Hi all this looks like a great forum and I look forward to spending more time here - I have been downloading guides on everything... will be joining the club too.

BTW any other Coupes in Oxford that I should look out for? I have only seen a green one.

Anyway, I have just sold my bulletproof S2000, which gets collected by its new owners this Sunday.

I have placed a deposit with Soloitalia for a 1997 20vt in Portofino Blue, has 45k on the clock and is currently undergoing an engine rebuild. So only collecting next week - all being well, or else I am cycling!

I thought this was a well considered decision. More practical, no loss of power etc. I have owned an Alfa Romeo in the past, so have a sense of what's to come. However, the more I read about horror stories on this forum the more worried I get.

Is the Fiat the sort of car that can be used daily? Or considering its age, should it be rapped up in cottonwool over the winter?

I was looking forward to a hard roof this winter, first time in five years.

It is the worst decision you have ever made for the bad days.

For the rest of the time however, excellent choice of car. Love mine to bits...sometimes too many bits, but they usually glue back on...

Should have got the 16VT mate! From what I'm gathering on here it's only the greedy 20VTers that get all the problems.

Mine runs fine, except the ABS light flashing up, the intermittent electrical problems, the Fuel delivery, boot lid not working very well, drivers side door not always closing, horn sounding like a wet fart, the impossible struggle trying to select reverse etc etc...


And then you put your foot down, and believe me, then you just won't care!

From a fellow newbie, welcome!

Alot of people use as a daily on here. Take care of them and they will look after you
Mine is used daily and it just gets better every day, only problem is seeing the mileage go up

Welcome to the forum!

Yes they can be used daily, just make sure you buy one that's been looked after, and that you continue to provide regular servicing and preventative maintenance.

I had 3 Coupés over the past 7 years and all were daily drivers. I was never really let down by any of them.

Not meaning to ignite the Coupé vs S2000 debate again but you'll find they're at least as quick in straight line as your old Honda, and arguably more stable in the wet.

Congrats on your purchase

There fixed that for you

Thank's for correcting my blatant and stupid typo there sugerbear, however the hot females part....you have obviously never met my missus - Your socks = blown off!

Wait...she was found pre-coupe when I had a fiesta...

Moral of the story - if you want super hot babes get an '04 1.2 Fiesta Zetec!

What, again?!

Oh, you said socks

Welcome aboard! And no you're not mad... plus you're in luck having a solid specialist on your doorstep, from my experience of them Solo Italia will look after you, and having someone who knows their stuff nearby is invaluable! I bought mine from them and they were great, even helping out long-distance with advice and parts when things went sour... only wish I'd been near enough to have them service it...

Oh and:



that should be hot women unless you're into inter-species dating sugerbear?

tut tut

but still, to quote from my younger days ROFPMSL

my coupe is the daily driver....I just have no where to drive to any more Yes, there fine as a daily driver. If you want to use it daily and have little worry. Do your best to keep it as standard as possible, higher power = more general where and tare on bits

It will eat the miles up, just keep it looked after and keep a eye on your oils and other levels

Welcome to the site.

I have used mine as a daily runner for 2 years and it's been absolutely fine. Only once has it failed to start was due to a dead battery.

As I'm sure you've read maintenance is the key to reliablilty. Checking the oil level is something which becomes routine.

P.S You're not mad, I dearly love my Coupe

Thanks for the replies, comfort and maintenance warnings.

Mentality wise, I can see that I am going to get on just fine on here.

I will post some pics on here as soon as I get her next week...cant wait, it's like christmas is coming early!

Then clearly to answer your first question, yes you are mad!

you are not mad clarkey, be prepared for one hell of a rollercoaster ride though.

A coupe does always have its eyes on your wallet, but the good points outnumber the bad in my opinion.

there a very few cars on the road that are as pretty as a coupe, especially the red, yellow and porto models, and everytime you climb behind the wheel you are going to make your self smile.

keep an eye on your oil and various other fluids and use the forum for any problems you have.

hello and welcome by the way

welcome, good choice of car and i can only echo what the saner (ie not eks!) say about these. this is my second, a plus, and i think they're great.

get to some meets, get into the community and you'll never look back...

Hi, Although off the road at the moment (through no fault of my own) mines been in regular use for the last couple of years with only a couple of small hickups - coil pack, injector, turbo, the coupes worth it.

Some one said on here - 0 to in 6 seconds and sounds

Hi, bought mine from Solo on Saturday!!!! Had a long drive home. Awesome cars, my 7 year old won't stay out of it and when he see's it you'd think he was jumping in an F1 car with ol' Schumy! I am getting tired of people asking if it is a Porsche though.........

The silver one or the sprint blue one? Or are you the guy that came down from leeds to pick up the black one? What car did you come from?

Did you see mine? Probably in bits...?

Glad to hear your 7 year old is over the moon with it...my boy is only 9 weeks old, so I dont expect the same reaction just yet. Though he is getting off to a good start down car nut road...

Great advice everyone, makes me feel a whole lot better about it all... and all the more excited to get hold of it!

Leeds for the black one! Yes, I'm a bit keen!

congrats on the step up from the s2000 to a real car mate, but you should have got a sprint blue coupe, they are faster.......
ash

Hi and welcome good colour choice

Hi and welcome

Welcome.

There are quite a few Coupes around Oxford, I can think of about 10 at least (including a gorgeous pearl white one). Whereabouts in Oxford are you?

I'll keep my eyes out for you, though I won't flash as I don't have a Coupe anymore and you'll just see an old Merc Coupe flashing away.

Great thanks Simonj, I have only seen one green coupe in Oxford so far, will keep my eyes peeled now that I know there are more.

Actually come to think of it there is a modded red one on the Oxford Science park, I normally hear it from the top floor of our building - any one on here?.

I am based in Headington, just off old road. I wont get feaked out when I see a flashing merc...what colour is it?

S2000 is being collected on Sunday... will be a very, very sad day.

I am looking forward to having some effortless torque though.

I wouldn't say 'effortless'

But yes it'll be lots of fun

Woah...lets put "effortless" into perspective from my world:

S2000 = 162 ft lb (220nm) @ 6,500 rpm
Coupe = 210 lb (290 nm) @ 3,400 rpm

The S2000 gear box has been described as a torque converter... that is soooo true!

I plead ignorance on the Fiat Coupe though...you're saying that I am going to have to work for my 210lb? I guess it would be boring if we didnt.

Well looking forward to the fun part.

I think you've got the 16vt numbers there though, the 20vt has got 310nm at 2750rpm (IIRC). You don't have to work hard for it, but don't expect much under 2-2,5k revs.

Yes doh, thanks, better go back and

Must be that those levels of torque don't register on my preconditioned mind.

A 50% increase in torque over my car and at half the revs this just gets better and better! Wooo hooo! Bring on next week!