There are plenty of horror stories on the forum on how this and how that can go wrong. How people are paranoid about this and that going wrong …. we all know the score.

However, I must say that after owning 'quite' a few coupes in my time, I have not had a real horror story to speak of.

What is it that we like about the coupe, what make members buy the car, join the club and spend money on their machines ?

For me, there is a number of reasons I continue to spend my hard earned on this particular car..

- The driving position (recaro interior is a must for this) I feel at home in the car
- The engine and exhaust note
- The power achievable even at standard
- The look of the car and it's rarity

What's yours?

Its the 5 pot burble for me. Nothing comes close now; all 4 pots sound awful and 6/8s sound too smooth, clinical almost.

3rd gear from 2500rpm then all the way up never gets boring either.

1. Unique & Rare
2. 5 pot burble
3. Bargain Performance, even getting a well minted 2.5/3k example.
4. Driving Feel, Suprisingly good comfort.
5. Looks

i dont think id ever own anything else other than a coupe right now. Amazing machines (when running right)

1.Looks - Turns so many heads. Feels genuinely special driving them
2.Rarity
3.Noise
4.Style per buck - people are genuinely amazed by how little they cost

For me when the opportunity finally arose to buy my first after my Honda was stolen, it was not just the unforgettable flair of the design which I'd first fallen in love with on holiday in Italy but, on test drive, the "planted" feel and security, the response from the 16vt engine and of course the outrageous broomy yellow that did it.

In the 20vt a few modifications such as fitting a set of 2nd hand recaros and changing the windscreen made sooo much difference. Refurbed headlights really necessary with HID's thanks to the previous owner, who also did some sound-deadening.

The overtaking power even on a hill is breathtaking and it eases past effortlessly compared to any other car I've driven.

For over two months now I've been an absentee owner but with its knackered engine finally relinquished in the last couple of days from its 17+ year-old seized bolts I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel and I can't wait to have her back again

There is no comparison with the two rental cars I've had which feel unsafe and like skiddy toys - this is a car for drivers

I have been subject to a major fail on my first coupe but came back and bought another one a year later, my second one didnt have any major faults just lots of niggle problems and once again exactly 12 months later im back with my third.
Your spot on with the reasons to buy again

- driving position / cabin layout - carrelli seats are my favourite.
- The engine and exhaust note - according to Joe the exhaust i got from you is LOUD! yet to hear it myself
- The power - ive down graded to a n/a
- The look and style 100% -this is the only car that even in standard form looks fantastic.

I heard it the other day sheep. It sounded fantastic, like a group B rally car in-fact. But, it is way too loud! You need to lose that cat and go back to a standard one.

Probably the most bang per buck?
After that the 5 cylinder engine noise, steering and gearbox, not forgetting of course the forum!

I fell for the looks of the car as soon as it was released and I read the reviews in the magazines. As soon as I could afford one I bought my first. Must of been in 1999 which was a 16VT I then sold that had a few other cars and missed the engine so got a 20vt. Sold that back in 2003. Ten years later and still missing the coupe I got my third, touch wood have never had any issues with any of them. Apart from a dodgy electric sunroof in my previous 20vt. Worked when it wanted to, whether i wanted the sunroof open or not! Was amusing though!

Ive had a lot of cars in that time RS4 and various other performance cars but none turn as sharp as the coupe, none look as good, the others being German might be fast well built etc are just not on the scale of how fun and rewarding the Fiat is to drive. I wont be selling mine

...

Oh no, think i need to hear it before i pick it up next saturday just incase i need joe to fit a standard cat. Phil are you going back to Joe's sometime next week? if so could you pop a video up on here so i can hear it.

It's the looks and driving position for me, my first coupe was a 3yr old 16vt broom yellow, as soon as I saw that yellow striped dash against the black leather trim I was hooked

Maybe sheep. If I do, I will take a video. But I am sure that if Joe reads this he will.

Looks, comfort, nice driving position and the interior being a nice place to be were what made me like the Coupe.

I'd never seen one until I started working for a specialist years ago and the first one I drove was an Ink Black NA.

I then saw a Sprint Blue one and that made my decision to eventually buy one.

I keep mine because I still love it, still enjoy being in it and still enjoy driving it.

