General Joining the Ranks

[Superfly]

Hiya ppl.

I will be joining the ranks of coupe owners very soon, I've studied Kayjey's buying guide (but can't find it agian!) but since these are getting a bit old now I was wondering if there was anything specific you guys would look out for on a coupe at say 80k or over...?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Superfly]

Partial bump but also to clarify it'll be an NA and so I just wanna avoid any pitfalls or age/milage related problems...

 

[Vickster]

Read these and join the coupe forum

http://www.fccuk.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3552#Post3552

http://www.fccuk.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=7718#Post7718

Non turbos are generally more reliable but they still cost a reasonable amount to maintain - belt changes are still a minimum of £400 and have to be done, wishbones will go and cost a couple of hundred to change, as will other suspension parts, thermos still fail, decent tyres are around £60 a corner but will last longer than on a turbo

Pricelist here from one of the two key coop specialists http://www.powerfiat.co.uk/services.htm

...insurance wise, they are still group 17

But don't let that put you off, they are fab

 

[Schwenck]

The guides on the fccuk forum should be your bible and read as many buying posts as you can stomach (without putting yourself off!) I'd personally add to that don't rush to buy one; see lots and get a feel for them, there are so may dogs out there. And remember, you'll either pay now or in the long run!

 

[Superfly]

Oh yeah, got the time to find the right one, I'm well aware of the danger of falling for one the 1st 1 i see, I've wanted one since they fist came out and I'm now in a position to get my stickies on one, but they seem to be getting a little rarer these days. Pretty annoyed Haynes don't do a manual for them, I have no problem servicing and tinkering myself, would one for a Tipo do, or a Tempra?

 

[Vickster]

www.fccuk.org/forum has lots and lots of how to's for all the common coupe ails...shouldn't need a Haynes really The forum is also one of the best places to find a coupe, along with Pistonheads and Autotrader

 

[Schwenck]

I've wanted one since they fist came out and I'm now in a position to get my stickies on one, but they seem to be getting a little rarer these days.

Same for me; I had a picture of one above my desk at work in 1994! And they are indeed getting rarer everyday, so the good ones are getting like hen's teeth. It took me six months to get mine and I am so pleased I didn't just buy the first one I saw. Soon, the few remaining are going to fall into the preserve of people who can afford to get body panels hand-beaten and engine parts specially machined, so "buy now why you can" that was my philosophy! When I showed an annoying tailgating £50k Range Rover the other day just what a Coupe can do, I had to say to myself "I will never own a car as quick or as stylish as this ever again..."

...The forum is also one of the best places to find a coupe...

Yep, that's where I got mine.

 

[Superfly]

Just a partial bump, have seen three so far, two were dogs, poorly looked after and many electrical probs; both's intermittent wiper setting and autoparks had failed, guess it's a common one. One was good but with pretty poor bodywork. I may go for that one, it had a FSH, everything seemed ok on it, only thing is that it's never had anything major wrong with it, which worries me, as it's done 91000, so it must be time for something soon...!

 

[ChrisUK]

Just a partial bump, have seen three so far, two were dogs, poorly looked after and many electrical probs; both's intermittent wiper setting and autoparks had failed, guess it's a common one. One was good but with pretty poor bodywork. I may go for that one, it had a FSH, everything seemed ok on it, only thing is that it's never had anything major wrong with it, which worries me, as it's done 91000, so it must be time for something soon...!

For that millege Id be wary of the suspension components more than the engine etc especially if its got a FSH at a decent garage. Not to sure about the Coop's but the Alfa 156 (same platform) had a problem with bushes waring out and creaking etc and putting the alignment out.

 

[hmallett]

If I were buying (another) Coupe I'd buy from an owner who was selling through the FCCUK forum. Most people on there look after their Coupe at almost any expense.
You only need to buy a cheaper Coupe, then find that in 12 months you've had new front suspension and a set of belts, and suddenly it's not so cheap!
Also on the FCCUK forum, some members will give up their time to look at a car for you if it's some distance away. Just ask nicely

 

[Superfly]

Hey guys, thanks for that, I'm being as wary as my emotions will let me, the seller of the good one seemed pretty clued up to be fair, though not a contributor to the forums, he's been on looking for advice. The car had it's belts done at 50k or 60k, can't remember which, he had the proof, and it was done (along with quite a bit of other servicing) by Powerfiat.

So it's at least been partially pampered!

The drive felt tighter than the other 2, and the suspension will be getting binned for something lower and tauter anyway, so the bushes and top mount rubbers will be replaced with poly ones. My major concern was the gearbox, the gate felt quite slack, the stick visibly jumped around in 1st, not out of gear though, less so in 2nd and reverse was very crunchy when it was cold, although less when warm but still!

 

[mountainmachine]

Shouldnt be crunchy... warm or cold, stick shouldnt move around either. Reverse as with any car can be slighly difficult but not very.

 

[Superfly]

Shouldnt be crunchy... warm or cold, stick shouldnt move around either. Reverse as with any car can be slighly difficult but not very.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Don't wanna have to have it re-con'd!

 

[biggbn]

superfly, you have pm x2 re my 20v turbo for sale......gbn