grabbed my attention as the price ranges are so low, which made me think I had a chance of getting a more sorted example. I was also interested in having a Turbo engine and loved the design.
When researching I saw lots of tired models for sale and many either breaking for parts or rusting. The sought after LE and Plus models didn't float my boat. I preferred the non body kitted shape which meant looking for earlier 16v ot 20v models. The 20v turbo is the model that people remember and I was open to either. Using only youtube as a guide I decided each had their pros and cons. I actually preferred the rorty sound of the 16v to the 5 cylinder which gave me more choice.
I resorted to posting in Fiat coupe groups to find cars that weren't advertised for sale but would be considered for a.good home. This seemed like the best approach and I had a few people contact me about their cars. These were in much better condition than the ones I'd seen for sale.
One car caught my attention as it was unusually rust free on the body and the seller was obviously very passionate about the car. Originally a press car, it had been stored in 2010 and had done only a handful of miles since.
Meeting the seller and seeing the car just reinforced my impressions that the car was honest and a very good starting point for me.
What's next? My house move needs to go through and then it's MOT for the car and some time with a specialist to do a healthcheck and potentially some other bits before I pick her up.
I had several Coupes, ranging from a pre-launch dealer demo 16v n/a, right up to a heavily modded 20vt running nearly 500bhp.
The 16v was the sweetest-handling, due to the smaller wheels, skinnier tyres, less weight and under 140bhp.
The 20VT is much more refined than the 16vt and (imho) sounds a lot better with its 5-pot warble. However, the 16vt is entertaining in an early 90’s boost-tastic way. Lots of lag, followed by lots of boost. The nature of the boost was engaging when it was in an Integrale, but going through the front wheels only, it can make for a challenging drive. Fit good tyres….
There’s lots of excellent knowledge and enthusiasm out there and there’s still a handful of very capable specialists. Some parts are obsolete now, but the specialists can usually re-purpose other stuff, and some have parts remanufactured.
Good luck - rare sight on the roads now.
The 16v was the sweetest-handling, due to the smaller wheels, skinnier tyres, less weight and under 140bhp.
The 20VT is much more refined than the 16vt and (imho) sounds a lot better with its 5-pot warble. However, the 16vt is entertaining in an early 90’s boost-tastic way. Lots of lag, followed by lots of boost. The nature of the boost was engaging when it was in an Integrale, but going through the front wheels only, it can make for a challenging drive. Fit good tyres….
There’s lots of excellent knowledge and enthusiasm out there and there’s still a handful of very capable specialists. Some parts are obsolete now, but the specialists can usually re-purpose other stuff, and some have parts remanufactured.
Good luck - rare sight on the roads now.
Mr Tidy said:
Good luck with the house move. I'm already looking forward to updates on the Fiat as I've always liked the Coupe.
Thank you! The move itself had been quite the ordeal. I say the move, just getting a sale and a purchase agreed. I won't miss the constant tidying up for viewings! I'd never really paid a lot of attention to it, but as it had gotten older I can see that nothing like it will ever be made again. So worth preserving.
fflump said:
Likewise. Good coupes are not easy to find but I love the design and the interior is pure 90s with the added flash of exterior color across the dash. Did you get a good look underneath?
Obviously the most important question- is it yellow?
Yes, I agree! Who'd have thought that analogue dials would feel so retro now! Thankfully, the seller had a full ramp setup, so up she went and we went around with an led torch. All the body and floor is spookily solid. Obviously the most important question- is it yellow?
Affirmative, Broom Yellow! I can't post any pics yet as I started this account for the thread and rules say 7 days before I can add anything.
Nigel_O said:
I had several Coupes, ranging from a pre-launch dealer demo 16v n/a, right up to a heavily modded 20vt running nearly 500bhp.
The 16v was the sweetest-handling, due to the smaller wheels, skinnier tyres, less weight and under 140bhp.
The 20VT is much more refined than the 16vt and (imho) sounds a lot better with its 5-pot warble. However, the 16vt is entertaining in an early 90 s boost-tastic way. Lots of lag, followed by lots of boost. The nature of the boost was engaging when it was in an Integrale, but going through the front wheels only, it can make for a challenging drive. Fit good tyres .
There s lots of excellent knowledge and enthusiasm out there and there s still a handful of very capable specialists. Some parts are obsolete now, but the specialists can usually re-purpose other stuff, and some have parts remanufactured.
Good luck - rare sight on the roads now.
