Nomad order - current owner advice
Discussion
stormcloud123 said:
Pah, it doesn't even have the hydraulic handbrake! 
Patience is tough, but the early orders from dealers were shots in the dark.
Hydraulic handbrake?
brush black interior?
Short final gear?
This car is an early guess, but someone will no doubt buy it at or over cost price.
The interior looks a bit different, the floor looks like checker plate. Only car I've ever seen with that. Patience is tough, but the early orders from dealers were shots in the dark.
Hydraulic handbrake?
brush black interior?
Short final gear?
This car is an early guess, but someone will no doubt buy it at or over cost price.
stormcloud123 said:
Thanks for the offer, but 'at most' the chassis is in production (wherever they source that from), expect chassis delivery to the factory in a few weeks as per delivery schedules and then build the damn thing!
If anyone from here does pop down to the factory mid August, you can't miss it, pearlised rapeseed yellow.
Did you go standard colour option or is this custom? I have been playing with the configurator colour choices and end up with something stealth or something that looks like a mutated wasp. If anyone from here does pop down to the factory mid August, you can't miss it, pearlised rapeseed yellow.
Lighty said:
Absolute basic spec here, but loving the satin black frame (no cost option) with the red, as mentioned earlier.
Tiny brakes , would concern me slightly.
Anyone got some more recent pics or news ??
I have quite a few pictures, will post some up later with a review. Work and house guests have kept me from it for the last week. Tiny brakes , would concern me slightly.
Anyone got some more recent pics or news ??
I have been meaning to post for a few weeks since visiting Ariel but work has kept me from it. I've included impressions and comments that might be of interest.
Henry kindly provided me with some pictures of existing cars they'd built so all but the first two are his, I have shots of pretty much every specification option so if anyone is after anything in particular, let me know.
So, I test drove the NA car. It wasn't as ballistic as I was expecting and perhaps the reviews set expectations too high. I'll ultimately go for the supercharger but fuel quality on my Africa trip is going to cause issues so I'll wait till the car is returned to the UK before I add that. I also quite like the fact that it will evolve in a meaningful way in my ownership.
There is a fair amount to take in and things like turn indicators which are not self cancelling. I nearly pulled the drift brake at 50mph going to change gear but caught myself in time.
Gearbox has a lovely mechanical feel, pedals are well positioned and weighted.
I thought the car was pretty muted even with the cat bypass but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just different to what I'm used to.
Standard seats are the only option for me, the carbon fibre Tilletts that are offered as an upgrade are too narrow as I have broad shoulders. I am going to get them trimmed in a combination of neoprene and something else TBC separately.
Debating the Ohlins versus the Fox shocks, for Africa, Henry reckons that the Fox will be better so I'm a little torn. The Ohlins were good on the road but I can't make any meaningful comments after a 4 mile drive.
I didn't see the all weather cover but it's around £1,000 as an option.
Henry kindly provided me with some pictures of existing cars they'd built so all but the first two are his, I have shots of pretty much every specification option so if anyone is after anything in particular, let me know.
So, I test drove the NA car. It wasn't as ballistic as I was expecting and perhaps the reviews set expectations too high. I'll ultimately go for the supercharger but fuel quality on my Africa trip is going to cause issues so I'll wait till the car is returned to the UK before I add that. I also quite like the fact that it will evolve in a meaningful way in my ownership.
There is a fair amount to take in and things like turn indicators which are not self cancelling. I nearly pulled the drift brake at 50mph going to change gear but caught myself in time.
Gearbox has a lovely mechanical feel, pedals are well positioned and weighted.
I thought the car was pretty muted even with the cat bypass but that's not necessarily a bad thing, just different to what I'm used to.
Standard seats are the only option for me, the carbon fibre Tilletts that are offered as an upgrade are too narrow as I have broad shoulders. I am going to get them trimmed in a combination of neoprene and something else TBC separately.
Debating the Ohlins versus the Fox shocks, for Africa, Henry reckons that the Fox will be better so I'm a little torn. The Ohlins were good on the road but I can't make any meaningful comments after a 4 mile drive.
I didn't see the all weather cover but it's around £1,000 as an option.
