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The New Babe #1638860
03/02/2020 15:09
03/02/2020 15:09
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
After years of putting it off I finally went for the plunge in Dec. Great condition 43K Dark Red Metallic. I have had to sort a few minor niggles: OK I think I have fixed everything:

Centre console coating gone sticky. Removed with alcohol and sealed
Electric windows sticking...WD40
Some rattles...WD40, blutac and tightening bolts
Heater manual control fault...changed heater potentiometer
Heated rear screen/mirrors....changed relay
Rear view mirror loose....Removed assembly and tightened
Replaced wipers with Bosch flat blade
One of the Turbo logo fell off..repainted and superglued
Some screws wouldn't tighten.. replaced
Replaced exhaust and mounting...don't like aftermarket sound!
Warning light button cracked...replaced
Sunroof cover a bit stained...washed and hoovered
Original Car mats smelled of dogs..tried washing but didn't work. Replaced with sports mats. Air fresheners.
Locks a bit stiff...wd40
Fitted radio remote locking (actually an electrician did it)

Many thanks to adam16vt for seconhand parts!

Wow...a dream babe now!

Years of training on the Puma paid off!

Attached Files
20200201_133445.jpg (401 downloads)
20200201_133455.jpg (406 downloads)
20200201_162743.jpg (381 downloads)
Last edited by KevinW; 03/02/2020 16:04.

KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638864
03/02/2020 15:42
03/02/2020 15:42
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
Freddie Offline
On a journey
Freddie  Offline
On a journey

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 130
Hemel Hempstead
Looks Great.. well done!!


Freddie
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638866
03/02/2020 15:48
03/02/2020 15:48
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Welcome to the fold! She looks great.

And coupes respond well to a bit of TLC....actually they don't. They often fume at TLC and something else brakes.

But a good owner, and the gremlins sorted and they do put a smile on your face!

Enjoy your coupe!

Regards

MM

Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638874
03/02/2020 17:53
03/02/2020 17:53
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Online content
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Online Content
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Nice work Kevin, keep on top of the bodywork too wink


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638876
03/02/2020 18:02
03/02/2020 18:02
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
Strangely enough the bodywork truly is immaculate...so far! Must have been professionally restored at some point.


KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638884
03/02/2020 21:30
03/02/2020 21:30
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 848
Stoke on Trent, UK
Vinno Offline
Enjoying the ride
Vinno  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 848
Stoke on Trent, UK
Very nice, it looks beautiful.



Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638916
04/02/2020 22:29
04/02/2020 22:29
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
From a fellow wine Red owner.... Looks stunning mate.

love

Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1638923
05/02/2020 13:37
05/02/2020 13:37
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
Its my favourite colour of the reds - Dark Red Metallic 180A. All the reds are here:

https://carpaintcode.vernicispray.co.uk/4-en-276-32-fiat-coupe-red.jsp


KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641673
11/06/2020 14:10
11/06/2020 14:10
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
OK I have been a proud owner 6 months now so here is my review of the FC to date

Very relaxed driving experience. Remarkably quiet and rattle free. Can barely hear the engine, even at 90! Actually the most relaxed car I have owned. Steering is light but with good feel. Gear change OK but not as slick as my Ford Puma. Turning circle abysmal, but this car is definitely a GT and not really ideally suited to Milton Keynes driving/parking anyway, although it seems perfectly happy with the roundabouts.

Can't understand the comments about rattles/squeaks. I think the coupe relies on screws rather than studs to fix a lot of things and I did have to tighten a fair number of these.

The ride is generally very smooth and bump free - smoother than my Puma, except where there are major undulations in the road and it then seems to jiggle a bit. With minor undulations it smooths them out beautifully.

I did do the Gtec1 remap and the car really flies with your foot down - quite remarkable actually. I am still getting 30 mpg on average - that is spirited driving in and around MK/Buckingham. I seem to get a few more mpg on the motorway at around 85.

The car has done 46 K now and really drives like a new car - no issues developed since I bought it other than the rear wiper mechanism slipping - Adam kindly sent me a replacement assembly an all sorted quite quickly. I am amazed how easy it is to get secondhand replacements quickly and fairly hassle free, especially with the help of this site - goldmine!

So in all its definitely passed its probationary period and every drive is a joy - I am often feeling the urge to just go out for a spin for the sake of the great driving experience. Certainly the best drive to date overall. I have driven many of cars in my time but nothing really as sporty as this. Just the brakes alone are a revelation compared to the likes of Audi - no lurch or grab, just progressive, controlled efficiency.

Should have made the plunge a few years ago but the beauty of lockdown is that petrol is just over £1/litre and the roads rather emptier than usual.

KJW


Last edited by KevinW; 12/06/2020 07:42.

KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641676
11/06/2020 17:48
11/06/2020 17:48
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Online content
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Online Content
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Good to hear the joy.

Bear in mind though KevinW that the forum cannot be seen to condone speeds over the legal limit. There are places, such as tracks, where one can press the loud pedal with impunity but take care that your enjoyment is not encouraging anyone else nor indeed someone to tell tales of something they've spotted on a public forum - or, if they happen to be "the law" and read this, lay in wait for you.....


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641677
11/06/2020 18:01
11/06/2020 18:01
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Just to re-iterate Your Honour, no-one has ever driven a Fiat Coupe at speeds in excess of the legal limit on public roads (cough). Gentleman concerned was of course talking about KPH.

Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641678
11/06/2020 18:12
11/06/2020 18:12
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KPH for sure....I think. Can't remember was drunk at the time smile


KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641679
11/06/2020 18:21
11/06/2020 18:21
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
R
respace Offline
Enjoying the ride
respace  Offline
Enjoying the ride
R

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 947
Dorchester
Gentlemen is obviously confused no doubt as result of the , er, cough medicine.

Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641687
11/06/2020 23:05
11/06/2020 23:05
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Online content
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Online Content
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
KevinW you have a PM...


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641691
12/06/2020 09:47
12/06/2020 09:47
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Glad to read that she is behaving and no issues!

Totally agree that without this forum and the collective knowledge - parts finding and diagnosis would be extremely complex!

Hope you can find some private roads or track areas, the coup really is a bit of a secret GT weapon - I took mine on the Autobahn (interesting how the Germans have ended up freer then us in so many ways) and she really enjoyed being allowed to push on from the 70 mph here in UK.

Glad your enjoying the ownership!

Regards,

MM

Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641692
12/06/2020 10:21
12/06/2020 10:21
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Making good time and spirited drive are a couple of chosen phrases that is used in the Coupe fraternity driving smile


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: The New Babe [Re: jimboy] #1641693
12/06/2020 10:35
12/06/2020 10:35
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Countrycruising  Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Forum veteran

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,114
FCSS 01684 593187
Originally Posted by jimboy
Making good time and spirited drive are a couple of chosen phrases that is used in the Coupe fraternity driving smile



Along with check your oil chinny

Re: The New Babe [Re: Edinburgh] #1641694
12/06/2020 10:50
12/06/2020 10:50
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 293
Free State of Jones
clanger Offline
Making a profit
clanger  Offline
Making a profit

Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 293
Free State of Jones
Originally Posted by Edinburgh
KevinW you have a PM...



You're the Headmaster at Gordonstoun!! I claim my £5

Last edited by clanger; 12/06/2020 10:51.

E85
Re: The New Babe [Re: clanger] #1641695
12/06/2020 11:10
12/06/2020 11:10
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Edinburgh Online content
Club President, member225
Edinburgh  Online Content
Club President, member225
Forum veteran

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,660
Auld Reekie
Originally Posted by clanger
Originally Posted by Edinburgh
KevinW you have a PM...



You're the Headmaster at Gordonstoun!! I claim my £5



shocked

sick


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641698
12/06/2020 15:24
12/06/2020 15:24
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
Out of interest I would be interested in the approximate market value of such a FC as mine. As described. It does not have leather seats or a/c (but the sunroof gives a refreshing blast of cool air when required, which I actually prefer). Mileage 46K. Bodywork and mechanics excellent. I can then see if I overpaid, and if my insurance really does cover it smile


KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641699
12/06/2020 15:42
12/06/2020 15:42
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
jimboy Offline
Club Member 857
jimboy  Offline
Club Member 857
Forum is my life

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,090
highlands
Kevin W you have PM


I'm an old git & happy with it,most of the time
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641700
12/06/2020 16:21
12/06/2020 16:21
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
KevinW Offline OP
Club Member 1862
KevinW  Offline OP
Club Member 1862
Making a profit

Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 215
Milton Keynes
Thanks for message jimboy but It erroneously seems to answer a question I did not ask! Something about a base plate!


KevinW
Milton Keynes UK
Re: The New Babe [Re: KevinW] #1641766
15/06/2020 13:02
15/06/2020 13:02
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
[quote=KevinW]Out of interest I would be interested in the approximate market value of such a FC as mine [quote]


Speaking as someone who has the knack, no the unbridled skill to buy a car at the top end of its value. And then find its at the bottom of its value when you come to sell - things are only ever worth what anyone wants to pay you.

Your car is likely worth what it was when you bought it -. Give or take all the work you have done.

Mind you I am sure there are skilled car sales men and women who could find the perfect buyer and get a larger price. Even during covid, lockdown and global warming terror we read about every day.

I think there are 3 sections of coupe prices - and they are under valued for what they represent at the moment.

Regards

MM


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