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Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
#420978
24/08/2007 01:56
24/08/2007 01:56
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,786 Peterborough, UK
jas_racing
OP
My life on the forum
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OP
My life on the forum
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,786
Peterborough, UK
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Some of you may remember I had the rear-quarter repaired (badly) on my Coupe early this year after a collision with my friend's Isuzu Trooper...well it was never sorted properly but then one of our company cars hit my car whilst parked at work about 2 months ago leaving tramlines all the way down the drivers door and (other) rear quarter...my Boss was very good about it and said he'd pay for the full repair no probs, so I booked it in to another bodyshop that came highly recommended by a friend. While it was in there I ended up having both rear quaters, boot lid, roof, front bumper, both doors & bonnet done so everything matched and shined nicely (I paid the extra of course). Picked it up about 3 weeks ago but when I got home I noticed a 'new' dent on the drivers door and a number of areas of orange-peel so took it back...the guy was fine about it, apologised for the dent (said it must have been one of his lads) and he'd sort it, and give the whole car another polish. This took another week but since picking her up again about 2 weeks ago looking nice and shiny with no 'new' dents or orange peel I've already had: 1. A minor dent & white scuff on the passenger door from (presumably) another car (within 24 hours of collecting her). 2. Several fine but not easily polished-out scratches along the rear-quarter due to some kind of grit which has randomly contaminated my wash bucket. 3. Today in a car-park, despite parking her WAY out of the way near NOBODY somebody has managed to bump into the front-bumper, crazy-paving the paint across a 6 inch patch and chipping off a strip about 6mm x 30mm right on the front corner next to the number-plate. I've also looked at my oil-cooler pipes recently and they're not looking too great, but replacements are scarce to say the least! This is all adding up to a disheartening head-ache after thinking I'd have her back in TOP condition and I'm really wondering if it's worth the hassle? :crazy I LOVE the look and performance of the car but with one thing or another it seems like such an uphill struggle to keep her even half way towards being top nick and something I can be proud of polishing every week without thinking "that scratch/dent needs doing". I never had a single mark or dent on my Punto GT or Uno Turbo from other cars in many years of ownership so what is it about my Coupe that attracts such things? Is it just bad luck or something else? C'mon guys, I know people have experienced worse but I need to help here to persuade me it's worth all the hassle!
She's GONE!
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: Paul_V]
#421003
24/08/2007 02:18
24/08/2007 02:18
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Its just bad luck.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421018
24/08/2007 02:33
24/08/2007 02:33
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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The coupe is a strong magnet for such things but every car has little dings and scratches, you do notice them more on a coop.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421033
24/08/2007 02:47
24/08/2007 02:47
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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i've given up on having a nice shiney dent free coupe
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: G_Man]
#421190
24/08/2007 13:27
24/08/2007 13:27
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I think "buyers" need to read posts like this when there biwildered why a 10 year old Coupe has say a 5mm scratch here and there and stone chips They think generally its owner negligence, when it isnt, far from it. Its going the way that any tidy LOW MILEAGE dog will sell, V-car knackered whatever, the only real priorities are MILEAGE and bodywork. Is that down to perhaps the fact buyers carnt see past that, or is that all they can see? Is it because people carnt appreciate how good mechanically a car may be because they aren't mechanically minded but can spot body defects and speedo readings a mile off??? Tis why soooo many people buy shitters im afraid to say. There's way too much emphasis on bodywork on these in my opinion, if people went for sorted mechanicals and just good bodywork people wouldn't have half the problems they do. People seem to think when they get there perfect car it wont ever get marked and they are the perfect owner. The most obsessed idiot who bought my old one off blue 16v went to the extreme of how many stone chips are on it carl? proper over the top, couldn't fault it but was still pulling a face at chips etc etc. 6 days later the car got keyed to buggery. Now with my own cars, i enjoy them as they are hence how my yellow plus looks at the moment, then a month before i sell them they go for a full re-paint. Then there as buyers bizarrely expect them to look and ive been able to enjoy the car without been disheartened at every chance. Its impossible to keep them perfect for long. I wouldn't worry, im sure its better than most, you should honestly see the state of some people's cars, usually those who claim there perfect. People here would be horrified if they saw some of them.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421204
24/08/2007 13:50
24/08/2007 13:50
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Unfortunately you're fighting against the change in society, since the 80's ethos that Thatcherism pushed so hard. (Something along the lines of: It doesn't matter about anyone else, just think about yourself, and yourself only, etc). Part of the ripple effect of that ethos, are (a)those who drive ENORMOUS 4x4's, knowing they really can't fit them in parking spaces, without taking up two, or causing minor damage to the vehicles around them, (b) the mums (and dads) in there people carriers having a similar issue with parking and spaces, (c) the young upstarts (boy or girl) in there standard, or slightly sporty hatchback, who just don't care - banging there door against the cars car next to them. I have two cars only because people cannot be trusted with the simplest of care around other peoples property. The Coupe is used when I know I'm visiting friends and family who have a drive space so I can leave the car "safely". The Bravo is used all other times. And although the Bravo's a nice car, it's already developed the scars of being parked in carparks, even though I've only had it about 2 months. As for mechanical issues, yes there are some. But there are also those recognised specialists who are good value, who are recommended on here all the time. And when you look at the running costs for the Coupe, against most other performance cars, it's pretty good. Particularly when you bare in mind just how good they really are from styling to performance!
