Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo, bargain or money pit?

Soldato
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Right now that my old Rover is up the spout (Yes it was the HG for anyone who saw the thread - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17867858) I need a new car.

With a budget of £4k I've noticed on a local dealer's website a...

1999/S Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo - £3690
89k miles
Sprint Blue
Climate control, radio/CD player with USB connection, the rest is usual spec. Its apparently got a FFSH and had the cam belt done at 65k. I'm going to have a look tonight.

The alternative is a 1999/T A3 1.8 SE with 86k for £3999 which seems overpriced, especially given the number of paint chips on it, and the fact it has no CD player.

My head is saying A3, but heart is saying the Coupe.
What is the reliability like on these? I've checked a couple of owners forums and they're all saying how awesome they are but they're just a tad biased :)

We've already got a sensible family car so calls for a Mondeo can be directed elsewhere :D
 
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4k :)


octavia vrs with change for a remap, will be a good few years newer than what your looking at too

the FIAT will be hit or miss some seem to run fine other have loads of issues, it is a performace car so it will cost more to run and maintain anyway then a low spec audi.

Personally I'd go with the advice above and look at the other members of the VAG group if it's a VAG car your after. Otherwise the good old mondeo is a safe bet for your budget!
 
Soldato
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Thanks for the replies guys. Seems like it's a bit 50/50. I've got my checklist of what to look for and am more than prepared to walk away if its not A1. I'm not actually going to be able to check the car out until the weekend unfortunately.

I've just got an insurance quote from Adrian Flux of £775 which is almost £300 less than the cheapest confused and gocompare could come up with :eek:
 

Xez

Xez

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Fiat coupe sounds great and goes well. My dad had one and the only problem he had in the 2 or 3 years he had it was the manifold cracked (common problem which i think has been solved by fiat now)

Not sure about the audi though!
 
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the Coupe anyday of the week, you only live once. if it really is FFSH then go for it!

really like the looks and they fly. theres a all black stealth one near me, probably the nicest fiat ive ever seen.
 
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Nope, nicest fiat you've ever seen =

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The Coupe is a great car, and it is far from reliable. However, the owners club has a decent and very accurate list of what will go wrong and when, how to prevent/fix it and costs involved.

The most important advice I could give would be to follow this list, and do not presume your car will not suffer from the problems, factor in the cost of the problems into running the car, if you can still afford it, go for it, there brilliant cars.
 
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1999/S Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo - £3690

The alternative is a 1999/T A3 1.8 SE with 86k for £3999

Not even in the same league. The Fiat is a genuine performance car, and will have performance car running costs. The Audi is a Golf with a different badge, and therefore considerably overpriced, has mediocre performance, is dull to drive but will probably be reliable with reasonable running costs.

220bhp/229lbft, 0-60 in ~6 seconds

VS

125bhp/127lbft, 0-60 in 9.3 seconds.

You need to decide whether the performance of the Fiat is worth the extra running cost.
 
Soldato
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Go for the Fiat. Its an awsome car that will put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Few cars will give you a shove in the back as hard as the coupe, plus give you comfort, style, refinement, room for 4 adults and a sizeable boot.... for £4k!

Personally, I'd be going for this Limited Edition....

There's a bit of history to this car. A previous owner 'clocked it' and the guy got caught out on the Fiat Club trying to pass it off with 84k instead of the real mileage of 109k. However that was all in the past, now its advertised genuinely, but the FCCUK guys are avoiding it over principle.

Their loss can be your opportunity. The car looks mint and the work has all been done at the right place (ie not a dealer - a specialist).

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/454835.htm

454835-2.jpg


454835-3.jpg


Audi A3. Pah!
 
Soldato
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Oh, and things to look out for...


Ticking on startup - This is the sign of a cracked manifold. Its pretty common and will cost £400 -£450 to replace. You can get it welded cheaper though.

The Red Key - Make sure you get this. It is the master key and if your ECU looses its settings, it is the only key that will start the car and allow you to program in the other keys.

Squealing brakes - This is a Fiat coupe trait. It happens. I added anti squeal shims, rubber anti squeal pads, copper slip. Ultimately the only thing that stopped it was a thing line of bluetak on the side of the pad. :p

Aircon? - Climate control <> aircon. It is just what they call the heater controls. Aircon is separate. Does it work?

Boost - How is the boost controlled. Not many people used the stock valve. Most either had a seperate electronic control unit, or used a PRV.
 
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