Discussion
I'm considering buying a GTO 3R as my daily driver (ie not just weekend use) and wonder if that's a bit foolish, especially coming into winter.
Issues that concern me are poor rear visibility for parking, large turning circle, recalcitrant gearbox and general reliability (needs to be 100%........or 99% anyway). Things that may not bother you when just a weekend car but could if used everyday in a city.
How many here use Nobles as daily drivers?
Issues that concern me are poor rear visibility for parking, large turning circle, recalcitrant gearbox and general reliability (needs to be 100%........or 99% anyway). Things that may not bother you when just a weekend car but could if used everyday in a city.
How many here use Nobles as daily drivers?
I use our 3R every day (which is 10 months old and just in for 12K service) only minor problem with cooling system. Nothing else that has affected reliability on the road.
Yes turning circle poor, gearbox "improves" if you drive it everyday as you learn to work around the awkward change from time to time. Major problem in town is speed ramps with the low splitter, steep car park ramps etc. Rear visibility not that bad really.
We have used two M12's now for over two years virtually every day. The first GTO let my wife down only once although a number of early build desgin/problems had to be resolved e.g. windsreen wipers flying off!!
Nothing else is as exicting and you will be pleased to avoid boring cars as long as you have some where safe to park it and do not carry much gear around! Trips to the airport to drop off or collectare out!!
APS
Yes turning circle poor, gearbox "improves" if you drive it everyday as you learn to work around the awkward change from time to time. Major problem in town is speed ramps with the low splitter, steep car park ramps etc. Rear visibility not that bad really.
We have used two M12's now for over two years virtually every day. The first GTO let my wife down only once although a number of early build desgin/problems had to be resolved e.g. windsreen wipers flying off!!
Nothing else is as exicting and you will be pleased to avoid boring cars as long as you have some where safe to park it and do not carry much gear around! Trips to the airport to drop off or collectare out!!
APS
Just realised who you are 
Any problems I've had wouldn't have occured on the road - cooling system on a 1st lotus day on the hotest day of last year - uprated fan assembly fitted by factory free of charge (all 3R's should have this anyway) and a pipe coming off power steering, again on a 1st Lotus day while the car was sideways on the lockstops at 7k rpm in 2nd, I see a pattern emerging
Any problems I've had wouldn't have occured on the road - cooling system on a 1st lotus day on the hotest day of last year - uprated fan assembly fitted by factory free of charge (all 3R's should have this anyway) and a pipe coming off power steering, again on a 1st Lotus day while the car was sideways on the lockstops at 7k rpm in 2nd, I see a pattern emerging
AL001,
My GTO3 is the only car I have, although I admittedly don't use it as a very regular daily drive. I have gone through spells of using it to drive from Croydon way into the City, through some pretty nasty roads in Streatham and Brixton so have a few views on this.
The main issue I find is the profile of the car. Everyone, and I mean everyone is interested. You have eyes on you at all times. I find this a little disconcerting when commuting as I like to make swift anonymous progress to my destination (I love the attention the car gets when out for a blast though!! just a pity the driver doesn't get the same level of interest)
Parking is a bit of a trial but can be mastered. Turning circle is a right pain and can make you look like a real halfwit when you meet the wrong road. (no comments from SORTIE 10 about the MX5 beating me up the North side of Stelvio please). Car behaves well and is easy to drive in very heavy traffic (never had any issues crawling along in either the pouring rain or blistering heat). Also need to be careful of ramps (such as car parks) which again need the 45 degree tickle. I have regularly used NCP style car parks without too much grief though.
I haven't yet met the speedbump that causes the Noble any issues - just use the 45 degree approach technique if in any doubt. (having said this I took a lump out of front splitter just the other day through not being cautious enough with my speed over a bump the size of the great pyramid of Egypt in the deeplest darkest backroad of Clerkenwell - but that was my fault and not really the car)
I personally find the car very comfortable for trips of any length, but this is obviously down to personal physiology (and psychology maybe?)
