Help buying a 2.5 - what to look for?

[humpy]

Hello Noble people. I am looking to get a 2002 M12 GTO 2.5 for my next car [in 3mths]. I would appreciate some pointers on what to look for when buying a 2002 2.5 and what to budget for running costs on 12,000 miles a year with a couple of track days thrown in. Having searched the forums, it seems that the ECU and fan upgrade is a must + a baffled sump and AC? A noble dealer told me to budget for 2.5 sevices a year at £700 each + a set of tyres - how much are tyres?

Any advice would be appreciated - Thanks

>> Edited by humpy on Tuesday 7th February 09:21

[mr2turbo300]

Tyre prices on blackcircles

£121.48 plus £9.40 delivery plus fitting Fronts
£167.50 plus £9.40 delivery plus fitting Rears

Though there are cheaper about.
rob.

[joust]

If you are a hard track driver you can chew a set of SO3s within a single track day. If you aren't as mad driver as some of us then they should last 4-6000 miles and 2 track days.

YOKOs or Corsa's last much much longer on track, but ideally you'd need the Nitron or Plans Ohlins upgrade to cope with the sticker rubber. Yokos are a bit 'interesting' in the wet on a cold day on the road though - the SO3s are a much better wet weather tyre (the Corsas aren't bad but they do reach the limit with standing water).

Front SO3s last for ever, so you only have to worry about the rears for 12000 miles.

So, in summary, sounds about right apart from you might go through 2 sets of rear tyres depending on the tread left on them when you buy the car.

J

[humpy]

Thanks - v helpful.

Okay - so that seems like about £2-£2.5k a year plus any surprises - does that sound about right? On which point - are there any likely surprises to watch out for on 40k+ miles Nobles [expecting to run it for 3 years] or is this unchartered territory?

Also, being 6'4" are there any problems with height? - Clarkson seemed to fit alright and he's a lanky sod too.

[kentviking]

no problems with height
the previous owner of my car was 6'4

baffled sump only a requirement if you intend to track it...and if you do, expect higher overall maintenance costs

Do get one that's had the ECU upgrade - mine just went - over £3k to fit a new OMEX...they could have repaired the old one for almost £700 but no guarantees it was going to pass an MOT or the problem not reoccur.

I'll probably get shot down in flames, but I'd budget closer to £1.5k to £2k for garage work - the bill has a nasty habit of including unforeseen issues like wheel bearings.

If you want to drive a car like this you have to pay up for it - I have learned that and enjoy the car despite it....in any case 2.5's are now hitting the floor of value mine's only lost about £4k in depreciation in the 1.5years I've had it - I can't say the same about any of the family cars I've owned.

Get it and enjoy it!

[joolski]

humpy said:

Thanks - v helpful. Okay - so that seems like about £2-£2.5k a year plus any surprises - does that sound about right? On which point - are there any likely surprises to watch out for on 40k+ miles Nobles [expecting to run it for 3 years] or is this unchartered territory? Also, being 6'4" are there any problems with height? - Clarkson seemed to fit alright and he's a lanky sod too.

I've got 67K in the clock of my 2.5L. I've had a new engine fitted, however the engine would have lasted much longer, had my dealer not messed up the fitting of a new ECU (they are not a dealer anymore).

I tracked the car about 10 to 15 times a year for the last four years, and I'd concur with justin on the wear rates.

I'm also 6"4' and I find the noble a very nice fit. I've never had a bad back from driving the car.

However, don't under estimate the cost of runnng a noble, esp if you do the odd track day. You can easily put 12 months of ware on the car in a few hours.

--Jools

[blot]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/50647.htm

If you email me, am happy to send you a copy of my service history costs of 23k miles in 18months

[humpy]

kentviking said:

I'd budget closer to £1.5k to £2k for garage work

Just to clarify - do you mean each visit? [every 6,000 miles]

[humpy]

Thanks for all the feedback people - all v helpful stuff.

Needless to say, if I can swing it I'll be in one!