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20v n/a #1625692
03/10/2018 17:57
03/10/2018 17:57
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
There seem to be quite a few nice low mileage 20v N/A for sale for very little money at present. I know they are not as exciting or tuneable as the turbos but is there anything you should be concerned about them specifically?
i'm aware there is a chip mod that would give an increase in performance but i'm assuming nothing spectacular without a turbo, anyone had experience of this?
Thanks

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625700
03/10/2018 20:53
03/10/2018 20:53
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 52
Scotland
rowl Offline
Reaping the fruits
rowl  Offline
Reaping the fruits

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 52
Scotland
They are great cars in and of themselves. Very characterful looking, but also genuinely fun to drive with a great engine sound -- the 5 cylinder warble is hard to beat. While it doesn't feel underpowered, you're right in that it's not a "fast car" by modern day standards -- if you crave being pinned to your seat by G-force, you should probably hold out for a turbo!

That said, I think it's fair to say the chip (or, in the case of the later VIS model -- ECU remap) from FC Performance makes a very positive difference to the NA driving experience, see e.g. the following posts:

https://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1607348

https://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1609012

Obviously the NA has somewhat fewer sources of potential worry than the turbo model. I guess probably the worst potential source of angst would be if it were rusting away underneath. Also in practical terms, how long ago the cam belt was changed is worth bearing in mind (if 5 or more years ago, this needs doing -- the cost is not insignificant).

Also, may be worth factoring in the condition of the paint work. To maximise your enjoyment, you probably want to avoid being in the position of craving a respray that costs more than you could possibly sell the car for!

Presume you found the old buyers guide here, with various things to consider:

https://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1264181

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625710
04/10/2018 08:44
04/10/2018 08:44
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
These cars are getting old and running them hard is less important than simply enjoying them. They are fast enough to not feel slow in traffic but to put that into perspective, our Mazda2 1.5 has very similar figures to the original 20V (0-100 km/h 8.7 vs. 8.9 Max km/h 200 vs. 212). Our Tucson is apparently a bit quicker up to 100 mph (22 secs vs. 25 secs). So yes, ordinary modern stuff has got quicker.

But the FIAT feels nice to drive. It has great steering and always feels alive - not something that can be said of a lot of modern stuff which are either dumb or have to be going so fast before they come alive that you would not keep your licence long.

As for chips, etc, one could but you are still going to be in the same performance ballpark.

The 20V seems to be pretty reliable and most parts are cheap. However, the cam belt, as mentioned above, is a fairly expensive regular expense, especially out here frown

Find one in good condition and you will enjoy owning a very nice looking car that almost always feels right and is fairly easy to maintain.


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625711
04/10/2018 09:11
04/10/2018 09:11
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Thanks guys i did test drive one years ago (about 1999), i recall it being very smooth but as it was a built up area i didn't get much sense of it's power. Although around 150hp in a fairly light car can't be bad. I bought a 16vt and used it as a daily commute for 8yrs until it became too uneconomic.
I've noticed some really good sounding deals on 20v n/a and wondered if they were just too good at a time when then 20vt seem to be going up ie was there something specific to be concerned about on the 20v n/a, seems not..

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625713
04/10/2018 10:30
04/10/2018 10:30
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
The turbo was the popular choice as it was really quick in its day. It also sold much better - bit more money but a lot more performance smile

I went for the N.A. because it was to be a daily driver/only car at first, and I keep my cars a long time and I was worried about the reliability. Who knows what a turbo would have been like in my hands. Maybe also OK as I'm gentle with my machines.

A few years ago, I wanted a sunday car. Started looking at the simpler versions but this time ended up with the more powerful choice smile


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625714
04/10/2018 10:40
04/10/2018 10:40
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Either of the 20v NAs will be fun. I suspect the 16v will be too rare now, but always worth a look.

The later VIS version is more refined and a few more BHP, and I might put my neck on the line and say it might be a bit more reliable than the earlier 20v as it had quite a few updated parts.

The good thing about the NA is that you can rev the nuts of them without going stupid fast, and get a great sound track. In the twisties, they are great fun if you keep it above 4,500 rpm.

Fuel economy is also good, particularly after a remap. My VIS is happily doing high 30's mpg.

I still want a turbo as a garage queen, but for everyday use, the NA is ideal.

