Looking for a specific Coupe

Life got in the way for a bit, but I’m back on the hunt after just missing out on one the seller pulled last minute. I’m now after a ‘55/‘06 reg Coupe Cambiocorsa (Sept 2005/March 2006) - ULEZ-compliant and in the lower tax band.

I know condition/history matter most, and tax is small vs maintenance, but with Band M VED rising from £630 to £760 in three years, I don't want to soon be paying £1k a year just to keep it on the road. It’s a narrow window, but I’m happy to wait for the right car.

Ideally after a high spec (cruise control, heated seats, rear parking sensors, xenons). Leather headlining is a must, though I know it’s rare. Not fussed about high mileage if the car’s been looked after. Budget’s flexible - from £8k to £12k depending on condition, history, mileage, etc.

Let me know if you have one or spot anything. I’ll also be getting in touch with Richard, who I hear can help source these.
 
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romainh said:
Life got in the way for a bit, but I’m back on the hunt after just missing out on one the seller pulled last minute. I’m now after a ‘55/‘06 reg Cambiocorsa (Sept 2005/March 2006) - ULEZ-compliant and in the lower tax band.

I know condition/history matter most, and tax is small vs maintenance, but with Band M VED rising from £630 to £760 in three years, I don't want to soon be paying £1k a year just to keep it on the road. It’s a narrow window, but I’m happy to wait for the right car.

Ideally after a high spec (cruise control, heated seats, rear parking sensors, xenons). Leather headlining is a must, though I know it’s rare. Not fussed about high mileage if the car’s been looked after. Budget’s flexible - from £8k to £12k depending on condition, history, mileage, etc.

Let me know if you have one or spot anything. I’ll also be getting in touch with Richard, who I hear can help source these.
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I’m sorry but I wouldn’t be able to find one. I’ve not found a facelift 4200 up to our standards since about 2016. I’d also think that if a good car did crop up, it would be around double the lower end of your budget, certainly well over the higher budget you have. I wish you good luck with the search, but I think you’ll really struggle to find a good one.
 
romainh said:
Life got in the way for a bit, but I’m back on the hunt after just missing out on one the seller pulled last minute. I’m now after a ‘55/‘06 reg Cambiocorsa (Sept 2005/March 2006) - ULEZ-compliant and in the lower tax band.

I know condition/history matter most, and tax is small vs maintenance, but with Band M VED rising from £630 to £760 in three years, I don't want to soon be paying £1k a year just to keep it on the road. It’s a narrow window, but I’m happy to wait for the right car.

Ideally after a high spec (cruise control, heated seats, rear parking sensors, xenons). Leather headlining is a must, though I know it’s rare. Not fussed about high mileage if the car’s been looked after. Budget’s flexible - from £8k to £12k depending on condition, history, mileage, etc.

Let me know if you have one or spot anything. I’ll also be getting in touch with Richard, who I hear can help source these.
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You have too many red lines in your requirements and a budget that is comparable to walking into a Mercedes showroom with a budget for a 10-year-old Toyota Aygo.

To put some numbers. There were around 250 GS cars imported into the UK is right hand drive during its 4 years of manufacture. Of those, around 50 were exported to Australia. That left aroubd 200 cars in the UK in 2016 when I bought mine from Richard Grace (as he told me) and around 20% of those cars were in LE spec (c40 cars) - which is the one I have.

There was a high point for GS back in 2015 - 2017 with rising prices upwards of £30k depending on spec, mileage, history, colour combo and service history.

Today, a GOOD GranSport is going to set you back £24k - £26k from a reputable specialist (I recommend Richard Grace).

Of course, you can join the herd of buffalo roaming the AutoTrader savannah citing cars at £12k. And then wonder why a specialist won't sell those cars, but a buffoon car trader will, who knows little about what it will cost to bring it to a decent standard. A clutch for a GS is around £4.5k fitted and a flywheel might be an extra cost, with much of the cost in parts alone.

Leaking cam cover gasket?

Shot suspension arm bushes?

Discs and pads all round?

Shot heater matrix from missed services and neglect?

Oil leaks?

And these are some of the reasons why a specialist won't take such shot examples.

