Fiat Coupe Club UK

To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question

Posted By: Anonymous

To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 04:17

Hi All,

New member to the site, spent the last week feverishly looking around the forum hoovering up snippets of information where posible as I am considering buying a coupe.

Until June last year I owned a Seat Cordoba 16v, a very nice (though not beautifully styled) car with 150hp that made a great run around day on day. having owned it for over two years I had thoughts of selling it and upgrading to something a bit more special and most definatley more powerful. Events overtook me and I was offered a job with a company car.... The job was what I had been looking for since leaving College and I accepted despite the fact that the company car was a Ford KA... Somewhat of a step down I'm sure you'll agree (although it is quite fun to drive at times). The Cordoba soon fell surplus to requirements and with finance outstanding on her I did the sensible thing and sold her on.

However, after almost seven months of driving around in a Ford KA I am starting to get seriously bored. I am a petrolhead at heart a KA with the engine from a sewing machine doesnt really tick the box. My other halves car is now on its last legs (making funky noises and generally getting old) and we began discussing its iminent replacement the other day. I suggested she get something sporty that I could drive, she wanted to get something she could afford. So we decided to reach a compromise, I look to find us a car that I would be happy to drive and look after at the weekends (and help pay for it) and she uses it during the weeks. We have spengt ages over the last ferw weeks looking a possible replacments (200SX, Clio 172, Scooby, BMW, VRg etc) but my missus is very taken with the 20VT, as am I. I've lusted after one for years (I once drove one about 8 years ago) and remember thinking that it was quite insanley fast.

However, the coupe has somewhat of a bad rap as a fragile car that really needs a lot of looking after and has a tendency to go wrong. When it does out comes the wallet...

The 20vt ticks all the boxes as far as we are concerned regarding styling, comfort, speed, agility etc but the one thing that concerns me is the reliability and the lottery of finding a good one....

I really need some honest and impartial advice on these cars, I appreciate that this is a forum about them and that most people own one or lust after them (alike to me) but we're buying near the top end of our budget and I need to get some trully impartial advice... My heart defiantley says yes but my head is a bit concerned... HELP ????
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 04:45

Ah go on,go on, go on ,go on............Buy one!!

But seriously your going the the right way for buying a Coupe, Research it to death ( see the FAQ page) and keep your eyes on the forum, ask questions etc and get to know the quirks of the car before you get into one.

I did the same and bought mine in Leeds last September , drove it straight home to Ireland and it's running like your KA,( touch wood!!) apart from using more petrol and a drop of oil, about 1200+ miles a litre, and goes a lot faster

Get one from an owner from the club like I did, make sure the timing belt, manifold and turbo, disks have been done/are ok, full service history, HPI check.
Any new replaced bits like wishbones, discs, pad etc are a bonus and.........
Look and test drive a few before you buy, if it's not right or doesn't feel right.... WALK away!!
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 04:56

and ask lots of questions, like amount of oil used per thousand mile etc.
What kind of mileage are you going to put on it a year??,

and be prepared to walk from the far end (quiet end) of the supermarket car park, you don't want to get parking dents on it!!
WWwhhooppps
Now you'll run away screaming!!......... but the bonus is you'll get to drool as you look at the car on the way back................ or is that just me!!

and oh yeah Ink Black with tan interior, best colour or sprint blue (my 2nd choice) don't go the murple route only joking Kingpleb please don't kill me!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:03

Reckon the missus will do no more than 8k and me another 2k... Going to look at the silver 20vt on the forum on saturday...

Only 47,000 miles, Metalic Silver, Black Leather, Air Con.

Cambelt replaced.
Recently Serviced.
New discs and pads all round.
New Tyres all round.
Minor body work to remove all stone chips (inc full *PROFESSIONAL* respray on bonet/front wing), looks like new.
New Sony head unit with Sony source selector for iPod etc. Also 6 CD changer.
MOT'd and TAX'd until AUGUST!

FSH, all documentation, all keys (including the red) and remote controls. Looks fantastic and drives superb. I keep checking the oil - and it never needs topping up!!

£4500 or near offer. KIDS FORCE SALE!