Thanks Nigel. It sounds like you have a wealth of experience with these cars. There were/are a couple of very sorted and highly tuned examples for sale that looked exciting. I was tempted but decided I'd rather go for a back to standard approach or close to that.The 16v was the sweetest-handling, due to the smaller wheels, skinnier tyres, less weight and under 140bhp.
The 20VT is much more refined than the 16vt and (imho) sounds a lot better with its 5-pot warble. However, the 16vt is entertaining in an early 90 s boost-tastic way. Lots of lag, followed by lots of boost. The nature of the boost was engaging when it was in an Integrale, but going through the front wheels only, it can make for a challenging drive. Fit good tyres .
There s lots of excellent knowledge and enthusiasm out there and there s still a handful of very capable specialists. Some parts are obsolete now, but the specialists can usually re-purpose other stuff, and some have parts remanufactured.
Good luck - rare sight on the roads now.
Good shout on the tyres, the only powerful fwd I've ever had was years ago, an old golf gti pd150. What tyres do you recommend for 16" wheels?
I hope so regarding the parts. I'm looking forward to the ownership journey.
Romeford said:
Good shout on the tyres, the only powerful fwd I've ever had was years ago, an old golf gti pd150. What tyres do you recommend for 16" wheels?
205/50 16 isn't a common size nowadays - money no object I'd go for Continental Premium Contact 6 (about £120 a corner) or if you want to save a few quid, Toyo TR1 (about £70 a corner)Any excuse for a few photos....
My pre-release 16vt
My first Coupe (being driven here by Matt Neal at Rockingham Speedway...)
Sprint Blue 20VT - about 450 bhp and took it to almost a quarter of a million miles
My last Coupe - Moon Grey 20VT - 488 bhp (twas a bit quick...)
Nigel_O said:
205/50 16 isn't a common size nowadays - money no object I'd go for Continental Premium Contact 6 (about £120 a corner) or if you want to save a few quid, Toyo TR1 (about £70 a corner)
Thanks for sharing, you had some fabulous cars. I cannot imagine 500 horses through the front wheels. Must have had some serious mods too.Your first 16vt is the look I'm aiming for, although by modern standards I know the original design looks a little safe. The car im buying currently has some 3rd party wheels but the original 16vt wheels are there too. I'm in a quandary whether to refurbish the 16vt stock wheels in anthracite (works well with the yellow to my eyes) or buy some 20vt stock wheels. There's no hurry of course. I'm leaning towards a darker 16vt wheel right now.
Hopefully the Toyos will be able to contain the modest power! I'm intending this car to be dry days only.
Got to be stock wheels in the stock colour - these cars have got to the point where value is in it's originality
Here's an extreme example, but possibly an inspiration for yours...
https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/fia...
Here's an extreme example, but possibly an inspiration for yours...
https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/fia...
Nigel_O said:
Got to be stock wheels in the stock colour - these cars have got to the point where value is in it's originality
Here's an extreme example, but possibly an inspiration for yours...
https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/fia...
Yes I saw this one. It has a great story behind it. It's certainly a good option. I get your point with respecting the original design. I think it's difficult to compare photos to how a car looks when walking around it. I'll explore all options before settling on a final choice. Newly refurbished ones would look great though! Here's an extreme example, but possibly an inspiration for yours...
https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/fia...
No major updates as yet.
We are still waiting on some legal progression with the house...hopefully we will hear something soon. I've been thinking about how I will prepare the garage. Ideally, I can get some flooring of some kind. I see resin is very popular right now. We will try to gain access to the garage once contracts have been exchanged. That way I can potentially get the floor done ahead of time. Also I am toying with some sort of LED detailing lights for the ceiling. Being older paint I've ordered some Farecla G10 compound and a Chemical guys white hex pad. I want to go very gently.
If anyone has recommendations/ experiences with flooring or lights then please shout up!
Car wise no new developments apart from a clean Car Vertical check. Nice to see that.
We are still waiting on some legal progression with the house...hopefully we will hear something soon. I've been thinking about how I will prepare the garage. Ideally, I can get some flooring of some kind. I see resin is very popular right now. We will try to gain access to the garage once contracts have been exchanged. That way I can potentially get the floor done ahead of time. Also I am toying with some sort of LED detailing lights for the ceiling. Being older paint I've ordered some Farecla G10 compound and a Chemical guys white hex pad. I want to go very gently.
If anyone has recommendations/ experiences with flooring or lights then please shout up!
Car wise no new developments apart from a clean Car Vertical check. Nice to see that.
drdino said:
Nigel_O said:
Do you have a thread for that?
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