I don't know if I ever told this story before, but I was with my eldest daughter in Plymouth some months back, in my broom yellow plus, picking up her two sons from school.

While sat it the Coupé, wearing my Roy Orbison shades, one of her neighbours (also picking her kids up) walked by. A not unattractive blonde, who by coincidence also had some Coupé history.

She caught up with my daughter and said, "did you see the mid-life crisis with the shades sat in the yellow Fiat back there?"

To which my daughter replied, "yes, that's my Dad!"

It seems that I was the equivalent of an large 55 year old woman going out in a mini skirt with stilettos.

Well, the writing was on the wall from that point. So today my banana plus has found a new owner. Much younger, with many years to go before mid-life. I won't reveal who, but it is a forum member and definitely an enthusiast who will start working on the list that most Coupés have.

Have had this best of all colours Coupé for three years and ten days and have enjoyed every one, helped by Joe's attention when required.

And now Joe has found me a low miles engine for my much more sober looking Ink Black VT6 to bring her back to life in January.

In the meantime, I will be driving my daughter's purple Perodua Kelisa, unless someone can suggest or point me in the direction of a decent sporty estate car.

Best wishes to the new owner.

Well at least she knew it was a Fiat ........ and a Perodua has definately sorted that!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, a yellow Fiat Coupe is probably the non supercar that gets most attention.

How much attention does/did your Ink Black Coupe get in comparison?

Good story Pigman - one I can relate to!
My 15 year old lad (now 16) absolutely hated it if ever I went to pick him up from his school in the Coupe.
The look of relief if I go in the BM is immense
And the other night I took the Porto to my weekly floodlight footy night and one of my tractor driving football mates shouted out (not realising I was in ear shot) "I see Mark's come out in his hairdresser car tonight!"
These things hurt....

Can't agree. I think the yellow coupe is the nuts and am looking for a real nice one.
And I am well past a mid life whatever.

If it's good enough for Pete then I would be happy to own one.

I've had 2 x speed red, wine red, ink black and broom yellow.

The speed reds got reasonable attention, but not even close to the levels the broomy got. The ink black seems totally anonymous.

Whenever I was out with Mrs Pigman in the Inky, she'd comment that "no one's looking at us!"

Apparently she had a Dutch boyfriend once, who had a Coupé.

The Perodua's a complete laugh, but it was bought for a mere £595 on a 53 plate and only 22,500 genuine miles and in almost immaculate condition. So, no street cred whatsoever, but great value motoring.

Please don't say anything too nasty about it, because it's my daughter's and she loves it's quirky non street cred attitude.

Too many people have too many opinions about others - they should mind their own! But some simply can't Who cares what this woman thinks?

Financially, it was probably a good move though Good luck with the new engine and the inky

Exactly.

So you have an opinion about my life? Which one of my bills will you be paying this month?

I dont think i had a mid life when buying the coupe!

I just got fed up working all the hours and handing the money over to my kids and wife! so i thought sod it im going to spend some money on my self! which incidentally hasnt really stopped in the 3 years i have had it now! still have no regrets i have enjoyed fettling and doing bits and bobs!

Is that a mid life Crisis? if not still got it to come

Would be interesting to know the average age of the Fiat Coupe owner?

Well I'm 52

Is that too old?

On average I would accept that quite heartily

52 is a good number right enough as it's also a good year.....



Lol at OP, glad it's gone to a good home Pete, not forgetting your coupe history being the stuff of legend

Haha thanks

Well I'm over that age and have been told I drive the campest car they have ever seen for someone in my trade, (contracting building work) ( Im driving a Porto at the moment )

Although my story is true, there is an element of tongue in cheek. I'm not moving away from Coupé ownership; just keeping my more sober coloured Coupé.

Plus; trying to keep two Coupés up together was getting more difficult.

No; never too old for a Coupé.

Oh and Mrs Pigman is happy that I'm down to one Coupé. Not sure what she'll think of whatever estate car I get though.

If she's not keen on it you can always say well at least it's not another coupé.

Anyway, what's all this with "over", some of us are just getting used to it

Ink black is not a colour. The paint code is 820 Stealth. Aka cloaking device according to the Jedi eper.
Therefore

So, I have 12 years to save up for a yellow Coupe then

Whereas all I need is a sex change and a can of yellow paint.

We should start a whole new thread about non street-cred cars you've actually wouldn't mind a go in.... For me:



Lotus did setup the handling?!!

I know someone who can help you with that....








And you can get the yellow paint from Halfords

wish I was 52

me too, just hit 55, but still love my Don Johnsonmobiles

I get these comments too and I'm 36 :roll eyes:

And its only going to get worse when i retire my speed red for my broom yellow in the summer.

