Buyer’s guide: Fiat Coupé

By Malcolm McKay

| 15 Aug 2024

Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: Fiat Coupé

Why you’d want a Fiat Coupé

Fiat wanted to make a statement with the Coupé – and did so.

The radical styling is brilliant, from the side slashes to the chunky fuel cap.

Itʼs shorter than most rivals yet has more space inside, with up to 150mph performance to back up its looks.

Built by Pininfarina, the Coupé was styled at Fiatʼs Centro Stile by American Chris Bangle (who went on to be chief of design at BMW from 1992 to 2009); Pininfarinaʼs rival proposal eventually became the Peugeot 406 Coupé.

Paradoxically, the Fiat Coupéʼs interior was designed by Pininfarina, with a striking, body-colour steel flash across the dash and standard cloth or optional black leather trim (tan leather was also offered on the 20v).

Black Recaros were the ultimate, with red stitching on the Plus and red inserts on LE models.

The Coupé launched with the 2.0 16v injected and Turbo engines from the Lancia Delta Integrale, and was based on the Tipo platform – as was the contemporary Alfa Romeo GTV, with both cars earning praise for their handling.

The Fiats had a thirst for fuel, especially the brutal and laggy Turbo: early models are more for special occasions than commuting.

That all changed in 1996 with the new five-cylinder, 20-valve engine, which was throaty, smooth, much more economical and, in turbocharged form, very fast indeed.

ʻSay hello to the new Cossieʼ was Autocarʼs headline to its 20v Turbo test in 1996.

It was the quickest front-wheel-drive production car yet, as Colin Goodwin wrote: ʻIʼm hugely impressed that Fiat has had the balls to build this car.ʼ

The Coupé was not only phenomenally quick, but also ironed out many of the disadvantages of the previous Turbo, with vastly better fuel consumption, better handling on the limit and turbo lag almost eliminated.

It proved to be a much more sensible all-rounder, and many have clocked up substantial mileages; in the UK at least, the 20v Turbo greatly outnumbers all other models, and the final six-speed LE and Plus are the most sought-after.

Rust is now becoming a serious issue on some Fiat Coupés because it can be tricky and costly to repair.

If youʼre in doubt, remove the wheelarch liners to check, because holes can develop unseen.

So far, rust areas tend to be small, but they are expensive to fix because so much has to be stripped out for safe access.

Images: James Mann

Fiat Coupé: what to look for

Trouble spots

Please see above for what to check before you look at any Fiat Coupé cars for sale.

Engine

Fiat Coupé engines do use oil: check it’s up to level because it gives a good indication of general maintenance, especially important on Turbos.

Official cambelt change points were higher, but it’s wise to replace at 30,000 miles/three years on 16v cars, 50,000 miles/five years on others. Many will have been left for longer.

Gearboxes

All Fiat Coupé gearboxes were five- or six-speed manuals and reliable; check clutch bite and synchros, and listen for a whine in third.

Sticky dash plastic can be sorted.

Headlights

The Fiat Coupé’s headlights were never very effective and only worsen as the plastic oxidises.

They can be polished clean, but may need regular attention afterwards.

Rust

Rust is now the Fiat Coupé’s biggest enemy. Be sure to check this ‘Eiffel Tower’ section on each side under the bonnet, and all around the front (structural) slam panel.

Check the rear subframe and its mountings for rot, rear brakes for seizing and the wheels (these were unique to the 20v Turbo) for corrosion and damage.

Fiat Coupé: before you buy

Once you have found a rust-free Fiat Coupé, take a good look at the mechanical side.

Has it been well maintained, is there much (especially recent) service history, are the oil and coolant clean and up to level, and does the vendor leave a Turbo model ticking over to cool before switching off?

The 16v engine, especially in turbocharged form, needs cambelt changes at 30,000 miles or every three years; others are best done at 50,000/five years.

Look for oil and coolant leaks, and on Turbos leave the engine running for five minutes after a test drive to see if it smokes (which indicates worn oil seals).

Donʼt be too frightened of a high mileage, especially on 20v engines, which are durable if looked after.

A low-mileage Fiat Coupé is great if itʼs been stored inside; if not, rust and seized components will be waiting to bite your wallet.

Fiat kept improving the Coupé right up to the end of production, adding a variable inlet system with an electronic throttle on the non-turbo five-cylinder in 1998, alongside the ultimate LE – for Limited Edition – Turbo and Turbo Plus, which boasted a similar spec to the LE but without the individual numbering.

Tuning and uprating these cars is popular, with performance chips available for all models, along with suspension and brake upgrades.

A sunroof was a rare option offered throughout the range.

Check the front seats for wear on the bottom bolsters, especially on Recaro seats, and listen for creaks or clonks from the suspension, both front and rear.

