Never Selling

With numerous vehicles in the family I keep having doubts about whether I have over-done it and should sell one. Basically I have two "enthusiast cars" plus a necessary work-a-day car (diesel for economy, 4 doors for oldies and grandchildren, ground clearance for driving into fields at metal detecting digs etc.).

I have had my 20VT for 13 years and have modded it to my perfection and the new stable companion is a GTV Cup which I still need to spend a considerable sum on (suspension, clutch, Quaife). They are both so different and intoxicating in their own ways, I feel it is an impossible choice (to let either go) so I am effectively locked into these cars for ever.

As a car enthusiast I read Evo reach month, but I am becoming more and more dismayed with the way new cars are going with "tech everything" and more convinced that the Coupe and Cup are from the "Goldilocks period" of motoring and thus both are keepers.

Certainly I almost never see a Coupe our GTV in my 20k miles per year so they must be getting rare, especially good ones. The Coupe today looked stunning and drove sweet and then I put the boost to 1.45 bar and oh boy

There simply is no "choice" to make, the die is cast... long live the Coupe

Somewhat of a self-indulgent post, but the Forum is getting quieter, so feeling the love I thought I'd share it

Happy New Year to all.

Hi Mark,

I am in exactly the same position as yourself. Could not part with either.

The Cup and the Coupe are both keepers.

I'll be keeping my Coupe for ever, but if I did have to change to another vehicle I really would love a GTV.

Thanks for your comments

Given my own rhetoric and conclusion, I really must pay more attention to the baby tin worm that I have this year.

I simply can't believe that these cars are so cheap to buy given the bonkers market for classics (sic) these days.

Talking of technology, I saw my first electric BMW cruise silently through the high street on Boxing day; just a few days before I had read about the potential for modern cars to be "hacked" to the extent that speed could be controlled etc. This may end in tears.

Happy New Year and may your wishes to keep both come true....
Bruce having seen your GTV in the flesh, your coupe must be something special if it even comes close!

Great post! I considered both cars in `98 but the coupe was a faster girl. If alfa had brought the 3 litre 24v at that stage, I'd have gone for that i reckon. I took a look at the piece of art under its bonnet and the lack of boot space.

Imho, i think the 20vt has aged better due to its more eccentric features, but it was a close call between the twin spark and the 20vt.
You're lucky to have both for sure!!

You put them alongside each other, i guess you can really notice their shared heritage.

I wont ever sell my coupe, I made the mistake of selling my last 1.
I have trimmed my car list down though.
Brand new Astra Diesel, but getting a new Alfa in June.
coupe 16v is my baby, wife can go first.
And decided to sell my Leon Cupra 225 its just sat on next doors driveway day after day.

My Coupe is a keeper too. Had it 8 and a half years now, with no intentions of ever getting rid.

The GTV Cup is nice if you just use it now and again, but it's not a practical every day car like the Coupe.

Both have lovely engine notes though and the V6 engine looks prettier under the bonnet

I think I agree with you Theresa, the Coupe is far more practical for day-to-day use. It is easier to enter and exit and has a boot large enough to take a full Tesco shop. It also just seems more practically spacious inside. The GTV does feel more special due to its higher level of insulation from noise and vibration, but then it is standard while Coupe is lowered and has induction kit. This would certainly be a factor if travelling long distances on motorways.

Having said that, the Coupe also feels special in its own right when you return to it, with the styling and exhilarating performance.

One pain for day-to-day use is that both suffer from risks from speed bumps and steep entry/exit slopes on multi-story car parks etc

But back on topic, it becomes really hard to imagine parting with a car which gets so much under your skin (pride and joy of ownership = still looking back at it as you walk away when parked, taking photos of it etc.). I think I need some therapy, how about a going for a drive...

I'm with you mark plus probably most others on the forum, I'll be keeping mine for the long haul, took me so long to purchase one I'm not letting it go. I'd love a gtv too did look at a couple before the coupe but as said the space in the rear as my 2 girls still have to get in and out (12 and 6) so didn't think it would be fair on them.

It's great to see a thread like this. Just recently there seems to have been a few long term owners selling or breaking their cars.

It's quite inspiring to read this thread. My coupe is in mid strip. It's been off the road for a while and probably won't see tarmac for at least another year.
Threads like this keep me motivated.

A nice post... I still miss my coupe, regardless of all its 'flaws', and I wish I'd owned a GTV at some point as well.

Agree with the posts on here...... The Coupe is definitely more practical. Marks description pretty much sums up the differences between the Coupe and the GTV.
Brilly, my Coupe is currently away having paint, some Zender Skirts and Front bumper, 6 speed box, Plus interior, painted and refurbed calipers and a few other bits and bobs.
Should get it back around April. By which time I will be fully recovered from my Operation and ready to drive.
I really can't wait!!!!!!

