Are there any experienced coop owners in the Norwich area who could have a look at a beautiful little Blue 20VT I've found for sale just a mile from my house? (i'm telling you it was meant to be)

Am getting an RAC inspection done but am afraid the guys not gonna know what to look for......and that he won't understand why anyone would want to buy an 11 1/2 year old turbo charged fiat with a crap service history and will try and talk me out of it.....it pisses me off I keep meeting all these 'sensible' people who tell me its a stupid idea and that I'll kill myself, and or loose all my money in under a year.

I've worked out that I don't care though - I've been a Ferrari nut since the age of 8 (now 29) and as far as I'm concerned you can't get closer than the Fiat(not talking about performance - that would be silly). I love it! The next car I would want (budget allowing) is a F355 - and I'm not kidding. And its ONLY £2500! I can't believe everyone isn't trying to get one! I feel as if at any moment people will realise and I'll go to the garage tommorow only to find 30 people fighting over it in the garage forecourt.......with bats.....and guns.

Anyway. I digress. If there is anyone in the Norfolk area who would be willing to have a look I would be eternally grateful and would obviously pay your petrol.

You won't lose all your money but it may well cost you. The key thing is to look very carefully at the history (recent in particular). Normally, I would say to ask the owner about oil use etc but this won't work as it's a dealer

The RAC guy will know if it's a dog and should walk away. Post up his key findings on here and we'll pass judgment

I assume you've already looked at and driven the car properly before booking the inspection?

Put a up link to the advert with the reg number,it may already be known on here.Also do a £5 RAC HPI type check online before paying for an inspection.

Boonman's already put up a link in his previous thread. The reg no. is P909 AWL

Boonman - Where abouts is this coop mate, and when were you thinking of going to have a look at it??
I live in North Cove, Beccles, so am literally 20 or so minutes away. Depending on when you wanted to have a look at it, and when i work i may be able to come and view it with you.
Let me know.
Dont forget to HPI it first

Also, is it the one for sale at "Jay's Grand Auto's"??

Yes, it is

Yeah its the one at Jays Grand Auto's - I did have a good look and drive before booking the inspection (even though I almost just gave the guy a deposit as soon as I saw it). Had another drive in it today!!! OMG! I love it.
First car I've ever got in that almost felt natural stright away. That thing is quick! Like really quick.

HPI check came back fine from RAC.
Didn't notice any strange noises.
Clutch felt quite soft - but have no experience with them on coops - imagined them to be quite severe and bite quickly????

Sounds like it might have a dump valve on it - and I don't think the exaust is standard - but neither of these mentioned in the history. (do normal turbos make that sthchhh noise on lift off? - didn't think they did but am confused now)

Olly mate - I would be so happy if you could have a look RAC inspection is tommorow some time (16th)

I can get an hour off work whenever so tell me when ur free over the next few days (garage open 10:30-5) and I can be there. Lunch times would be ideal but whatever you can manage - 5 mins would be good :-D
Phone number is 07747560021 or post urs here and I'll ring you.

Like I said before will def cover your petrol.

Once again cheers for the advise guys. Coop owners rule!

Mine has a standard dump valve and doesn't make any sthchhh noises.
Clutches vary. Mine is light and soft compared to my Alfa GTV's but it's fine.

Keep us posted and good luck

Probably has a recent clutch fitted. I have only had my one for a little while and the clutch is heavy but you get used to it.
If it does not have the standard airbox (enclosed) then it will make a whooshing sound when you lift off the gas.
A lot of coupes have standard exhausts on them, a lot have after-market ones, I would prefer something a bit meatier myself but not too over the top (just like the scorpion imola 4" cat-back that was fitted to my coupe)
As for the question about turbo's, that depends on if the DV is a recirc or atmospheric model and if you have an open cone or enclosed airbox.

Hi guys

Firstly thanks to Olly for comin to see the car today.
His advise has been about a million times more useful than the RAC mechanic who cost me £205 and just gave me a cut down version of what Olly had said 2 hours earlier!

Anyway. I have one potentially large problem. After Olly and I had taken her out for a quick spin the oil pressure was droppping down to 0.5bar and then struggling to get back up to 1.5 (hot idle). When driving it was fine @ a consistant 3 bar.

The RAC guy did say that there really wasn't much oil in there. I asked if this could be the reason for the pressure problem. 'Probably, maybe' he said. nice one.

Like a dick I assumed this meant it wasn't anything much to worry about (oil change would fix it..) and put a £100 deposit down on it.

The RAC didn't do a compression test as part of their £205 check!!! So I guess I should get one of those done.

Olly reckons I should walk away if the problem persits after an oil change. and although it pains me I think he's probably right....?

What do people think?

Oil starvation is the biggest killer of coupes and engine rebuilds cost thousands...I'd personally walk away and buy a nice forum owned car (or at least privately owned as most dealers don't know diddly about coupes or the history of the cars they pick up for pennies at an auction or as a p/ex)

Fcuk that...

