Hello!

Today I sold my precious car, a Chevrolet Nova 1977

But I need to spend my money on other stuff this winter, so I think its better that someone else can have fun with it.

Well, in 6 month or so, its probably time to take a look at a new car.
One model that caught my eyes is the Fiat Coupe Turbo.

I really liked the design the first time I saw it and the more you look at it you love it.

So now Im reading everyting that I can find about it.

What years are the most intresting one? It feels like a 96-98 2.0 20V Turbo or Turbo LE would fit me perfect

Anything that I should think about?

I'm used to american overdimensioned 350 smallblock and Th350 gearbox.

It was pretty quick even with its 1700 kilo of steel

220 bhp in a coupe would make it pretty fast I think?
How is the interior, comfort, fuel economy?
Is there a problem to find a car like this that isn't driven by the devil?

How is a Fiat Coupe Tubo compared to a Peaugot 206 RC?

http://www.blocket.se/view/3693427.htm?caller=shl_s&l=0&c=1&city=0




Best Regards Patrik

Patrik, I bet you that you will buy one now you have considered it.....

Others will give you proper information about all your questions etc. but think of this:

The 2.0 20v turbo can give you 0-60 in about 6 seconds and a top end of 155mph.

welcome to the forum
get one with full history and make sure its had the cambelt changed

pghstochaj said:

Patrik, I bet you that you will buy one now you have considered it.....

Others will give you proper information about all your questions etc. but think of this:

The 2.0 20v turbo can give you 0-60 in about 6 seconds and a top end of 155mph.

Click to expand...

Yeah It will definitly be the 2.0 20V Turbo, but how big is the difference between the standard one and the Limited Edition?

//patrik

I would recommend www.fccuk.co.uk for specific coupé info, there are a number of owners who use both this and that forum. They will give you probably the best advice. A lot of FFs members are at the Christmas dinner right now together so you may have to wait a little while for well informed responses. Sammi (who just bought a coupe) will probably have answers for you but she doesn't seem to be around.

Hi PWR

I could spend a few hundred words explaining the small differences between models, but your'e better off posting on the coupe forum, I'm sure the Le/Plus owners will explain the "plus's" and minus's of each model.

Basically though:

The initial launch coupe used the same engine as the Lancia evo integrale, you could pick this up in turbo guise (195bhp) and Naturally aspirated (140bhp). You can pick up a decent 16vt for 3k.
In late 1996/1997, the 20v and 20vt was launched. This incorporated a new 5 cylinder engine producing 220 brake in standard guise. The NA produces about 150 BHP IIRC.
There was many small refinements made to the 20v version compared to the 16vt, the main ones though are:

Brembo front brakes
That 5 cylinder engine
3rd brake light
facelifted dashboard + centre console
4 spoke 16" Alloys designed by pininfarina (turbo only)
different front grille

and a few others I probably forgot.

In around 1998 the "Le" was launched, this had improved recaro seats (that actually provided support unlike before) with red centre section, red stitching on the black leather, a bodykit comprising skirts/lips was incorporated, Red brembo front brakes, Titanium centre console strip, and loads of little cosmetic changes. Some say the Le is a bit OTT (Tart's boudour).
The plus was introduced I think the year after. This was similar to the Le, it had the same bodykit (which is the only one I think suits the coop) and also a six speed 'box was fitted to improve fuel consumption. the Plus had the same recaro seats but is not quite as "in yer face" as the le. The plus is the one I would plump for IF i had the funds.

The coupe is many things, It can be a motorway mile muncher, giving a comfortable driving position, the steering column is rake/reach adjustable. The five cylinder engine on the 20vt is very smooth and gives a lovely five pot warble you won't tire of
Performance is astounding, you see sixty in around six seconds dead with only the smallest of mods (panel filter and PRV) and when the relentless acceleration ends you will be doing around the 155 mark
I have also owned a 16vt, getting on a bit now but you can pick them up soo cheap now. The 0-60 on the 16vt is 6.8, the problem with it though is the massive turbo lag, I remember I had to plant my foot and wait for what felt like an eternity for the turbo to work it's magic.
I can't comment on the NA models having never driven one, I beleive the engine note is sweeter than the turbo as the turbo acts as a Kind of silencer. Of course you wouldn't get that satisfying "ptsccchh" every gear change though

as I say, the chaps on the fccuk forum are very knowledgeable and can probably guide you further. You probably will start another Le VS plus debate, but this is nothing new