Lighty said:
This is turning into a very informative thread, I have learned more from here than actually buying the car
Keep up the good work folks, the it isn't much info about, could do with some owners videos.
As for the Fox shocks, have you specced yet ? Do they cost more or less than the Ohlins ?
You have to wonder if recomendations are due to supply or cost issues. I have always thought Ohlins stuff was second to none.
Look forward to seeing the yellow car, I am 90% sure on the Orange at the moment, but looks like I still have loads of time to change my mind.
My order is so far away, it's not even worth thinking about but yes, I'm going to spec Ohlins. They're £4.4k versus £2.8k for Fox so a fair difference. Keep up the good work folks, the it isn't much info about, could do with some owners videos.
As for the Fox shocks, have you specced yet ? Do they cost more or less than the Ohlins ?
You have to wonder if recomendations are due to supply or cost issues. I have always thought Ohlins stuff was second to none.
Look forward to seeing the yellow car, I am 90% sure on the Orange at the moment, but looks like I still have loads of time to change my mind.
Don't believe there is an issue with supply, it comes down to application and budget. Fox supply to Polaris and given where I'm taking the Nomad, Henry felt that Fox would be more appropriate. However, long term ownership for me will be more suited to Ohlins. You can't test drive the vehicle off road when you go down to Ariel so you're only ever going to get an appreciation of compliance on the road but they're adjustable so you're on factory settings which might not be to your preference.
Regarding paint, I discussed the finishes and maintainability with the service manager and asked what sort of issues they were getting. His recommendation was from a maintenance point of view, the satin black would be easier to keep looking good but it comes down to how you're using it of course. The car featured on TopGear had taken a beating and there was significant flaking and chipping, particular at the back. That was the gloss orange as you probably know. I suspect for 99% of people, it won't be a problem.
Here are some yellow shots for you that Ariel shared with me if it helps.
Lighty said:
Amazing how the cost racks up, it's not as if you have even been extravagant, the only thing you have that I wouldn't is the winch, so add the charger & your at £60 k in a blink.
Could get a new Porsche Macan for that
If you wanted to simulate the feel of the Nomad in your new Macan, you could ask them to supply with no windows, just the front windscreen? Could get a new Porsche Macan for that
I think the media have thoroughly misrepresented the cost of this car and when you get Ariel's configuration spreadsheet, you realise how much you need to add in. My spec is at £72k which has prompted the question I hate most 'so, which car are you selling to make room for this'.
My coast to coast trip in Africa is accumulating quite a few challenges - kidnapping and ransom in Mozambique is the latest thing thrown into my path. Sadly, no roof mounted sub-machine gun option but I could speak to Ariel US who have probably fielded this request already!
I'm concerned about the lack of a race series and the lead times. Lighty, I think yours has slipped from 12-14 to 19 months?
squirejo said:
Went to see the team on Wednesday to drive and start to discuss my car (Spring next year delivery)
I'd appreciate others keeping updated on off road availability. My investigations so far have failed to unearth the equivalent of an off road track day and one rally school I contacted doesn't do days to drive your own car.
A few pics and my spec as of this week's discussion.
Not sure where you're based but you may be interested in this: http://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk/off-road-4x4I'd appreciate others keeping updated on off road availability. My investigations so far have failed to unearth the equivalent of an off road track day and one rally school I contacted doesn't do days to drive your own car.
A few pics and my spec as of this week's discussion.
I think the course would be a bit of fun in a Nomad and for £40, you can't grumble.
Rally Cross events seem to be the best option and they exist at local club level. I'm based in London / Suffolk and there is nothing in London but the country clubs do various events.
Pick up Land Rover International - they do green lane profiles and if you string together enough in your area, you'll have a combination of road and off road but again, they're quite short - 2 - 3 miles. I use Readly and got their back issues through that if that helps. I have not tried them.
The local farmer who owns the fields behind my house turns out to be a petrolhead and has given me permission to use his land although he has said that during harvest, he'd prefer me to stay clear or let him know if my need is great.
stormcloud123 said:
To add to the above.
