I've been looking at various different cars recently on autotrader, ebay, pistonheads, the local paper etc as im after a new car, having saved up quite a bit. I cant find anything that matches the style, rarity, equipment and fun factor of the coop and it really matches my personality too as i like to be a little bit different and not always follow the crowd. The only thing that is putting me off getting the coop is a worry that it will constantly break down on me all the time or that it will have problems ALL the time, i have a fiat seicento sporting abarth atm and that has a few problems every now and then but it is an s reg 10 year old car and in some ways i like the quirkiness of it but rectifying problems on a coop is a whole lot more expensive....If i bought a decent, well-looked after 16v or 20v na (i dont want it too powerful) that has just passed its mot will all my wages have to go on it or are they pretty reliable as long as they are well-looked after and service regularly. I really do want to get one and i like the idea that it has a big boot and space (just lol) in the back for others. Any help that you can give me would be fantastic and very much appreciated as it seems so far like a friendly forum :O)

Hi New2Coops

If you are careful, and check out some of the advice here, you shouldn't need to worry. Also, if you buy from someone here, you will usually get a well-looked after Coupe. (You can always check their posts and see how reliable their car has been!) There is slightly less to go wrong on the NA perhaps, but generally the cars are pretty sound, and a lot better than most non-Coup owners would think.

Good luck with the search, and enjoy Coupedom!

Buy a 20v n/a rather than a 16v n/a IMO, simply being the newer car. As long as the belts have been done and it's had some brake work (especially rear as from my experience, replacing the set up can cost), it shouldn't cost you any more to run than any other car of the same age.

A newer car *may* cost less to run but you'll lose much more in depreciation - I just p/ex'd my n/a and go the same back as I paid (ok I had spent money but didn't have to). What is your budget?

Buy one thats been serviced and maintained correctly (by a specialist) and keep it serviced (interim service 6 months / full service 12 months) and you should have a reasonably reliable car.

As Vickster says get a normally aspirated car if you want reliability.

Thanks for all your friendly help guys! I am going for an na as its my first foray into the world of coops and i dont want something too powerful, with so many speed cameras around and me being 22 and having 2 years no claims, i think a 20v na is most sensible until i am accustomed to the fiat coupes :O) With a car like the fiat coupe, i want the style rather than the performance really and im sure the 20v na is quick enough my budget will probably be around 2-3k and im looking to buy over the next couple of months.....i regularly check fccuk, pistonheads, ebay and autotrader although with a car like the coop i think its always perhaps best to buy it from a private owner who has lovingly cared for it, thats right isnt it? Thanks again, Tom

Buy Vickster's former Coupe.

It is for sale by the dealer who took it in p/ex but at a rather high price (unless he has sorted the bodywork) It is pukka mechanically however

Already reduced

Definitely get a 20V NA - and Vickster's has been very well maintained. Great colour too.
In my opinion they are very reliable if regularly serviced.

Yes definitely go for a 20V n/a....

ahem....

I've got a 98 20V N/A in Broom Yellow (the ONLY colour to have) that needs a new home - just like's Vicksters.

Mileage 115K (but always serviced). Runs very sweetly and exceptionally reliable. Full black leather interior. All 4 seats in excellent condition. Black carpets throughout with very little wear. Perfect original alloy wheels - no kerbing. CD player. New CAT and brakes 6 months ago. MOT until Sept 2008. No Tax - currently SORN. Paintwork in excellent condition - I'll be honest and say there are 1 or 2 very small areas that require a touch-up, but I'll throw in an aerosol of paint! Not been tampered with in any way, and is very original.

Love the car and was used every day, but have started a new job with company car - so the Coop is reluctantly now for sale.

Based in Preston - bargain price of £2500 ono