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Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
#1445476
29/08/2013 16:52
29/08/2013 16:52
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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Hey guys just home from bruin my first coupe 20v turbo. Drives great body work is in decent condition for a 98.
Reading the forum topics and the problems people have is getting me nervous, mine had full service and new turbo and radiators and can belt done in 2010.
Any advise on what to look for under the bonnet that could be a concern. Are these cars reliable?
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445481
29/08/2013 17:13
29/08/2013 17:13
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159 ,
samsite999
I AM a Coop
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I AM a Coop
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,159
,
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Hi Tom, Welcome to the forum, some people have put together some great documentation, its a buyers guide. I know you have already bought but the points are still worth checking: http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1264181#Post1264181The cars are reliable if well looked after, don't get paranoid (like me!) And if your still worred and want to know what you have bought go get your self down to one of the reasonably priced specialists on here to give it a check up.
Last edited by samsite999; 29/08/2013 17:15.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445487
29/08/2013 17:37
29/08/2013 17:37
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GrahamL
Unregistered
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GrahamL
Unregistered
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No, not even 10 years ago would I have describe the coupe as "reliable". There are many areas where the coupe is well ahead of the competition, but let's be honest, reliability never was or will be one of them. But I'd bet no one on here bought a coupe for it's reliability.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445495
29/08/2013 18:03
29/08/2013 18:03
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DC20VT
Unregistered
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DC20VT
Unregistered
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When I first joined the forum after reading all the guides etc I thought well one of these is never going to make a sensible daily driver! So mine have been 2nd cars. Neither has given me any real trouble (the current one has given me no trouble at all) but then I hardly use it. Didn't buy it for reliability anyway
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445499
29/08/2013 18:22
29/08/2013 18:22
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KBT
Unregistered
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KBT
Unregistered
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Hi Tom, welcome to THE Forum. I am one of the owners who is having a few problems(I think). I would say the car is quite complex, but if properly maintained should give few problems. Trouble starts if you are a `quick fix` owner, as in you are focused solely on your enjoyment of the car for the time you own it, as opposed to the long term well being of the car. I could go on, but i`ll save my thoughts for a more appropriate moment-follow my threads for the full rant. Enjoy your new baby and I wish you the best of luck. Kind regards. Jon
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445500
29/08/2013 18:23
29/08/2013 18:23
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,466 Kent
Submariner
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,466
Kent
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For a 16 year old car mine is reliable....new alternator, turbo intake hose, new downpipe, clutch, belts, water hoses, recirc valve, discs and pads, drop links, rear arms and shocks and that's it on the mechanical side since 2004 now on 96k. Granted I do up to 4k miles per year but newer cars have had more than that. If looked after and not thrashed or abused its not bad for a performance car.
Spent a few quid on paint and wheel refurbs though.
Car looks good and never ceases to make me grin. It has the look back factor in spades. Should have been a 2.5 from new and rear or 4wd that would be the icing
Those cars that give trouble either mechanical or cosmetic have not been looked after or modified badly...oil changes and a specialist are indispensable mine has been fettled by Rog since I got her.
I do always think she's worth nowt why spend but there aren't really any cars I fancy save for an Atom, Noble or a Fezza.
Last edited by Submariner; 29/08/2013 18:33.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445504
29/08/2013 18:38
29/08/2013 18:38
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,922 Auld Reekie
Edinburgh
Club President, member225
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Club President, member225
Forum veteran
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,922
Auld Reekie
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Hi and welcome to the forum TT Given the age of these fast becoming legendary beasts of style and power for pot you're going to experience a blip or so! My suggestion for what it's worth is to git yo' head underneath that bonnet while you can still open it and check out the condition of the bonnet-pull cable where it loops around the bracket. If that is frayed and breaks at the same time as something else under there you will be cursing and back on here in no time flat
BumbleBee carer
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445506
29/08/2013 18:39
29/08/2013 18:39
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 702 Cornwall
jasgol
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 702
Cornwall
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The only mishap I've had with 3 coupes has been the CHOD. If you are still on the original one, I would change it regardless of how it looks on the outside (they deteriorate from the inside and can let go with no warning) Also, make sure running temps are sound, the thermostats don't seem to last very long. As suggested above; take it to a specialist for a once over, check your oil on every fuel up and you'll be fine!
