I've only just read this and it's a tough call. It does sound good but there are enough things about it to cause concern.

Then comes Jimbos post and as Simons says it just shows the benefits of using the forum. Made me go back and look at the ad again and then I see it's had three owners. Wonder which one the banker was

No consolation to you though Maximus, if you had your heart set on it you must be feeling let down now by the dealer that is not the forum

I feel a bit bad for putting a downer on this but i'm only going on what Rich said about the car, he took the afternoon off work to view it and he said he felt very let down by the condition of it.

Unfortunately I dont have time to go and view it as its 45 minute drive from work and I'm not finishing until 5pm so its going to be dark

Anyone else local who can take a look and give Max a second opinion?

Now I am totally confused....

The car has now had all the mechanical work (servicing, brakes etc) done and is in the spray shop having the dings touched up before I am supposed to pick it up on Saturday morning. I was with Karl when he had the car up on the ramp on Saturday and didn't pick up any rust in any of the arches at all... There was a small (0.5mm round) rust bubble on the bonnet lip and something like the same on the passenger door, but other than this no rust I could find. Only only bodywork blemishes were a small dent to the drivers side bonnet lip and small scratch on the drivers side rear quarter. All of this is being sorted prior to me picking up the car on Saturday. Doors didn't seem to sag or have any problems shutting. And overall the condition of the bodywork was (in my opinion) very good.

If anything my initial concerns were more mechanical such as the turbo, cambelt, running gear etc.

L&M do have another car for sale (sprint blue - heavily modified) which I didnt even look at. Are you sure this isn't the car??

If there is someone who can look at the car for me or even give it a once over before I part with cash on Saturday I'd appreciate it.....

The more I think about this the more I feel that this just doesnt add up. The type of car that Rich has described to Jimbo doesnt sound at all like the car I went to see on Saturday... If anything the condition of the car is between good and very good. I've been to see it three times now and I'm sure I would have picked up any major body problems.. I know that silver can hide minor blemishes etc but This car didnt have many of them to hide !!

This is the car at L&M in High Wycombe is it not...Jimbo, how is that 45 minutes from Cheltenham, even at 150mph!

Hey Max, just to reliterate our telephone conversation - why would some one sell their Coupe to a Specialists unless trading in.

Its chiped (Novitec).
Aftermarket exhaust.
K&N filter.
Does it have a boost limiting device? Looks like no.
Standard intercooler? Appears so.
Fuel pump voltage mod? Appears no.

If not that could explain some of the problems - skimmed head, new turbo etc. Too much boost and a chip is only used for one thing - to push the boost and power. All the above ie upgrade intercooler, fuel pump mod are things that are first/basic in any tune up and weak spots on the Coupe that must be sorted prior to use/chiping.

Food for thought.

Time out!!!!!

I think we need to get back to basics here... which car, where, how much etc.. I think people are talking at cross purposes.

This is the car:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/car...rch_full=SEARCH

OR

http://www.l-m.co.uk/carsales/carsale36.html

It is being offered with FSH, 12 months mot, 6 months tax a 12 month warranty. The car has a Superprint Exhaust, K&N air filter and a Novitech chip (L&M have the standard chip which they can replace if requested). It has just been given a full service including brake discs and pads and they want £5600 for it.

I think (from my relativley limited experience) that it is a sound car but I totally respect the input and opinions of the people on this site as you all own and run coupes day in day out, if it really and truly is not a sound car (it does have all the problems/potential problems mentioned in previous posts) I do not want it.

Weather was good on all three visits so there wasnt any 'gods polish' on the car to obscure the paintwork.

if your happy with the car and your gut feeling is good then go for it, with the FSH and also the warranty thrown in the odds at picking up a good one are on your side.

Sometimes you can over complicate things (especially with coupes) i did exact the same thing when buying mine went to view it a few times and spent over a hours checking it over etc before taking it for a drive....the car will have little niggles, all cars do just as long as the basics (cambelt,clutch and general drive) is fine i would say you cant go wrong

There's a very nice LE up for sale at a little more money, yes its got 72K miles on it but thats average milage for its age and it looks very well cared for.

I was going to say why would you skim the surfaces when doing a Manifold?

You can have the Vinci Grey LE like Jimbo's for £6k or slightly less!