I've been back in my coop for a almost a year now, slowly improving it bit by bit, but I honestly never thought I would have ended up back in one after a 10 year absence especially in another broom yellow

In between I had 3 E46 Bmw's, but even the 330ci didn't feel a special as the coop, however the main reason for returning was my Son had seen old pictures of my old one and heard my stories and I wanted to share the experience with him which led me back to another one. I can honestly say that I did miss the special feeling it gives you and my son loves coming out for adventures in it.

Did any of you leave and come back? or were you always here and just bought one after another?

Cheers

Austin

I saw a coupe first on holiday in the south of France. Mrs Ed and I had our lad and a school friend with us and had taken a trip to Monaco that day. Tooling around the "track" at around 6 pm the casinos were beginning to welcome the ultra-smart wanna-be money-to-burn film-stars flocking toward the entrances like bees round honey. The highlight though was the broomy sitting 100 metres away which we all stopped to ogle (well me and the lads anyway ) and because we had to keep moving had to drive round again to give us a second look

A few years later I inherited my late father's Honda Accord with only 33k on the clock and almost immediately it was stolen from outside our neighbouring house in which a couple of nuns lived at the time

That was it. Looking for a replacement with the insurance payout suddenly became quite focused, so from 2001 I bought my first broomy 16vt, an M reg (demo model) which I had for 9 years, then replaced that with a restored 20vt which I have to this day and is presently coming to the end of another major restoration after Scottish winter road treatments have worked their aggression on much of the lower metalwork.

I can never see myself considering anything else - I've missed having it for a while but it's going to be worth the wait

That's a good story Edinburgh! There are usually interesting stories attached to the reasons behind the purchase of a coop

I always thought Glasgow was a bit dodgy but if nuns are stealing Hondas in Edinburgh.....I hope it's not habit forming.

I came back after a few years, after life with the GTV V6 the coop seemed quite sensible, especially now I don't have to use it as a daily driver. The 16vt was a commuter and did 150k in around 7yrs, the V6 nearly bankrupted me after 1yr!

Longest time I've been without a coupé in almost 20 years of coupe was about 6 month and whilst I spent that time with a stilo 2.4 20v it was never special enough to replace the coupe and so I bought that old 16vt coupé back. And there ends my lesson I will never be without a coupé.

There are times it's not only about the coupé but also about the people I've met and friends I'm sure we have all made and the journeys these great cars take us on.

I bought mine 16 years ago this month. The longest it's been off the road for is around 22 months but i've never even come close to selling it.

I'm an idiot

You know I had this sneaking feeling there was something going on Sam when I read the SpaItalia 2020 thread

Am I right in thinking this is the first time in 35 coupes you've had a Scotty?

Sorted that for you

Oh and I've just seen what you did there

Good memory, hopefully a habit for you!

I'm thinking..... Yes, I haven't had a green one before! Also a first for a 16v n/a

Time will tell, I want to do the right thing by this it's crazy original and a credit to it's last owner.

Don't tell me it's low mileage and the previous owner is/was a retired accountant from Harrogate?

Not quite, 70k 2 owners from new, full history. Been stood for a couple of years , quite a few dinks and dents, marks.

Budget spec no leather or AC , does have a sunroof though!

Because a chap I used to know in Gullane a few years ago had one, low mileage, used to bring it to our shows until he retired to Yorkshire.

Trying to remember his name, Fordyce I think

I come in and out of ownership, and i have done for a number of years, I like the way they drive and i am comfortable driving them.
Its less and less about power now and more about just enjoying the way the car looks, feels and the trips.
I have made it all the way from a 20vt with AC to a 16v na with no AC and no nice extras and I kind of enjoy the pov specification, less to go wrong, seats don't burn bottom

@Simon, Chap is called Robert and is from (for me and for you!) down south, really interesting guy.

I had to change my cloth seats about 14years ago as they were falling apart from sunburn.

I could only get leather replacements; less comfortable, hotter in summer and much less cornering grip.

I bought my 20v about 16 years ago and kept it for about 5 years Then sold it to fund another car and regretted Almost it straight away. Luckily I managed to buy it back 2 years later and doubt I will part with it again.

When I sold my 20VT in 2009 it was partly to do with a growing family but it wasn't easy to part company and I always had a nagging voice in my head (one of many!) that maybe one day.. Anyway it was my eldest that found the 16v online Oct 2017 and sent the link and the rest as they say is history.



Couldn't agree more with the above and although I do have AC I rarely use it as the drag on performance is noticeable and annoying

Hello everyone. We had a red 20v na almost twenty years ago. Loved it and used it every day. Trip to the south of France and I still have a photo of it outside of a gite that we stayed in on my desk.

Times change and we ran an Alfa 156 for many years. Not a really cool car, but I could run rings around most of the opposition as the handling was good. Then came a Giulietta, loaded with toys. Nice car, but souless.

Every time that we saw a coupe, I would jump up and down.

October 2018 saw another red 20v na on Gumtree. Local car, right spec and price was right for me.
Owner had taken care of all of engine work, outsourcing anything beyond him to experts.

We've had the car just over 18 months, driven it nearly every day, 10k additional miles.
From 6m it looks beautiful. Get closer and it needs a respray. Drives really well, but rattles and knocks.
I love it.

WHEN I win the Premium Bonds, I'll have it completely refurbished.

Might be mad but I love it.

Great prodigal tale

Introduce yourself on Coupe Related Chat and post some pics

How can one return when one has never left?

Neil

Parallel universe's are dangerous places to be Neil. Get out before it's too late..