Cheers

Pinin

Oh yeah, I forgot the starter button fitted on the plus model
although looking in the technical problems the solenoid likes to stick causing you to call the AA every now and then

Hi there,

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the coupe if you find a good one. Inetrestingly enough, there was an article on buying the 20v turbo in this sunday's Sunday Times.

I have the 20v non-turbo version - pre 1999 cars have 147 bhp, but in 1999 Fiat introduced some subtle changes which upped my car to 155bhp (basically same as a bravo hgt, but the na coop is slightly quicker due to better aerodynamics). Main differences to the turbo (aside from obvious differences in performance) are that the non-turbo is more reliable (coupe maintenance specialists will confirm this), sounds better as pinin said and is generally a more relaxing drive.

However, if I were to buy another one, I'd get a turbo - if you get a non-turbo then you'll always be wanting that boot in the back..... On road, the performance difference isn't as noticeable as you might think.

Take a good look around the coupe forum and especially the coupe buying guide - main things are FSH, cambelt (if over 5-6 years/72k miles should have been changed) and if looking for a turbo look at the manifold for cracks (sounds like a diesel on start-up), smoky turbo and oil cooler pipes condition. A look around the forum will give you an idea of other points to look for.

Whereabouts are you located? There are several Coupe specialists (esp. in south east) which forum members use that are a far better bet than fiat dealerships. Look to buy off a forum member if possible, well looked after cars maybe with a higher mileage are better bets than a poorly maintained low mileage example - after all it is a performance car that does 155mph.

IMO for the money you will not get a better combination of performance, good looks, individuality and driving pleasure than one of these - people have asked for a look around my 'Ferrari' on more than one occasion

That Peugeot looks like a 206 GTI to me - it wouldn't stand a chance vs a 20v turbo - the turbo boys are 'competing' against the likes of Focus RS, Imprezas and Boxsters.

hi welcome to the forum

just to add ontowhat everyone else has said, just be aware coupes can be very expensive to insure, i have only had my coop from the end of sept so I am fairly new to coupe ownership.

I have always wanted one of these and when i first started looking i was getting insurance quotes for over 5k which is an insane amount of money.

I personally went for the turbo but as said before they arent as reliable as the N/As and coupes arent cheap to repair. they are very fun cars to own and am sure whichever you choose you will love owning one

Agree on the insurance Sammi, but it will come down.

When I bought the car Elephant wanted £900 a year off me (25, 4 yrs NCB, one accident (not my fault three years ago), driveway parking in good postcode) and coming up to renewal now, my accident is falling off (over 3 years now) and Direct Line quoted £720 and specialist performance car brokers like Greenlight and Adrian Flux are in the £500-£650 range. In my experience there is not a great deal of difference between the group 17 n/a and the group 18-20 turbo (I think late plus models are group 19 or 20 ).

yeah simon it was worth shopping around i found admiral and elephant the best.

i got quote down to £1600 and i have renewal due on friday that was £1200 so once i take off recovery and a certain young man then it should knock it down a bit more i have recovery with my barclays addtions account seems stupid to pay twice for recovery

1K fully comp! cheaper than the astra GSi I had that was only third party . Should drop to £800ish when I get five years no claims. Try Tesco...

simonj said:

That Peugeot looks like a 206 GTI to me - it wouldn't stand a chance vs a 20v turbo - the turbo boys are 'competing' against the likes of Focus RS, Imprezas and Boxsters.

Click to expand...

So too are the N/A boys, and occasionally a scalp is claimed

Oh yes - occasionally

(Had a farmer in a WRX last week around some twisty bits - he really couldn't drive )

You took a WRX in an non-turbo Coupe?

Yep. And before anyone starts going on about bhp etc. its about who's behind the wheel that counts. And he was trying, but just not as erm....'committed'

So he wasn't trying?