Alfa GTV V6 or Fiat Coupe 20VT - which one?
Discussion
I'm considering buying second 'fun' car and both of these have caught my eye.
My primary consideration is a fun car that can also be practical, and can handle 2 children in the back with enough boot space for a weekend away.
I've heard the Alfa has small back seats (big enough for kids?) and small boot. How does it compare to the Fiat in this and other respects?
Thanks for the help!
My primary consideration is a fun car that can also be practical, and can handle 2 children in the back with enough boot space for a weekend away.
I've heard the Alfa has small back seats (big enough for kids?) and small boot. How does it compare to the Fiat in this and other respects?
Thanks for the help!
This topic has been done to death, but a quick précis is: Drive both and see which you prefer.
The Fiat can seat 4 in relative comfort, the Alfa is very cramped in the back (how old are your kids?).
Alfa has a very small boot, but with creative packing you can get a suprising amount in there. Fiat has a huge boot for a car of this type.
Performance-wise, either/or depending on engine choice (although the Fiat has more tuning potential) {edited to add:} V6 Alfa vs 20VT Fiat there's nothing in it in the real world.
Handling-wise, the Alfa wins (trick suspension is what accounts for the lack of rear space).
Looks: Each to their own. I love both but prefer the Alfa.
The Fiat can seat 4 in relative comfort, the Alfa is very cramped in the back (how old are your kids?).
Alfa has a very small boot, but with creative packing you can get a suprising amount in there. Fiat has a huge boot for a car of this type.
Performance-wise, either/or depending on engine choice (although the Fiat has more tuning potential) {edited to add:} V6 Alfa vs 20VT Fiat there's nothing in it in the real world.
Handling-wise, the Alfa wins (trick suspension is what accounts for the lack of rear space).
Looks: Each to their own. I love both but prefer the Alfa.
Edited by pdV6 on Tuesday 11th July 14:00
... and whether you appreciate V6's. I could never go back to a 4 (though the Fiat 5 is itself a cut above a 4) after three V6's in a row, and the Alfa V6 is just incredible. The joy it gives just in normal driving, let alone pressing on, makes the whole car seem better. It's so smooth in traffic, able to pull from very low revs in any gear smoothly, sounds lovely, has instant response and a great top end - plus the long-term running costs are great as it goes on forever and had no expensive turbo to blow.
Edited by jwyatt on Friday 14th July 10:25
I went through this exact choice a few months ago, moving from an Alfa GT (diesel). I really really wanted to like the GTV but when I got in it I was so disappointed. The engine was the only good thing about it. I'm not tall by any means but I felt really uncomfortable and cramped in the GTV.
That same day I tried a Coupe 20VT and was so glad to see how similar it was to my previous car that I decided on the spot to rule out the GTV. However, the GTV I tried was not the best example, it was just the closest one that I could test drive.
Try a couple of each and see how you feel about them. I ended up going for the one which was most like my previous car. With the Coupe I do find that lag frustrating and the ride quality is quite poor. I intend to replace the dampers with Bilstein B6's later in the year which the owners on the owners club (FCCUK) claim to make the car ride more like a £22k car should (which was the price when new).
Both cars suffer the same wear and tear problems with suspension bushes so there's nothing to choose between them in that respect. You'll definitely find a good 20VT for less than a similar condition GTV V6, as the 20VT's top out at £8k right now and I don't think any of them actually go for that price. The GTVs that looked like the spec and mileage that I wanted were all aroun £9k-£10k. If you get a GTV, 17" teledials and the aerokit finish the car off nicely. The aerokit is actually functional too, reducing drag and increasing the top speed (some pub chatter for ya).
DC
That same day I tried a Coupe 20VT and was so glad to see how similar it was to my previous car that I decided on the spot to rule out the GTV. However, the GTV I tried was not the best example, it was just the closest one that I could test drive.
Try a couple of each and see how you feel about them. I ended up going for the one which was most like my previous car. With the Coupe I do find that lag frustrating and the ride quality is quite poor. I intend to replace the dampers with Bilstein B6's later in the year which the owners on the owners club (FCCUK) claim to make the car ride more like a £22k car should (which was the price when new).
