Hi,

I'm considering a coop, but was just wondering what running costs are like? Could any of you give a reasonable estimate at the costs per year (not including petrol/tax)?

Is there much difference in running costs between the 16v/20v T/na?

Also, have spotted a nice 20v locally, but as a first "proper" car would an n/a keep me happy, or would I just crave for a turbo?

Thanks.

How long is a piece of string? Depends on whether you buy a good car to start with, how many miles you do, luck, whether it's modded and finding a good local specialist.
If you do 10000 miles a year and it's a good, unmodified car and you're not unlucky I would budget £500 per year for a n/a and double that for a turbo. 20V is reckoned to be more reliable than a 16V.
I've never driven a n/a but with a 0-60 time of 8.5 secs they're hardly slow and they sound better than the turbo cars. I would think a 20V n/a would make a great choice.
Buy the best example you can you can afford. Let somebody else take the pain; you never get back what you spend trying to get a poor example up to a good standard.
I would buy from a long standing member on here.

Personally if I'd got a 20vt as my first car I think I'd be dead now.
Only an opinoin but I reckon a 20v na as a first 'proper' car is quite enough. And a very good choice

My coop has cost me around £500 in 3 months in parts and labour. But I'm hoping thats just an inital outlay for a new purchase.
Can't say any more than that really - I know other people on here will have a much better idea of annual costs than me.
Good luck

If youre on a shoestring budget the non turbo would probably be a lot easier on your wallet. I've owned my 20vt for a year and spent about 2k on maintenance and upgrades

Hi as above it depends what your starting with. I bought my 20vt a year ago, did my research had full service history and thought all was ok. Took it for full service and found I needed about £600 of work.

All the usual, manifold, oil cooler, clutch slave, handbrake cables, boot seal, radiator etc. Just the age of the car I guess.

That said I love the car and its been worth every penny so far , not cheap to keep on the road but you cant beat owning one.

The real money will come when you catch the tuning bug. Just hide that credit card!

No oil cooler or wishbones then

What's your budget? If you have £4k+, you can buy a turbo that will probably have had all the major jobs done (most of which cost £400-600 each)! If you have <£2k , Alan above is probably correct. The n/a will cost somewhat less to insure, fuel consumption about the same.

I had 2 non turbos, reckon the 2nd one cost me ~£1800 over 2.5 years in maintenance (full rear brake set up renewed, 4 new tyres, all belts), but then it was a bargain at the time.

Look at http://www.powerfiat.co.uk/services.htm for an idea of what specialist maintenance costs

If you are looking to run on a shoestring budget, look for something else!

Cheers for the advice!

It wouldn't be my first car, by a long shot. I've been driving £500 student cars for the past 8 years, and I've now got a decent job, so it's time for a "proper" car!

My budget is around £3k. I definately want a good example, as I'm all too familiar with how much of a money-pit "cheap" cars can be!

It sounds as though I really need to check, double-check and re-check the car before I buy it. As I don't have much experience with coops, I'm going to put a post in the other section to see if someone with a more experienced eye can come and check it out with me at the weekend.

Cheers!

T

Drive both and then choose - I would say if you do a lot of fast road/m'way driving, then probably the turbo will be more appropriate (if you can keep your right foot in check), if you do mainly urban driving, then the n/a will be perfect

I would think that £3k will buy a very good late-ish n/a with extras but a turbo in need of some bodywork / mechanicals

Note, both have a shocking turning circle, so look for something else if you have to do a lot of tight parking!!