Hey...

Im getting back into coupe ownership after a year cold turkey, ive been to see one at a garage this weekend and ive just left it for the moment to think about it. Will probably need to decide over the next few days...

The thing is, the bodywork is in mint condition, i took it for an extended test drive and couldnt fault the engine at all, pulled like a train, oil pressure was fine, there were no oil leaks, no problems with the steering, it started fine both hot and cold, electrics all worked etc.

the problems were - firstly, the gearbox felt a bit notchy. Going from 2nd to 3rd, where normally you'd put it into neutral and push forward, you actually have to push it into the centre before engaging 3rd. Wasnt a big hassle but could get annoying, and expensive?

second, the brakes felt less powerful than i remember, although the car had been standing and havent had a 20vt for 2 years+ now

third, and this was the big one, there is NO service history. Apparently the last owner lost it, so i dont know when the last cambelt change was. As i said before though, the engine SEEMS to be in very good condition, the bodywork certainly is.

Its up for £2k, its a '98 with around 80k. Should i run a mile?

I reckon its worth about half that without a service history.

Its going to cost you for a new cambelt straight away, as you don't know when it was last done, plus you don't know what else hasn't been done.

Also loosing the service history can be a sign that the car has been clocked, or has a shady past.

Ask them to knock off the price of a cambelt service or you'll walk away.
You can get it done for £400 at any of the good coupe specialists always mentioned on here.

As for the gear stick, it sounds like its not centering correctly, it could be at the stick end or more likely to be the linkage at the gearbox needing a strip down and grease, something that can be done whilst the cambelt is being done

depends how much you like the car but there are cheaper on here with history

id knowck off the price of a cambelt and service at least

its worth about half that with out the history to any one who knows anything about a coupe, but to the casual customer who knows no better. then he probably knows he will get the money he wants for it.

you have to rember that a car we would walk away from will still more than tempt the casual customer. As said, there are examples on here for that money with the history and with the big jobs already done

a dealer will try and make money wile the people on here just want a fair price

thanks guys,

should mention there are 3 keys inc the red one, ive had 2 coops with fsh which didnt have the red key!

ive emailed the dealer this morning re: the cambelt. if they'll do it, i may take it this week!

we need photos andrew!

Would you believe i went all the way from Durham to Yorkshire to test this car.... and didnt take any pictures? Doh!

Its a metallic dark red 20vt with no modifications. The bodywork is in really good condition, apart from missing one pininfarina badge on the passenger side - are these easy to source?

It doesnt even have the messy paintwork on the driver side brakelight surround, which ive seen on a lot of coupes (including both ive owned)

RUN a mile,

Buy mine for £1400 INC camblet done the week you buy it. Fix the dent and DIY the other issues (sratches on console, alarm needs fixing etc). and sorted.

provisionally taken it.... they will do a full service and tax for a year - i will try and get more knocked off for the cambelt.

if i do have to walk away thats fine, im not in a huge rush to sell mine - just since i test drove it ive been bitten even more by the pesky coop bug!

These cars are usually enthusiast-owned so its very worrying that the last owner 'lost the service history', shows to me that the car was potentially uncared for, it might need lots of big, expensive jobs doing to it.