Decision between 2 coupes

Hello!

So I am having a hard time choosing whats the best choice between 2 deals on a 20 valve turbo

First car is a white colour year 1999 Plus edition. It's got a slightly higher milage than the other one car. But its not much. Of course being a plus, it's got more or less all equipment, no sunroof.

Second car is a steel grey 1998 but not a plus. It's got seats replaced by Plus seats, the strut bar in the engine department and a different aftermarket body kit.

Main difference of course is that it doesent have the brembo brakes, 6 speed transmission and push start button

Price difference between the cars is approx. 20% with the second car being cheaper. Since it's Denmark, 20% is like 2000 £ difference due to our high taxes.

Another difference is that the white plus appears to have been same owner last 10 year while the other car had a few.

Both is in good condition. Cambelt was replaced 1 year ago on second car and 3 years ago on first car.

What would you choose and why? First car is using all of my budget and the second car will leave some cash aside.

Go for the Plus. As you've said, its got all the equipment, it should hold and (hopefully) increase its value better.

Unless it's a rust bucket and the other isn't.

A good rule of thumb is to always have at least 15% (ideally 20%) of your new car budget set aside for dealing with hidden issues when you buy any car.

All cars usually need some tlc once you own them. Even if its just tyres and brake pads!

For me I'd choose the plus- rarer colour and as a 20Vt6 owner I like the 6 speed box and the white dials. I prefer my plus wheels to the standard. Push button starter is not really that fancy these days and has its own issues-but goes with the feel of the run out models from the LE onwards.

But- both cars sound nice...lucky you to have the choice.

Hope you enjoy whatever one you get as long as they are in good condition.

Regards

MM

I forgot to mention, the second one has the white dials from a plus.

I agree with the plus being worth more, just that I will need to also pay extra to get it now, so if it will pay off in the end is hard to tell

I agree about having cash aside lol. I want a plus most naturally, but mainly for the 6 speed transmission. I had one a few years ago in 6 speed, never tried the 5 speed

All Coupé 20v Turbos have the same Brembo brakes

Unless you have a strong preference for one or other colour, I would say to choose based only on condition. The later cars actually often have more corrosion than the earlier ones. Check the perimeter of the boot floor especially for rust. And how does each car drive?

In this country at least the LE and the Plus attract premium prices and the less they are modified the higher the value. The second one sounds as though it might have been 'interferred' with, hopefully just from a styling point of a view but for example do the new dials reflect the mileage?
Few buy a coupe as an investment but it might make sense not to loose more then you need to.

I agree with the premium, but in this case its a fair price.

Well its a none plus but it has several plus items on it. The bodykit is not from a plus though.

I prefer The white, but the steel grey is not too bad either. I would love a yellow or red, but there is few coupe to buy here 😄

As long as the Plus isn't rusty, then I'd always go for it over a standard 20VT, even if it's €2k more expensive. The seats and the 6-speed gearbox are worth the extra cost just on their own. In my opinion, the white dials are a backward step as they are far harder to read than the 'white on black' of the standard car.

The 1998 have the seats, just not the 6 speed.

+1 for the plus. Less modifications and better anyway.

If you do long distances then the recaro seats are a big plus (sorry!)

Well i ruled the White plus off since it had rust in All wheel arches, generally did not appeal to be well looked after. What a shame really, but it will be very costly to bring back to shape.

So regarding the second car, it's a lot better, paintwork is not that great. It does appear to be well looked after and it had a better turbo and professional run in of that turbo done to it, so it's doing 280 hp. It has some Zender body kit on it.

It have all plus accessory but the push start button and the 6 speed. Maybe the newer turbo and 1 year old Camb belt change makes up for that. Any thoughts?

All left hand drive coupe in 20v turbo is currently expensive.

FTFY :-)

No one with some more comments to this? :-D

What bugs me most is missing the 6 speed, but that is more in regards to future value for me, its a pure summer joy car, so a little better economy for highways have no benefits in that sense

Forgot i think to mention that with the improved turbo was fitted a heavier clutch to cope with the extra power, only downside its a bit heavy to use

So did you actually buy the steel grey in the end?

Out of interest do you belong to the NL Coupé Club?

Havent bought it yet, I might do it this week.

I had a moon grey 20vt plus in the past, around 2-3 years ago, but they become hard to find in good condition at a good price.

I found this steel grey off market at another entusiast. It has a lot of good stuff, only downside in my opinion is the paintjob isent great anymore and it's the 5 speed transmission.

I am from Denmark so not a part of NL community, I have joined this forum and several on facebook.

And still going to look at the steel grey this week

Personally I would not be bothered about the 6 speed transmission. There's nothing wrong with the 5 speed box. Condition and bodywork is all-important.

I concur and I have both versions.

I bought the steel grey one, crossing fingers no unfunny surprises show up