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625715
04/10/2018 10:41
04/10/2018 10:41
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Thanks Neil, I don't need the power the 16vt was followed by the GTV v6, it was just the difference in price that bothered me and made me wonder whether there was a problem with the n/a, eg there's a lovely looking n/a with 25k on sale for £2.5k, a similar turbo is £12-15k.

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625716
04/10/2018 10:42
04/10/2018 10:42
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Thanks Neil, I don't need the power the 16vt was followed by the GTV v6, it was just the difference in price that bothered me and made me wonder whether there was a problem with the n/a, eg there's a lovely looking n/a with 25k on sale for £2.5k, a similar turbo is £12-15k.

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625717
04/10/2018 10:45
04/10/2018 10:45
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
tim16v Offline
On a journey
tim16v  Offline
On a journey

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
Prices of good N/A's are inexplicably and stubbornly low (definitely in the shadow of the turbo) but they are really good to drive. In addition they are less likely to have been thrashed than a turbo.

There's a yellow VIS on the market for circa £2k which I thought looked good value on the face of but it has been hanging around a while.

I think one of the issues is the N/A maintenance bills are high like any other modern classic yet without discernable scope to recover any of that cost on resale at the moment so it's a slightly vicious circle.

Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625749
05/10/2018 17:37
05/10/2018 17:37
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,306
Kent, South East
Cooperman Offline
Former Club Membership Secretary
Cooperman  Offline
Former Club Membership Secretary
My job on the forum

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,306
Kent, South East
The NA is fast enough in everyday use and the engine note is brilliant, I love opening the window through tunnels smile
Servicing costs in my experience are not high particularly if you can find a local specialist nearby. Fuel economy is mixed but plenty of smiles per gallon.


[Linked Image]
Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625937
11/10/2018 11:32
11/10/2018 11:32
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,920
Going North on the A9
dante giacosa Offline
My life on the forum
dante giacosa  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,920
Going North on the A9
Hey Rowl- (good to hear from you)

Well put; I'm totally with you there...

Tim16V-

yes; the N/As certainly will have attracted less 'test pilots' over the years.

I personally deliberately chose the N/A, (having owned the turbo before) as I fancy the chances of a normally aspirated engine outliving a turbo one (over time) any day (both with the same maintenance)
And I loved the usability of the N/A- you not going to get to 'simmer' in 70% of the engine power of the turbo for long- on any road!

Last edited by dante giacosa; 11/10/2018 18:37.
Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625943
11/10/2018 14:36
11/10/2018 14:36
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
tim16v Offline
On a journey
tim16v  Offline
On a journey

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
I went for a VIS after looking at eight turbos - all with issues. Some were very poor indeed, literally knackered, others just irritated my OCD - missing keys, part history, V5 doc 'in the post' etc.

I was just about to give up on the whole thing and go for a Golf VR6 but the VIS popped up locally so I thought it worth a look.

It performed better than expected and has been brilliant over the last 5 years and since the initial big expenditure. The first bill was more than the car cost!

Re: 20v n/a [Re: tim16v] #1625951
11/10/2018 17:20
11/10/2018 17:20
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
Ballypete Offline
Club Member 1578
Ballypete  Offline
Club Member 1578
My life on the forum

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
Originally Posted By Tim16V
I went for a VIS after looking at eight turbos - all with issues. Some were very poor indeed, literally knackered, others just irritated my OCD - missing keys, part history, V5 doc 'in the post' etc.

I was just about to give up on the whole thing and go for a Golf VR6 but the VIS popped up locally so I thought it worth a look.

It performed better than expected and has been brilliant over the last 5 years and since the initial big expenditure. The first bill was more than the car cost!


I can relate to that- but then sorting the issues on my NA out has kept another one on the road for years to come and I haven’t had any hint of a reliability issue


Doris the 1998 Portofino Blue 20V and Zoe the 1999 Alfa Romeo 916 Spider
Bog standard needn't be boring...
Re: 20v n/a [Re: respace] #1625953
11/10/2018 18:34
11/10/2018 18:34
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,920
Going North on the A9
dante giacosa Offline
My life on the forum
dante giacosa  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,920
Going North on the A9
Yeah-

Mine has always been very reliable too.

The first service and MOT is always the big one, Tim..!


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