You always have a choice. Buy cheap and take risks or buy a sorted car.

Good luck finding your needle in a haystack car for £10k - £12k.
 
3hcp said:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

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a Gransport is a far better long term investment even if it’s 50% over budget
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That’s my car up for sale (tentatively). It doesn’t have full leather or cruise unfortunately for the OP. It has had a no expense spared owner for the last 3 years though (me).
 
Nc1974 said:
That’s my car up for sale (tentatively). It doesn’t have full leather or cruise unfortunately for the OP. It has had a no expense spared owner for the last 3 years though (me).
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It is not ULEZ compliant unfortunately.
I've just had a look and no 4200 are for sale that are lower tax band and ULEZ, and only one GS that is, bit of a unicorn really, but well out of his budget at £20k.
 
mjheathcote said:
It is not ULEZ compliant unfortunately.
I've just had a look and no 4200 are for sale that are lower tax band and ULEZ, and only one GS that is, bit of a unicorn really, but well out of his budget at £20k.
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Yes a full sorted GS or 4200 with every factory option plus low tax and ULEZ for 8-12k would be some going. As I live oop north and detest driving into central London it doesn’t affect me fortunately. I have a company car should I need to venture south of Watford Gap :-)
 
Nc1974 said:
Yes a full sorted GS or 4200 with every factory option plus low tax and ULEZ for 8-12k would be some going. As I live oop north and detest driving into central London it doesn’t affect me fortunately. I have a company car should I need to venture south of Watford Gap :)
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Likewise.
That GS that complies would be a good buy for a Londoner, looks nice too.
If i was selling it I would be making more a point of the fact.
Interesting the ULEZ checker confirms it complies, the co2 on autotrader is the lower value, but autotrader states it's euro 3?
 
mjheathcote said:
Likewise.
That GS that complies would be a good buy for a Londoner, looks nice too.
If i was selling it I would be making more a point of the fact.
Interesting the ULEZ checker confirms it complies, the co2 on autotrader is the lower value, but autotrader states it's euro 3?
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Which car are you referring to?
 
mjheathcote said:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!
www.autotrader.co.uk www.autotrader.co.uk

Registered the day before the increase of road tax rate 22/3/06 and lower 400g/km
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Yes looks a real bargain that; worth a viewing for anyone in the market. The Blu Scuro leather is not sought by many, I personally love it, and it stands the test of time better than any other colour. Much cheaper than my car, but then this one is a private sale.
 
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Thanks all for the honest feedback and links.

Just to clarify - I’m after a Coupe, not a GS (which is well beyond my budget). The few private examples I’ve seen were in the £8-10k range, with trade ones around £11-13k, so not exactly an Aygo-in-a-Merc-showroom case!

I’m not after an investment or a garage queen - just something that’s been properly maintained. I’m fine with higher mileage too. The Coupe ticks most of the GS’s boxes at a lower upfront cost (maintenance aside), and seems more usable day to day - especially considering the GS’s 19" wheels and lower ride height, which don’t suit the speed bumps and kerbs round my way. I know the GS is the sharper car, but I wouldn’t be able to fully exploit it anyway. And I'm not a fan of the sportier styling.

I know my criteria make it a rarer find, but if you’ve got one or know of one - even if it doesn’t tick every box - do let me know.
 
safrane said:
Is the year thing to get a face lift version but lower tax?
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Exactly - I’ve worked out that CC Coupes registered between Sept 2005 and 22 March 2006 are both ULEZ-compliant and fall into the lower tax band. An admittedly small but not impossible window.

The facelift also appeals due to its slightly improved reliability (based on what I’ve read here and elsewhere), along with a marginally better gearbox - I understand later cars benefit from the latest software updates.
 
romainh said:
Exactly - I’ve worked out that CC Coupes registered between Sept 2005 and 22 March 2006 are both ULEZ-compliant and fall into the lower tax band. An admittedly small but not impossible window.

The facelift also appeals due to its slightly improved reliability (based on what I’ve read here and elsewhere), along with a marginally better gearbox - I understand later cars benefit from the latest software updates.
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Arguably, the very first software on the very first cars MY02 are deemed the most desirable by some, being less 'soft' and more 'raw'!
 
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