Noble,Would you ?
Discussion
I said when I retired I would get a noble with 40-50k budget shouldn’t be hard to find a nice 3.0 Twin Turbo Version have any of you experienced one of these I know there not considered a super car and I don’t have the budget for one, Just love the rawness and sound of the noble. Thanks Drew
Cracking cars and test drive one in the past. 2 minor things put me off, but these were very subjective/personal to me.
Interior is nice enough but felt a bit kit car with the parts from a Demon Tweaks catalogue.
Luggage space limited to behind the seats for a euro trip.
I also had a small concern on parts supply but wouldn’t add this as one that I never explored in depth.
Cracking cars and a real supercar presence. If the Exige didn’t exist I think I might have compromised on the above and bought one.
Interior is nice enough but felt a bit kit car with the parts from a Demon Tweaks catalogue.
Luggage space limited to behind the seats for a euro trip.
I also had a small concern on parts supply but wouldn’t add this as one that I never explored in depth.
Cracking cars and a real supercar presence. If the Exige didn’t exist I think I might have compromised on the above and bought one.
I've driven one but not had to live with one. They are fantastic, all theatre and if you want a Noble get a Noble, you only get one shot at this.
Pros:
Won't lose any money. You achieve something you said you would. You have a Noble.
Cons:
It may break down and cost a lot of money. The interior quality may annoy you. Even if you sell it you will have had a Noble.
Can't see a reason not to really.
Pros:
Won't lose any money. You achieve something you said you would. You have a Noble.
Cons:
It may break down and cost a lot of money. The interior quality may annoy you. Even if you sell it you will have had a Noble.
Can't see a reason not to really.
There's a lot of help and experience available via owners fb/forums etc plus by speaking with the acknowledged specialist garages who maintain them. I did all this a couple years ago and started trying to buy a "good one" but ended up in a 981 GT4 for a while instead.
I've since lost my mojo for a Noble and then having watched Ricky at RE performance on you tube pulling one (tatty admittedly) to bits I decided that potentially rusty chassis bits and getting hands on regardless wasn't as interesting now.
On the plus side they do still look great and have fab performance and have retained value really well. You wouldn't lose your shirt on one I suspect.
I've since lost my mojo for a Noble and then having watched Ricky at RE performance on you tube pulling one (tatty admittedly) to bits I decided that potentially rusty chassis bits and getting hands on regardless wasn't as interesting now.
On the plus side they do still look great and have fab performance and have retained value really well. You wouldn't lose your shirt on one I suspect.
I would take a look on YouTube for a guy called Ricky at RE performance (YouTube channel name is Reperformance. Owns a garage fixing all sorts of high end stuff. Very knowledgeable.
Quick YouTube search will give you about a dozen videos on his escapades.
He bought one. The whole chassis was rusted to bits but looked really nice. If he didn’t have the skills and facilities to repair it god knows what it would have cost.
I suppose just inspect it really closely and go in with your eyes open to the fact there now a low volume British car maker(ie crap rust prevention) and the cars are getting on for what 20 years old now.
Quick YouTube search will give you about a dozen videos on his escapades.
He bought one. The whole chassis was rusted to bits but looked really nice. If he didn’t have the skills and facilities to repair it god knows what it would have cost.
I suppose just inspect it really closely and go in with your eyes open to the fact there now a low volume British car maker(ie crap rust prevention) and the cars are getting on for what 20 years old now.
MB140 said:
I would take a look on YouTube for a guy called Ricky at RE performance (YouTube channel name is Reperformance. Owns a garage fixing all sorts of high end stuff. Very knowledgeable.
Quick YouTube search will give you about a dozen videos on his escapades.
He bought one. The whole chassis was rusted to bits but looked really nice. If he didn’t have the skills and facilities to repair it god knows what it would have cost.
I suppose just inspect it really closely and go in with your eyes open to the fact there now a low volume British car maker(ie crap rust prevention) and the cars are getting on for what 20 years old now.
I was hoping for great things on his videos when he got the noble as it looked a great project and you knew he'd make a Brill car out of it, but as it was stripped it just got worse and worse and you knew it turned from a straight repair into a massive task. He's since sold it on after losing patience and interest and not having the time to finish. Quick YouTube search will give you about a dozen videos on his escapades.
He bought one. The whole chassis was rusted to bits but looked really nice. If he didn’t have the skills and facilities to repair it god knows what it would have cost.
I suppose just inspect it really closely and go in with your eyes open to the fact there now a low volume British car maker(ie crap rust prevention) and the cars are getting on for what 20 years old now.
I have a 2.5, they are seriously special cars. I can't take it out without someone taking a picture. It's a supercar really, mid engined, low numbers, look mental and quicker than ferraris (of the time).