It can be disconcerting being so low, particularly in motorway driving alongside big wagons in the spray (relevant with Winter now seemingly upon us)
Never really had any problem with roadholding in the wet - really down to realistic and safe driving. I take extra care when leaving petrol station forecourts though in the wet due to potential loss of grip due to fuel spillage from Halfwit drivers overfilling (almost got badly caught on the first day of owning car with a real trouser changer - I have learnt my lesson)
Luggage space has never been a problem as I usually bung anything on the passenger footwell - usually commute on my own.
On the whole I don't mind driving it though traffic, particularly when in a gear lower than that which is correct with the revs around the 4k mark when making slow progress and you get the high pitched wail. (luverly).
I find the suspension fairly hard, but not overly so, when you can't avoid a pothole you do tend to feel it. And the car does become unstable on poor surfaces - but then so does every performance car, and the Noble is probably better than most. Width not an issue as it goes anywhere, it looks a lot wider than it actually is. You could also take the spoiler off as has been discussed in other threads to increase visibility, also probably reducing the CHAV inappropriate interest coefficient at the same time, allowing you to make slightly more anonymous progress through Burberry infested areas.
Hope this helps mate. Cheers
Mike
My GTO3 is the only car I have, although I admittedly don't use it as a very regular daily drive. I have gone through spells of using it to drive from Croydon way into the City, through some pretty nasty roads in Streatham and Brixton so have a few views on this.
The main issue I find is the profile of the car. Everyone, and I mean everyone is interested. You have eyes on you at all times. I find this a little disconcerting when commuting as I like to make swift anonymous progress to my destination (I love the attention the car gets when out for a blast though!! just a pity the driver doesn't get the same level of interest)
Parking is a bit of a trial but can be mastered. Turning circle is a right pain and can make you look like a real halfwit when you meet the wrong road. (no comments from SORTIE 10 about the MX5 beating me up the North side of Stelvio please). Car behaves well and is easy to drive in very heavy traffic (never had any issues crawling along in either the pouring rain or blistering heat). Also need to be careful of ramps (such as car parks) which again need the 45 degree tickle. I have regularly used NCP style car parks without too much grief though.
I haven't yet met the speedbump that causes the Noble any issues - just use the 45 degree approach technique if in any doubt. (having said this I took a lump out of front splitter just the other day through not being cautious enough with my speed over a bump the size of the great pyramid of Egypt in the deeplest darkest backroad of Clerkenwell - but that was my fault and not really the car)
I personally find the car very comfortable for trips of any length, but this is obviously down to personal physiology (and psychology maybe?)
It can be disconcerting being so low, particularly in motorway driving alongside big wagons in the spray (relevant with Winter now seemingly upon us)
Never really had any problem with roadholding in the wet - really down to realistic and safe driving. I take extra care when leaving petrol station forecourts though in the wet due to potential loss of grip due to fuel spillage from Halfwit drivers overfilling (almost got badly caught on the first day of owning car with a real trouser changer - I have learnt my lesson)
Luggage space has never been a problem as I usually bung anything on the passenger footwell - usually commute on my own.
On the whole I don't mind driving it though traffic, particularly when in a gear lower than that which is correct with the revs around the 4k mark when making slow progress and you get the high pitched wail. (luverly).
I find the suspension fairly hard, but not overly so, when you can't avoid a pothole you do tend to feel it. And the car does become unstable on poor surfaces - but then so does every performance car, and the Noble is probably better than most. Width not an issue as it goes anywhere, it looks a lot wider than it actually is. You could also take the spoiler off as has been discussed in other threads to increase visibility, also probably reducing the CHAV inappropriate interest coefficient at the same time, allowing you to make slightly more anonymous progress through Burberry infested areas.
Hope this helps mate. Cheers
Mike
AL001,
just read the bit about you thinking of the Clio 182. I had a 172 cup for a year before the M12 and I really really liked it (I mean really!)