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: whatmoretyres]
#421229
24/08/2007 14:30
24/08/2007 14:30
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Something about Coupes makes owners real obssessive about condition.
There's also a bit of a "mine Coop's cleaner/ nicer/ brighter" than yours, too, definitely. Some owners on here love to think there's is "the best" etc.
Put the same scratch/ blemish on most other cars and the same owner wouldn't flinch an inch. Dunno why.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421238
24/08/2007 14:38
24/08/2007 14:38
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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on a side note, imagine the extra business a supermarket would generate if they made their car park spaces 2ft wider, just for the sake of a bit of extra land seriously, if its 10pm and there are only 12 cars in the car park then TAKE UP TWO SPACES!
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421244
24/08/2007 14:42
24/08/2007 14:42
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Something about Coupes makes owners real obssessive about condition. They like to feel there more than an unreliable 4k on average Fiat.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421253
24/08/2007 14:47
24/08/2007 14:47
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Something about Coupes makes owners real obssessive about condition. They like to feel there more than an unreliable 4k on average Fiat. Ouch! LOL
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421254
24/08/2007 14:47
24/08/2007 14:47
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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There's also a bit of a "mine Coop's cleaner/ nicer/ brighter" than yours, too, definitely. Some owners on here love to think there's is "the best" etc.
Yeh Yeh been through that too, the Peek meat was the funniest, people rubbing the marks on my nanna knowing ive not yet painted it, making stupid comments. So i had a good look at there cars, yeh there shiny, yeh there cleaner, and yeh they didnt like hearing quarter panels had been migged on & x-members were replaced. The so claimed mintest car there wasn't aware and still isnt that he has a 16v back panel in his 20vt There's more to condition than the average eye can see.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421257
24/08/2007 14:51
24/08/2007 14:51
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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There's also a bit of a "mine Coop's cleaner/ nicer/ brighter" than yours, too, definitely. Some owners on here love to think there's is "the best" etc.
Yeh Yeh been through that too, the Peek meat was the funniest, people rubbing the marks on my nanna knowing ive not yet painted it, making stupid comments. So i had a good look at there cars, yeh there shiny, yeh there cleaner, and yeh they didnt like hearing quarter panels had been migged on & x-members were replaced. The so claimed mintest car there wasn't aware and still isnt that he has a 16v back panel in his 20vt There's more to condition than the average eye can see. LOL! I'd never let you near mine. I'd be in floods.....!
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421259
24/08/2007 14:56
24/08/2007 14:56
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Yeh well people like to think there clever with snide comments, two can play that game. Pick stupid faults with mine to make yourself feel better and you get a free real insight into your own car.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421261
24/08/2007 15:00
24/08/2007 15:00
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Yeh well people like to think there clever with snide comments, two can play that game. Pick stupid faults with mine to make yourself feel better and you get a free real insight into your own car. Priceless. Kin ell, you're scary
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421264
24/08/2007 15:04
24/08/2007 15:04
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Something about Coupes makes owners real obssessive about condition. They like to feel there more than an unreliable 4k on average Fiat. Please note that comment doesn't apply to alot of people, just the no money concourse "Ferrari" hunters that are appearing as there getting cheaper.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421322
24/08/2007 16:38
24/08/2007 16:38
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,459 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,459
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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For what it's worth, I have a nice big vertical dent and scrape in the side of the Monaro now where someone has let their door swing out and hit the side of me at maximum momentum. It was parked near the beach on a windy day, therefore covered in fine sand, and the muppet then must have decided to see how bad the damage (s)he'd caused, so they rubbed all around the dent in a perfect circular motion. In the sand. I've been told a dentman won't get it out and with the paintwork needed it's probably an £800 job. Pisses you off immensely on any car, but on one that is under a year old and on which you spent more than you've ever spent in one go in your life (including house deposits) it really does sting. Sometimes I wonder why I sold that old Passat snotter - but then I remember what it was like to drive Someone did the carpark idiocy trick to me AGAIN recently - I went to Lakeside, during the working day, all quiet there but I still parked about 3 car parks away from the entrance. Probably 200 spaces in there occupied by about 10 cars. When I got back, Mondeo-Muppet was parked right up alongside me. I confess, I really was tempted to whack the side of it, just to teach him not to be such a tit.
