Fresh, my suggestion would be not to compromise on what you want, it will only iritate you in the end. If you want air con, hold out for a car with air con. It might take a while, but you are better to wait. Think twice and pay once is the best way, if you buy a car that isn't 100% what you wanted you will regret it.

Don't worry, the right car is out there somewhere for you.

Fresh - you have PM

Vicks,
you've got PM

Right back at ya

a message in your inbox, Vicks

regards!
Monika

This is turning in to a cracking read! :):)

Responded

PM sent

And replied again

It's like wimbledon. Vicks serves close to the base line, we're waiting on Fresh's return

What I'll say is that service history is essential. Not just a stamped service book but also a big wad of receipts proving that wear and tear parts have been replaced. If those are present then you'll have piece of mind that the owner has looked after the car, rather than just letting it keep on going until something major breaks.

I bought a car with a ton of receipts for recent wear and tear bits (tyres, brakes, cambelt...) yet a trip to Rog @ Powerfiat showed that I still needed new wishbones, rear springs and a new exhaust. However, this was the best of all the cars I saw and I don't regret buying this particular one.

There were some very tidy looking 20V models on autotrader when I was buying, I can't believe they've all dried up.

What's your budget?

DC

this is Fresh's return...well hopefully more of an ice:)
Came2dance if things go to plan the photo I'll be posting will be of....
I think I found a car for me..thanks for all your useful (and useless:) info...this has been invaluable
..please don't ask any more yet as I don't want to tempt fate but final negotiations on a FSH, cambelt done, with aircon (sorry Che!), low mileage (sorry Vicks!) silver stunner:):)
is this a car for me...oh yesss

NOOOoooo! not a silver one, they always break down!

..but at least with ac I will be cool waiting for AA!

...ok now I'm getting nervous..the car is at a dealer near Durham...we'll be heading out there first thing Sat morning...any locals in that area able to give me reassurrance before I make myself poor?

http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=32998&an=0&page=0#Post32998

Have a squizz through here...also Panic and AndrewR are in that part of the world

Silver is great - always looks much nicer in the flesh than photos. I nearly bought a silver 20vt 5 years back, but the insurance co's wouldn't insure me on it at the time

Quote:

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...ok now I'm getting nervous..the car is at a dealer near Durham...we'll be heading out there first thing Sat morning...any locals in that area able to give me reassurrance before I make myself poor?

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Monika, If you post the details of where the car is, I'll try and have a look before the end of the week.

Might save you a journey if it doesn't look very good.

Good luck with it Monica, the Silver Coops look great, as do all of the colours

Paul! thanks for your post.I've sent you a message!

Just an update..Paul very helpfully popped around the garage but unfortunately car was nowhere to be seen...turns out it was in the workshop with the engine sitting on the floor having cambelt changed:)
never thought trying to buy a car would be so tense or exciting,,
just waiting for good news now...Paul as soon as you know something, put a poor polish girl out of her misery:)
watch this space for an update:) and if I pick up the car stay clear of M1 on Sat!!!!....I'm crazy...

This is turning into a proper soap opera

Quote:

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it was in the workshop with the engine sitting on the floor having cambelt changed

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My advice is to take the coop (if you buy it) to a specialist for them to check that everything has been plugged in & put back together properly.

...the soap opera goes on...:)...making a romantic trip to beatiful town called Durham..to see a perfectly shaped silver stunner...what more could I ask for?:)
now seriously - Paul did a good job viewing the car, got his list of things to look at the viewing...just need to use negotiation skills:)
back on Sun, hopefully not carless...

episode 15...I've been shopping in Durham today...and what do you think I've bought?

Well done you IIRC the shops in Durham aren't that great , so I imagine you bought that silver coop you been on about

Now you need to update your avatar and post some pics so we can all have look

Hey, why not post some pics of the coop too

Thats right 560 mile round trip...but it was worth it...I'm now the very proud owner of a silver 20v, dec'98, 53k. Drives like a dream, and couldn't stop grinning all the way home....all 5 hours
...now ...how can I post pictures here??