Hello,

As the post implies I'm looking for a 20VT, seeing as I never quite getting round to it in past years. Been reading the forum for a bit trying to learn what to look out for (I'm after a 97-99 car, preferably sub 70k with good maintenance - ideally with aircon and leather, budget 3.5k, maybe a little more).

Just a few quick queries if anyone can help?

I'm based just outside Glasgow - and suspect I may be travelling a bit to get one - I know it's dependent on what's available, where, etc - any similar experiences, how far you travelled, etc? I'm keen to buy and would (obviously) prefer to get one that's been cared for - enjoy my driving but also looking after the cars too...

Any rough guide as to what mileage the clutch and turbo might need work - trying to get a handle on what to budget and when?

What's the situation on the manifold these days - got told by 1 garage (services a few) that Fiat will still stump up for replacement manifolds (not sure about this myself as somewhat out of warranty)?

Also - had a look at one for sale not too far away yesterday - bit of smoke after 5-10 mins idle and ticking noise (good oil pressure and full oil level), also some corrosion on the front and rear wheel arches (galvanised body?) - turbo seals and manifold issues developing?

I dropped by St Andrews on Sunday as well (afraid time was limited by outside factors that day) - great to see the cars and have a quick chat - hope your journey back wasn't too delayed as well.

Just to complicate matters I seem to have developed a liking for the Scotts Green ones as well, though fine with others too!

Hope to join you soon - assuming I can find a car...

No Mileage for clutches and Turbo, (my clutch was 85k but lots go on for 100+) Turbo is a bit luck of the draw, although a standard turb won't have been strained so much and will be less likely to lose oil through the seals.

Manifolds can be welded up or replaced with a revised design. No chance of getting FIAT to do it these days, well outside warranty.

Significant rust is rare, if there's a lot, that would point towards accident repair, but the car will be at least 7 years old so the odd bit of rust is perfectly acceptable.

Almost all 20VTs use up to 1L of oil per 1000 miles, it all goes somewhere so don't be suprised to see a bit of puffing from time to time. Obviously, heavy white or blue smoke is a bit of a no-no.

Skint on here has a loverly Red LE which I think is still for sale, check the coops for sale section. (he's in scotland too) Otherwise check the list of members willing to view cars if you'd like a bit of help when you buy.

Good Luck

WMT

Many thanks for the info - much appreciated. Been watching the coops for sale for a bit while I figure out what I'm after (and what's available at a price I'm looking at) - as usual taking a bit long to work this out but seem to have got there finally!

Car I looked at was a 97 with corrosion on the rear of the front wheel arches (some serious stone chipping) and all over the rear wheel arches, sunroof mechanism also corroded (?) and a fair bit under the bonnet as well - don't have a problem doing things up but having seen a 99 car that looked immaculate I wasn't too sure what was going on. Ticking also put me off (manifold) so reckoned on a fair bit of spend? Exhaust wasn't that bad really but not sure how much indicates turbo recon time (only had 1 turbo car before and that was a while ago)?

LE is a bit out of budget I'm afraid - so would rather not bother Skint here! Heading towards Ink Black, Scotts Green or Port Blue (murple??) ideally...

Garage in Prestwick seems to service a few - anyone here know of them?

On the aircon - any info on intervals between recharges? Not used hugely up here and have to remember to use every week or 2 to keep it working OK - but useful on longer trips and those to warmer climes. Plan is to (hopefully) use the Coupe for a long driving holiday abroad - hence wanting the comforts!

Just the small matter that I have to get one first - might well have to ask for some kind assistance at some point I'm afraid - here's hoping...

With regards to the air-con, I've just had mine re-gassed and the system checked for leaks etc for £60, following a replacement air-con radiator (under warranty).

The chap said that it should last a couple of years (but obviously depends on how much you use it).

Believe it or not, the coops do not have the most efficient air-con systems...

BTW, initial ticking on startup might not be a cracked manifold, (please someone correct me if I'm wrong) but could be something completely normal. Don't coops have some sort of hydraulic systems for the tappets? This sounds like ticking until the engine gets up to temperature.

Even if it was a (commonly) cracked manifold, that's not a serious cash problem to sort.

Ok - many thanks for that - useful to know the costs involved. Could well believe it's not the most efficient system but would still prefer it if poss (then again had an Elise once - turning the fan on that simply increased the noise rather than the demisting/heating/etc!).

Looking increasingly like I'm going to be doing some travelling I guess. I know this is narrowing down an already limited selection - but seem to prefer them in Portofino Blue, Scotts Green or Ink Black now.

(And there's a green one with tan leather on A/t somewhere in Scotland....don't suppose anyone on here?)

The Ticking could be the manifold – could also be a slightly loose manifold, or turbo – the noise is the same. The Manifolds all go from time to time – 300 quid for the part, 100 quid to fit – you can also get it welded, but not sure where up North would do this. The same is true of turbos and clutches – utterly depends on how the car has been driven and whether the turbo has been warmed up / cooled down. If the car has been mostly on the motorway then it will barely have been spinning up. On a chipped car clutch and turbo are under more stress….

There are plenty of dogs with low mileage out there – don’t be put of by high mileage. It could have done 20,000 miles but if it’s been run low of oil then would have considerable wear.

With the age of these cars now if they are still on original bits then you will have to spend money on them. I’d replace the oil cooler if it’s over 5 years old (pipes corrode and go pop – oil everywhere), rad about the same time period – thermostat may need doing.

I’m not meaning to put you off buying one – but don’t get one and hope you wont need to spend anything on it.

As Suba said, choose one on condition over mileage, although that is easier said than done.

I recall there being quite a few up for sale around Scotland? Check out pistonheads.com

It might even be worth checking out a few closer to home to get used to looking them over. Also see if there are any members close by that may be able to help view one?