pork
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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Nov 13, 2016 14:25:18 GMT
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Anyone owned one? What's everyone's opinion on them? Things to look out for when buying one? Never used to like them, but really starting to like the shape
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zx
Part of things
Posts: 235
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Nov 13, 2016 15:04:38 GMT
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Mine was pretty quick and enjoyable. If I were looking for one now I'd start on the underside - rot in sills and around the back axle and arches gets pretty bad pretty quick. Service history tends to vary at this age but find one that's obviously been looked after. Most will have been driven hard. They're good for it as long as they're maintained properly. The turbo isn't a 'nice' engine to work on in terms of space. By the book the cambelt requires the engine out but there's ways and means around it. The belts aren't too forgiving once beyond their expiry date, a bit like Alfa's. Bonnets are expensive. Parts weren't too bad when I was had mine a few years ago. I imagine the supply of breakers is starting to dwindle as the model becomes rarer.
The turbo's have an LSD (Q2) diff which gives decent grip for a FWD. Always have decent tyres up front as rubbish ones ruin the fun.
Personally I preferred its sister car the GTV. I held onto that a lot longer and found it more enjoyable to own. I prefer big engines to turbos but a lot of people love boooooost. The Fiat was more reliable though. Never regret owning either but the stereotype certainly fit for my Alfa experience!
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Smiler
Posted a lot
I no longer own anything FWD! Or with less than 6 cylinders, or 2.5ltrs! :)
Posts: 2,492
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Nov 13, 2016 21:53:35 GMT
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I started getting tempted by these after a buyers guide in a magazine. I don't have a Fiat Coupe shaped hole that I need to fill though so never bought one.
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www.Auto-tat.co.uk'96 Range Rover P38 DSE (daily driver) '71 Reliant Scimitar SE5 GTE 3.0ltr Jag V6 Conversion '79 Reliant Scimitar SE6A 3.0ltr 24valve Omega Conversion '85 Escort Cabrio 2.0 Zetec - Sold '91 BMW 525i - Sold '82 Cortina 2.9i Ghia Cosworth - Sold '72 VW Campervan - Sold '65 LandRover 88" - Sold
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I owned a couple of 16v Turbos. They were awesome when they were working. Unfortunately they only worked about 20% of the time. Still, they made pretty little driveway ornaments.
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Nov 14, 2016 11:46:46 GMT
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Had a 20v turbo in broom yellow when new(company car). Was fast as fook. Don't know what they are like 20 years later.
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Nov 14, 2016 14:34:17 GMT
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I think they look great but I've heard bad things about reliability and maintenance costs.
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If at first you don't succeed........ ....Don't try skydiving!
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andyw
North East
Posts: 238
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Nov 14, 2016 14:43:00 GMT
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They look good modified, in standard form they seem to suffer from 1990s 'wheels too small for the car syndrome'.
The only horrors I remember hearing was that on one of the engines that the main dealers had to remove then engine to change the timing belt. How true that is I don't know.
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Nov 14, 2016 17:04:34 GMT
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I've run 3 yellow ones, for 15 years, a 16,20 &20 ft. Each has now covered over 200,000 miles.
The rarest, the 16v seems to roll a bearing shell every 80k, wrecking the engine - without any warning. Whilst an engine swop in these is easy, ( it's on its 4th lump) this alone has rendered it for local trips only. Pity, but it's tired now, and isntbreally fast enough to match its own image
20 valve na is kept in France ( I commute across Europe). Whilst not fast it's excellent on the autoroute, and will always start, even after a lengthy lie up. Comfy and economical, understressed yet quick- yet frugal. 40mpg on motorways, 32-5 around town
The 20 vt is now my wife's backup, having been pensioned at 240k. Still on its original engine, oil pressure good with no strange noises, its life will be gentle hereon. It's still an absolute blast to drive. Perhaps not comparable with moderns it will still raise a smile, and can make life exciting in these congested times.
Vices? Back brakes are wibblepoo, they need freeing off for every ticket. They do so little work it's hardly surprising. Rust isn't an issue, leastways no more than an other 20 yr old car. The 16 has needed a little floor work, the other two none.
5 cylinders are sound, the cam belt and tensioner is awkward but do-able in situ. Engine needs lifting off its front mount to allow access, and its tight, but nothing special. Had one shred when I ignored the mileage by 10%, so it's religious now.
Headlights are rubbish, partly the plastic clouding, partly poor design. Visibility is poor, with tiny mirrors, so wariness is needed, a price paid for fashion!
Interior is comfortable, either cloth or leather. No specific Italian issues that Alfa seating positions can give.
Parts aren't difficult, comparable to most Fiats across the range. Never had a problem getting stuff when needed.
Find a good one, it'll regard you.Buy a munter and you'll hate it.
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duncanmartin
Club Retro Rides Member
Out of retro ownership
Posts: 1,320
Club RR Member Number: 70
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Fiat coupe 20v turboduncanmartin
@duncanmartin
Club Retro Rides Member 70
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Nov 15, 2016 22:00:21 GMT
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I had a 16VT: Coupe left side by duncancmartin, on Flickr It was brilliant, except for an intermittent misfire and a badly matched rear quarter. Rust can be a significant issue on them (I always assumed rust was normal, but my 924 is teaching me that's not always the case!), so check carefully. Cambelts need to be done regularly, but specialists can do them in-situ for a lot less than the engine out a dealer would have charged. The bonnet is expensive as it's a huge one piece clamshell and vulnerable in prangs. As for driving, booost is fun (and both engines sound great IMO), but they are relatively heavy and most of that is up front, so they won't keep up with a quick modern car (at least not if left standard). The interior is a nice place to be, and while the visibility isn't great there is a lot of space (and a pretty decent boot). I like them, and if replacing my 924 would consider another, but personally I think they are better viewed as rapid GT cars than as something truly sporty. Depends what you want (and what you are comparing them against). Cheers Duncan
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Nov 16, 2016 11:55:47 GMT
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I like both these and the Alfa GTV of the same era. I really wanted to get a 20v Turbo a few years ago, but a friend of mine went and bought a 16v and I didn't want to look like I was trying to one up him by getting the 20v Turbo. He has since sold it (having really enjoyed it, but let maintenance get on top of him I think). So maybe it is time to get a 20v Turbo.
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