The 182 looks good, but the wail from the VVTI at around 5k in the cup with much less sound proofing and the hearing the fuel pump go into Benny Hill mode was brilliant. Not bad for a 10k car (new)! You can get them now for a few grand less with some miles up. Got to be a bargain if you can look past the not so hot production standards.
Cheers
Mike
just read the bit about you thinking of the Clio 182. I had a 172 cup for a year before the M12 and I really really liked it (I mean really!)
The 182 looks good, but the wail from the VVTI at around 5k in the cup with much less sound proofing and the hearing the fuel pump go into Benny Hill mode was brilliant. Not bad for a 10k car (new)! You can get them now for a few grand less with some miles up. Got to be a bargain if you can look past the not so hot production standards.
Cheers
Mike
Agree with all points in Mike's posting. I commute daily into town and use my GTO3 for business without problems - a few minor drawbacks that he mentions but quite manageable.
The attention-grabbing did surprise me - but used to it now and when I drive anything else I wonder why heads don't swivel!
Brian.
The attention-grabbing did surprise me - but used to it now and when I drive anything else I wonder why heads don't swivel!
Brian.
Thanks for all the feedback guys. Noble sounds a realistic propostion if you accept the inevitable compromises that low slung cars entail normally. I'm used to having to plan my route on where known large speedbumps are (the barstewarding things!).
Yeah Mike, as a daily car and living in the city (or very nearby anyway) the 172/182 makes good sense for me, especially as it has versatility to lug stuff around in.
Nathan......
P.S. Anyone looking for a Radical SR3? <sales plug>
Yeah Mike, as a daily car and living in the city (or very nearby anyway) the 172/182 makes good sense for me, especially as it has versatility to lug stuff around in.
Nathan......
P.S. Anyone looking for a Radical SR3? <sales plug>
AL001 said:
I'm considering buying a GTO 3R as my daily driver (ie not just weekend use) and wonder if that's a bit foolish, especially coming into winter.
Issues that concern me are poor rear visibility for parking, large turning circle, recalcitrant gearbox and general reliability (needs to be 100%........or 99% anyway). Things that may not bother you when just a weekend car but could if used everyday in a city.
How many here use Nobles as daily drivers?
AL001,
I am using my 3R since october 2003 as my everyday car. Although I am not far from work (I have done roughly 6000 miles in it so far), it is a real pleasure to use everyday.
Winter weather is not a problem at all and I have been surprised how much grip and balance the car has on slippery roads.
I did not have any significant mechanical problems during that time. Which was a good surprise.
I would say the only shadow is the 6-speed gearbox, which is not brilliant al all.
I do not live in a big city but if I was then my judgement may be different as speed bumps are difficult to go by and you can forget multi-storey car parks (have been stuck in one and I will not attempt it again !!)... Also door seal is low so be careful when opening it next to a pavement.
MB
m12_nathan said:
I disagree - I drive mine in and out of town all the time but everytime I get on a twisty country road that I know it comes alive and I remember exactly how special it is. I love the bloody thing
nah you need to drive a 1.1 fiesta flight to really appreciate the Noble!
monsieur,
surely a man of your position could easily find themselves at the front of the queue for an M14, or at least an M400?
Either way, if you failed to use your previous noble on a daily basis then I suggest you need to try again - I use my classic 2.5 twice a day, every work day, for 25 mins each way. - it makes my day, every day.
edited because I realised the foolishness of my previous comments for someone who I now understand has already owned an M12.
>> Edited by kentviking on Thursday 30th September 16:21
surely a man of your position could easily find themselves at the front of the queue for an M14, or at least an M400?
Either way, if you failed to use your previous noble on a daily basis then I suggest you need to try again - I use my classic 2.5 twice a day, every work day, for 25 mins each way. - it makes my day, every day.
edited because I realised the foolishness of my previous comments for someone who I now understand has already owned an M12.
>> Edited by kentviking on Thursday 30th September 16:21
I'm going for the stealth bomber look on mine now
www.ifgclub.com/gallery/gallery/nathan/cornering.jpg
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