New car...

[jridgeback]

I'm replacing my car and have narrowed the search down to two cars - the Peugeot 406 coupe and the Fiat coupe. I will not be buying new - a few years old. I really like both cars and cannot decide between them - can anyone out there help ? Which is better - the peugeot is bigger and more luxurious, but the fiat is faster and sportier. help !

[jake-the-peg]

A friend of mine had a fiat coupe a few years back and had no end of trouble with the electrics - he ended up having the entine instrument panel (it's one single expensive unit) replaced.

You'll always get "Friday afternoon" cars but itwould be a worry for me

[Ducati]

A few years back I had the 20v Turbo version of the Fiat Coupe - which was just simply brilliant. The performance was ashtonishing, so I would definintely go for the Fiat.

I am bias, in that I love Italian cars and bikes, and graduated from the Fiat Coupe to the Alfa GTA (not to mention the Ducati).

The interior build quality wasn't fantastic, but then its Italian, so you expect that to a degree - if you want build quality, go for a boring German box.

So, would wholeheartedly recommend the Coupe - the 406 is just, well, boring.

Oh yes, in the four years I had the car I did not have one single problem.

[Impret-Sir]

The Fiat would be more fun, espially the 20v turbo version which is a screamer! although 220BHP is a bit too much for a front wheel drive car and it suffers a bit from turbo lag. The less powerful versions handle well and are still quick enough. Its true that the Fiat will not be quite as reliable as the Pug, and will depreciate more. The 406 is a lovely shape, designed by Pinninfarina and very Ferrari like in a way. The interior is rather bland, but is functional enough. The V6 version is smooth, but thirsty, (about 25MPG) but there is a less interesting 2lt version. The V6 also has an uprated braking system. I would put the Fiat first, it is fastest, cheapest, has the best interior, and is more fun to drive, the Pug is a little more 'mature' and maybe a bit better built, but the driving experience is almost exactly the same as driving a 406 saloon, not what you want when you have looked for somthing a bit different. In the Fiat, check the strut holding the big heavy bonnet up works well, it has a hard life and many will be failing by now.I have seen a lot like this.

[KebabMeister]

Both look great, both Italian designed.  However the 406 is basically a coupe version of a saloon.  The Fiat was designed from the outset as a coupe and are a bit rarer.  I would go for the Fiat on looks!

[jridgeback]

What is meant by 'friday afternoon cars' ?

[jake-the-peg]

Cars that were built on a Friday afternoon when nobody was really in the mood and not a lot of care was taken.

Less likely to be an issue these days with robotics and half-decent quality control but you do still seem to come across cars that have more than their fair share of problems

[coupehdi]

The 406 for sure.. i had the same problem the fiat or the 406 and i test drove both of them.. to me the drive of the fiat put it down. the handling was quite poor and the noise in the cabin was loud..i just didnt get a feel for it.. Although pininfarina designed them both they look great but i went for the 406 because the handling and acceleration was mind blowing not at all like the saloon. i used to have a 306 gti6 and that was rapid.. the 406 is in a different league.