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Lack of use - time to sell? #1615095
28/01/2018 15:24
28/01/2018 15:24
Joined: Dec 2005
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Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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While I was using the Coupe every day, I was worried about the adverse effects it was having (on the car and my wallet). 30,000 miles a year was taking its toll on both.

So - in 2013, I bought an Alfa GT for the daily commute and relegated the Coupe to a weekend toy.

However, it hasn't panned out that way, as most weekends, I can't be bothered to extract the Coupe from the garage. This no makes me wonder if lack of use can be detrimental.

I had to use it last week while the GT was in for a suspension refresh - when I filled it up, I entered the fill-up on Fuelly.com and discovered that the last time I filled it up was July 2017. Prior to that, it was March - those were the only two fill-ups it had last year....

It had four fill-ups in 2016 and a positively giddy 12 in 2015 (mostly caused by taking it to LeMans)

I now find myself thinking the unthinkable - is it time to sell it to someone that will use it?


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615098
28/01/2018 16:48
28/01/2018 16:48

R
roly
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Not if you don't have to Nigel.

I ask myself the same question having had the Cerbera for 10 years and have only done 25k in that time. Then I take it out, everything clicks again and I feel filthy for even thinking of selling it.

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615100
28/01/2018 17:33
28/01/2018 17:33
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,650
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H_R Offline
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I keep having these thoughts too, I never needed the car was just a toy but I seem to have less and less time nowadays, don’t know why just feel that way
Anyway I’m tempted to get it mot’d in may and advertise to see what happens, not going to give it away insurance runs out in October so I have till then to decide to keep it for another year or not
My biggest issue has always been I hate parking in public car parks and struggle with this, I know that’s probably a bit extreme but that’s the way I am!
I want another fast car but probably a bit more modern and probably not as tidy so I can be a bit more at ease!

Tough choice but I’m sure you will decide what’s right for you and then stick to it!

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615102
28/01/2018 18:30
28/01/2018 18:30
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,659
Auld Reekie
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Horrible choice for you Nigel.

Torn between "I love my/any coupe" and "is it time to move on" , "is it taking up valuable space", "would someone else derive more frequent enjoyment from it", or "can I afford to keep it if it's not being driven"....

Really don't envy you.











Keep it yes laugh


BumbleBee carer smile
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615104
28/01/2018 19:40
28/01/2018 19:40
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
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If it's in the garage and on SORN, then it's easy enough to leave it there. No different to any other classic car, just might need to re-commission it after a long lay up.

It's a slippery slope. Sell Coupe.... realise that you want something sensible, suddenly you are wearing tartan golfing trousers, have a timeshare in Torremolinos and begin cutting the crusts off your triangular sandwiches.

Or, sell it. And relax.

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Gripped] #1615118
29/01/2018 09:19
29/01/2018 09:19
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
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There is life after a Coupe... but even with a 911 and a GTV I still find myself on here and occasionally looking on eBay at Broomies. As an ex-long term Coupe owner I can testify it gets into your bones and soul. What an under appreciated automotive gem.

To your dilemma, I think I'd sell and then have all of the fun, excitement and blood, sweat and tears of coming back in a few years time.


997 C4S
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615119
29/01/2018 09:44
29/01/2018 09:44
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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The problem is that when I drive it, I really enjoy it. It still feels ballistic to drive and the handling is sublime, even in the wet and on 4 year old Toyos

One possible solution is to upgrade the suspension (Gaz Gold?), stick some trackday tyres on it and go and have some fun with it.

I considered spending some money to bring the bodywork up to near-concours level, but I'm not sure its worth it on such a modified car. The Coupes that are fetching the big bucks are the near-standard examples. I'm pretty sure mine would sell, but only to another Coupe enthusiast who is looking for a properly modded Coupe - I can't see it selling to someone that wants to preserve it.


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615121
29/01/2018 09:49
29/01/2018 09:49
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,095
Berkshire
AnnieMac Offline
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Keep the Coupe. You may not find another as good in the future.


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615128
29/01/2018 10:57
29/01/2018 10:57
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
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Originally Posted By Nigel
The problem is that when I drive it, I really enjoy it. It still feels ballistic to drive and the handling is sublime, even in the wet and on 4 year old Toyos

One possible solution is to upgrade the suspension (Gaz Gold?), stick some trackday tyres on it and go and have some fun with it.


That would certainly be my recommendation and is pretty much what I have my Coupe for. Haven't done a trackday for a while because competing against the clock adds another level of interest so I'll stick with hillclimbing for now. If using for competition you do have to consider regs and classes you can fit it with modifications that are and aren't allowed of course.


Andy

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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: andyps] #1615133
29/01/2018 12:09
29/01/2018 12:09
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
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It's like a relationship that needs a bit of a kick-start! I'd keep it as it is. Buy it some new shoes (AD08R wink ) and go on a dirty weekend together laugh

Once or twice a year, take it on a decent road trip. Plan a route based on one of those 'UK's best driving roads' articles and take her for a blast over a long weekend.

