You never get back what you put in, we do it for the love of it, £2k seems quite steep to be honest, wouldn't hurt to shop around or perhaps do some of the work yourself? Either way Im sure you'll agree theres not much out there that looks as good for so little cash!!

One thought: £2000 over five years is four hundred quid a year. A cheap car bought now will cost you that on the repayments... *every month*.

You like the coupe? No contest.

Any idea how much I might get for one of my kidneys?

I tucked mine away last week as the tax was due so thought I'd SORN it foe winter, now with the weather we're having I'm feeling this was a mistake as it's been a gourgous week so far.

Well, heart has ruled (unsurprisingly). The coop is in at Power Italia with an extensive list of things to do. We've decided to just go for the MOT fails and the cambelt change. The rest will all be on a 'to do' list for later on this year or next.

Really interesting thread....I've been having the same problem!! My inky has generally been in good order and used for many years as my only daily car. Approaching 150,000 on the clock I always assumed it would simply die or fail its mot so badly one year that I'd be forced to let it go!!!
However it kept going strong and every year it's only need general wear and tear maintenance expected for a car of its age and mileage.
This year I finally decided to spend some decent cash getting the body work sorted (roof lacquer peel, dent on bonnet and rusty cups) with a full respray. Joe had it in already to go and we decided just to double check all else was well.
Engine compression test showed a solid engine however those few rust patches in the boot turned out to be some major rot....gutted....looking at sorting the rust and a respray just didn't make financial sense given the mileage and other bits that needed to be sorted.
I decided to let this years mot run out and search for another.
However after a few month searching nothing has come up as I've started to realise well sorted coupes are rare and low mileage ones are now fetching decent money. I also specifically want an inky, 20vt with leather, sunroof and aircon that has always been my dream package!!
So after some sole searching I've decided to bite off the work in chunks to keep it going....firstly getting some welding done and then getting the worst bits of the body sprayed..it won't be showroom condition but aiming just to keep it decent..I know it's probably not really worth spending anything on the car but I just can't let it rot out without a fight.....sometimes the heart won't listen to your wallet!!
As other posters say it's a tricky call as you see so many coupes being broken up.
Throwing a couple of grand at these cars is a tough choice when everyone else thinks your mad for not just getting a newer car!