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944 turbo vs Fiat Coupe turbo 20v

Bought a 20v turbo back in 1998, could write a few paragraphs on it for you but a little short of time so i'll sum up in one word, sh*t!!
 
They are front wheel drive aren't they?? 335 BHP through the front wheels??? No way. Before I got my 944 I was one of these who took the view that all this waffle about rear wheel drive was sentimental nonsense, but having had my 944 for a few years I can definately say that putting alot of power through the front wheels does not enhance your driving experience. I know things are getting better and technology is making front wheel drive cars able to handle more and more power, but not in a 10yr old Fiat. I've always liked the look of the Fiat coupes but never plucked up the courage to buy one. I've read too many horror stories about them.
 
If the power claim is true then it would give a whole new meaning to the experience of torque steer and wheel spin.

Modern cars like the Astra VXR and Alfa 147 GTA with around 240bhp struggle big time putting that power through the front wheels so would think that Fiat may well resemble a bucking bronco. [8|]
 
Porsche started making 924's and 944's to make a QUALITY sportscar also affordable to people who couldn't afford more expensive models..but this generation turned out to be "the best balanced"..erm..There's more than one car brand that starts with letter "F"..But that doesn't make a Fiat a..
 
A friend I worked with had a 20v Turbo in bright red. it did look very nice, has more room in the back than a 944 but a tiny boot, the 5 cylinder engine sounded lovely. He had spent quite a bit on raising the power from the standard 220bhp and came to our first Dyno Day at Weltmeister. Rick may still have the figures but I think it made about 240bhp [:(]
 
It says `enhanced` by Demon Tweeks. They just sell add on go faster bits on line or through a catalogue

I would take the power claims with a large dose of salt
 
And it will have a Fiat badge [:'(].

I'm struggling to see how it would be a desirable alternative to a 944.
 
ORIGINAL: John Sims

And it will have a Fiat badge [:'(].

I'm struggling to see how it would be a desirable alternative to a 944.
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Hey, the only new car I ever bought new was a Fiat (Bravo 1.8 HLX, 97R Reg)

Oh b*llcks I agree. It was utter cr*p and the worst mistake car I've ever bought. The doors were rusting around the inside trim within 6 months (no I'm not kidding!) and the engine was truly awful. I owned it for 10 months and lost a fortune.
 
It may break down, it may be FWD but they are still quick and great to drive! Not a pinch on a 944 tho!
 
FIAT stands for
Found In A Tip - Thats where they should stay.
They haven't made a decent car since the Fiat Dino of the late 60's early 70's
My father used to do PDI's on Fiats in the mid 70's and they would come over from Italy
with surface rust on sills, exhausts blowing and rusty. Oil leaking form enines gearboxes and axles
and faulty wiring to boot
I don't think much has changed!

 
Firstly, lets be realistic - there was no chance of getting rave reviews of a Fiat Coupe on a Porsche forum was there???

Secondly, they are a cracking car, I got chance to drive the 20v Turbo when they first came out and the performance and handling are truly exciting, it's main drawback (as with many italian cars) is the driving position - the pedals, steering wheel and gear knob are all badly positioned, unlike the 944 which encapsulates you and enthralls you.

Thirdly, I'm sick of hearing all these cliche's about Italian cars (using examples of cars from the 70's is a bit pointless now, it's the noughties??) - yes the old cars rusted but the bodywork has been galvanised on Fiats and Alfas for over 10 years and "the dodgy electrics" phrase which people band-around could cause emarrassment if used in the context of modern italian cars as they all use Bosch electrics now!

Don't get me wrong, I'm regularly chanting Deutscheland Deutscheland (in a non-Nazi sense!) as I've always owned german cars because of their superior engineering and aggressive styling but thats no reason not to appreciate the Italian cars too.
 
ORIGINAL: mattpone

Firstly, lets be realistic - there was no chance of getting rave reviews of a Fiat Coupe on a Porsche forum was there???

Secondly, they are a cracking car, I got chance to drive the 20v Turbo when they first came out and the performance and handling are truly exciting, it's main drawback (as with many italian cars) is the driving position - the pedals, steering wheel and gear knob are all badly positioned, unlike the 944 which encapsulates you and enthralls you.

Thirdly, I'm sick of hearing all these cliche's about Italian cars (using examples of cars from the 70's is a bit pointless now, it's the noughties??) - yes the old cars rusted but the bodywork has been galvanised on Fiats and Alfas for over 10 years and "the dodgy electrics" phrase which people band-around could cause emarrassment if used in the context of modern italian cars as they all use Bosch electrics now!

Don't get me wrong, I'm regularly chanting Deutscheland Deutscheland (in a non-Nazi sense!) as I've always owned german cars because of their superior engineering and aggressive styling but thats no reason not to appreciate the Italian cars too.
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Matt,

Nothing against Ialian cars, I own one of St Agatas best a 1983 Lamborghini LP5000s Countach. I have owned several Ferrari's a DeTomaso Panterra and a Bizzarini so I have nothing against Italian cars. I also own a Ducati 916sp so nothing against Italian bikes either. Come to think of it my grandfather was originally an olive oil presser from Modena who came to England in the 1940's to seek work
However Fiat do not make good cars, even now. They are still made of the thinnest steel albeit galvanised. And yes many do have bosch engine management systems However the rest of the electrics are Magnetti Marelli.

Anyway Matt are you still selling those parts? I have emailed you half a dozen times without a reply regarding the Batwing, Front Badge Panel etc.

Cheers
Tom
 
Impressive list of cars!

My list of Italian cars stretches to a 1990 Fiat Tipo 1.4 Formula lol she was a cracking run-around though bless her!

My father has worked for Alfa Romeo for the last 20 odd years (poor bugger) so I've been lucky enough to drive pretty much all the Fiats and Alfas over the years (and the Lancia Thema and Dedra Turbos come to think of it) - the new Brera and Spider are enjoyable cars, but will be better once they shoehorn those Maserati V8 engines in!!

Apologies on the parts - have replied to your email now
 
Nothing against Italian cars for me - have owned 3 Lancias in my time (only one of which rusted away!) and still hanker after an Integrale. [8D] Theres also a number of Alfas I wouldn't mind adding to that list.

But still dont think that particular Fiat Coupe with all that alleged power would make a very satisfying drive. [;)]
 
ORIGINAL: 924nutter
If you'll excuse the pun, Charles, why?[:)]
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I read about it in the Apr-2007 25th anni issue of Classic & Sports Car and its one of the top 10 classics (together with 968 and Honda NSX). So I just started to find out a bit more about this car for a potential punt ...

No offending to 944 turbo onwers here. Just interested in how these two cars compare.
I like Italian sports cars too and if I have £40k to spend on a dream car then it will be the Ferrari 355.
 
Friend of mine bought a 16V 100k miles example one year ago, had no trouble since. It is supposed to be more fun than the 20V as it's lighter and a bit more responsive. T-belt replacement is a pig on the 20V as it requires taking the engine out.
 
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