Take a camera and get some nice shots of it etc.

Last edited by Trappy; 29/01/2018 12:10.

F****** b****** thing...
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615134
29/01/2018 12:11
29/01/2018 12:11
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Hi Andy

Where can I find the current MSA sprinting regs? (EDIT - found them - having a read now...)

I wouldn't mind another try - I used to sprint my Honda CRX at Curborough and rather enjoyed it

I'm pretty sure my mods would put me in a fairly elevated class though - up against some big-engined RWD and 4WD modified stuff

Last edited by Nigel; 29/01/2018 12:22.

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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615136
29/01/2018 12:27
29/01/2018 12:27

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proccy
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proccy
Unregistered
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Be a shame to see you sell up Nigel.

To me and I'm sure plenty of other people who've had them on this forum your modding and experimentation and ultimate success at various events was the blueprint for most of us to aspire to, and very few of us matched it.

You're the Godfather of Coupé modding and it'll be a sad day indeed when you throw in the towel, almost a "turn the lights off, we're finished here" type of scenario.

I miss my Plus every day even though I've had some capable, more refined machinery since. The essence of a Coupé is irreplaceable imo, despite there being many "better" cars out there.

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615137
29/01/2018 12:37
29/01/2018 12:37
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Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Hmmm - I would be classed in Modified Series Production and in the over 2 litre class - at Curborough, I would be up against some wild stuff like a 911 and a Viper

Oh damn - I've gone from thinking about selling to getting into Motorsport rolleyes


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615153
29/01/2018 18:15
29/01/2018 18:15
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
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I manage to keep mine in the Road Modified class at Harewood but it can vary by venue. I do have to keep interior (except carpets) but can make quite a few mods. Harewood separated out 2wd and 4wd in road modified a couple of years ago which does at least mean the Coupe is vaguely competitive, although in my case the driver doesn't seem to be!

Go for it, you know it is the right way to use your Coupe.


Andy

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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615450
04/02/2018 17:09
04/02/2018 17:09
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,051
South Cambs
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Originally Posted By Nigel
....relegated the Coupe to a weekend toy.

However, it hasn't panned out that way, as most weekends, I can't be bothered to extract the Coupe from the garage. This no makes me wonder if lack of use can be detrimental.

I now find myself thinking the unthinkable - is it time to sell it to someone that will use it?


This is a similar position to myself, other than I plan to replace the Coupe with a newer toy. I am a little relieved that it hasn’t sold as I am attached but I do worry that if I do get a great deal on a replacement I will just want it gone! I do still harbour a thought to hide it away somewhere for a few years though.


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615453
04/02/2018 18:45
04/02/2018 18:45
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
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I think the question you have to ask yourselves is,do you need the money that the coupe sells for to buy the next toy?

If the answer is no then based on the fact that you are attached to the coupe emotionally then keep it. The looking after it would be a labour of love and if you lose the love one day then sell it.



Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: magooagain] #1615535
06/02/2018 10:23
06/02/2018 10:23
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South Cambs
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If I had a house with a bigger (Double) garage there would be no pressure to sell the Coupé. Any house move would most certainly get me the space but the costs involved would also most certainly end the RS dream frown

At the moment I'm happy with my current Audi's and unwilling to stump up the 60K to get my preferred RS spec, so the Coupé can sit there loved, but sadly under used.

That said, with my savings slowly increasing and some pre-registered RS's being close to the spec I would like, at a price I would be happy to pay the pressure to shift the Coupé is always there frown


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615544
06/02/2018 12:28
06/02/2018 12:28
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,383
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Online content
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Je suis un Coupé

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Lightwater, Surrey
I rent a pair of garages around the corner, the rent used to be around a tenner a week each but has steadily increased over the years. I originally rented just one garage to keep my old Spider in rather than sell it, but after 10 years in which the car has gone virtually nowhere, the amount I have spent on the garage exceeds the value of the car as it was 10 years ago, but the value has also increased so I don't feel so bad.

So, is it time to sell? No! It's time to find a garage wink


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: DaveG] #1615564
06/02/2018 20:43
06/02/2018 20:43
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South Cambs
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Originally Posted By DaveG
So, is it time to sell? No! It's time to find a garage wink


biglaugh


Gone Audi mad!
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615616
07/02/2018 21:59
07/02/2018 21:59
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,643
Watford
MarioCirillo Offline
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Originally Posted By Nigel
The problem is that when I drive it, I really enjoy it. It still feels ballistic to drive and the handling is sublime, even in the wet and on 4 year old Toyos

One possible solution is to upgrade the suspension (Gaz Gold?), stick some trackday tyres on it and go and have some fun with it.

I considered spending some money to bring the bodywork up to near-concours level, but I'm not sure its worth it on such a modified car. The Coupes that are fetching the big bucks are the near-standard examples. I'm pretty sure mine would sell, but only to another Coupe enthusiast who is looking for a properly modded Coupe - I can't see it selling to someone that wants to preserve it.


