FIAT COUPÉ
1993-2000 Italian panache and class leading dynamics at an affordable price, reckons James Walshe
Jaws dropped across the universe when Fiat unveiled its Coupé back in 1993. Buyers were captivated by its dramatic science fiction shape and an array of delightfully unique details. There was substance underneath, too. The Coupé was based on the brilliant Tipo platform, which meant sublime ride and handling composure and, later on, a top model yanked along by a new 20-valve fivecylinder firecracker. The 150mph Turbo pushed out 220bhp and hit 60mph in six seconds, with its front-drive torque steer kept in check via a limitedslip diff and beefed-up suspension. While this era of Fiat wasn’t what you’d call fragile, there are still some rather important things to be aware of when it comes to buying a Coupé.
What’s out there?
Decide which model you want before searching and focus on its condition and maintenance history. The earliest car you’ll find will have a 1995cc 16v engine, 137bhp normally aspirated or 195bhp turbocharged. From November 1996, all Coupés got the 1998cc five-cylinder in normally aspirated or turbocharged guises. The Limited Edition (300 UK sales) arrived in July 1998, while June 1999 saw the 147bhp normally aspirated 20v engine superseded by a 154bhp 20v VIS (Variable Inlet System) unit with a fly-by-wire throttle. The six-speed gearbox became standard soon after and the Turbo Plus appeared with Viscodrive LSD, 16in wheels and leather trim.
What to look for
Lift the boot carpet and check for rust along the seam where the floor meets the wheelarches. Water ingress through poorly mounted Pininfarina badges low down on the rear flanks can also cause unseen corrosion, so see how secure these badges are, and be prepared to do some resealing. The front jacking points can rust, as can the front slam panel (to which the radiator is bolted).
The black stone-guard used on the sills can chip and wear away, which can lead to paintwork issues and surface rust.
Fun fact… the 1995cc four-cylinder unit in early Coupés is like the one found in a Lancia Integrale.
Properly serviced the unit is reliable, but ultimately the camshafts wear out, while the oil cooler pipes below the radiator can corrode and fail with catastrophic consequences. The most common problem, especially with 20v cars, is a failed thermostat. This normally fails in the open position and results in a slow warm up and cool running, with high fuel consumption being the result. Replacement is cheap.
The 1998cc five-cylinder engine is generally found in turbocharged form these days. It’s tough, but exhaust manifold cracks are common between cylinders four and five. Listen for ticking when starting from cold – the crack closes once the manifold is hot. New manifolds are over £400 apiece, but improved manifolds are sometimes available via specialists on an exchange basis. If replacing a turbo, go for a later unit with a stronger bearing; expect to pay around £700 just for the bits.
The four-cylinder engine needs a fresh cambelt every 36,000 miles or three years; the five-pot engine needs a new belt every 50,000 miles or five years. Officially this means removing the engine, but a decent specialist can do the job with it in situ, so there’s no need to stump up the
£1500 Fiat charged. The auxiliary belts are another weakness; they should be inspected every six months and changed every 24k/two years.
A five-speed manual gearbox was fitted to all Coupés until August 1999, when an extra ratio was gained – although the Limited Edition of
1998 also featured this six-speed transmission. Problems are unlikely, and the same goes for the Viscodrive limited-slip diff fitted to Turbo models. Clutch slave cylinders can leak or seize up, the latter leading to a heavy or stiff pedal, but replacement is cheap. Of more concern is a slipping clutch, as replacing one of these can easily cost more than £500 at a specialist.
Many Coupés are driven hard, so the front lower wishbone bushes wear, along with the rear swing arm bearings. Wear is given away by clonking over speed bumps (usually anti-roll bar bushes); budget £80 apiece for replacement wishbones and £175 for new swing arms. Listen for chattering from the rear hubs as you corner the car, signifying worn rear wheel bearings. Shop around as prices vary.
All Coupés came with anti-lock brakes as standard, while Turbos feature larger anchors than normally aspirated cars. Even with four-pot Brembos and 305mm discs, the pedal needs a good shove. The discs overheat and warp, so feel for juddering under braking. ABS is generally reliable and can be self-tested; most issues centre on failed, cheap-to-replace wheel sensors or a loose fuse in the engine bay. Front brake flexible hoses can collapse internally and cause the brakes to lock, while the steel pipes are prone to corrosion, but they’re easily replaced with copper/ nickel piping.
Inside, the interior of the Fiat Coupé is one of its stand-out features, so check the condition of the painted surfaces for signs of scratches and general wear and tear, as well as the door cards. The front seats are the most damage-prone areas, particularly the base and side bolsters. Both cloth and leather trimmed seats are vulnerable, and neither will be easy or cheap to repair. Make sure that the air conditioning is fully functional, and that all the electrics are working.
Try to ensure that you get all the keys; from late 1996 there were three. The silver one is for everyday use, the blue one is the spare and the red one is the master key, which allows fresh keys to be coded more easily. Make sure your alarm is working as its controlled by the key fob. ■
‘Unique, stylish, comfy and fun to drive. And fast!’