The name Heinzman sounds rather German so perhaps he likes the idea of slaps and stingers while dancing in the Lederhosen?? If so, then the Coupe is for him. Masochists of the world unite. You dont buy a Coupe if you want an easy and painless life.

Or perhaps he likes baked beans. Either way, less of the personal digs please

I see you all had a bit of a party on my behalf when I went to bed last night! Don't know how it turned into such a bloodfest though, my last post seemed to close the thread with a thank you, and a conclusion I thought.

Contrary to what's been alleged, I always think with my heart, that's the problem! Trying to protect myself for once by gaining a bit of knowledge and perspective!


Please don't suggest i'm a bullshitter though, that's neither fair nor founded. I'm waiting for the car I want, and in the meantime just trying to learn as much as possible.

I adore these cars, that's why. Always have. It is the car for me.. i'm just not going to be rash.

And I bought my car for £7400 a year ago. Ironic, isn't it. Someone who was pricing it by the book, even though at the time it wouldn't have hung around at 10k. I just got there first! (Believe me, i've always known there was a market for some cars this way, I just wanted to know if the Fiat was really one of them).


... and for the guy who wants me to get off the pot, well, let's just say i'm constipated because the market's lacking an Electric Blue or Light Red Plus with lowish miles and side bags.

I know it's a tall order, and I know it'll keep me waiting. But i'll do that, as when it arrives i'll be 'appy as Larry.

And i've just spent £1253 on ICE this morning despite not having the car! So there's no turning back now.



But don't worry, i'll keep very quiet from now on.


danke , Sie haben alle gewesen sehr behilflich.

You do know that the side airbag seats weren't Recaro's don't you?

No I didn't know that, but they still look more supportive than the standard Coupe seats don't they?

Side Airbag seats: Coupe Turbo Plus

Yes, they are better than the standard seats, although the 20vt[6] had improved ones as well, just not that improved. I haven't spent any time in the airbag equipped ones so couldn't tell you if they are as comfortable as mine (Recaro in a late 99 Plus)

They do look very similar indeed. Are you certain they're not the same seat?

Non-Airbag Seat: Coupe Turbo Plus

Yes, the side airbag ones were "replica" recaros. They look very similar though. I wouldn't worry about it, in the grand scale of things to look for when buying a Coupe it's pretty insignificant

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danke , Sie haben alle gewesen sehr behilflich.

That is a terrible thing to say, you cannot possibly use such language on this forum

Seriously though matey, no offence intended.

To me, it seems a bit odd to have been looking for a coupe for months, not having sold yours and hence not having the funds available to buy when you find one

BTW...should be "Danke. Ihr habt alle sehr behilflich gewesen" I can explain why if needed

Perhaps you could show the seller the parkers and "what car" guides and ask them to explain the difference. They should be able to justify it if the car is well looked after etc.

When I buy and sell any car, I always take the "guides" as just that a guide. To mirror the other comments here it's only worth what your willing to pay. If the car is well maintained etc then obviously its worth more. When I bought my previous 20vt it felt more together (due to festiduous owner) with 75K on the clock than two others I looked at with sub 40K and the seller knew it. When I asked him to justify the price, he could easily hence I paid more than the "guide".

Finally, IMHO owning any car is like walking around with your wallet open. unless you buy a classic, a car with a waiting list, a cheapo dog you will lose money fact! I just look at it as another car (coupe) tax, i pay a bit more to have a car I really enjoy and I intend to keep it for 3 years or so, so that costs me 1K a year rent (depreceation).

Unless you buy an overpriced dog I wouldn't worry about if its expensive or not, or resale values, just buy it and enjoy it.

As an alternative have you considered buying a well looked after cheapy? The less you pay the less depreciation there is.

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You do know that the side airbag seats weren't Recaro's don't you?

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No I didn't know that, but they still look more supportive than the standard Coupe seats don't they?

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You did know that, I told you 3 weeks ago

sorry JimO.

I thought that, having looked at that Kayjaysite, that the side airbagged Plus seats were Recaros, but that you meant after a while, that they stopped fitting them, and started fitting the normal seats with sidebags again. Like the seats you had in your previous Coupe.

I though this also fitted in with the Fiat 'parts bin' thing that many people mention, i.e the Recaros ran out.

Sorry, my mistake

Out of interest, where did you and Scooby find out this information?

Thanks

I found out from Scooby

Your right about my old car seats they were not recaros, they were standard seats with side airbags, the side air bags being stuffed in the side added a slightly larger side bolster, but not like a recaro side bolster

I'm afraid that I don't believe the seats are different.
There's no evidence for that.

I think it's the same seat, with side airbags.

no sidebags

no sidebags

sidebags

But as someone said earlier, it doesn't really matter anyway. They look identical and i'm sure even if they are replicas (which seems far fetched) that they're lovely.

I'm sorry to undermine what's been said by people who are more experienced.

Have you considered an LE, they have the "Red Devil" engine - 20 more BHP

Think what you want, it don't matter, at the end of the day be it a recaro or not, it'll still stink if you fart on it

IIRC, it was Recaro that said it, but what do they know eh?

LOL @ Scooby

Remember with a little work you can get a genuine set of Vauxhall Senator grey leather bolsterless seats in the coupe and you can then skip the recaro's.

Take the seat out and bolt in a deckchair.

or a stool

How about heinz just imports from malaysia? I think that this is the only way he is gonna get a coop that he is 100% with.

the Fiat service manager who's helped me in the past (he's of 24 years fiat experience and actually inspires confidence when you speak to him (rare for a fiat man)) has just helped me with the recaro question.

he's been all over the parts lists for the various 20vt's including LEs; Plus's and Plus's with sidebags. He also has personal experience as he used to be an accident investigator and dealt with a coupe who's sidebag failed to deploy.

none of the seats (LE, and both Plus variants) are 'recaro', but all three have the same generic recaro-made frame. Hence Fiat's right to describe them as such.

The rest of the seat is Fiat and the only variations are in the fitment or non-fitment of the (siemens) side bag / the prescence of red-stitching / and colour of the leather (red&black for the LE).

Obviously this isn't 'proof' as such, but it's good enough for me. Recaro themselves know nothing about it (headquarters in Germany, very knowledgeable and perfect English). Whereas the service manager was very pausible and knew the answer straight away.

I know him personally from many weeks of dealings over an HGT that went pop, and he's very knowledgable and kind.

take it or leave it ... either way, it's unimportant I suppose!

how do you figure that, skint? I'm looking for an unmodified electric blue or light red Plus with sidebags, FSH and around 40k. Should be possible without going to Malayasioerssier?

It is rumored that they have unsold coops with delivery miles there.was a thread in the old forum i cant remember who enquired im sure they will own up. All rhd aswell.14-15k tho.

I wish I could afford to ...

I dont think you will get a 40k plus, i doubt many plus owners here have sub 40k. The price of a 50k on the trader 7-8k its likely if you do find one you will pay a good 9k. I'd be happy with the blue or red on the trader at the momment.

well i've been offered a 28000 miler in Moon grey for 8500, but it needs a full service including cambelt. and it's been standing for over 18 months so god knows what else will need replenishing. so it's really nearer a 10k car, which is probably a little excessive. and i'm not one for moon grey; if it was blue or dark red i'd consider it.

otherwise, 50k would be ok...

the red you mention's sold and the blue's my last resort if i don't find a sidebagged model.

cheers for pointing them out skint,

kerr