The car is hugely expensive (even if it holds its value well), far beyond the £36k to ensure it is road legal. If it was reviewed as a Porsche then option costs would be part of the review, as with the Atom the options climb is ignored. You could argue that costs depend on use, but if you asked Ariel to spec a desirable Nomad, it'd be 45-55k, that is the ballpark in reality (N/A).
I also have had bad news, car IVA not due until first week in October, so that is summer done, ordered last May so nothing last summer and nothing this, so poor at setting customer expectations. Was originally told 9-12mths, now it's looking 18mths. Not fussed about 18mths, but could have planned other temporary measures in meantime, poor.
Mind is already wandering to other vehicles, Nomad will do well to stay in the fleet, at least resale looks strong with such slow production / lead times.
I agree and have had similar thoughts. In fact, a friend of mine has offered to take my build slot and given the slippage that everyone has mentioned, I’m seriously considering giving up on the whole idea. The car is hugely expensive (even if it holds its value well), far beyond the £36k to ensure it is road legal. If it was reviewed as a Porsche then option costs would be part of the review, as with the Atom the options climb is ignored. You could argue that costs depend on use, but if you asked Ariel to spec a desirable Nomad, it'd be 45-55k, that is the ballpark in reality (N/A).
I also have had bad news, car IVA not due until first week in October, so that is summer done, ordered last May so nothing last summer and nothing this, so poor at setting customer expectations. Was originally told 9-12mths, now it's looking 18mths. Not fussed about 18mths, but could have planned other temporary measures in meantime, poor.
Mind is already wandering to other vehicles, Nomad will do well to stay in the fleet, at least resale looks strong with such slow production / lead times.
My GT4 suffered massive delays in production due to stop orders on carbon seats, being PTS and so on. The wait was painful. Not really interested in doing that all over again, especially for something that I don’t think will be a long term keeper.
My spec has come out at 72k and while I will get the VAT back, there are a lot of interesting (and potentially ‘free motoring’ choices) at that level. While the car was fun and there was a lot to like, it didn’t blow me away and I think that’s part of the problem.
I’d probably be more convinced to hang on if there was a rally cross series that I could enjoy the car in but that depends on enough cars being out there in the first place. Chicken and egg.
Mattjevans said:
There's an argument that, so long as he can access a decent length gravelly road, the weather by then might actually be perfect.
I'm all for sun, but I would think a bit of mud and puddles can add to the fun quotient here...
Yep, stepping out of your Nomad when you get home.I'm all for sun, but I would think a bit of mud and puddles can add to the fun quotient here...
http://giphy.com/gifs/bonnaroo-ApQamXuFa9hHq
(I think the forum blocks embedded GIFs so you'll have to click the link)
stormcloud123 said:
I had an idea what it'd look like with the white writing on the outside of the tyre walls, but preferred inside, besides, due to the lack of body work you can see the writing from your seat, which i think is cooler.
From what i can gather, any additional tactical and sport options TMI add to the Nomad in the states you can order for your Nomad, but the ordering has to go through Crewkerne. So I'll be receiving the hood via the factory.
No side panels or red calipers for me, personal preference thing rather than availability / practicality.
Painting the lettering is pretty straight forward and you can do that yourself. There are quite a lot of instructional videos on YouTube. The Americans are fond of it for their '50's cars but don't forget to misspell tyre as 'tire' to find them. From what i can gather, any additional tactical and sport options TMI add to the Nomad in the states you can order for your Nomad, but the ordering has to go through Crewkerne. So I'll be receiving the hood via the factory.
No side panels or red calipers for me, personal preference thing rather than availability / practicality.
Do you have a shot of the hood on its own? Or is your request founded purely on the egarage video?
For those of you with Nomads already, what are you paying insurance wise?
I put mine down at 1-2k miles, £52k build cost. I live in a rural area, have electric gates, garage storing it - electric sectional garage doors, CCTV. They want £750 p/a. Stipulated it must have a Thatcham CAT 6. Clean licence.
Seems double what I would expect. My GT4 isn’t even that much and it’s on agreed value at double the price.
Appreciate any pointers regarding sensible insurers.