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: Cappo]
#421331
24/08/2007 16:54
24/08/2007 16:54
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,786 Peterborough, UK
jas_racing
OP
My life on the forum
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OP
My life on the forum
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,786
Peterborough, UK
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Thanks guys, some soothing words from you and a nights sleep has made me feel better about it all, and on the plus side the gearbox oil change (with Slick 50 Gearbox Treatment thrown in) has made the gear change MUCH slicker (pardon the pun). *tryingtobepositive*
I do have a habit of being a perfectionist so that and the fact I now own what I consider to be my 'best' car ever and the ultimate Fiat I guess I'm hyper-sensitive to any blemishes and near-obsessed with her condition.
As Carl says, it's seemingly impossible to keep them perfect and some are a LOT worse (saw one once belonging to a Tesco employee and it spent all day every day in the Tesco customer car-park, suffice to say it was severly battered on almost every panel!)
I guess I've gotta do my best to protect her, such as parking her as far out of the way or in as large a space as possible but accept that even then the aforementioned Mondeo Muppet will occasionally spoil my day, then every year get all dings & marks sorted at my local bodyshop (who are very keenly priced, which helps). When I'm moved house later this year/early next year and have a bigger drive/garage then maybe I can consider a Bravo or something for every day use and keep the Coupe for Sunday-best?
Mechanically it's well sorted as I look after that aspect very well myself, and indeed the oil pipes will be done asap even if it costs silly dollar...got any decent ones Carl??
She's GONE!
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: jas_racing]
#421350
24/08/2007 17:11
24/08/2007 17:11
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,459 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,459
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Yeah, and then you get the holier-than-thou mob (and that's just on here) berating you for doing it.
If I was one degree closer to being a Meldrew clone (not difficult!) I might print off a sign to put in the window at car parks: "When you stop denting my car, I'll stop taking up two spaces".
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: came2dance]
#421554
24/08/2007 21:14
24/08/2007 21:14
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 864 North-East
zak
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 864
North-East
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You've made me think twice about getting a £2k+ paint job on mine now.
The only way it'll ever stay dent/ding free would be to use it as a weekend car and get every little blemish seen to as soon as I notice it.
But where's the fun in driving it every now and again?
I got a diesel runabout to use as an everyday car; I drove it for the first week , since then it's been parked up in the drive and the coupe gets driven every day.
picture too large; max size allowed is 300 x 100 pixels, please resize 2000X 20VT+
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: zak]
#421713
25/08/2007 01:02
25/08/2007 01:02
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I've had a dink in the bonnet lip for two years and I still haven't got around to having it done - mainly cos it means doing nearly the whole bonnet.
I've got a friend who always does a good job and once a year I ask him what I can get done for about £300. Its usually enough to keep it looking 95% ok.
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Re: Coupe Ownership Getting Me Down :-(
[Re: ]
#421733
25/08/2007 01:38
25/08/2007 01:38
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,228 Anywhere that has roads
Welformed
Forum is my life
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Forum is my life
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,228
Anywhere that has roads
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I'm surprised your holding random damage against the Coop. Wouldn't this have happened whichever car you were in? I thought you might be moaning about repetitive failures. My Accord has picked up just as many dents and chips as the Coop over the same couple of years. I guess the difference is, I don't care much for this in the Accord, I kinda accept it, and I suspect would-be buyers wouldn't care much either (but that will be taxi drivers I reckon!). Isn't the real problem that you live in Peterborough? I've been unfortunate to live there twice. They call it "Posh" for short... and the contradiction starts with the name. Fccuking dirt hole! The place should be nuked. (offence intended! ) I've live in about 10 different towns. Posh is just scum. btw, don't blame maggie for the self self self attitude. She was just playhing the game strictly to Capitalism's needs. Blame the system, not the slaves to it, initially anyway!
A 340Bhp, 300lb/ft powered thread hijacker
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