I think I want to buy a Noble...
Discussion
Hello all,
As a long time PH lurker and now an aspiring Noble owner, I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully get a few pointers on deciding what's the right car.
I’m a relative newbie to the Noble marque, as I’ve always wanted a classic 911 since I was a kid. However, now I’ve eventually found myself in a position to get one and have driven them, I’ve been a bit underwhelmed vs. my expectations(never meet your childhood heroes and all that….).
So, I’ve been looking at other options and test drove the below M12 2.5 last week at Bespoke which was a whole world ahead of anything else I’ve driven in terms of both performance and grin factor.
http://www.bespokeperformance.co.uk/used-cars/stoc...
Whilst the guys at Bespoke were very helpful, after some serious thinking I’ve a few further questions I’d be grateful of some help on:
Rust - I’ve had, (and still have) classic cars so am a little ‘rust paranoid’. I’ve also seen a few posts on the topic in here. Should I expect to find some chassis rust? (Front end chassis behind wheels looked quite rusty to me) – I didn’t look too closely at the rear end (!) but will do so next time.
2.5 to 3.0 improvements? - Budget wise (low £20’s max) may I be better holding on for a higher mileage 3.0? – is there a list somewhere of what changed over the years (have done lots of searching but haven’t spotted this)?
Specialists – I’m based in Warwickshire so JetStream appear by far my closest specialist but I can’t find much info on them on the web although have seen lots of positive posts. I’ve e-mailed via an address I found on here to see if they have/know of any cars for sale.
Can anyone recommend anyone who does pre-purchase inspections if I did find something privately for sale (clearly happy to pay!)?
Finally, thanks in advance for any help and apologies for the daft questions which will inevitably follow from me. Any pointers on good cars for sale to take a look at for comparison also welcomed!
John
As a long time PH lurker and now an aspiring Noble owner, I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully get a few pointers on deciding what's the right car.
I’m a relative newbie to the Noble marque, as I’ve always wanted a classic 911 since I was a kid. However, now I’ve eventually found myself in a position to get one and have driven them, I’ve been a bit underwhelmed vs. my expectations(never meet your childhood heroes and all that….).
So, I’ve been looking at other options and test drove the below M12 2.5 last week at Bespoke which was a whole world ahead of anything else I’ve driven in terms of both performance and grin factor.
http://www.bespokeperformance.co.uk/used-cars/stoc...
Whilst the guys at Bespoke were very helpful, after some serious thinking I’ve a few further questions I’d be grateful of some help on:
Rust - I’ve had, (and still have) classic cars so am a little ‘rust paranoid’. I’ve also seen a few posts on the topic in here. Should I expect to find some chassis rust? (Front end chassis behind wheels looked quite rusty to me) – I didn’t look too closely at the rear end (!) but will do so next time.
2.5 to 3.0 improvements? - Budget wise (low £20’s max) may I be better holding on for a higher mileage 3.0? – is there a list somewhere of what changed over the years (have done lots of searching but haven’t spotted this)?
Specialists – I’m based in Warwickshire so JetStream appear by far my closest specialist but I can’t find much info on them on the web although have seen lots of positive posts. I’ve e-mailed via an address I found on here to see if they have/know of any cars for sale.
Can anyone recommend anyone who does pre-purchase inspections if I did find something privately for sale (clearly happy to pay!)?
Finally, thanks in advance for any help and apologies for the daft questions which will inevitably follow from me. Any pointers on good cars for sale to take a look at for comparison also welcomed!
John
Hi John , welcome , we specialize in daft questions 
Rust , yes there can be a bit but generally it's not to bad but worst bits generally around the exhaust .
Jetstream are based at Bruntingthorpe proving ground , run by Dave and Matt here is Dave no 07973 912089
They are the best when it comes to Nobles .
For 20k you are going to struggle to get 3L car plenty of things to look for when buying , do a search most of the info is available on this forum . Tux
Rust , yes there can be a bit but generally it's not to bad but worst bits generally around the exhaust .
Jetstream are based at Bruntingthorpe proving ground , run by Dave and Matt here is Dave no 07973 912089
They are the best when it comes to Nobles .
For 20k you are going to struggle to get 3L car plenty of things to look for when buying , do a search most of the info is available on this forum . Tux
John
Get next months edition of Practical Performance Car, I think it is out 29th March. They are doing a buyers guide and it is featuring a very nice 3R that is also for sale (shameless plug).
I would aslo echo what Tux said about Jetstream. Forget the web, ring them or call in. Best in the country, my car also happens to be there (2nd shameless plug).