Contact Steve on 07765 885170, or email steve.haran@mac.com

http://homepage.mac.com/steve.haran/PhotoAlbum41.html

What do you think?
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:11

AH!!!! Kids force sale!!! That how I got mine!!!
Silver is a good colour, the dash strip will look stunning,

sounds ok!! check the turbo ain't smoking and the manifold isn't ticking.
what year is it??
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:12

I believe 98
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:14

Yep 98
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:19

I see it's a late 98, mine was an end of March R plate.
Also check EVERY piece of electrics and lights including the heated mirrors, just turn on the rear demister for a minute or two and touch the wing mirror glass!! if it's warm it's ok, but the engine or other odd noises are the main ones to listen for!!
Posted By: JimO

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:22

read this
then this

both are good check lists and info on the coop
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:28

and memorise JimO's (above) links!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 05:32

Save yourself hassle and guesswork as to whether or not a 20V Turbo is mint or not: you definitely couldn't go wrong by buying mine.
Posted By: came2dance

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 08:11

Yip Ben may be too modest to post this link but you cant go wrong here
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 26/01/2006 19:04

Do your homework and you should be okay - golden rule dont by your first on the day - always go away and think about it.

Secondly have a think on what you intend to do to the car or what you are going to use it for - ie should you modify it or leave it standard.

If modify then look as some forum ones that have had all the right bits done - that way you will save your self a lot of time, effort and money. If on the other hand you want a standard then look carefully - low mileage on a Fiat coupe does not ness mean that there will be no faults - Coupes dont take well to being left for longish periods etc.

For a plug - if your still interested in a Clio Sport - I have a 172 in the 'Other cars for sale' section Here
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 01:28

Went out yesterday and racked up over 200 miles looking at 3 20vt coupes. Definatley think I want metallic red with either tan or black leather but almost all of them were quite tatty round the edges, mechanically they looked and felt sound but nothing that grabbed me by the watsits and told me to buy it...

Is this the norm, is a good one hard to find... should I stay patient??
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 01:31

Also, whilst I am thinking about it....

How much does the mileage matter, I've so far limited myself to looking at ones around 60Kish?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 01:37

I bought my first 20vt from a fiat dealer in 2001 when it was only 3 years old with 15k miles on the clock so was sound.

When I decided I wanted another coop in 2004 I went through the private buy route - There are some rough examples that have been scrimped on. I travelled a 600 to 700 mile round trip to look at a "minter" (Looked good in picture and I asked plenty of questions) - It was crap, every panel had been painted badly, signs of rust and it sounded very very rough!
I decided I needed to up my game - Ended up buying my current car after an 800 to 900 mile round trip but was well worth it (was 4 years old at the time with only 7k miles on the clock).

Usual advice applies - Do not scrimp, spend as much as you can afford and ask loads of questions. Best to buy from a caring owner on here - Keep your eye on the for sale section and be patient.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 03:39

Quote:

Went out yesterday and racked up over 200 miles looking at 3 20vt coupes. Definatley think I want metallic red with either tan or black leather but almost all of them were quite tatty round the edges, mechanically they looked and felt sound but nothing that grabbed me by the watsits and told me to buy it...

Is this the norm, is a good one hard to find... should I stay patient??



Have a look at Paul Gilbert's website (www.motor-mech.co.uk)and look at the burgundy metallic car he's got for sale. Then weep; I bought it last week!Seems fine so far although there is a bit of bodywork tidying to do and the alloys need refurbishing. You're going to have to accept some compromises I think. So the right car is out there but if you're choosy about spec, you will have to be patient. Good luck. BTW, where are you in UK?

Alan W
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 05:08

Of course everyone here is pro-coupe and so am i. However some words of warning:
It is a performance car and needs to be cared for, things will go wrong and you should not be surprised when they do.
If you drive the car hard then petrol will be expensive!
I've had mine a year and a half and have spent £1000's...belts, clutch, slave cylinder, changed the fronts twice, k&n, bailey dv, a chip, gear knob (the standard is awful), 17's, 2 amps, a sub, couple of services, brake hoses, bonnet struts, bulbs keep going, my exhaust fell off and melted my bumper today. I believe this is type of experience is fairly common... and also when you get the modifying bug there is no cure.

Also you end up hanging around on this forum picking arguments!

Having said all of that, silver and black are best swerve burgendy and murple...
Posted By: darmtb

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 30/01/2006 08:23

Quote:

Went out yesterday and racked up over 200 miles looking at 3 20vt coupes. Definatley think I want metallic red with either tan or black leather but almost all of them were quite tatty round the edges, mechanically they looked and felt sound but nothing that grabbed me by the watsits and told me to buy it...

