Fiat Coupe or Peugeot 406 coupe or Honda Prelude

[andyps]

I am looking to change my everyday car and wondered what anyone thinks about the current short list. I drive about 20k miles per year and need something I can rely on, but don't mind fixing things. The list currently has:

Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo (very quick, I love the looks, not sure about durability though)

Peugeot 406 coupe 3.0 (good looking, but standard 406 inside, may be very thirtsty?)

Honda Prelude 2.2 vtec (last generation model, should be bullet proof, not the best looking)

I have a budget of £6k, a coupe is not a must but I quite fancy having one. Any thoughts?

Andy

[shadowninja]

The Fiat will be thirsty too. Not to mention being a Fiat it will not be reliable.

Peugeots aren't exactly renowned for their reliability either. But at least it's the most beautiful of the 3. Pininfarina design... (Yes the Fiat Coupe is, but only the interior IIRC, the exterior was designed by an american chap, ie not pininfarina.)

What about a 200sx (S14a)? Subtle skyline looks, RWD, turbo, reliable but admittedly can be thirsty too.

[shnozz]

i would love to say the fiat as they are stonkingly quick and a bit different to look at. But no way doing 20k miles a year.

Only one choice with that mileage - the prelude.

[Podie]

shnozz said:

i would love to say the fiat as they are stonkingly quick and a bit different to look at. But no way doing 20k miles a year. Only one choice with that mileage - the prelude.

I'd agree with that... friend has one that has done 200k... still sounds great and pulls hard...

[craigw]

how about a corrado or a nice porker 944s2 ?

[nicecupoftea]

Been pondering similar recently myself - get yourself down to the newsagents and pick up this month's Used Car Buyer. There's a feature on coupes

- Honda Prelude (new shape)
- Nissan 200sx
- Ford Puma
- Toyota Celica (old shape)

Celica's pretty slow though apart from the gt4. Puma is a good proposition, and I'm tempted buy it, but on paper it's no faster than my current car! Maybe the 200sx but frankly the things scare me - heard a few too many stories of people spanking them through hedges

Edited to say: Thought of a Corrado VR6 but you couldn't get them with a/c (a must in the summer on an only car ). Very tempted if I could find a good 944S2 for that cash...)


>> Edited by nicecupoftea on Saturday 28th February 01:50

[andyps]

nicecupoftea - read that report (well, I skimmed it whilst standing in WHSmiths!) and had similar thoughts about the Puma, but I have never been keen on the looks (except for the racing version which is out of my price range). Had a quick go in a 200sx and whilst it could be fun, if it was wet I don't think you could ever relax which is not what I want for an only car. Agree about the a/c on the Corrado.

A 944S2 is tempting, but the rear space is limiting to fit even one of my teenage daughters in, plus my brother has one and it would be good to have something different to him (can't be seen to be copying!!) The Fiat is tempting because it should be quicker - at least in a straigth line.

Thanks for the replies - keep them coming.

Andy

[nicecupoftea]

Agree 100% - not too sure about Puma looks myself, seems to sit too high at the back. Also depends on the wheels - don't like the CPU fan style alloys a lot of them seemed to come with! Anybody know how quick they are in the "real world"?

For 6k you could also be looking at an early 90s XJS - bags of style, quick, good for long distances. Reliability could be an issue though...

There's also the Rover Tomcat - 6k should get you into a very nice late example (S reg, 1.8vvc engine). They're pretty quick and not too bad handling by all accounts. Not for me too, on my second Rover at the moment and I fancy something different

I've also discounted the Supra - could just about get a manual twin turbo but I would be scared to leave it anywhere

I'm lucky, no kids so don't have to worry about back seats, but it does have to have a modicum of practicality as I often need to carry large amounts of music gear...

[shadowninja]

nicecupoftea said:

Maybe the 200sx but frankly the things scare me - heard a few too many stories of people spanking them through hedges

Would have thought that's the driver's fault not the car's fault!

FWIW, both of my cars are high powered RWD cars and have no traction/stability control and i drive every day.

[nicecupoftea]

Fair enough! But when pretty much every review I read says something like "tail happy" it worries me - not the car, but that if I was tired or lost concentration for a moment on a damp road it could mean the difference between a bit of mild understeer and an embarrassing end swap experience!!

Not sure I have the cojones to get straight into one after a history of ~100bhp FWD cars!

[andyps]

I don't mind tail happy - the first car I had after passing my test was a Triumph Herald and they weren't exactly known for good roadholding. I think with the 200sx it is more the fact it is easy to get teh back end out, and the turbo engine which made me feel that it would never be relaxing in the wet (and after all we are in the UK where it does rain occassionally!).

Actually had a go in a Mondeo ST24 today and was very impressed with it, trouble is it is basically another mondeo and I want something a bit special.

Cheers

Andy

[nicecupoftea]

Was driving past the local Ford dealer today and saw a Puma on the forecourt so went and had a look.

Nice driving position, much bigger boot than I expected. Spec on Lux pack cars is good enough - CD, AC, heated screen and mirrors. Couldn't drive it as other guy was already out on a test drive. Still not convinced by the looks though, and the interior wasn't the "special" place that I wanted it to be - just felt like a shopping car apart from the seats

Have been trawling the web a bit for performance info on them because the 1.7 performance seems a bit weak. Sadly it seems the norm is spending 4 figure sums on cams and an ecu to see 10-20 bhp increase Will still go for a drive when I can because it's supposed to be so much fun, but I'm not getting very good vibes at the moment

[furby]

I'd do the Prelude. Great cars and not that bad looking I don't think. Great engine, great handling great car esp for that money. Didn't realsie the last ones were that cheap. hmm.

[andyps]

No one is in favour of the Peugeot then....

I am still favouring the Fiat (yes I know it probably won't be as reliable as a Honda, but I have always loved the looks.)

Interestingly, in a car park this morning there was a Fiat Coupe, Ford Puma and Audi TT parked next to each other. The Puma definitely looked a bit out of place in that line up.

Will hopefully get a proper look at a Prelude tommorrow.

Andy

[woodytvr]

What about an Alfa GTV? Or a 3 Series, you'll get a 328 for that money.

[andyps]

Would love an Alfa GTV but I need more space in the back and boot than they have.

I know you are right about a BMW, and I have even seen an M3 (4 door however) at a local dealer for £6295 but there si something makes me not want one.

Andy

[moff]

Fiat Coupe Turbo = 0-100mph in 14 secs WOW, gets my vote every time

[woodytvr]

andyps said:

Would love an Alfa GTV but I need more space in the back and boot than they have. I know you are right about a BMW, and I have even seen an M3 (4 door however) at a local dealer for £6295 but there si something makes me not want one. Andy

I've always been a big fan of BMW's - I have two at the moment 328Ci and 3.0 Z3 but I do know what you mean about not wanting one. I just can't find anyhing that comes close on driver appeal, quality and reliabilty and RWD everything seems to be FWD these days.

[andyps]

Well - I bought a Fiat Coupe today - a 20 Valve Turbo, goes incredibly well. So far I am really pleased, just hope I remain so.

Thanks for all the replies and sorry if I ignored the advice from some of you, my heart over-ruled my head on this one.

Cheers

Andy

[nicecupoftea]

Nice one - hope you enjoy it!

I have changed my mind again

Although I know the Puma is the sensible option I just can't get all that excited about it, just doesn't feel different enough, they're ten a penny

I've started looking around at classic Saab 900 Turbos again...