StickyMicky

Looking for something nippy and cheap for a year or so and have been quite tempted by these fiats for a while, dont tend to see many about and i was surprised at how old they were when i started looking through the classifieds.

Anybody had one?

the main things i picked up on via the web are crap front tyre wear (understandable) and try to buy one that has already had the cambelt changed (plus make sure it makes good oil pressure when hot)

anything else i should look out for?

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

I always wanted one when I was into Fiat's. Think they are pretty rare now.

As you may know, there are two types, the 2.0 16V and the 2.0 20V, with the later being a 5 cylinder as opposed to the 4. There is not much in it power wise. But I would imagine the 5 pot engine is the one to make sure the cambelt is done on.

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

Deffo the 5 pot, is the one. A lot stronger and more torque, plus watch and check anything and everything to do with the cooling side of things. Still a nice looking coupe, even now.

bugeyeandy

I had a 20VT a few years back and a 16v non turbo before that.
The 20v ones are extremely quick even in standard form but they aren't a budget car to run, mine cost an absolute fortune and lunched it's engine at 100000 miles despite always runnig on good oil, being carefully warmed and never abused. The rebuild was very expensive and a very common thing. I had no warning, oil pressure was good etc but it spun a main bearing and damaged the crank.
Running costs were high but they are a stylish machine with plenty of poke and ridiculously cheap now.
I sold mine 4 years ago and can't imagine finding a good one now.

jr758774c

iTrader: (21)

My friend had one of these, and it was pretty quick and handled reasonanbly well. The cambelts are an engine out job, If I remember correctly - His one cost over £1k to get done! His was also plagued by the Italian electrics! I remeber every week something new would go wrong! Nice car for the money though!

HankScorpio

Had one for nearly 4 years, loved it, loved it, loved it. Would have a late plus again but they go for stupid money.

20v has better interior and wheels as well as engine.

HankScorpio

Cambelt is engine in and can be done for less than 500, every 60k or 5 years so a 99 car would be coming round for it's second one.

StickyMicky

i have seen 70k mile 20v turbos for 2k in the autotrader

they do look quite smart, i never liked them years ago, but i was a "youngun" back then and had different preferences, after having the scoob for 6 years and putting putting 3 (?!?) engines in, i suspect that short term fiat ownership may be a bit cheaper lmfao!

insurance quote was also a bit lower as well when i checked that out.

jonc

I had 20vT LE, considering they first appeared in 1995 I don't think it has dated much at all. 220bhp, 227lbft, 0-60 - 6 secs, 0-100 - 14.5 secs, 156mph and was the most powerfull FWD car for some time. The 20vT came equiped with Viscous LSD and Brembo 4 pots and the LE's and Plus's come with leather recaro seats, 6 speed gearbox. The 5 pot makes a great sound when extended and doesn't hang about once rolling.

They tend to use a bit of oil, front wishbones wear quickly but on the whole mechanically strong though some suffer sticking handbrakes and dodgy electrics but then what do you expect with an Italian built car. Oh and the steering while quick and responsive gives the car a massive turning circle!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I had one but I bought I lemon, I should imagine 90% have a citrus aroma about them nowadays. Mine caned oil, turbo went, big ends went, watch the oil pressure, if its low, walk away., leave it running on tickover, any smoke, new turbo.

If you can get a good one, off someone who knows them (try the FCCUK website) then not a bad buy (if a little risky), buy cheap and you are into extreme luck or a money pit.

StickyMicky

what are the 20v non turbos like?


i suspect i could find a nicer car, but might be left wanting with the preformance

fossie

My mate has a 20 Valve turbo and they are flying machines and still quite decent on fuel, my mate is selling one for 4k on a W plate in dark blue......
If you want PM me and i can send you some more details..

fossie

Nah can be done with the engine in but have to take nearly the whole front end of lol

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Still 150 bhp, so brisk rather than quick, nice noise being a 5 pot and it doesnt seem to tear itself to bits so readily, like you say you may get a nicer one as they dont atttract the likes of Me, you and the rest of SN

Still think they are one of the most distinctive cars around, still get stirrings and urges for another evne thou mine was a disaster, wife wont let me as it caused so much aggro last time.

bugeyeandy

Same here, I get the feeling it'll be the car i'll be seeking out when i'm old and retired to do a restoration project on

Can you imagine restoring a 40 year old Fiat Coupe

HankScorpio

That's bollocks.

