m12 reliability and quirks, model revision mods etc
Discussion
hey people
Thanks to finally getting a good credit rating after totally destroying it as a student im in the market for a possible new toy :-D
For the last three and a bit years ive been enjoying a '04 UK spec STi impreza with the performace pack. Althought the car has been great and i appreciate its abilities i am fully aware, unlike common convention of owners it seems, that the impreza is essentially a flawed car because of the compromises in design of having to be comfortable and have four doors but still mantain the impreza status quo. Ive found it heavy, cumbersome, almost awkward. I can describe my feelings towards it as being like an olympic 100m athelete underneath, only instead of being able to wear correct running gear, has to compete wearing steel toe-capped boots, wolly hat, artic jacket AND full bondage restraints underneath. It just cant do it, it wants to, but just cant!
Anyway, back on topic! Ive thought about modifying it and started with the full creditcard load of suspension bits and while making huge difference and transforming the car, i didnt feel that the cost justified the return. I applied my conclusions onto other areas such as various stats of tune and couldnt get past the idea that i should simply start again with a car with a less compromised design requirement.
Ive narrowed the list to 2 cars. The Lotus Exige S and Noble M12. My head states clearly that for the price of a second hand GTO-3R i could finance a new Exige S and also benifit from a large(ish) dealer network and toyota reliability. But to be honest, having driven both and seen them side by side, the little boy inside me wants the noble.
but i know bugger all about them!
I understand the basic revision changes but thats it. I have no idea about common faults and quirks, servicing, and more importantly, reliability. My greatest fear is to be spending £30k+ on a car that blows up every 5 minutes. My dad and his friend bought TVRs together and while my dad and his trusty rover V8 powered Chrimeara only experienced small faults that were quirky, his friends cerbera speed six, well you know the story im sure.
So heres the questions.
Servicing costs, intervals, special requirements and stuff that you have found to work better then OE.
Major conponant reliabillty such as gearboxes and engines inc model faults fixed on later revisions.
Smaller faults and reliabillity, e.g. air conditioning failures, leakages inc water ingress into interior, lights and also mechanical such as oil usage or common pipes falling off.
Model revision changes and required modifications, personall or factory fixed. I commonly read the adverts stating 'sticking throttle modification' or 'cooling fan modifications' but i dont read them on all!
And finally.... your personal recomedations for the right model. Should i buy the basic 2.5 and purchase modifications as mentioned above. Should i stump up the extra cash and go straight for the gto-3r because the LSD and intake mods make all the cost difference worth it? or should i go middle of the road and have the 3.0?
Sorry for the long message. I live in sussex, inbetween tunbridge wells and hastings if any owners wish to have to a pint and a chat and show of their fancy car.
Cheers
Dan
Thanks to finally getting a good credit rating after totally destroying it as a student im in the market for a possible new toy :-D
For the last three and a bit years ive been enjoying a '04 UK spec STi impreza with the performace pack. Althought the car has been great and i appreciate its abilities i am fully aware, unlike common convention of owners it seems, that the impreza is essentially a flawed car because of the compromises in design of having to be comfortable and have four doors but still mantain the impreza status quo. Ive found it heavy, cumbersome, almost awkward. I can describe my feelings towards it as being like an olympic 100m athelete underneath, only instead of being able to wear correct running gear, has to compete wearing steel toe-capped boots, wolly hat, artic jacket AND full bondage restraints underneath. It just cant do it, it wants to, but just cant!
Anyway, back on topic! Ive thought about modifying it and started with the full creditcard load of suspension bits and while making huge difference and transforming the car, i didnt feel that the cost justified the return. I applied my conclusions onto other areas such as various stats of tune and couldnt get past the idea that i should simply start again with a car with a less compromised design requirement.
Ive narrowed the list to 2 cars. The Lotus Exige S and Noble M12. My head states clearly that for the price of a second hand GTO-3R i could finance a new Exige S and also benifit from a large(ish) dealer network and toyota reliability. But to be honest, having driven both and seen them side by side, the little boy inside me wants the noble.
but i know bugger all about them!
I understand the basic revision changes but thats it. I have no idea about common faults and quirks, servicing, and more importantly, reliability. My greatest fear is to be spending £30k+ on a car that blows up every 5 minutes. My dad and his friend bought TVRs together and while my dad and his trusty rover V8 powered Chrimeara only experienced small faults that were quirky, his friends cerbera speed six, well you know the story im sure.
So heres the questions.
Servicing costs, intervals, special requirements and stuff that you have found to work better then OE.
Major conponant reliabillty such as gearboxes and engines inc model faults fixed on later revisions.
Smaller faults and reliabillity, e.g. air conditioning failures, leakages inc water ingress into interior, lights and also mechanical such as oil usage or common pipes falling off.
Model revision changes and required modifications, personall or factory fixed. I commonly read the adverts stating 'sticking throttle modification' or 'cooling fan modifications' but i dont read them on all!
And finally.... your personal recomedations for the right model. Should i buy the basic 2.5 and purchase modifications as mentioned above. Should i stump up the extra cash and go straight for the gto-3r because the LSD and intake mods make all the cost difference worth it? or should i go middle of the road and have the 3.0?
Sorry for the long message. I live in sussex, inbetween tunbridge wells and hastings if any owners wish to have to a pint and a chat and show of their fancy car.
Cheers
Dan
GTO400 said:
Dan,
You can search on here for all the upgrades and faults, personally in your position it's a no brainer, buy the Exige it's a fantastic car.
Kevin
You can search on here for all the upgrades and faults, personally in your position it's a no brainer, buy the Exige it's a fantastic car.
Kevin
I agree. I've spent so much on mine, almost at the point of selling it for an Exige S. But can't quite find the nerv to get rid of the Noble (I love it).
I would like to do more track days and the Exige would be much better for this due to cost of parts and break downs being more prone in the Noble.
So if you have got a good bank balance then no prob get the Noble, If your stretching yourself then it might not be a good idea. I will say that I didn't do enough research and My 2.5 did not have LSD no fan upgrade and still had the original ECU. Diff broke and I've replaced the ECU. So maybe if you get a sorted car your outlay may not be to bad.
Bondy
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