Is this the norm, is a good one hard to find... should I stay patient??




Stay Patient!! At this stage a R/S plate is getting on 8yrs old.
They will be bodywork wise either,
A: mint ( very rare, unless it's low mileage, or an owner on here !!)
B: or as good as they have been looked after!!

I go with as a mechanically sound one as possible, with as much recent work done to it as possible, and paperwork to back it up!!
bodywork and alloys are a bit cheaper to tidy up, then timing belts etc.

I'm going to get my alloys re-done and 3 touch up paint jobs on stone chips on the bonnet, by the previous owner tidyed up,
There are some very small supermarket dents( which I'm leaving alone) but considering the age of the car,
it's nothing and it's not a lot of work to put right !! and not too expensive either

Ink Black hides v.small dents well, but is a pain in the ass to keep clean, but LOOKS so good when it's clean , imo !!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 31/01/2006 01:09

Think you should seriously reconsider your choice of colour, everyone knows that racing green is best. Just so happens I have a lovely one up for sale at the moment, Beautifull condition

And yes, a good one is hard to find, and as for being patient, why bother, when you can make me an offer and start enjoying streight away.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 01/02/2006 21:57

ooooh nice sell !!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 06/02/2006 01:45

Can anyone shed any light on L&M for me... They have a silver coupe for sale that looks quite nice but since I used to work in the trade I'm always a bit wary of buying from a dealer...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 06/02/2006 01:50

Also, can someone advise me on acceptable mileage for a coupe.. Most that I have looked at are 98/99 and the mileage on the cars range massivley from 45,000 to over 100,000. You hear some comments about cars not having enough mileage (sitting still for too long) and then problems of too much.... I was working on the basis of something around 60,000??
Posted By: simonj

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 06/02/2006 01:57

I saw that car advertised and thought it looked pretty tidy, low mileage and with the belts done already aswell as other possible costs at around that age/mileage (brakes and exhaust). Also noted it had a new turbo and clutch so money has been spent on it (though perhaps a little on the low side for these?). It also has the dial rings from Fergie's group buy so it may have been a forum car at some point

L&M have been around a long while and used to be managed by Keith who now owns Auto Integrale near Reading, a well-known Coupe and Lancia specialist which quite a few owners on here use.

From what I've read, the broad consensus is that since then they have gone downhill a little and certainly their servicing charges aren't that competitive with the likes of Powerfiat and others. That said, they are still experienced with the Coupe and offer inspections on other Coupes pre-sale. I think Vickster had L&M inspect her first Coupe and was pleased. If I were to buy a Coupe from a trader, I'd rather buy from them than your normal local Honest Dave's.

HTH
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 06/02/2006 02:10

Yup, had an inspection for a very good price and they did a grand job - pointed some stuff out which was done and the car was fine until I wrote it off ) It was serviced at A-I soon after and Keith thought it was a tidy example and he agreed with their comments

I never visited their premises but was told there were several coops there being serviced - this was about 18 months ago...the seller of my car seemed impressed when he took it in

They are specialists, juts a bit more pricy than others...from my experience and what I heard, I wouldn't have an issue buying a car from them if it ticked all the boxes
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 08/02/2006 02:59


Went to L&M and cast a brief eye over the car today.

Looks sound both internally and externally though it is waiting preparation (needs cleaning and some of the mechanical work is still waiting to be done) and does have some minor body dings and dents. The guy there started it up for me (slow to turn over but looked like it had been sitting still for a week or so) the engine started o.k but with the bonnet up sounded tappety (only for about thirty seconds so assume it was the oil working around the engine) also the exhaust was smoking slightly but again assume that since it has been sitting still this was just all the condensation (and the fact it was quite cold).

I'm trying to arrange to go back and have another look this weekend, does anyone live locally, could anyone come and have a look over the car with me and cast a knowledgable coupe eye?

Thanks for all the help - great forum, dont know how 'd be getting along without it !!
Posted By: bezzer

Re: To buy or not to buy a coupe.. Thats the question - 08/02/2006 16:49

Max, if you're after some help viewing a coupe check out this thread. There should be someone in the L&M area
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