Horsing around's a serious business.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445513
29/08/2013 19:32
29/08/2013 19:32
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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Hi and welcome. Owned mine around 14 months and as others have said, it is a case of keeping it well maintained. Wear and tear items aside, keep and eye on the oil consumption. I found it useful to create a "To do list". It is definitely one of those cars which in future years you will look back with satisfaction that you owned one.
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445516
29/08/2013 19:45
29/08/2013 19:45
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mikey_j
Unregistered
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mikey_j
Unregistered
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Welcome tom,I've owned my coupe for two years now with little incident and have to say puts more smiles on my face than frowns!there's a wealth of knowledge on here at your disposal to educate yourself with! enjoy your coupe
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445530
29/08/2013 20:44
29/08/2013 20:44
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,610
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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But I'd bet no one on here bought a coupe for it's reliability. Get an N/A if you want reliability. Both of mine have been 100%. ish. Touches wood, crosses fingers, legs, arms. Crosses self. Wears bulbs of garlic and gets out the crucifix. .. oh, no that's vampires isn't it? I've got holy water in my screen wash reservoir too.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445531
29/08/2013 20:46
29/08/2013 20:46
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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Jasgol, what is CHOD? Sorry I haven't the weath of knowledge on these thing. Had her out now runs very smoth. Temps seem fine oil is right up at 3bar and it's temp doesn't go much higher than quarter. Engine temp if under half way. Turbo really jumps in st 2.5 revs. Has forge dump valve nice sound, and some fuel thing at the back that can be turned up or down, not going touch that!
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445533
29/08/2013 20:48
29/08/2013 20:48
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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Oh and do anyone know specialists in Scotland I'm from Inverness! Don't see any coupe up there! Lol
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445554
29/08/2013 23:02
29/08/2013 23:02
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GrahamL
Unregistered
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GrahamL
Unregistered
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I sold my first coupe to a guy in Inverness and recently bought my 2nd one from a different guy in Inverness, so there's at least one other one up there.
The CHOD is the "coolant hose of death", the coolant pipe that runs from the rear of the thermostat to the back left of the engine. They're famous for splitting at the 90 degree bend, dumping all the coolant in seconds. Usually not fatal if it's caught in time.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445559
29/08/2013 23:15
29/08/2013 23:15
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,922 Auld Reekie
Edinburgh
Club President, member225
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Club President, member225
Forum veteran
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,922
Auld Reekie
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Oh and do anyone know specialists in Scotland I'm from Inverness! Don't see any coupe up there! Lol There's a place off the Dundee ring road you could try, CP Motors, but I appreciate it's quite a drive. There are other coopsters or ex-owners nearer you e.g. MeanRedSpider, Azzura and Ryan20VT who might be able to recommend closer garages.
Last edited by Edinburgh; 29/08/2013 23:18.
BumbleBee carer
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445586
30/08/2013 06:37
30/08/2013 06:37
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,095 highlands
jimboy
Club Member 857
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Club Member 857
Forum is my life
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,095
highlands
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Hi Tom, all been said already. I'm 8 miles north of Inverness.The nearest garage who knows their stuff regarding Coops are Wallace Performance in Aberdeen. Bit of a round trip I know but worth the journey to find out what's what & how healthy your beasty is. Matty is your man, used to be a member on here. PM me if you want to meet & exchange notes...