I put mine down at 1-2k miles, £52k build cost. I live in a rural area, have electric gates, garage storing it - electric sectional garage doors, CCTV. They want £750 p/a. Stipulated it must have a Thatcham CAT 6. Clean licence.
Seems double what I would expect. My GT4 isn’t even that much and it’s on agreed value at double the price.
Appreciate any pointers regarding sensible insurers.
Riccardino said:
Very gealous
Do not have thespear money at the moment for such a toy but if anybody is coming with one in the Kent area I would love to have a passenger ride to experience it
Do you know of any Ariel event when you can try those toys?
They've only made 50 or so to date, your only chance of a drive is a test drive.Do not have thespear money at the moment for such a toy but if anybody is coming with one in the Kent area I would love to have a passenger ride to experience it
Do you know of any Ariel event when you can try those toys?
russty_james said:
I had quotes from Paceward, Classic Line, Adrian Flux and A-Plan. I went with A-Plan in the end as they included track days (5 per year) and had a much lower excess whilst on track.
Give their specialist branch a try in Thatcham 01635 874646, a very helpful team.
My quote is through A-Plan but not sure who the underwriter is. What I don't understand is that I have cars which are multiple the value of the Nomad and despite doing a fraction of the mileage in the Nomad, it's still coming out higher! Give their specialist branch a try in Thatcham 01635 874646, a very helpful team.
May I ask what your track excess is?
russty_james said:
My track excess was £1000 plus the normal excess £500.
Thanks for the number, I had a chat with them. Really helpful and the new business person I spoke to got it - I have a diverse bunch of cars and he said that he felt that splitting the business across the two offices might get me a fairer premium.Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 14th October 15:38
Lighty said:
I got a quote from Pace ward, who do my RS , think it was £2.5 K, but that was with my 20 year old son on it, he is 21 now, so expect it may have dropped a bit by the time I get the actual car.
If I was 20 or 21 and my dad chucked me the keys to a Nomad, I might wet myself. I guess he is working off the premium in chores then huh? What's your RS? Assuming GT3, if so what series is it?stormcloud123 said:
All this talk of GT4 and RS, wish i had bought that 981 Spyder I really liked at retail in 2015. 
I know, 1st world problems, but M2 now cancelled and cash ready for the Boxster / 718 Spyder 2019, please dear god keep it NA like you promised.
Anyway, I have digressed, car is back from factory, it looks absolutely amazing when out on the road in other traffic, a real showstopper. I have other thoughts on my 200 mile motorway drive home but will post up again tomorrow zzzz
Just to say that the Nomads in build were yellow, orange, 2 black and 2 red, for some strange and unknown reason none had wheels on so i could not add to the pictures already posted, the frames were still just frames. The build area was 7/2 in favour of Nomads, but a hint at Atom 4 next year (so read 2018).
Insurance is the point of this response, so 39, 9yr NCB, garaged, so-so postcode, clean licence.
I was offered £600 for 6k miles per year, £52k value, £500 excess, no track days (none asked for), they did require proof of experience with similar vehicle so I provided previous Atom ownership. I'm aware that other cars in peoples fleet are of similar or greater performance but maybe it was as simple as similar vehicle experience in 'kit car' type rather than just performance, just wondering if the high quotes are because of that lack of understanding.
Anyhow, this was through A-Plan who are fully aware of the existence of the Nomad, I applied to one other (Adrian Flux) and was quoted £975, and they had been very Atom friendly in the past. Henry did say that some potential customers were being quoted high, I think it's down to the underwriter needing to know the cars equivalent and history of the equivalent to base such a new and unknown quantity. Back to A-Plan to discuss if not already done so is my best advice.
Congratulations, really pleased for you. The end of the wait for a special car is a joyous moment. I wasn't sure if you'd picked it up yet so was waiting for the mandatory collection picture! I know, 1st world problems, but M2 now cancelled and cash ready for the Boxster / 718 Spyder 2019, please dear god keep it NA like you promised.