Regards
Ian
Get next months edition of Practical Performance Car, I think it is out 29th March. They are doing a buyers guide and it is featuring a very nice 3R that is also for sale (shameless plug).
I would aslo echo what Tux said about Jetstream. Forget the web, ring them or call in. Best in the country, my car also happens to be there (2nd shameless plug).
Regards
Ian
Edited by sunoco69 on Thursday 8th March 21:53
My 2.5 has kept me grinning for the last 5 years. The usual suspects are: Rusty rear clip (the smaller frame that supports the rear clam shell), you need to check the ECU has been upgraded, don't buy unless it's had a LSD fitted, and check for worn ball joints. Other than that, all cars of this nature will need a little work every year. If you have plans to start pushing the HP up and up, in my opinion you'd be better starting with 3 litres. All my views only!
I agree completely with both of the last comments.
Skip knows his way around them and has been looking after mine for over 2 years now so anything you buy from Bespoke you'll be happy with.
Having now driven at least 1 of each model (2.5, 3, 3R, M400) I can honestly say that the grin factor and sense of occasion is there with all of them and aside from the obvious power difference, all feel pretty much the same on the road. As has been said though, if you're going to look for more power, start with a 3 litre car.
Skip knows his way around them and has been looking after mine for over 2 years now so anything you buy from Bespoke you'll be happy with.
Having now driven at least 1 of each model (2.5, 3, 3R, M400) I can honestly say that the grin factor and sense of occasion is there with all of them and aside from the obvious power difference, all feel pretty much the same on the road. As has been said though, if you're going to look for more power, start with a 3 litre car.
sjc said:
Jetstream havea fantastic reputation on here, I'm not sure they actually sell cars though?
What I wrote may of been misleading, sorry.No they dont sell cars. Mine has been there for the winter partly for storage and also to have some work on it.
What I was trying to say was speak to Jetstream and they will answer all your questions and if you happen to visit them then my car just happens to be there and he could take a look, maybe even take it around the runway.
bernhund said:
My 2.5 has kept me grinning for the last 5 years. The usual suspects are: Rusty rear clip (the smaller frame that supports the rear clam shell), you need to check the ECU has been upgraded, don't buy unless it's had a LSD fitted, and check for worn ball joints. Other than that, all cars of this nature will need a little work every year. If you have plans to start pushing the HP up and up, in my opinion you'd be better starting with 3 litres. All my views only!
I love my 2.5 as well, having had (and still having) other really fast cars, the Noble is still TOP !I don't have a LSD fitted, maybe I should get one too, but guess it's no a drama not to have one
ECU however : you need one with an upgrade to MBE, it was a very expensive upgrade !
Ask as well if the car has the twin radiator fan's (and the shroud)!
If you intend to tune, go for the 3L, but there's nothing wrong with a well sorted 2.5 neither
Welcome to Nobility, you'll find a GREAT source of information here !
Edited by bzguy on Friday 9th March 15:43
bzguy said:
bernhund said:
My 2.5 has kept me grinning for the last 5 years. The usual suspects are: Rusty rear clip (the smaller frame that supports the rear clam shell), you need to check the ECU has been upgraded, don't buy unless it's had a LSD fitted, and check for worn ball joints. Other than that, all cars of this nature will need a little work every year. If you have plans to start pushing the HP up and up, in my opinion you'd be better starting with 3 litres. All my views only!
I love my 2.5 as well, having had (and still having) other really fast cars, the Noble is still TOP !I don't have a LSD fitted, maybe I should get one too, but guess it's no a drama not to have one
ECU however : you need one with an upgrade to MBE, it was a very expensive upgrade !
Ask as well if the car has the twin radiator fan's (and the shroud)!
If you intend to tune, go for the 3L, but there's nothing wrong with a well sorted 2.5 neither
Welcome to Nobility, you'll find a GREAT source of information here !
Edited by bzguy on Friday 9th March 15:43
In all seriousness though, for someone thinking of buying a Noble. If you want to drive it like a Noble, it is only a matter of time before the engine has to come out to fix your gearbox. Probably ;0)
bzguy said:
…Ask as well if the car has the twin radiator fan's (and the shroud).…[/footnote]
I would Just like to add that all 2.5's have twin fans but it is correct that they should have the shroud fitted. Std they are attached directly to the rad. I would t say that should stop you buying one as its only around £200 to correct. Bondy
mgbond said:
bzguy said:
…Ask as well if the car has the twin radiator fan's (and the shroud).…[/footnote]
I would Just like to add that all 2.5's have twin fans but it is correct that they should have the shroud fitted. Std they are attached directly to the rad. I would t say that should stop you buying one as its only around £200 to correct. Bondy
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