Depends what you class as big Bucks... Nismos car sold for good money and that was heavily modified and in mint condition

If the car is mint it takes very little to remove the mods rather than the other way round. just my 50p


Proud Owner of Rosso Speed LE041
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1615700
09/02/2018 17:06
09/02/2018 17:06

C
chipped
Unregistered
chipped
Unregistered
C



Glad I'm not alone with this one, I end up driving my old beat up Boxer van everywhere. The worry of rain or salt on the road,as my last one rusted badly makes me think I should sell.
No she's a garage Queen and not rusty so I'm keeping her.
A visit to Leighton for a stage two this year as well I think.

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619856
03/05/2018 07:18
03/05/2018 07:18
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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update - I've put another nail in the coffin of keeping the Coupe....

I've gone and bought a Westfield - 170-ish bhp and a great spec - its huge fun to drive and I'm already finding that I'm wanting to tweak and improve it.

This was what I had with the Coupe while I was developing the power and handling, but now its "finished" I've kinda lost interest

I drove the Coupe to work this morning and as usual, it is stupidly fast when the mood takes me. This is part of the problem - to get my kicks out of the Coupe, I'm travelling at speeds that would see me in court, or even worse, in prison.

I'm off to the Kit Car show at Stoneleigh this weekend and I have a feeling my new-found interest in tinkering is going to mean that I'm putting an ad together for the Coupe

I just know that I'm going to regret it afterwards, but I'm struggling to see when the Coupe is going to get used - part of me is thinking that it needs to be owned by someone who will carry on with the development (and money) I've thrown at it for the last few years


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619859
03/05/2018 07:57
03/05/2018 07:57
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,650
Dark side of the Moon
H_R Offline
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I totally understand where you are at Nigel as I feel I’m at exactly the same place

I love tinkering and improving and have done a lot with my car and thoroughly enjoyed doing it too, I’m also leaving it as a good example and a nice spec too not as much power as yours but certainly enough
I’m just waiting for the booked service then will put it on the market to see what happens!
My biggest difficulty is trying to make sense of the market price as unlike houses you cannot see the actual sold for price
Times are definitely a lot better for selling than a few years back so will see how it goes
Have you decided on a price range yet Nigel?

I really want to go back to a scrapper that I don’t care about as I’m currently to anal about parking in a public car park due to how thoughtless and ignorant most people are! I’m sure there is a moan somewhere on this forum about that with myself expressing dislike of people with the occasional support of Theresa too hehe

Good luck with the sale!

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619865
03/05/2018 11:05
03/05/2018 11:05
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,298
Pontefract, West Yorkshire
andyps Offline
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The Westfield is probably an even better base for a hillclimb/trackday toy than the Coupe, although also probably very easy to end up spending a lot of time/money on upgrades. Enjoy it!
Actually, as a way to justify both get a towbar for the Coupe and use it to tow the Westfield to tracks laugh


Andy

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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619867
03/05/2018 11:26
03/05/2018 11:26
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,383
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Online content
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Great idea a a tow car! thumb


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619869
03/05/2018 11:42
03/05/2018 11:42
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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I have the Alfa GT as my daily hack - it has huge mileage (243k) but has been amazingly reliable, extremely practical, very comfortable, decently stylish - everything I need in a daily driver. Its almost worthless, so I'm not worried about taking or parking it anywhere. Basically, I have a car I'm more than happy to use for 95% of the time and I'm just filling the 5% gap with an entertaining toy.

Even when I only had the Coupe as the fun car, it wasn't getting used very much and now that I have the Westie, its going to get even less use.

Add into this the fact that I don't have room for three cars (Coupe is being parked on my son's front garden - not a great idea), and I think its time to let it go

Price is the big issue. As a low-ish mileage Plus in a good colour and a great history, it was always going to be £7,500+. However, with over £20k of tuning and chassis mods giving supercar-embarrassing performance, the price is anyone's guess.

I'll ponder.....


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619871
03/05/2018 12:03
03/05/2018 12:03
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
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Sounds like an advert there Nigel,

Mind already subconsciously made up?

Shame to see and hear several taking the same view already this year.

It really is about using and enjoying them - to justify keeping them. As its not an easy or cheap decision at times.

But that 5 cylinder burble....

Regards

MM

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Master_Mariner] #1619872
03/05/2018 12:15
03/05/2018 12:15
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Originally Posted By Master_Mariner
Sounds like an advert there Nigel,

Mind already subconsciously made up?


50% there, I reckon....


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Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: H_R] #1619889
03/05/2018 16:54
03/05/2018 16:54
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,294
North Wales
Theresa Offline
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Originally Posted By H_R
I’m sure there is a moan somewhere on this forum about that with myself expressing dislike of people with the occasional support of Theresa too hehe


100% supported laugh

Re: Lack of use - time to sell? [Re: Nigel] #1619894
03/05/2018 18:06
03/05/2018 18:06
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
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In the coupe.
Sad times seeing long time coupe owners selling thier beloved coupes through lack of use etc.

Nigel,do you think that you might have to break the coupe or put it back to standard to get some sort of investment back?



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