Bruce, that is a huge list of great upgrades , it will be transformed and very special when you get it back! I think you had better chew on something for the next few months to keep calm

I know Mark.
Had all the mechanicals, tuning and underseal etc... Sorted about 18 months ago.
But then decided on a 6 speed box. Then I had my Cup resprayed....... Which then led to the Coupe being painted!! Couldn't possibly have one looking better than the other
I must admit, really excited at the thought of seeing it, all sorted with body kit and running really nice. Just short of 290bhp. Not massive power, but enough for me!!

My coop is a keeper, 11 years so far.
Off the road at the moment, currently have some parts from the engine bay powder coated, then planning to undercoat and get my new oil cooler fitted.
Hopefully later on in the year a re spray.
I also have a 04 mcs with the works kit as a runabout, does the job and fun to drive.
However over Xmas I was looking a gtv's on eBay but then came across an old itch I may have to scratch, 147 GTA.
Best looking hatchback ever and then there's that sound, it's sooo tough to resist.

I think this guy said it best...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

I'd never sell, but if I had to break mine for any reason it would be to fund another Coupe or to transfer all the bits from mine to the replacement Coupe.

In my previous job, I've driven all sorts of Italian cars, including Lancia Integrales, Themas, Dedras, Alfa GTV's', SZ's, GTA's, etc, etc., but the Fiat Coupe is my favourite out of them all, especially if you need it as an every day car.

I also loved driving the little Barchetta's, so that would be my convertable if I wanted one and like you Richard, I'd also love to have a 147 GTA one day

I must say though, that almost all the Italian cars I've driven have some appeal to me, whether it's the engine note, the styling, the comfort or how it feels, etc.

I recently bought my Coupe back. I was the 9th owner and I'm also the 12th, I'll also be the last owner. I was never a petrol head until my Coupe. Love it and looking forward to restoring it to better than it was when new. I don't post much on here, but I'm always having a look at one thread or another. Hopefully catch some of you at an event soon.

Linton

^^^^ - Epic lurking - seven posts in four years AND a Club member.....

Good to hear you're keeping the 16VT Linton - now the rarest of all Coupes left on the road (less than 100 IIRC)

The only reason why Coop owners don't want to sell is simply because of it's increasing rarity.

Let's face it, if the Coop was a common sight on our roads, we would all be happily selling without any hesitation whatsoever, regardless of how much money and time had been invested, safe in the knowledge that we could just go and buy another decent model in a few weeks or months.

72 of them left in the UK according to my app " How Many Left ". I only became a member this year, so will be doing less lurking and more participating.

Well no i dont agree JKD.
That is not the ONLY reason for owning a coupe.
The reason i keep both of mine is because i really like them and through owning them i have met really nice people from all over Europe and have forged some solid friendship's with a fair few of them.

I now know my way around the coupe quite well and that's mainly due to this club and its members.

But i know the coupes limits as a 20 year old model and there is plenty of more cars out there that i want to own at some point,but hopefully it will be without letting my coupes go.

Good for you Linton, keep posting

You seem to be illustrating the initial reasons for buying and sticking with a Coop.

Whereas what I mean is, given how difficult it is to get hold of another one, that's what the deciding factor is for not parting with the one you have.

The possible pitfalls of Coupe ownership are obvious to most; if you have a Coupe that is sorted and in good nick the risk of chopping and changing is not worth the risk given the dwindling number of decent examples on the road. There are plenty of owners who have purchased cheap or even expensive one's and subsequently realised what they have let themselves in for. Once you have one that is decent it makes no real economic sense to chop and change, probably why I haven't bothered going for a Plus or LE; that and garage space.

I have a GTV V6 Lusso with Q2, GTA clutch and flywheel, SS exhaust etc. For straightline pace and everyday usability the Coupe is fantastic, the GTV has it whipped for handling, the interior, build quality and the V6 howl. Both are keepers as iconic 90's Coupe's. Both are cheap to tax and insure too together with dwindling numbers on the road.

I really want to say never but I just don't know...

The car and I have been together for well over ten years now and it is the longest I've ever owned any car.

As retirement gets closer we are looking at many options including whether to develop our house or to re-locate, possibly even to the continent. The option of running three cars and having spare garage space would also influence if the Coupé is in my post working life.

The Coupé is a fantastic car but the desire to own something really special in my twilight years also looms large in this petrol head.

Well if it does go bob ........... I'll take them side skirts .....lololo