What doesn't help is that the my registration reads PXXX OLD

All attention is good

You guys should be lucky to drive a fine ass Italian ride like ours... my dad is 51 years old/young; I try to get him in a Coupé for years. But, he'd rather drives his Mk1 Focus... I wish my dad was as cool! ^^

Wouldn't that make you Marge Simpson Neil?



I'm fed up with what other people think. I think older people get far more respect from the younger generation if they refuse to wear tartan slippers and drive fast cars.... "Nice car granddad.... " Grow old disgracefully I say.

You're a young guy Rico, but you didn't buy a yellow Coupé!?

So, anyone got good ideas for a sporty estate?

I need to start my mid-life crisis soon,

but at the moment I can't afford it

Re-introduce wild boar to Dartmoor?

My dad brought his 2 years ago he's now 60 he loves the coupe
I'm 28 and love the coupe .

Alfa 156 GTA Sportswagon

I am 56. It's not a young person's car surely because of the cost of insurance?

I have lusted after a GTA ever since I had a 156 2.0 JTS, so a good shout, if prices weren't getting silly. A red one went for 4k recently (was watching but didn't have funds), but the lowest price I can see now is 7k for a nice pewter grey one. (Very sober to suit my age. ) I know Mrs Pigman would not be best pleased if I attempted to spend that sort of money.

But, a very good shout Theresa. You've got the idea. A 159 sport wagon with 20v 2.4 JTDm might suit, if DPF removed and remapped to around 250bhp.

I had my 1st Coupé on my 19th birthday, an 1.8 16v and my 2nd I had when I was 20. It was a 20v turbo. The insurance company called me an extra time, but no worries. I asked what the problem was because the engine was only 200cc bigger . "Yeah" they said, "it should going be allright..."
Now I'm 24 years old, and have an 20vt LE, and no one bats an eye

50

I've just turned 46!!!! 46 years old!!!!! But I'm told I look like I'm in my mid 30's

They're just being kind

Yeah, Martian years.

Hahahahahahahaha!

Seriously though Phil, I would not have put you down for mid-forties, late 30's more like.

It's the healthy Azeri air Pete and gym everyday (there is nothing else to do here). Honestly, nothing.

Thanks anyway mate.

No vehicles to Buff patch?

Ooh well bowled sir!

No time for that here Nello. Work 7 days a week - and the club has it's own car wash guy. So much easier and so less satisfying

That's '1930s', Patch.

No, they say that about the hair style Neil!

Anyway, sorry OP!! All these mods are taking the thread off track

I'm 44 and my Coupe is yellow. It replaced a black Honda VFR800. Have I brought the average age of the mid life crisis down?

Well, I'm 64 and have owned my Coupe for over 10 years now. It replaced a Bertone X/19, which some said was my mid-life crisis car!

Took my 7 year old grandson for a "fang" in the Coupe a few weeks ago and he loved it.

Back to the question of a sporty estate, cant beat a 156 SW for giggles!

I just replaced my aging Freelander with a 2002 1.8TS of ebay for £270 with 11 months MOT and 85k miles.

Engine is a bit small for what is a fairly heavy car but it moves along well enough. If you can find a 2.5 v6, they are damned fine!!!

Unfortunately no...I am past retirement age so I have pushed it up again.. and this is my second coupé only had it six months but it did replace a BMW E30 325i Convertible which I had had for 10 years

Well they do say:

"You're only as old as the woman you feel" but I say:

"You're only as old as the car you drive"

Now that's cheap motoring. Well done. Would be a bit slow for what I want. I'm thinking that I want an estate that's as quick as a 20vt in a straight line. Theresa suggested 156 GTA, but finding a good one and then affording it, might be a problem.

I've considered quite a few:-
Alfa 156 GTA
Alfa 2.4 JTDM
BMW 535D
BMW 545i
Honda Accord 2.4i
Saab 9-3 Aero V6
Skoda Octavia VRS 2.0 TFSi
Subaru Impreza WRX
VW Passat 3.2 4 Motion
Volvo V70 2.4 T5

(All above estate versions of)

Also looked at Audis and Mercs

So far I'm leaning towards BMW (never thought I'd say that) but my budget means I'm looking at the cheapest examples and Subaru, mainly for it's performance.

Some of you must have owned some of the above. What are your thoughts?

