General 20V T for under 3k?

[Italiauk]

Hi,

As the title suggests is it possible to get hold of one for that price these days?

One thats not rotten or wrecked?

We are considering selling the Sei and going for a Coupe instead as a investment

Plus lets be honest, its going to be alot more fun to drive haha

Thanks
Mick

 

[jimboy]

The Coop is not a DIY car, even if you are handy with the spanner’s it is not an easy car to work on. Rust in hidden areas is a problem, you have to know where to look. Mechanics can be sorted, again at a cost. You CAN buy one sub three grand, but it will require work. I’ve had my Coop for 13 years or so and recently had a refurb costing five figures, but that was done by a specialist.

You have to have a Coop friendly garage to help you in times of need, most garages will not look at the beastie, that was my problem up here. In the end with a bit of DIY and a couple of mechanics that I knew who help me look after the car, but it really was not good enough. I bit the bullet and trailered my Coop down to the Bristol area where the specialist was. It’s practically a new car now. Underneath was the worst, requiring extensive work. I could go on but I will stop now...

 

[Italiauk]

The Coop is not a DIY car, even if you are handy with the spanner’s it is not an easy car to work on. Rust in hidden areas is a problem, you have to know where to look. Mechanics can be sorted, again at a cost. You CAN buy one sub three grand, but it will require work. I’ve had my Coop for 13 years or so and recently had a refurb costing five figures, but that was done by a specialist.

You have to have a Coop friendly garage to help you in times of need, most garages will not look at the beastie, that was my problem up here. In the end with a bit of DIY and a couple of mechanics that I knew who help me look after the car, but it really was not good enough. I bit the bullet and trailered my Coop down to the Bristol area where the specialist was. It’s practically a new car now. Underneath was the worst, requiring extensive work. I could go on but I will stop now...

Thanks for the reply bud

I definitely do alot of work on cars myself but draw the line usually on clutches and belts on harder to reach stuff like this. Beyond specialists for belts, clutch and other harder jobs is it a home serviceable vehicle? Sus arms,shocks,servicing etc? I do alot myself as i am a bit of a perfectionist and like everything to go back together like new as oppose to with a windy gun and no grease

Currently restoring a suzuki jeep and our 205 gti is next after sitting a while outside.

I can weld just not experienced at panel beating enough to do exterior jobs.This jeep i am doing now has been welded elsewhere but i have blasted and epoxy primered the full thing myself (well me and the Mrs bless her little helpful self)

I really would much prefer to find a car i can blast and save in easy places before its through or small under patches at worst long term as oppose to one that needs big welding. Welding is serious money these days for usually a crap job.


As it happens i am North myself and the Inlaws are trying to talk us over the boarder Tempting if i can find land

 

[jimboy]

Even changing the oil and filter is not that an easy job. Far from really difficult, but very time consuming. Finding the filter location is a puzzle if you are not in the know.

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

Sub 3k possible, but expect the worst. Lots of thrashed ones around in that bracket with poor maintenance and history. Agree with what Jimboy has said. Specialist garages for any 20VT are few who know what they doing. Many cowboy garages.

Always buy on history and condition. Mechanics generally bomb proof if looked after. Rust in sills, front Eiffel towers and boot floor common. A visit to fccuk.org is a must if your pursue this with a coupe where I and Jim are members of.

 

[dante giacosa]

Hey Mick-

engine aside; the rest of the car is a FIAT Tipo / Lancia Dedra / Alfa 155 / 146

suspension & brakes are ordinary; but exhausts can be a bit tricky.

It's a lot of 'exotic' for not so much hassle. Go for it!

 

[Italiauk]

We have been hunting and the real challenge is finding one that does not need welding. I have seen a few rotters dolled up so far.

We will get there in the end though

There was a very tempting Vt6 but it had waxoyl underneath. Waxoyl is for hiding things in my opinion an anyone who knows about resto etc knows that so had to give it a miss.

 

[jimboy]

Best of luck, but a rust free Coupe is like rocking horse crap. Even if you manage to find something decent, you will need more than three thousand quid. They are fun though

 

[Italiauk]

Best of luck, but a rust free Coupe is like rocking horse crap. Even if you manage to find something decent, you will need more than three thousand quid. They are fun though

I think well be parting with 3.5k max honestly. I have heard it off and few people and specialists now that they are just not worth the big money the deluded lot ask and the cars sit.

One specialist sold a good solid Le for £4k not too long ago they told me. That was a well sorted and serviced solid car too but as he said they are only worth what people are willing to pay.

It seems alot of coupe owners dont know much about cars (unless they are been coy and dishonest from my interactions so far) so alot of the poor things have succumb to MOT station repairs etc from rubbish local garages. Thats what has killed most of them off i bet, fools and waxoyl.

There is a lovely well looked after one out there for us. We will find it

 

[jimboy]

The Coupe is a bit of a marmite car to some. When they were a relatively cheap car a while back, because the 20vt was a genuine 155 mph vehicle, the young team became involved and as you say not really knowing the car, little servicing was done and they were thrashed to hell. That is part of the problem regarding numbers, but rust is slowly killing them off now.

It’s such a pity Fiat did not come up with a modern Coupe, but that’s another story.

 

[FiatCoupeNZ]

Even changing the oil and filter is not that an easy job. Far from really difficult, but very time consuming. Finding the filter location is a puzzle if you are not in the know.

It's sure not as easy as the 16vt