Discussion
Hello everyone,
I would like to know of your experience about Noble cars. As I'm an owner of a TVR Tuscan for 13 month and 7 of it the car was broken I would like to know how Nobles are regarding reliability.
Fact is that selling the Tiv would make a serious loss of money so I'm thinking about a Noble besides the TVR because 2 great cars are better than one.
So, is there anyone who came from TVR to Noble or had a similar chance for comparison? How about handling, the Ford V6 Turbo and all-day practicality.
Regards
Ben
I would like to know of your experience about Noble cars. As I'm an owner of a TVR Tuscan for 13 month and 7 of it the car was broken I would like to know how Nobles are regarding reliability.
Fact is that selling the Tiv would make a serious loss of money so I'm thinking about a Noble besides the TVR because 2 great cars are better than one.
So, is there anyone who came from TVR to Noble or had a similar chance for comparison? How about handling, the Ford V6 Turbo and all-day practicality.
Regards
Ben
Sad to hear that, engine rebuild need?
I had my heart set on a Tuscan or a Noble and researched them both to absolute death. I found a bit more cash and went for the Noble as I knew deep down I wanted it a little more. I've always been a fan of Turbo cars, although the noise of the speed 6 engine was a major turn on.
Nobles are more tune-able than TVR's and in terms of handling there is no comparison. The TVR's I've driven and ridden in are very unpredictable, more like muscle cars. IMO opinion the Noble looks better from certain angles than others where as the Tuscan looks incredible where ever you stand.
I would say the Noble is a more serious car, it drives very well and is surprising comfortable for it's marque, mainly down to the chassis being so good it does not need anti roll bars. It defiantly has a firmer ride than the TVR.
Like TVR's they have their weak points. The GTO and the GTO3 have weak diffs and gearbox's. The diff is a must as these tend to go around 30,000 miles. If you up the power the gearbox is an area you may wish to get strengthened. I have found if you look after the car, fix minor problems when they crop up and use it regularly it has been very reliable - I would go out on a limb and say a standard noble would be more reliable than a standard TVR. There is also a lot less electrical components in a Noble which means there is less to go wrong than TVR. When parts do go wrong most of them are Ford, therefore easy to replace and accessible. If you want to go on track you will need new brake pads and a track day sump. Mine is my only vehicle and I use it all the time. My only gripe with it day to day is, i'm quite short and where I sit the mirrors are right in the way of on coming traffic at t-junctions - you can swap them I have just not got round to it yet.
In a round about way i'm trying to say a standard Noble which as been looked after should be a reliable vehicle. Quite where there reputation for unreliability comes from, I'm not sure - maybe more a misconception due to being low volume. I must say, adding a Tuscan to the garage would be pretty much my perfect "obtainable" 2 car garage. Do it.
I had my heart set on a Tuscan or a Noble and researched them both to absolute death. I found a bit more cash and went for the Noble as I knew deep down I wanted it a little more. I've always been a fan of Turbo cars, although the noise of the speed 6 engine was a major turn on.
Nobles are more tune-able than TVR's and in terms of handling there is no comparison. The TVR's I've driven and ridden in are very unpredictable, more like muscle cars. IMO opinion the Noble looks better from certain angles than others where as the Tuscan looks incredible where ever you stand.
I would say the Noble is a more serious car, it drives very well and is surprising comfortable for it's marque, mainly down to the chassis being so good it does not need anti roll bars. It defiantly has a firmer ride than the TVR.
Like TVR's they have their weak points. The GTO and the GTO3 have weak diffs and gearbox's. The diff is a must as these tend to go around 30,000 miles. If you up the power the gearbox is an area you may wish to get strengthened. I have found if you look after the car, fix minor problems when they crop up and use it regularly it has been very reliable - I would go out on a limb and say a standard noble would be more reliable than a standard TVR. There is also a lot less electrical components in a Noble which means there is less to go wrong than TVR. When parts do go wrong most of them are Ford, therefore easy to replace and accessible. If you want to go on track you will need new brake pads and a track day sump. Mine is my only vehicle and I use it all the time. My only gripe with it day to day is, i'm quite short and where I sit the mirrors are right in the way of on coming traffic at t-junctions - you can swap them I have just not got round to it yet.
In a round about way i'm trying to say a standard Noble which as been looked after should be a reliable vehicle. Quite where there reputation for unreliability comes from, I'm not sure - maybe more a misconception due to being low volume. I must say, adding a Tuscan to the garage would be pretty much my perfect "obtainable" 2 car garage. Do it.
I went from TVR T350 after 3 years, to a Noble M400. The Noble handles better, IS faster, is more comfortable and although looks different it is still a good looking car.