I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445601
30/08/2013 07:54
30/08/2013 07:54
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suba
Unregistered
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suba
Unregistered
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No, not even 10 years ago would I have describe the coupe as "reliable". There are many areas where the coupe is well ahead of the competition, but let's be honest, reliability never was or will be one of them. But I'd bet no one on here bought a coupe for it's reliability. Wow - can unbiased opinion on a coupe on this forum....:-) Agree with this comment in full.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445681
30/08/2013 13:47
30/08/2013 13:47
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elder81
Unregistered
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elder81
Unregistered
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I can honestly say mine was awesome. I treated it like crap, hardly ever serviced it, drove it like i stole it, (Some on here can vouch for that) but in the 8 years of ownership it let me down once with CHOD on the M4 slip road 2 miles from home. If i could afford the fuel (They are quite good on full when driven sensibly) I would have a another in a heart beat. Oh and it was my daily driver for 6 of those 8 years. Disclaimer: I am not saying you should not look after the car and drive it like a twonk
Last edited by elder81; 30/08/2013 13:48.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445682
30/08/2013 13:56
30/08/2013 13:56
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Turbo_Tob
Unregistered
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Turbo_Tob
Unregistered
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No, not even 10 years ago would I have describe the coupe as "reliable". There are many areas where the coupe is well ahead of the competition, but let's be honest, reliability never was or will be one of them. But I'd bet no one on here bought a coupe for it's reliability. Wow - can unbiased opinion on a coupe on this forum....:-) Agree with this comment in full. Maybe I've been lucky but I disagree! Owned mine for 7 years and its has never, ever let me down which is surely what reliability is all about. Sure I've had niggly annoyances and I've had to keep on top of tlc but no more than any other car of a similar age I've had or still own. It's never failed an MOT either! All I've had is the odd suspension component wear (not fail) and a clutch fail (after about 115,000 miles iirc), on top of which I've replaced the belts in due course and serviced it regularly. I think reliability is average, honestly! Enjoy your coupe, they're lovely cars!
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: Edinburgh]
#1445748
30/08/2013 20:35
30/08/2013 20:35
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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TomTom20vT
Unregistered
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Thanks for the advise and help guys. How much would it be to replace the coolant pipe anyone know.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1445811
31/08/2013 09:00
31/08/2013 09:00
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tim42
Unregistered
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tim42
Unregistered
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Welcome! For peace of mind I would have all the coolant pipes replaced using one of JBT's silicone kits. 10 custom-made hoses in a variety of colours . I think that the full kit costs around £160. I have three Coupes and each had a set of these hoses fitted as the first job (after my first one shed all of its coolant on the M25 and cooked the turbo). A very worthwhile investment for peace of mind..... Good luck and happy driving!
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1447223
07/09/2013 23:30
07/09/2013 23:30
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 602 Inverness Scotland
Ryan20VT
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 602
Inverness Scotland
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I sold my first coupe to a guy in Inverness and recently bought my 2nd one from a different guy in Inverness, so there's at least one other one up there. Yep that was me, I've recently sold it to my boss of all people, he always liked the car and is now driving it daily round Inverness. It still hurts when I hear that 5 pot warble
By your command.
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Re: Nervous about my new coupe 20vT
[Re: ]
#1447275
08/09/2013 10:08
08/09/2013 10:08
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dec1
Unregistered
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dec1
Unregistered
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They can be temperamental but if looked after, they are reliable, the engine itself is pretty much bullet proof. My experiences with my former coupe was that it hit a certain age/mileage and needed a lot doing. I had an FTO a good few years back, constant idling problems and I went through three gearboxes!!!! Most would try to say a Jap car like that is way more reliable than these, I beg to differ. My only gripes with my previous was the alternator giving up (wear and tear really) and the thrust bearing knocking resulting in a costly clutch replacement, plate itself was like new when it came out!! Keep on top of maintenance and keep a spare £500 sitting in your a/c is good advice. I spent 3mths looking for a car and absolutely nothing stirs my soul like these do, was a real instant 'that's the one' moment, to find Daithi's for sale
Last edited by dec1; 08/09/2013 10:14.
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