sorry if this has already been asked before..
im looking into which one to get, i will be using this car quite a bit for work (i know its not the most practical) but in terms of performance is the 16v really that much slower then the 20v? and is it massively better on fuel?
i also heard that the 16v doesnt have the same sort of deep sound as the 20v?

thanks guys

Be careful raising such a question!! tends to set people about with some very strong feelings. Both in my opinion have distinct personalities..having driven, owned and worked on both id say they are both different. Its a buyers market...drive them see what you think. Its a personality thing, these are what my mum would call personality cars...(she had a 16vt). I personally prefer the 20vt, i was reminded last week just how amazing they sound and the feeling at around 4k when all hell breaks loose in a well sorted 20vt. I saw nearly 40mpg from one long run in my 20vt whereas i dont think the 16vt will get quite that far.... A lot of the interiors on the 20vt are nicer aswell once you get into the higher spec models.
Either way buyin a coupe is a great thing to do.

As a 20vt owner I must admit that the 16v sounds better.

I went for the 20vt on the very simple basis that it was newer!

for me...20vt newer nicer interior,engine little more free revving and smoother to drive low rpm.Fuel a little better.
16vt cheaper for work to be done,insure and keep generally.Not that much slower but felt a differnt drive.

is it fact that rog (coupe specialist in basildon) wont work on these anymore? might be a consideration, as it would be to me if motormech stopped working on my model of car. also, i believe there is a larger pool of spares for 20vts than 16's which would be another major factor in my decision making...

both are fine cars imo, but i'd go for the 20vt every time after driving a few of each.

I use my 16vt for work, it's done 95k and is quite reliable, when it goes wrong it tends to be expensive. I hear from the 20v guys how much better they are, and I guess if I were buying now I'd get a 20v.
But for rarity value a 16v,I don't know if it's got anything to do with it but currently one of the most expensive coupes on autotrader search is a 16vt, perhaps they are going up at last?

I have had both.

I prefer the 5 cylinder 20VT engine noise over the 16V.

I also prefer the 20VT fuel economy and its a bit newer, but I like them both overall.

Choose on condition and service history more than which model you get, both are very good.

I have a 16v and i'm after a 20VT!

Love the sound to the 16v but you have to work it so hard to get anywhere!

22mpg its bad then i know DanDan gets 30mpg in his 20VT

get a 16vt

16vt has the old interior and some have leather and a decent maintained one are rare and hard to find but are very nice cars and pulls like a train and no slow boosting its either on or off which is fun

having not experienced a 20vt but i hear the 5 pot burblee is nice and a smoother drive slower spool up and gradual ains and before you know it your doing 100mph

both have good qualitys but i love the 16vt drives and feel different to a 20vt as mantioned above

I really am going to have to take your 16vt out for a spin mate...when you got that new clutch in

everything i will say has been said before some like 16vt, some the 20vt, there both great cars!

i am biased but originally test drove a std 16v turbo and std 20vt and like many others the 20v sounds nicer and for me pulls better with a cracking top end i understand 16v turbos can be made to run really well but std i would choose the 20v every time,however i respect both cars , i think the noise of the 20vt is what i really enjoyed.. and was 1 of the reasons i would not play music when i drove too!!

Oh not again! Handbags ready ladies!

Gareth

I'm going to be getting another coupe and toyed with the idea of a 16VT but after having 2 20vt's already I'm gonna get another 20VT, I don't think I would be happy with anything else.

16v has a better turning circle I hear

These cars are getting quite old now. Given the 16V variety are oldest, I'd recommend the 20VT. This is only a broad generalisation as there are good and bad examples of both around.

I think you get used to having the turning circle of a small ship though!!

not really a difficult thing to achieve....


come on hayley, have you made your mind up yet? the suspense is killing me..

Both types sound amazing, personally I think the 20vt engine suits the style of this car more.

However, I went for a 16VT. The thing that swung it for me is that the 16VT is soooo much easier to work on. Funnily enough I'd say that 16vt parts are more expensive than 20vt parts, but it makes up for it in being able to do things easily yourself Plus there's more tuning kit and knowledge about it. It's essentially the same engine as in the 16V integrales, Alfa Q4, Dedra, etc.

S'pose it depends on what sort of person you are. If you do you own work on cars the 16VT will mean alot less time/swearing/skinned knuckles.
If you don't DIY, then none of the above matters. But I hope you don't mind working the street, cuz you'll have to to pay for garage bills!

In the end, drive em both and choose the one you like. Then come back on this site and post moody photos of it ad threads about how amazing it is and how it 'looks just like a Ferrari Sumthinoruther!'

In regards to the turning circle

I used to have this toy car when i was young-er, it would drive round a bit and then a support would come down out of the centre. The car would lift up off the ground the wheels would fold up like the DeLorean out of back to the future it would spin around a bit, land and then repeat till it was switched off.

I’m inspired by the toy. How useful would it be to be able to pivot on the spot on the coupé

Hayley you should get a 20VT Limited Edition, preferably in Vinci Grey

Or a Plus if you have taste.