Gotta be done...

[robp]

Chris Harris – Autocar First Drive (Test Date 04/05/2004)

“….But with the revised chassis, steering and driving position the M400 is actually an easier car to drive fast and to live with than the cars sitting below it in the model range. If you’re a potential Noble convert, try it soon. If you already own an M12, don’t. The upgrade will be inevitable.”

Damn, damn, damn and damn – the bar-steward was right.
Oh well, it’s gotta be done…..

[chillidog]

I take it you've tried one then?

[robp]

Tried... and bought.

[chillidog]

[kentviking]

guess I'll be steering clear of that particular test drive then...at least until wife calms down over the expense of my current classic...maybe in a year or so I'll be joining your lucky elite.

[lucozade]

That's why I'm avoiding the test drive too !

[joust]

Oh, go on, go on, go on.

[robp]

There's no avoiding it, I'm afraid. It can just sneak up on you totally unawares.
For me, it was just a throw away comment as I was saying thanks and goodbye to Bob at Rockingham. Just said that the M400s were going nicely. Bob says 'did you have a drive?' 'No' I replied. Whereupon he seized Giles from NobleLondon and before I knew it I was hooning round the circuit in the red 400
Job done.
Tuesday I wave goodbye to my beloved 3R and Elise TT230

[DanH]

How did you find the 3R vs the Elise?

[robp]

My EliseTT230 is a stonking little car! Performance wise vs 3R; not much in it up to 60 (4.2 secs vs 3.7 sec)thereafter up to 100 and beyond the 3R pulls more stongly (8.7 sec vs 11.5 for the Elise). Quite a difference in handling though - the Elise with Yoko 038s has hugh, hugh grip in the dry and remains very 'flat' around corners, but being short wheel based mid engine machine once you're over the limit the car breaks away without warning and once gone at speed is just about impossible to catch. The 3R rolls much more (took me a while to get used to this -especially doing Craner Curves at speed!)but is much more predictable on the limit. Once I got used to the 3R it was definitely quicker round Donnington.

[V6GTO]

robp said:

Bob says 'did you have a drive?' 'No' I replied. Whereupon he seized Giles from NobleLondon and before I knew it I was hooning round the circuit in the red 400 Job done. Tuesday I wave goodbye to my beloved 3R and Elise TT230

What a difference to MV. I asked if I could have a drive because I was thinking of upgrading.(I bought my 3R there remember) Well, I was gobsmacked to be told "NO". Guess where I won't be buying an M400!

Martin.

[Ash GTO 3R]

Keep me away from it.

I will not be able to resist!

[m12_nathan]

V6GTO said:

robp said: Bob says 'did you have a drive?' 'No' I replied. Whereupon he seized Giles from NobleLondon and before I knew it I was hooning round the circuit in the red 400 Job done. Tuesday I wave goodbye to my beloved 3R and Elise TT230 What a difference to MV. I asked if I could have a drive because I was thinking of upgrading.(I bought my 3R there remember) Well, I was gobsmacked to be told "NO". Guess where I won't be buying an M400! Martin.

That sucks. Maybe they were scared you were going to order it in a funny colour

[joust]

To be fair MV weren't asked by the factory to let people out for demo rides, and hadn't arranged for anyone to do so.

There were other ways to get out in an M400.

J

[domcross]

joust said:

To be fair MV weren't asked by the factory to let people out for demo rides, and hadn't arranged for anyone to do so. There were other ways to get out in an M400. J

Well, I guess they should've taken the initiative and setup a driver for theit M400. Quite honestly, why were they there if not to find new customers??? Or maybe it was to get the cars lined up straight for the photo

Dom.

[Deep]

robp said:

There's no avoiding it, I'm afraid. It can just sneak up on you totally unawares. For me, it was just a throw away comment as I was saying thanks and goodbye to Bob at Rockingham. Just said that the M400s were going nicely. Bob says 'did you have a drive?' 'No' I replied. Whereupon he seized Giles from NobleLondon and before I knew it I was hooning round the circuit in the red 400 Job done. Tuesday I wave goodbye to my beloved 3R and Elise TT230

Hello Rob,
Is that a 2004 titanium coloured car being traded into Giles Cooper?

[robp]

deep said:

Hello Rob, Is that a 2004 titanium coloured car being traded into Giles Cooper?

Don't know if there's another one coming in, but I certainly will be trading in my 2004 Titanium 3R to Giles.

[m12_nathan]

I see a plan, I will act as middle man for a modest fee Rob gets a better deal on trade in and deep can buy the car cheaper and get a warrenty from kerridges, everyone is a winner bar the dealer but it isn't as if they'd not screw over anyone

[Deep]

robp said:

deep said: Hello Rob, Is that a 2004 titanium coloured car being traded into Giles Cooper? Don't know if there's another one coming in, but I certainly will be trading in my 2004 Titanium 3R to Giles.

Yep, thats your car I'm looking at next week then

[robp]

Highly recommend it.