Dare I say it? Mine has been fairly reliable in years I've owned it and considering it's used every day for work, shopping, skip runs and running the daughter and grandsons around, car shows, etc., it's a spacious, family friendly Coupe that has looks and power as well as practicality

Originally:

- The design, Italian style
- The power, when purchased in 2001 nothing overtook me
- The uniqueness; rare and small club of cognoscenti
- The fact that people don't know what it is
- Affordable costs (Roger @ PowerFiat) and Forum

Now:

- Authentic analogue driving experience supported by a few necessary technological aids (ABS, PAS)
- Rarity
- Affordability (Roger @ PowerItalia) and Forum

Because insane one in yellow when I was 19 and decided I wanted one.
I had a HGT a year or two later, that sold me on the 5 pot.
I own one because it's not a boring square Euro box, it's rare and bang for buck!

For me being a bit of a Italian car fan this is the last great car fiat made.I have owned fiats/lancias and alfas all my life and these coupes have got under my skin more than any other car I have owned.I have owned several uno turbos,croma turbo,punto turbo,lancia thema turbo,strada 105tc,alfa spider v6 and a lancia delta integrale and the coupe feels more special than all of them including the integrale it is also quicker than all of them.The only question I ask my self why did I not buy one sooner

I have owned more Coupe's than pretty much anyone,

I've simply got to return from time to time because -

Every 20vt sounds epic
Every 20vt sounds different to the last
Driving position is 'just' right
£££ vs performance is unrivalled
Looks are beautiful when kitted right

There are probably a million more reasons why not to own a Coupe.... But we won't go there.

Enjoy them while they work,

Amazed to see anyone saying the driving position is a plus point, for me that's the single worst thing about the coupe.

Seat needs to be 2-3" lower for me and then the roof could also come down an equal amount and it would be perfect. My punto has a better driving position than the coupe!

I got my first coupe in '99. Had a Fiat Brava at the time and would always admire the silver coupe they had parked right at the entrance door to the dealer, every time I passed it.

Bought that same coupe (the dealer demo car) a few months later when it was 7 months old, just as the final "facelift" models were released.

The looks. Since 98 when I first saw one I've been in love with them.
I've now driven one and yes the driving position is perfect for me. I feel part of it rather than my wife's punto, which you seem to sit on, rather than in.
The one I drove was swift rather than quick, but that maybe just down to my bring used to lightweight cars lately and my old 200sx that was over 400bhp
I need to experience a couple more before I find the right one.
And then it will be lavished and want for nothing!
My ultimate dream car is a lamborghini countach. But that's never going to happen, the coupe was next on the list.
What can I say, I love them

Simple. There is nothing like it for such little money.

Oh and the 5 pot sound
Oh and the special lines
Oh and the interior that still looks great after 20 years
Oh and then there's the addiction .......

The fact it's like nothing else on the road and you feel special driving it. Also the fact that people just stare and wonder what it is. I love it!

Head-turning looks. Neck-snapping performance.

I'm a big fan of the right noises, mk1 rs2000 with twin 48 webers and a janspeed exhaust, the burble of a big v8, carrera 996 with active exhausts, and the sound of a 20vt with a nice exhaust and a decat! Look at the price of a 20vt compared to the other 3!

Absolutely stunning looking from all angles.
Owt else is plain or looks good from some angles.

I always though they looked ok... Then I drove one, and as I sat behind that great dash feature, with the window down listening to that lovely 5 cylinder singing, I thought I'd quite like one of these, then as the revs built in third gear and the turbo kicked in....... I was hooked

Not sure if it's true or where I heard it but the front headlight design was apparently based on a ballerinas bottom, I like that in my cars

I heard it was Chris Bangles Wife's bottom

That's what I heard too Dan

I always find folk looking at my car, especially when parked on the High Street near home. There is definitely something about the coupe.

If they were based on a ballerina's bottom, then the girl had issues!

I loved the growl, the burble, the urgency provided on pressing the loud pedal and the banging and popping on the over-run - but most of all, on my Plus, i loved the sound of the exhaust best.....it was epic and for me the best i've ever heard on any car below super-car levels of expense - all for £350 from Motormech