I went down the modifying route and have ended up turning the Noble into a race car, as track work is what it does best.
I still had the urge to have another TVR and ended up buying a Sagaris for road driving.
Love them both for different reasons, lets be honest though, neither are going to be totally reliable and you will spunk money at both of them
Enjoy and pick a good colour!
Graham
I went down the modifying route and have ended up turning the Noble into a race car, as track work is what it does best.
I still had the urge to have another TVR and ended up buying a Sagaris for road driving.
Love them both for different reasons, lets be honest though, neither are going to be totally reliable and you will spunk money at both of them
Enjoy and pick a good colour!
Graham
Thanks for the replies so far. And indeed engine rebuild was required on the Tuscan, as well as an steering rack rebuild twice 
I'm not so keen about track use, yet. But good to know a Noble is a proper track toy. With the replies so far it seems to be a good addition especially because I basically don't need a car for commuting. Good to know about the weak points so I can check if work has to be done soon. Makes it even harder to resist.
Regards
Ben
I'm not so keen about track use, yet. But good to know a Noble is a proper track toy. With the replies so far it seems to be a good addition especially because I basically don't need a car for commuting. Good to know about the weak points so I can check if work has to be done soon. Makes it even harder to resist.
Regards
Ben
Ben I own a Noble and a Tuscan. Completely different cars and it depends on what you want from one. You'll know all about the TVR engine issues, but luckily I've never suffered any and have owned/own a few TVRs. I would say on the handling front the Noble is likely to be the quicker car as it's more precise and feels made to go quickly, accurately. Whereas the Tuscan can be a sideways monster. I actually prefer driving the Tuscan more of the time as it feels more fun.
As far as reliability (engine aside), they can both have their niggles. I wouldn't say one was better than the other.
As far as reliability (engine aside), they can both have their niggles. I wouldn't say one was better than the other.
Hey
TVR T350c:
I had one of these for 2 years. Used it as a daily drive and its the most reliable car I have ever owned. It never faulted and was a dream to drive even with the constant abuse it got. Loved every moment of it and can't recommend it enough.
Noble M12 M400 (upgrade):
I have had this for 8 months, its broken every month with little niggles which keep need sorting out. Its not reliable, and to be honest its annoying most the time so its only used at weekends. BUT its so completely bonkers insane when it comes to performance and speed there's no way to explain the complete happiness this car gives you when it does work. Be prepared to spend is my experience.
So I guess it comes down to personal experience as my experience above is probably very different to most peoples who have had TVRs.
TVR T350c:
I had one of these for 2 years. Used it as a daily drive and its the most reliable car I have ever owned. It never faulted and was a dream to drive even with the constant abuse it got. Loved every moment of it and can't recommend it enough.
Noble M12 M400 (upgrade):
I have had this for 8 months, its broken every month with little niggles which keep need sorting out. Its not reliable, and to be honest its annoying most the time so its only used at weekends. BUT its so completely bonkers insane when it comes to performance and speed there's no way to explain the complete happiness this car gives you when it does work. Be prepared to spend is my experience.
So I guess it comes down to personal experience as my experience above is probably very different to most peoples who have had TVRs.
G_Sleigh said:
Hey
Noble M12 M400 (upgrade):
I have had this for 8 months, its broken every month with little niggles which keep need sorting out. Its not reliable, and to be honest its annoying most the time so its only used at weekends. BUT its so completely bonkers insane when it comes to performance and speed there's no way to explain the complete happiness this car gives you when it does work. Be prepared to spend is my experience.
I can't comment on TVRs but spent first two years of Nobles fixing and fettling but have had two years now when virtually nothing has gone wrong or needed doing (Yes I know it will go horribly wrong tomorrow)Noble M12 M400 (upgrade):
I have had this for 8 months, its broken every month with little niggles which keep need sorting out. Its not reliable, and to be honest its annoying most the time so its only used at weekends. BUT its so completely bonkers insane when it comes to performance and speed there's no way to explain the complete happiness this car gives you when it does work. Be prepared to spend is my experience.
some of the cars have niggles that the owners have sorted out
you dont want a 5 speed box unless it has a lsd fitted
you need a track day sump
you need the fuel pump rewired
if you buy an early car that has not has some essential upgrades, expect to pay more than a sorted one in the long run
you dont want a 5 speed box unless it has a lsd fitted
you need a track day sump
you need the fuel pump rewired
if you buy an early car that has not has some essential upgrades, expect to pay more than a sorted one in the long run
When I first bought my noble it spent 2 years as my company / everyday car... did 30k + miles in it without a it letting me down once, started every morning and never left me at roadside... had a couple of niggles like the wiper arm breaking twice and an ecu map that caused a hiccup but it was reliable, it ONLY went to a noble garage for servicing and was a non lsd 5 speed car with absolutely no mods at all so they can be totally reliable if properly serviced.
