I wasn't quite sure where to put this (Coupes wanted? Haggling/offers? Other vehicles?), so I'll stick it in here, where hopefully lots of people will see it before the mods move or delete it.

The short story is I've got a Ford Focus, but I want another coop.

The slightly longer story is that when I had my coop I really didn't need 2 cars, so it didn't get used for long periods of time and then it needed too much doing to it to be worth the time and money for a fun car (on top of my 2 motorbikes), so I got shot of it.

Then I got rid of a bike and needed a car (because of the arrival of my son), so I ended up with a Focus, which is fine, but if I'm going to have a car it really, really needs to be something more interesting.

The complication is that my wife is only in agreement with this plan if it also results in some money for her holiday fund.

So - the crux - what I need is somebody with a coop who wants a 2004 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec and is willing to give me their coop and some cash in exchange for it. If that might be you then read on...

The Ford Focus is a 53-plate 2004 model, in that silvery-blue colour that they all are. It has 85,000 on the clock and all of the usual Zetec stuff; central locking, alarm, electric front windows, CD player, air-con, electric mirrors, alloys. I needs a new boot strut, but I may well sort that anyway. Realistically it's worth £2,000 as a trade-in, maybe a little more.

What I'm after is basically a coop plus around a grand in cash. My coop requirements are as follows:

- It must be a 20VT (sorry, but that's all I want)
- It must be ready to drive (i.e. working with at least some MOT - I can't be without a car ATM, hence my not just selling the Focus and buying a coop)

Um, that's pretty much it. If I had a wish-list it would include tan leather interior, air-con, close to Newcastle and unmodified, but as it is I'm willing to settle for a working 20VT. I don't mind a bit of cosmetic tattiness and I don't mind if a few jobs need doing.

So, on that basis, is there anybody out there interested in getting me back into the coop-club?

If you are interested in any feedback on this, I have attempted this on 2 occasions when I wanted to get back into coupe ownership, the vehicles in question were a 2004 Laguna, a 2000 Puma & a 2001 Primera + money offered on top.

I had zero interest/success on both occasions, on here & also sending emails on Pistonheads & eBay etc.

I ended up having to sell the vehicles privatly & buy a coop.

more sucess is found with people that want rid of their coupe for a 'run of the mill' car as such but not the other way around

Good luck

I did feel it might be a bit of a long shot.

In exchange for a 2k Focus?

Nah, think you are over reaching a bit there Mr R.

Besides, who says you're allowed back in the coupe club?

<Shrug> I think the Focus is worth a bit more than 2k, and the "Coupes for sale" section sees plenty of cars that meet my requirements go through for less than £1k.

It's not like I'm looking for a mint LE with delivery mileage and a 5 year warranty.

Meh true enough.

Out of interest - what model/colour coupe did you previously have?

5 speed 20VT in maroon, with tan leather.

I was expecting you to say an Ink Black, dont ask me why.

What made you get rid?

I was mainly working from home, my wife had a car, I had 2 motorbikes and a push bike and my daughter was old enough to travel on the bike with me, so the number of times I actually needed a car was minimal.

I let the insurance lapse because I wasn't using the car, then the MOT came up, but winter was coming and I didn't want to renew the insurance and then, before I knew it, the car hadn't moved for 10 months, so I got rid of it for peanuts.

Then I changed jobs to one where I'm in the office (10 miles away) most days. I had another child (who's now at nursery half a mile from my work 2 days a week, so there are 2 days where I can't commute by bike) and my wife is working full-time hours, so her car isn't available that often. So I really need a car, but don't do much more than 50 miles a week, so I figured I could cope with coop MPG and a limited mileage classic car insurance policy.

I'd try pm'ing sellers in the sale section first, good luck!

Same as me, I really need a car, but dont need it to get to and from work anymore as I get a lift (company car share thing)

Just changed my insurance to classic, with a 7.5k mileage allowance, nearly £300 off my old premium.

You're massively limiting yourself with that Part Ex thing. Why not just buy the Coupe you want and then sell the Focus?

Surely you will save money on 'things that need doing' by buying the right Coupe - rather than any old Coupe who's owner just happens to want a Focus in Part Ex?