I've had an exige and no doubt this handles and rides even better. NO understeer, glorious steering feel and magic carpet ride. Despite the humble beginnings, the engines are seriously characterful, great noise and power throughout the rev range, mine does 0-100mph in 9 secs which is plenty for the road. Interior is a bit pants, but I can live with it, mine has been very reliable. I would recommend it, if you want a noble, there's only one.
I've had an exige and no doubt this handles and rides even better. NO understeer, glorious steering feel and magic carpet ride. Despite the humble beginnings, the engines are seriously characterful, great noise and power throughout the rev range, mine does 0-100mph in 9 secs which is plenty for the road. Interior is a bit pants, but I can live with it, mine has been very reliable. I would recommend it, if you want a noble, there's only one.
I've had my 3R 15 years, way longer than any other car I've owned. Not the fastest car out there nowadays, but great fun to drive, superb handling and road presence, looks great, and people love it. Spend money on preventative maintenance and sensible, proven upgrades (if not already applied to the car) and it should be a joy to own.
Ok, I may be qualified to comment having just sold my M400 after 19 years ownership and previous to that a year in a 3R.
Firstly... The REP video was pure clickbait, that car had sat outside uncovered, unloved with broken windows etc for yonks, it never ceases to amaze me that people can make judgements based on something simply designed to get clicks and views. My M400 chassis, at 20 years old, was far far better than my 2007 XJ one, or my 2002 MG ZT-T, there was no rot at all. Simply put that to bed as it's not a reflection of the cars.
These things are fantastic, chassis balance, damping, steering, noise, and just as importantly size are all nigh on perfect for our roads, it's a smile a minute car even at 30 mph, which no modern sports cars can reproduce. The later cars were obviously more developed, but you'd get 90% of the fun from a 2.5 if that's your budget, and if it's been enthusiast owned it'll have upgrade or early bugs ironed out. The problem you will have, is if you ever sell it, what to replace it with, which is why several owners have had more than one. Get yourself onto the FB pages, there's a couple of cars currently available that will be good ones, and absolute font of knowledge, and also take your time! There also a M400 with over 100,000 miles, which is a great buy at at the money
I took my M400 on an Isle of Man road trip last year, it gave me the most astonishing insight into (even after 19 years ownership) of how good these cars are, the thing was an absolute joy, which I will remember it forever. Unfortunately, it also made me want to do more tours, and it meant I needed something a tiny bit more practical for hotel hopping, so I pick up an Emira in a week, much slower and not as pure, but a little bit more practical ,and it feels a similar type of event at sane speeds, which the Macs, 911's and GT4's I tried simply didn't.
Buy one, I doubt you'll regret it.
Firstly... The REP video was pure clickbait, that car had sat outside uncovered, unloved with broken windows etc for yonks, it never ceases to amaze me that people can make judgements based on something simply designed to get clicks and views. My M400 chassis, at 20 years old, was far far better than my 2007 XJ one, or my 2002 MG ZT-T, there was no rot at all. Simply put that to bed as it's not a reflection of the cars.
These things are fantastic, chassis balance, damping, steering, noise, and just as importantly size are all nigh on perfect for our roads, it's a smile a minute car even at 30 mph, which no modern sports cars can reproduce. The later cars were obviously more developed, but you'd get 90% of the fun from a 2.5 if that's your budget, and if it's been enthusiast owned it'll have upgrade or early bugs ironed out. The problem you will have, is if you ever sell it, what to replace it with, which is why several owners have had more than one. Get yourself onto the FB pages, there's a couple of cars currently available that will be good ones, and absolute font of knowledge, and also take your time! There also a M400 with over 100,000 miles, which is a great buy at at the money
I took my M400 on an Isle of Man road trip last year, it gave me the most astonishing insight into (even after 19 years ownership) of how good these cars are, the thing was an absolute joy, which I will remember it forever. Unfortunately, it also made me want to do more tours, and it meant I needed something a tiny bit more practical for hotel hopping, so I pick up an Emira in a week, much slower and not as pure, but a little bit more practical ,and it feels a similar type of event at sane speeds, which the Macs, 911's and GT4's I tried simply didn't.
Buy one, I doubt you'll regret it.
Edited by sjc on Wednesday 14th May 11:42
I owned a 3/3R ( a 3 with a 3R gearbox ) for 6 years, and I loved it. The only drawback is the luggage space, and I know you can get fitted cases, but it's still a right faff going away in it. Obviously you can go away in it, but it's not as simple as packing a decent sized holdall and few bits and bots and slinging it all in the boot (cus there aint one !).
I had two main issues with it: The battery would drain very quickly and set the alarm off in my garage. And the only way to shut it up was to disconnect the battery, which, unless you know where it's located, you'd think would be a simple task !