All the cambelt horror stories come from the early days and the service manaul had it down for I think a 13.5 hour job.

I had mine done, plus ancilleries, plus new pads all round in less than four hours, dropped it off in the morning, had a wander round the shops and was just buying a pie for lunch when I got the call it was ready.

If anyone is looking, DO NOT let the cambelt thing put you off but just exercise the usual caution.

bugeyeandy

Still an expensive job though £450 ish when I had mine for a specialist to do it. As Hank says though not as bad as made out in all the reviews.

Aztec Performance Ltd

iTrader: (234)

Have tinkered a little with these myself. Not bad cars.

Can be had for cheap (under £1k) for the 20v turbos and if you get a good 'un you can beat the crap out of them and they'll keep ticking.

DIY mod them to 260bhp ish for much cheapness too

StickyMicky

if i buy a turbo i will no doubt be remapping it for something do do, while bored at work

i was initially looking at the stilo abrth selespeeds as you seam to get quite a lot of car for your money (saw a 2004 with all factory extras for 2500 ish)

but i was put off them when i saw the forums calling them "sillyspeed" boxes due to the errors people were getting

it was a mate who suggested the coupe instead, i had never even given them a thought, and was pleasantly suprised when i looked into them.

do they rust?

HankScorpio

I looked at Stilo's and was quite taken but after having had an alfa with selespeed, would steer clear.

Are the Schumacher Stilo's out of budget? Abarth engine with Prodrive tweaks...?

Dunk

iTrader: (1)

An Alfa 3.0 V6 GTV can now be had from £2k if you want to spend a bit more

D

Jamz3k

stay clear of anything with Selespeed in the title

Alfa made a Turbo version of the GTV as well its just uber rare to find

bugeyeandy

Generally not, the oil cooler pipes rust through which can be fatal for the engine but i'd guess most have been replace by now.
Body wise they don't rust as a rule.

Turbo2

1) I agree

2) The 200bhp GTV Turbo was just an Italian market 2 litre tax-break model AFAIK, so would be LHD only. A bit like the Ferrari 208. You may as well go for a full fat UK RHD 3.0 or 3.2 litre V6 with 190 - 240bhp on tap. Having said that the FIAT is a quick alternative and terrific value for money.

falkster

Nice looking one

Excellent Fiat Coupe 20vt Blue Lightly Modified on eBay, also, Fiat, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 05-Mar-09 20:51:51 GMT)

Jamescsti

Drove a 156 Selespeed for circa 6 months, problem I had was it either wouldn't go in reverse, or would go in but not come out again, driving along it was fine, if a little slow to change gear. If I had the manual I would have probably loved it

chrisUK300

iTrader: (10)

Worked for FIAT many moons ago. We NEVER removed the engine for a cambelt change or dismantled the front end Removed O/S engine mount and jacked engine up usually did the trick.

We did change a hell of a lot of exhaust manifolds due to cracking not sure if Fiat ever released a revised version.

They never seemed to like big power hikes though had quite a few in for new gearbox rebuilds and new clutches running around 280-300bhp.

Jamz3k

I love my wee Alfa to bits only the 1.6 Twinspark but it has a real sense of "occasion" to it. Everyone i've let drive it automatically falls in love with it.

delcbr

my pal had a 20vt turbo years ago and the noise of air rushing out the exhaust was noisy as **** never heard another car like it!!! his had th **** chip and a straight through back box the engine lasted till 70k miles then the big ends went after that he bought an evo and said **** that iam not buying another italian car again lol

webby v7 slipperwagon

iTrader: (2)

I cant believe how old they are now. Some are nearly 15 years old and they still look great.