I am still eyeing up a clean 97 (R) yellow 20vt coop.
it has 93k on the clock and has had a service history until 73k then the paperwork seems to be a tad sparse until 90k service.
the car is very clean and seems well looked after, it pulls well and doesnt seem to smoke.
what should i offer?

You need to check the obvious things like;

Proof of the cambelt being changed.
Has the manifold been changed, and if not it's possibly cracked?
Is it still on the original turbo? If so is it smoking?
Is it still on the original clutch? Or when was it last changed?
Ask him a few questions about why there is no proper service history for the last 20k miles? (73k-93k), ask him what oil he uses, when it was last changed along with brake fluid etc, what plugs he uses, when were the discs and pads last changed? etc, etc, etc.

It is owned by the partner of a cousin of a friend of mine.

I suppose i could phone the garages on the service history booklet and ask. The cam belt was changed (assume at 72km) but the bearings are slightly noisy so i guess it was a 'belt only' change. I am intending to budget for a cam belt and water pump and bearing change if i buy it.

Clutch feels ok, it pulls like a train and looks very well maintained from the outside and inside.

Any idea on what a suitable offer price might be.... ?

I have looked at parkers but their suggested price is about 2 grand, is this reasonable?

If you feel comfortable offering a price (I wouldn't be) then about £2500-£2750, but without seing it and driving it it is hard to say. I would be worried about the lack of service over the last 20k miles as well as the other things I have mentioned, your offer of a price should reflect any concerns or confidence you have in the car.

glass's trade works out about £2200 but I am cheaky so would offer £1900

Personaly I would search for another, its currently a buyers market so buy the best with full history by one of the well known specialists and/or the worst Fiat but by anyone else - sorry too much risk to put it all right.

Even better buy one of the forum Coupes, most should be in excellent runing order and the usual stuff should be done.

i offered 2 grand but he felt it wasnt enough, he wanted 3

there was a slight bearing whistle so even if the cambelt had been changed i would need to get it done again to renew the bearings. it also had a crack in the windscreen.

so work needed, no s/h from 70ish to 90ish.

muppet. he can keep it.

cheers for the advice chaps..... the search continues.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I'm waiting to see how I can advertise my 97 20VT. Might be what you are after or it might not. Keep an eye on the site and hopefully I will have it posted soon.

Marc