They become less reliable when you start modifying them, but then thats true of almost all cars.... trouble is modifying them becomes addictive as they respond so well to it
They become less reliable when you start modifying them, but then thats true of almost all cars.... trouble is modifying them becomes addictive as they respond so well to it
Thanks everyone for the replies. Really appreciate that you are so kind sharing your experience. It's a pity I can't make it to Silverstone on 12th 'cause it's a short-term for such long trip from Germany. I'm looking forward that I can meet some owners at another gathering.
As I'm not scared by some minor niggles to fix and I'm also able to use a spanner I now really consider a Noble as a 2nd car besides the Tuscan, I just have to get rid of the shopping trolley I own, yet. In summary it seems to be a coinflip to get a good one or a bad one, and I have to be more carefull then when I was buying the Tuscan. I now know what to look for and will keep an eye on the classifieds.
Regards
Ben
As I'm not scared by some minor niggles to fix and I'm also able to use a spanner I now really consider a Noble as a 2nd car besides the Tuscan, I just have to get rid of the shopping trolley I own, yet. In summary it seems to be a coinflip to get a good one or a bad one, and I have to be more carefull then when I was buying the Tuscan. I now know what to look for and will keep an eye on the classifieds.
Regards
Ben
EW486 said:
Thanks everyone for the replies. Really appreciate that you are so kind sharing your experience. It's a pity I can't make it to Silverstone on 12th 'cause it's a short-term for such long trip from Germany. I'm looking forward that I can meet some owners at another gathering.
As I'm not scared by some minor niggles to fix and I'm also able to use a spanner I now really consider a Noble as a 2nd car besides the Tuscan, I just have to get rid of the shopping trolley I own, yet. In summary it seems to be a coinflip to get a good one or a bad one, and I have to be more carefull then when I was buying the Tuscan. I now know what to look for and will keep an eye on the classifieds.
Regards
Ben
For what it's worth,the two Nobles I've had have been a million times more reliable than the 4 TVR's!As I'm not scared by some minor niggles to fix and I'm also able to use a spanner I now really consider a Noble as a 2nd car besides the Tuscan, I just have to get rid of the shopping trolley I own, yet. In summary it seems to be a coinflip to get a good one or a bad one, and I have to be more carefull then when I was buying the Tuscan. I now know what to look for and will keep an eye on the classifieds.
Regards
Ben
Hi Ben, lots of good advice and comments from the guys here as always.
I'm in the lucky position of owning both, I've had the Noble for 8 years now, and apart from servicing, cleaning and a replacement exhaust & upgraded fuel pump (originals are rubbish) it's never missed a beat, even when it's been stored for long periods. I drove it 140 miles round trip to Goodwood supercar Sunday on the 4th May and it's never felt better, still makes me smile......and gets a great reception wherever is goes.
It's a very different feeling car to the Tuscan. My Tuscan is one of the last factory cars to be made and build quality is a step up from earlier Tuscans. The body and interior fit and finish is a step up from the Noble, however I think the Noble is pretty well thought out and built, it's just a bit more basic. I've had the Tuscan for 2 years, and again never had any problems, it's a beautiful car and similarly gets the thumbs up wherever she goes.
The Tuscan is a more complete car in terms of styling, boot, roof configuration, interior comfort and I love it......
However, the Noble is the one I'd never sell ;-)
Just find one that's been cared for. Good luck with the search, oh and keep the Tuscan too.....TVRs have a knack of getting under your skin!
Simon
I'm in the lucky position of owning both, I've had the Noble for 8 years now, and apart from servicing, cleaning and a replacement exhaust & upgraded fuel pump (originals are rubbish) it's never missed a beat, even when it's been stored for long periods. I drove it 140 miles round trip to Goodwood supercar Sunday on the 4th May and it's never felt better, still makes me smile......and gets a great reception wherever is goes.
It's a very different feeling car to the Tuscan. My Tuscan is one of the last factory cars to be made and build quality is a step up from earlier Tuscans. The body and interior fit and finish is a step up from the Noble, however I think the Noble is pretty well thought out and built, it's just a bit more basic. I've had the Tuscan for 2 years, and again never had any problems, it's a beautiful car and similarly gets the thumbs up wherever she goes.
The Tuscan is a more complete car in terms of styling, boot, roof configuration, interior comfort and I love it......
However, the Noble is the one I'd never sell ;-)
Just find one that's been cared for. Good luck with the search, oh and keep the Tuscan too.....TVRs have a knack of getting under your skin!
Simon
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