My day-to-day Pug 406 is starting to groan so I'm now thinking about moving on to the next old banger to drive into the ground (I never spend more than 2k, and usually quite a bit less - leaves more ££s for the Fury). The 406 was horribly slow so I thought I might treat myself to something a bit more exciting. I was thinking along the lines of a 20v turbo Fiat Coupe. I know very little about them but they do seem fairly cheap and quick. Any words of warning, advice or better alternatives. I'm not looking for ridiculous performance, just something a bit more fun to drive without being hugely expensive to run.

Fairly fast a car, I like them a lot but never got the courage to own one.
As ususal there a few things that if go write off the car due to cost, normally engine related, From recollection cambelts etc are a pain to change so get neglected by the youth!

M

[Edited on 14/10/11 by mikeb]

I heard cambelts can cost ££££. Over a grand was a figure thrown around, but i've never owned one so can't be sure.

Good cheap coupe these days are 200SX S14. 1999 NISSAN 200 SX TOURING GREEN drift no swap px road legal quad motorbike | eBay

I had an S13, its predecessor, was a great fun car. I'd have another if I didn't have a rep mobile.

I looked at getting one for a while a number of years ago.

Technically the engine needs to come out to do the cam belt but specialists can do it by tilting the engine and having ambidexerious arms with additional bends (working on a mini previously is probably a pre-requisit). Dealer 7 years ago wanted over 1k and that didn't include an engine service at the same time.

The 20v turbo's crack the cast manifold between #4 and #5 exhaust port. After market manifolds are a pain to fit but cure the problem.

Eats front tyres (heavy engine + lots of power)

All I would say is they used to be one of the most expensive cars to insure (group 20) - there was a reason for that - rocketship performance.

Check it out first, and if you're 21 forget it!!

Fiat Coupe 20VT; Excellent car mate. I see you are in Bath! Shame because having not long sold my coupe (and bike) to fund a BEC..
Ok I sold mine for £1400.... It was running 292BHP and had 101K on the clock. MAKE sure you buy one with history. Yes the cambelt can cost you £1000 is taken to a Fiat garage. However I know a man who can do it for £300 if you supply the parts. A chap called Flea who does loads of work for guys on the Fiat Coupe Forum.
Check oil pressure is nice and high both when cold and warm. Look out for smoke although a stage 2 re-map and a hybrid turbo will cost you about £1K.
LE models are rare and hold a good price but you should be able to get a good 20VT for under £2000K with good history.
Are you OLD??? Coupe sits at group 19 insurance...
Do I miss mine? YES but I must say the little Mk Indy Blade that I have is so much fun. The coupe can be used in all weather but can also be heavy on fuel and oil.
Being a Fiat they do need a little TLC. You either look em or hate em.
Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow... We also have Seicento's in our family and in the past a couple of Punto (GT)..
Hope this helps you..