Well, Mrs Pigman's only a year younger than me, so it doesn't help much.

how about
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-ALFA-ROMEO-156-SPORTWAGON-2-5-V6-LUSSO-MANUAL-MOT-MAY-/161871027513?hash=item25b043dd39:g:k2IAAOSwo6lWLPv-


quick ...and cheap !!

or
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511269019889?make=bmw&search-target=usedcars&sort=default&radius=1500&body-type=estate&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&page=1&engine-size-cars=4l_to_4-9l&postcode=S10%204FL&model=5_series&logcode=p

luxury express

I have just bought an Alfa Romeo 156 sportwagon. It's a 1.6 and the fuel economy is great. I paid £471 for it. It is very low mileage for an X-reg at 69,000. It was due a cambelt and needed attention to one door lock, but was still a bargain. I love the styling and little touches like a built-in dog guard that you pull up, and folding armrests. The interior is a lovely dark blue corduroy and the seats are ultra comfy. The exterior is light blue metallic. It is surprisingly quick too. Rick at Solo Italia reckons the 1.6 is a rare model. So I am very pleased indeed.

Excellent stylish but affordable motoring. Well done Annie.

Have lusted after the 3.2 V6 GTA, but didn't realise how quick the 2.5 V6 was. I am looking for newer car with less miles and I do need roof rails, but a good shout.

The BMW, I have already seen, but just missed one with 20,000 miles less and a lot more toys, which was up for £500 more. Might be worth a look. Thanks for taking the time to make the suggestions.

I still fancy the 156 with the 2.4JTD....

Coupe sounds for diesel economy !

156 v6 is a fine car. I have owned a couple of saloons and did a 3.0 engine swap on the first I had.

There are a few GTA SWs about but they seem to need a lot if care nowadays and bodywork seems less rust resistant than standard cars for some reason.

Shame no roof bars on the ebay 2.5 v6. I thiught price was a bit steep but noticed its from a trader.

My 1.8 has the Ti leather interior which apparently was never released as an option in UK!!! Full climate control, facelift interior, teledial wheels, roof bars and is in good nick. Well pleased with it!

Conundrum of the sporty estate has been resolved. I have acquired an ugly silver estate with no soul. However, it does have a dyno printout at 346.5bhp, with forged Mahle pistons, forged rods and many more engine mods.

It also has Tein coilovers all around, White line front and rear ARB, plus Whiteline anti dive/anti lift kit, AP racing 356mm front discs with 6 pot calipers and much more.

Yes, it's an Impreza WRX estate, so not the most popular on here. But remember, I'm keeping my Ink Black Coupé.

How did Mrs Pigman take to the new car?

Me:- "I've bought a sensible estate with a very rare and lovely light grey Medici Italian leather interior."

Mrs Pigman:- "It's not very good looking."

Mrs Pigman after riding in it:- "It's very comfortable and much easier to get in and out of."

Mrs Pigman looking out of the window:- "It's a nice looking car."

I'm thinking she must be referring to something that went by.

So, result. Mrs Pigman is happy (Most important) and I have a car that doesn't feel slow after nearly five years of driving 20VT Coupés.

Think that's behind it Pete

She can't see the Coupé from the window.

A Impreza WRX estate wasn't what I expected you to buy Pete so it will be interesting to hear what peoples comments will be the next time you're on the school run

Hello fellow yobo, this is the sound of our people https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=006HrrYjSKY

I thought that I'd uttered an unmentionable swear word by buying a Scooby (by the way, I'm not sure who said it first, Mrs Pigman or my daughter, but they've nicknamed it "Scrappy," oh how funny) so at least I'm not on my own.

Like the Coupé, they also have a great sound.

Never thought of myself as a yob....but....

I won't be able to hear them. The exhaust is soooooo loud and even louder now it's blowing at the manifold.

You have yet to see the drain pipe, no, man hole that was put on to mine before I bought it..... really need to replace it

So will you be wearing shades on the school run when using the Subaru?

If you wanted the noise, all you had to do was unplug a couple of spark plugs and pull half the exhaust off the coupe...

Have you broken it already

Was quite noisy when I bought it, but still had 1.4 bar peak boost. Now really noisy and Max boost somewhere between 0.7 and 0.9 bar. Getting it sorted early Jan, but not easy to find a Joe Knight in the Scooby world.

Won't look like a mid life crisis in an unattractive silver estate car, so yes, I think the shades stay.

Hi, you're not the only one to go from a Coupe to a practical Subaru

Although after 3 years of fun and ownership I'm tired of it and all the NVH.
My list of mods are in this thread.
I've now moved onto a C-class 3.0L V6 diesel estate. Fast, smooth and quiet. Oh and NOT boring!
Good luck with your new purchase have fun and enjoy. The Subaru forum life is definatly a different crowd though