Anyway, I have digressed, car is back from factory, it looks absolutely amazing when out on the road in other traffic, a real showstopper. I have other thoughts on my 200 mile motorway drive home but will post up again tomorrow zzzz
Just to say that the Nomads in build were yellow, orange, 2 black and 2 red, for some strange and unknown reason none had wheels on so i could not add to the pictures already posted, the frames were still just frames. The build area was 7/2 in favour of Nomads, but a hint at Atom 4 next year (so read 2018).
Insurance is the point of this response, so 39, 9yr NCB, garaged, so-so postcode, clean licence.
I was offered £600 for 6k miles per year, £52k value, £500 excess, no track days (none asked for), they did require proof of experience with similar vehicle so I provided previous Atom ownership. I'm aware that other cars in peoples fleet are of similar or greater performance but maybe it was as simple as similar vehicle experience in 'kit car' type rather than just performance, just wondering if the high quotes are because of that lack of understanding.
Anyhow, this was through A-Plan who are fully aware of the existence of the Nomad, I applied to one other (Adrian Flux) and was quoted £975, and they had been very Atom friendly in the past. Henry did say that some potential customers were being quoted high, I think it's down to the underwriter needing to know the cars equivalent and history of the equivalent to base such a new and unknown quantity. Back to A-Plan to discuss if not already done so is my best advice.
First world problems are still problems!
The 981 Spyder is a lovely car. I would personally be very surprised if they retained a flat six. I was at Silverstone last month and took the 718 cars out. I thought they were both very refined and handled beautifully but steering feel wasn't to my taste and the dull engine quite simply ruined the car. I have a long history of performance cars and an even longer history with off roading vehicles as I grew up in Africa. Talking to the A-Plan specialist office, they asked more pertinent questions so we'll see what they come back with.
Look forward to your next post, safe trip home.
Lighty said:
My son works for me , so he technically is earning the money to pay for the Nomad, we decided to get something fun for all our hard work, that is why he will be allowed to drive it as much as me. I want to do a few track days in it to reach him rear wheel drive. He has a Megane 275, so can cope with the performance, just not the tail stepping out
My RS is a GT3 mk1, I have had it since new, and has been one of my best ever purchases for fun & value.
Lovely, sounds like some fun times ahead. I can't wait for mine. I was on order for a 991 GT3 MKII but decided the Nomad was going to be more fun so cancelled. Funny how things work out, the OPC wouldn't pony up a pair of tickets for Goodwood FOS - I was due to be away for work but plans changed and tickets were sold out so I asked if they could do me a favour. I got the impression they didn't really try that hard. I was talking to Ariel at the time and they suggested coming to see the car at Goodwood. Explained that I didn't have tickets and they sorted me out. Hoping that I made the right call. Not that I would be taking a GT3 off road! My RS is a GT3 mk1, I have had it since new, and has been one of my best ever purchases for fun & value.
Lighty said:
That's decent of Ariel, and it obviously paid them back in bucket loads. Looking back on the purchase of the RS, the worst bit was interacting with the dealers, they couldn't be more unhelpful , make you feel like they are doing you a favour.
Porsche themselves were fantastic, as I did factory collect.
I considered something newer like a 650s or a Huracan, & getting rid of the Porsche, but realised it was the pure driving I liked best, so opted for the ultimate raw driving in the Nomad .
Shame the weather is so poor 50% of the time here.
One of my friends has a serious collection of exotic cars and he always goes on about his best buying experience being with his Alfa 8C. Years later and having spent nothing since, apparently the Alfa sales person still rings him up with invites to events, comps tickets and with no pressure selling either. He said to the guy that he felt bad accepting these gestures and that he was taking advantage to which the Alfa guy replied 'x, when we make a car that you will like, I hope that I will have earned your business and that you will consider placing an order with me'. I laughed when I thought about my Porsche salesman either acting in that way or simply saying something like that. Porsche themselves were fantastic, as I did factory collect.
I considered something newer like a 650s or a Huracan, & getting rid of the Porsche, but realised it was the pure driving I liked best, so opted for the ultimate raw driving in the Nomad .
Shame the weather is so poor 50% of the time here.
The weather is a shame and I suspect I'll be investing in a Nomad specific wardrobe.
Already thinking that this is going to be first in: http://www.heinnie.com/outdoor-research-ninjaclava
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