Buy this.... coupe

0.5 bar oil pressure . If low oil is causing that, then the damage is already done. If its oil broken down, ie not changed for yonks, damage already done. Sod that. Plenty more around.

Walk! Walk away ... very fast!

or even this

Thats pretty clear then..... r u sure its not worth it even if an oil change fixes the problem?

Was gonna be so easy. Part Ex on my Astra. Coop in 2 days.


Have seen this on the forum though.
Yellow 20vt

Both the cars you guys posted look awsome but the sprint Blue never really grabbed me as much as the Red, Yellow or the Metallic Blue - not a popular opinion I know

I should really wait shouldn't I.

Jesus I've never had something take up my every waking thought as much - except women sometimes I guess. I feel like a love sick fool falling blindly into a doomed realtionship with someone who is only going to cause me pain in the end.......actually its more like a horney idot who can't stop thinking about a girl he wants to f*** but knows he shouldn't cos she'll just steal all his money.
I dunno.

£100 deposit + £205 Inspection = nothing.

All my own fault though really. Still gonna try her after the oil change...... I can't help myself.

Oh yeah - they'd give me a 12 month warrenty - any single item up to £300. Not much when I could be facing a rebuild of over a £1000 thou....

Oooh err!!What a dilema. I know the sensible thing is to walk away but if you've fallen.......

I'd wait if I were you. It doesn't get much more expensive than a new engine. Get a compression test done once he's changed the oil and then let us know the readings. The yellow 20vt on here would make a great buy provided you don't mind the lack of ac. You can't retro fit this so think carefully.

Listen to Carl and WALK AWAY

As he said, in all liklihood the damage has already been done.

Buy one of the cars off here, please !!!

Ignore Carl's advice at your peril

Morning all,

I spoke to boonman last night just as i was on my way to a lurverly works dinner...woohoo...not!!
I advised him on walking away, as the oil pressure gage was seriously spiking down to below 0.5 bar and really struggling to get back up to 1.5 bar at warm-hot idle!!!!!

When the driving the car, there was also a serious flat spot out about 4.5k.
The turbo was kicking in smoothly like it should at 2.5k, then delivered the full kick at about 3.2-3.5.
Once the revs got round to 4.5 k although it was still pulling there was a hesitation/flat spot i.e it was not pulling at the same rate right up to 6k like it should have been!!!!
Did not feel right at all!!!!!
Overboost maybe???? Damage to the engine..... could be, but not sure!!!

I think the main problem is that Boonman has fell in love with the car - and all fairness the body work is in generally good condition, gear box was fine, brakes were fine, leather good etc!!!
I was just not happy at all with oil pressure.

Now im not 100 % sure, and maybe im going a bit looney but i checked the oil, and it wasn't "that low". However, to assist this issue of low oil, what did make me slighlty concerned is that apparently the coup had had a full service - incl oil change 1000 miles ago....... I smell a rat!!!
The other issue that he informed me of last night that the garage were going to offer a 12 month warranty, i thought well great. But then i wondered how much did it cover - well the answer was £300!!!!

Adding this all up, although i had advised him to walk away from the car based on the oil pressure, collectively the bigger picture also looks pretty bad.

Hope he doesn't buy it!!

Olly

I agree with the above walk away. You spent £300ish but will save over £1k by not buying it.

I'm sitting at work in office world loosing the will to live.
Had totally got used to the idea that it was coup by the end of the week. And now its the same old Astra for at least a couple of weeks. I could cry!

Just gota be a grown up and do the right thing. Have to warn you Olly - there is still a big part of me that might just go mad and buy it. But am doing my best to supress this however.

Thanks for everyones advise. Think you've managed to stop me
doing something silly. Sucks though - it already felt like MY car. Have this terrible feeling that no other coup will ever feel like that - the ones on the forums here look great - but they are other peoples cars...... if that makes any sense?????

hmmmmmmm day at work thinking about having to leave her sitting in that shitty little garage..................... eventually to be sold to some twat or other who will just run her into the ground.

Right I need a mars bar and a cup of tea.

Just be thankful its not going to be you

Just phoned the garage and told them to tear up the contract.

Thats that then.

Thanks guys.

With oil pressure that low it looks like that's already been done

Well done

Now get your Astra sold and look at some Forum cars

you definitely made the right decision. I know how you feel though, a few months ago I was in your position and really wanted a coupe and could've easily let my heart rule over my head. Take your time, have a look at as many coupes as possible and the right one will pop up soon I'm sure.

Remember... time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted

Good luck with the hunt!

Thanks buddy - I know ur right....... I just feel so empty inside!!!!!! hehe.

...yeah, but just think how great it'll be when you do finally have fiery Italian temptress parked in your driveway

very very true

Couple on the forum that look gourgeous

This one in particular.
Broom Yellow 20vt

Its just gonna take me a few days to be able to get excited about another car. I have to get over this one first.... hehe.

Now that is a fine looking coupe.

And in the best colour too