FN2 - Inspector gave me the fear.

[Integroo]

I am going to view an FN2 on Saturday, private sale. Spoke to a chap regarding a pre purchase inspection. He has put the fear of death into me, saying "do you really want to buy one of those", claiming:

- There will be a gearbox problem - the gearbox is from a Rover 25 and cannot cope with the power.
- The engine is likely to explode.
- It will burn oil.

Now the latter I accept, though I can't say I've ever heard of an engine exploding. I know the synchros can be weak but I've never heard of a gearbox grenading in its entirety.

I would be buying private sale, from a woman who has owned it for five years and appears to use it for the school run. I have been told vtec is barely used as she doesn't like it.

Is this guy perhaps had a bad experience with an FN2 that isn't reflective?

[Integroo]

Butter Face said:

The bloke sounds like a complete moron.

That's what I thought, but the doubt was from the fact he is presumably a mechanic and inspects vehicles for a living and I do not ...

[Integroo]

zedx19 said:

Clearly someone that knows nothing, gearbox out a Rover 25

Have you actually driven a FN2 though? Not particularly quick and harsh ride. Worth test driving before paying for a inspection, if that's your thing. Personally a bit meh for me, much preferred the Golf GTi or Focus ST of similar age, the latter which I ended up buying.

I've driven a couple, but not extensively. I really like them - think they are much more interesting than the likes of the Golf and the ST. It will be the quickest car I have had to date, and outright power doesn't bother me too much.

[Integroo]

He is the only one who will do the inspection in that area. For the £186 he wants, I think I will go without. Car is FSH, low owners, 09 plate, stock, owned by guy for five years and apparently is his wife's car and isn't driven hard. Seems honest. Says the only non cosmetic issue is a slight rattle on the exhaust at idle - I was thinking an easy fix - mounts? -, but anyone got any bigger concerns? I can do a basic inspection myself - oil, listen for noises, etc. but I won't be insured so can't do a test drive myself.

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

wouldn't bother if it were me, sounds like a pretty straight car.

Agreed, will do it myself. Provided the exhaust rattle is minor, there is no major noises etc, and the oil is full and clean, I will be purchasing I think.

[Integroo]

Shaw Tarse said:

Please just buy something!

It has been quite the saga, hasn't it.

If all goes well, I will have bought this car by Saturday afternoon

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

Shaw Tarse said:

Please just buy something!

100% this. I feel like i've been watching the extended edition of lord of the rings on half speed!

Integroo, in your budget and with the type of cars you're looking at, you can't really go too far wrong unless you buy something rusty or a total lemon. No point overthinking it to death.

Indeed. I have put an awful lot of thought into this ...

Advantage of buying privately is, provided it isn't a lemon, if I wanted to change in six months I could probably do so without much of a loss.

Once purchased I will show you all some pictures so you know the incessant what car posts will stop ...

[Integroo]

Slightly more worryingly is the chap let me know the oil light flickered on yesterday, though he checked the oil and it is full, and oil and filters were changed at the last service in May. Hmm. In fairness, he didn't have to tell me, and he is putting it into a main dealer today for checking. I rang up the main dealer yesterday and they were very helpful, confirmed that the car had a full service in May and a full health check, and the only advisories were rear discs and pads (which the chap has had replaced) and front tyres (which the chap is also replacing). They invited me to phone back tomorrow once they have had the car back in.

Hopefully they confirm it is nothing to be worried about. I'd rather buy an honest car where I know there is a couple of minor things needing corrected (replacing hub caps on alloys, small ding in front o/s wing, fixing an exhaust rattle) than one that is sold as perfect when it is not!

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

probably the sensor,which is in the sump. looks a fairly common issue from a quick scan about FN2s.

As long as the oil isn't low, its not a problem in the mechanical sense, just a job to get around to eventually.

genuine sensor is £430, i daresay you can pick one up from a breakers for less than half that, or you could just live with it, i found a bunch of comments off fn2 owners with temperamental oil level lights. just keep it topped up and use an OBD to clear it (android phone and bluetooth obd is ideal).

Edited by designforlife on Tuesday 26th September 10:21

Guy claims the oil isn't low at all. If it is the sensor the main dealer will let me know and I think the chap will knock it off the asking price.

[Integroo]

designforlife said:

He might be willing to meet you half way, but don't expect the earth to be moved for you in a private sale setting.

If it was a dealer car they'd probably be more amenable to fixing it as part of the purchase price.

Indeed, but he seems amenable, and when I said to him I was getting an inspection he said that if the inspection showed anything needing done, he would be happy to reduce the price to compensate.