Fiat Coupé price guide

Poor/Average/Show

16v: £500/2500/7500*
20v: £550/2750/8000*
16v Turbo: £650/5000/12,500*
20v Turbo: £750/6000/14,000*
20v Turbo LE/Plus: £2000/7500/16,000*

^{*Prices correct at date of original publication}

Fiat Coupé history

1993 Launch at Bologna show: 2.0 16v 142bhp ‘four’, 124mph, 9.5 secs 0-60mph; Turbo 195bhp, 140mph, 6.8 secs 0-60mph

1995 RHD production starts

1996 Facelift, new engines: 1.8 16v (not in the UK); 2.0 20v 145bhp ‘five’, 132mph, 8.9 secs; 220bhp Turbo 149mph, 6 secs. New grille, steering wheel, centre console

1998 2.0 gets variable inlet, 154bhp, 135mph, 8.4 secs; Turbo sills colour-coded; LE six-speed ’box, strut-brace, bodykit, red front calipers, pushbutton start, Recaros; Turbo Plus similar but not numbered

2000 New seats, side skirts, wheels, six-speed on Turbos; Euro run-out edition 1.8. Production ends in December

The owner’s view

“I was into Japanese cars before,” admits Fiat Coupé enthusiast Sam Bedford. “The Fiat replaced a Honda Integra Type R, which I modified and raced. Then I bought a Nissan 350Z but regretted it, because it wasn’t very dramatic.

“With the Fiat, every drive feels like an occasion; it communicates much more. People look at it and say: ‘What the hell is that?’ And I love the sound – I’m a sucker for a five-cylinder engine.

“The only modification I have made so far is a drilled airbox so I can hear the wastegate. It’s easy to get them up to 280bhp, but I’ve resisted so far because it’s so original.

“I had to go from Somerset to Grimsby to get this car. It needed a cambelt, so I also fitted the guard to protect it if the auxiliary belt goes.

“I’ve had the pillar trims repainted and took the dashboard out to clean off the sticky surface. I plan to tackle the rusty Eiffel Towers and wheelarches this summer.”

Also consider

The Alfa Romeo GTV (left) and Nissan 200SX are alternative buys

ALFA ROMEO GTV

On the same platform as the Fiat but with a multi-link rear, the Pininfarina-styled GTV was a close rival. With 2.0 Twin Spark or V6 power it was a touch slower than equivalent Coupés. Cheap now.

Sold 1994-2004 • No. built 41,700 • Price now £1-14,000*

NISSAN 200SX (S14)

The fast but flawed 197bhp Nissan 200SX turbo (2.0/2.4 non-turbo wasn’t sold in the UK) offered rear-drive fun but lagged behind on looks, ride and interior quality. Quicker than all but the 20v Fiat.

Sold 1993-’99 • No. built n/a • Price now £5-20,000*

^{*Prices correct at date of original publication}

**Fiat Coupé: the Classic & Sports Car verdict**

There are far more 20v Turbos around than anything else, followed by the normally aspirated 20-valve cars, then the 16v and 16v Turbos.

The four-cylinder cars may yet command a rarity premium.

For now, though, top prices are reserved for the newest and highest-spec LE and Plus models.

Prices vary wildly because some car dealers have no idea how much to sell them for.

Shop around, with an eye for condition and good service history: many have been neglected.

FOR

Still good value for the performance on offer
The Fiat Coupé is well supported by specialists and clubs
Most examples remain in regular use
They can happily clock up significant mileages, if maintained with care

AGAINST

Tricky to repair
Rust is taking its toll
Values don’t justify restoration: a neglected one can be a money pit
Early cars are thirsty

Fiat Coupé specifications

Sold/number built 1993-2001/72,762
Construction steel monocoque
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc 16v 1747/1995cc ‘four’ or 1998cc 20v ‘five’, fuel injection and optional turbo on 2.0s
Max power 129bhp @ 6300rpm to 220bhp @ 5750rpm
Max torque 121lb ft @ 4300rpm to 228lb ft @ 2500rpm
Transmission five/six-speed manual, FWD (via limited-slip differential on Turbo)
Suspension independent, at front by MacPherson struts rear torsion beam, trailing arms, coil springs, telescopic dampers; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering power-assisted rack and pinion
Brakes vented front, solid rear discs, with servo and ABS
Length 13ft 11⅜in (4250mm)
Width 5ft 9⅝in (1768mm)
Height 4ft 4¾in (1340mm)
Wheelbase 8ft 4in (2540mm)
Weight 2747-2965lb (1244-1345kg)
0-60mph 9.2-6 secs
Top speed 127-155mph
Mpg 15-35
Price new £19,874-22,374 (1998)