The only other thing was getting water in the plug wells, which made it misfire like a b
d. But the garage worked out what was causing the misfire, dried it all and after they had done it, it never did it again.
So, minor things really, which are to be expected.
I had two main issues with it: The battery would drain very quickly and set the alarm off in my garage. And the only way to shut it up was to disconnect the battery, which, unless you know where it's located, you'd think would be a simple task !
The only other thing was getting water in the plug wells, which made it misfire like a b
d. But the garage worked out what was causing the misfire, dried it all and after they had done it, it never did it again.So, minor things really, which are to be expected.
Spindoctor said:
Had similar battery issues and its a pain to change, so I've got a battery isolator switch plus a battery charger/conditioner - all fine.
I used to connect a CTEK battery conditioner and then it was fine. I also had the garage try and find what was causing it, and they couldn't find anything.snuffy said:
Spindoctor said:
Had similar battery issues and its a pain to change, so I've got a battery isolator switch plus a battery charger/conditioner - all fine.
I used to connect a CTEK battery conditioner and then it was fine. I also had the garage try and find what was causing it, and they couldn't find anything.Spindoctor said:
@sjc Those gold wheels look great. Very interested to know how you get on with the Emira once you’ve started living with it. Fantastic looking cars, just not sure I’d get the thrills that the Exige provides, or the Noble. Komotec is probably the answer.
Yep mines going for their 475 pack as soon as the warranty’s up !M400 in my garage for +10 years
Managed to find a LHD M400 on Pistonheads (I'm living in mainland Europe, so quite the unicorn).
Bought it from a chap in Kuwait, import procedures were,....
Interesting ;-)
Had some issues early on.
Throttle cable snapped.
Idling home at 15 mph in a supercar with the hazards on.
Replaced it with a cable that was a little to short.
Welded itself in the WOT position because to close to the front turbo.
Blew the main fuse.
Good luck finding that.
Stuck at the side of the road in the pouring rain.
Luckily a friend with a tow cable passed by.
Filled the entire MOT station with blue smoke due to an oil leak in one of the turbo's.
Failed the MOT ;-)
But has been pretty reliable ever since.
Don't expect mainstream manufacturer build quality or reliabilty.
The ignition key is the same as a 1990 Ford Fiesta
Expect to spend 30 minutes filling up at the gas station.
Because people will come up to you and ask about the car.
And over here, nobody knows what a Noble is (Opel, you say?)
Don't expect refinement or practicality.
They are built to be light and fast.
Very fast.
They are brutal.
No driver aids to help you out.
Only input to the car is your two hands and two feet.
Managed to get wheelspin in fourth gear in the wet once.
But the chassis is brilliant and inspires you with a lot of confidence.
My car is 20 years old now but it still manages to turn heads where ever I go.
In my opinion it's one of the great analogue supercars.
The only thing I've ever driven that compares is a Ferrari F40
And I can not afford one of those.
Oh, and make sure it's got the central tunnel mod done.
Unless you want to permanently burn the shift pattern from the gear lever onto the palm of your hand.
Great cars, you won't regret buying one.
Managed to find a LHD M400 on Pistonheads (I'm living in mainland Europe, so quite the unicorn).
Bought it from a chap in Kuwait, import procedures were,....
Interesting ;-)
Had some issues early on.
Throttle cable snapped.
Idling home at 15 mph in a supercar with the hazards on.
Replaced it with a cable that was a little to short.
Welded itself in the WOT position because to close to the front turbo.
Blew the main fuse.
Good luck finding that.
Stuck at the side of the road in the pouring rain.
Luckily a friend with a tow cable passed by.
Filled the entire MOT station with blue smoke due to an oil leak in one of the turbo's.
Failed the MOT ;-)
But has been pretty reliable ever since.
Don't expect mainstream manufacturer build quality or reliabilty.
The ignition key is the same as a 1990 Ford Fiesta
Expect to spend 30 minutes filling up at the gas station.
Because people will come up to you and ask about the car.
And over here, nobody knows what a Noble is (Opel, you say?)
Don't expect refinement or practicality.
They are built to be light and fast.
Very fast.
They are brutal.
No driver aids to help you out.
Only input to the car is your two hands and two feet.
Managed to get wheelspin in fourth gear in the wet once.
But the chassis is brilliant and inspires you with a lot of confidence.
My car is 20 years old now but it still manages to turn heads where ever I go.
In my opinion it's one of the great analogue supercars.
The only thing I've ever driven that compares is a Ferrari F40
And I can not afford one of those.
Oh, and make sure it's got the central tunnel mod done.
Unless you want to permanently burn the shift pattern from the gear lever onto the palm of your hand.
Great cars, you won't regret buying one.
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