Both cars suffer the same wear and tear problems with suspension bushes so there's nothing to choose between them in that respect. You'll definitely find a good 20VT for less than a similar condition GTV V6, as the 20VT's top out at £8k right now and I don't think any of them actually go for that price. The GTVs that looked like the spec and mileage that I wanted were all aroun £9k-£10k. If you get a GTV, 17" teledials and the aerokit finish the car off nicely. The aerokit is actually functional too, reducing drag and increasing the top speed (some pub chatter for ya).
DC
Look at www.fccuk.org/forum/ for Fiat Coupe info and www.sportsalfa.com for GTV V6 info.
'My primary consideration is a fun car that can also be practical, and can handle 2 children in the back with enough boot space for a weekend away.'
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
wink said:
'My primary consideration is a fun car that can also be practical, and can handle 2 children in the back with enough boot space for a weekend away.'
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
Alfa make some pretty nice sportwagons/saloons - can get these for £10k and it's a lot better built than either GTV or coupe - it's the last spec 156 with a huge kit list - eg full leather, electric heated high-back bucket seats, bose, massive brakes, and much more as standard. I'm biased as I've got one - but be aware 156GTA's in both shapes are incredible value, and still quicker than any of the current hot hatches like the ST and VXR. Best of both worlds...
wink said:
'My primary consideration is a fun car that can also be practical, and can handle 2 children in the back with enough boot space for a weekend away.'
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
The Fiat Coupe is the only choice then. I took mine to the south of France with 2 adults & 2 kids. Boot and rear seat space much better than the Alfa. If you get a turbo coupe, no shortage of fun. Go for it!
I'd generally agree with that, with the qualification that it depends on the age/size of the children as to whether the Alfa could be a viable alternative.
we've had both in the family...so speaking from first hand experiance:
discounting 2.0gtvs and n/a coupes, the alfa makes a nicer noise, they're both about as quick, looks is down to personal preference, coupes are cheaper to buy, and the alfa V6 is a bit thirstier.
The clincher could be the back seats, I went in the back of the GTV once, that was enough, but we got our second coupe as a 'practical family car' now we've got a daughter. Grown ups fit too, but bang their heads on the rear screen if you take speed bumps too fast. Personally, I see that as a feature !
happy hunting!
discounting 2.0gtvs and n/a coupes, the alfa makes a nicer noise, they're both about as quick, looks is down to personal preference, coupes are cheaper to buy, and the alfa V6 is a bit thirstier.
The clincher could be the back seats, I went in the back of the GTV once, that was enough, but we got our second coupe as a 'practical family car' now we've got a daughter. Grown ups fit too, but bang their heads on the rear screen if you take speed bumps too fast. Personally, I see that as a feature !
happy hunting!
My choice was the Coupe. Far more room for rear passengers, which I needed as I take some strapping six footers to footy 
I also marginally prefer the styling, but this is purely down to personal pref. A big factor for me was the tuning potential for the turbocharged Fiat, for a modest outlay I now have a coupe that would leave a GTV V6 for dust. In summary, drive both, make your choice 
I also marginally prefer the styling, but this is purely down to personal pref. A big factor for me was the tuning potential for the turbocharged Fiat, for a modest outlay I now have a coupe that would leave a GTV V6 for dust. In summary, drive both, make your choice I'd agree with everything that's been said so far.I have both cars (3.0 GTV & Coupe 20 valve turbo). Alfa has the better engine/chassis/handling. Fiat has the practicality plus a certain indefinable feeling of "specialness". If you put a gun to my head and said "choose one!", I'd take the Fiat
I have a V6 GTV, I have removed the spare wheel and can now get a remarkable amount in the boot, my children(11,8 and 7)fit in the back without a problem (only two at a time). As others have said the Alfa is probably the better car in many ways so it really comes down to how much space you need.
I'd go for the Alfa, but I am biased.
I'd go for the Alfa, but I am biased.
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