1997 Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo 2.0 petrol

Summary:

Pocket-money super-car!

Faults:

Needed new brake pads & 2 new tires shortly after purchase.

Inter-cooler oil pipes found corroded at 72000 mile servicing - replaced those plus intercooler.

General Comments:

Excellent to drive, plenty spare power to get out of tricky spots.

Can be a handful in the wet.

Comfortable inside, plus rear seat legroom not too bad for a coupe-class car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th December, 2002

1997 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo 1998 20V turbo

Summary:

YES! Unbelievably fast, stylish - the classic car of the future

Faults:

Uses oil faster than most new cars, and dipstick is deceptive. Consequently I managed to seize the engine - however Fiat rebuilt the engine for free (would have cost about £4000).

Otherwise, no problem more serious than a blown tail light.

General Comments:

A fabulous car.

Performance is unsurpassed at the price, or even at twice the price (leaves Porsche Boxters, all GTIs, other Coupes standing).

I don't agree with previous comments about handling - my experience is it is taut and corners "as if on rails" - I cannot believe the speed it will take a 90 degree turn at!

Stunning looks - still has no peer.

Feels solid - unlike Lotus Elan and friends.

Driven unsympathetically it does drink fuel eg 20mpg (buy a turbo diesel if this worries you).

Remarkably practical when viewed against the 2 door competition. The back seats will take 2 adults (just not on a 12 hour journey) or a child/baby seat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th December, 2001

1997 Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo 2.0 turbo

Summary:

Straight line bullet - forget corners, though!

Faults:

After about 6 months from new, an intermittent electrical fault left me unable to start the car several times. Eventually it gave up altogether and had to be recovered to a main dealer. It turned out to be a defective relay which was fixed under the warranty and I had no further problems of any kind in 2 years of ownership.

General Comments:

In terms of grunt-per-£ it was unsurpassed in its class. Which was fine for straight-line performance, but the languid suspension made it horribly prone to almost terminal under-steer with the slightest provocation. I put this down to the touring comfort versus handling compromise, but was surprised by the extent of the problem in a front-engined, front wheel drive car, which you would expect to be light at the back. And before you ask, no it wasn't a suspension, wheel or tyre defect.

I did enjoy the car for a couple of years, though, and was in no hurry to change it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 30th May, 2001

25th Sep 2001, 07:05

There was something wrong with your suspension set-up!

The 20V Coupe handles as well as any front-wheel drive machine made. The chassis has to work hard to cope with the monster of an engine under that lovely bonnet. Despite the horsepower, it delivers a brilliant all-round package. It's not a Porsche, but then it cost less than half the price of the cheapest Porsche, comes with four REAL seats, a proper boot and a sensible insurance rating.

One of Italy's best kept secrets.

31st Jul 2005, 12:31

I agree with the previous comment. I have driven one of these and it was one of the best handling front wheel drive cars I have driven. Only the Alfa GTV is better in this class and this is more expensive. There is some torque steer on both these cars, but when you put 220bhp through the front wheels you can expect it. Get you suspension and tyres checked out ASAP, as I think you dampers may be shot.

1997 Fiat Coupe 20v turbo petrol

Faults:

Persistently squealing brakes.

Remote alarm.

New front discs at 37,000.

General Comments:

Superb performance and styling for relatively little outlay.

If you require true sporting looks, four seats and an engine to match, there is little else on the road.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2001

1997 Fiat Coupe 20V 2.0 turbo petrol

Summary:

Poor man's Ferrari

Faults:

Brake fluid boiled - no pedal.

Power steering fluid boiled.

Both the above during hard use due to the lack of airflow to the brakes (design fault).

General Comments:

Fantastic performance and value for money.

Great car marred only by the design defect mentioned above.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2000

1997 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo 2.0 turbo petrol

Faults:

Alarm system failed - had to be replaced.

Indicator fuse blows permanently, still working on it.

Top engine mount broke.

General Comments:

Great car, very reliable.

Fast, I've now got 9 points.

Handling not as good as my Alfa 164.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th January, 1999

1997 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20v petrol

Faults:

Paint work very poor - 60+ chip marks after 5000 miles - Fiat resprayed front end under warranty but haven't cured the problem

Air Con didnt work when delivered.

Rear ash tray missing when delivered.

Alarm very temperamental.

Dealer very unresponsive.

General Comments:

Despite all of the above it's a lovely car to drive - you just have to shrug your shoulders and remember it is an Italian Stallion!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

13th Oct 2003, 05:49

Pep, stunning car to drive, its just so responsive!

I own a 16v turbo and it dropped 2 valves last year. had to get a replacement engine which took 9 monthes.

But as you say, just shrug your shoulders and get on with loving the car!

1997 Fiat Coupe 20v turbo 2.0 turbo petrol

Faults:

Air conditioning switch cooling fan required replacement after 10k.

Goes through front tyes a bit quickly, Pirreli PZero's = 11k miles.

General Comments:

Fantastic Car, Performance excellent, performance / comfort per £ excellent.

Purchase dealer was useess.

Have found another dealer for service etc who is very good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 1997