Noble GTO 3R, what do I need to know?
Discussion
Been a quiet fan of these for years - Joust, its mostly your fault. 
Anyway, I have several questions;
Reliability - what are they like, what are the main "issues" with them and costs associated? We're fortunate enough to own a Cerbera at present, if at all possible - I'd hope the Noble was as reliable if not better? Our Cerbs done 80k of HARD miles without any engine/gearbox problems at all - could we expect the same of a Noble? Are there any must have mods/ later cars to avoid certain issues? How long do clutches/turbos last typically from hard useage? I've seen the odd rebuild thread on here whilst lurking, how durable are the standard engines with sensible modifications - and if possible, what point do upgrades necessitate strengthened internals/rebuilds?
Performance - I believe as standard these things are Cerbera quick in a striaght line below 150 and a bit quicker in the twisties...
What can be done to make them quicker still without compromising reliability? Ideally, we would like for this to be a step up. The car would be used a fair bit on Track, Hillclimbs, Speed trials and the daily commute. Is the M12 up to this kind of useage without issue? I've seen a few in the classifieds with 400bhp+, would say 450bhp be achieveable without too much trouble or do things get a little more expensive beyond the exhaust/mapping type modification that seems quite popular?
Mods - I should give this a seperate section I guess.. What is essential/ recommended and how far can things go on a sensible budget (Sub £4k)? Are there any areas of the car that particularily average that respond well to upgrades?
Aesthetics - Can anything be done to the interior/exterior to make it look less kitcar(outside)/plain(inside) - I do not mean this in any offensive way, just wondering if there are switchgear upgrades like there are on certain TVRs and such... I appreciate most of the money went on the supercar performance of the thing rather than making it look/feel like a supercar, a fair sacrifice. Equally this is my opinion, and just that, an opinion, dont take it to heart - to my eyes its no looker, but thats not to say I wouldnt grow to like it either.
Useability - Are they ok to use as normal cars generally? I know its a stupid question, but it would be used for the daily commute and driven occaisionally in traffic. Is the visibility reasonable? Boot space is a bit of an issue I think, but again - shouldnt be of too much concern. How are they with tramlining/motorways ruts? Dare I ask, is it ok on fuel?/insurance - silly on such a car I know, but it'll be used properly as well as having to cut it as a normal car occaisionally.
Durability - A crucial one for us, our Cerb is going to be off the road next year for an overdue body-off rebuild, did Noble understand rust-proofing? TVR didnt, at all, and this is one of the key reasons for the Noble being a consideration at present. Are the later cars any better for this if it is an issue? If its going to be the same old pain in a few years with an M12, we'll avoid.
Are there any areas to really look into carefully? I know alot of potential issues can really hide themselves well, even if a clamshell can be removed - I've seen various shockers in Lotii under heatshields in the past. What items need attention at regular intervals, e.g Turbos? I know from smart car experience (dont laugh) that these can be almost a service item every 40k miles... any idea of the costs involved for this?
Serviceability - How hard are these cars to work on, are there any problem areas that require specialist care outside of normal servicing? How much are normal services too and thier intervals? I dont mean the base prices, I mean realistic prices with the odd niggle to sort or whatever. I've read about a chassis mod being needed to get the gearbox out too? Is this seriously the only way to do it?? (my memory isnt perfect, so this may be a mistake? - pretty sure it was a Noble though.)
Erm.. thats all I can think of at the moment; so any answers are most appreciated. We wont be considering such a car for a while yet, but would like to get a feel for the potential options. Apologies for anything obvious and the amount of questions, would just like to get a clear image of how the car would be for us.
Anyway, I have several questions;
Reliability - what are they like, what are the main "issues" with them and costs associated? We're fortunate enough to own a Cerbera at present, if at all possible - I'd hope the Noble was as reliable if not better? Our Cerbs done 80k of HARD miles without any engine/gearbox problems at all - could we expect the same of a Noble? Are there any must have mods/ later cars to avoid certain issues? How long do clutches/turbos last typically from hard useage? I've seen the odd rebuild thread on here whilst lurking, how durable are the standard engines with sensible modifications - and if possible, what point do upgrades necessitate strengthened internals/rebuilds?
Performance - I believe as standard these things are Cerbera quick in a striaght line below 150 and a bit quicker in the twisties...
What can be done to make them quicker still without compromising reliability? Ideally, we would like for this to be a step up. The car would be used a fair bit on Track, Hillclimbs, Speed trials and the daily commute. Is the M12 up to this kind of useage without issue? I've seen a few in the classifieds with 400bhp+, would say 450bhp be achieveable without too much trouble or do things get a little more expensive beyond the exhaust/mapping type modification that seems quite popular?Mods - I should give this a seperate section I guess.. What is essential/ recommended and how far can things go on a sensible budget (Sub £4k)? Are there any areas of the car that particularily average that respond well to upgrades?
Aesthetics - Can anything be done to the interior/exterior to make it look less kitcar(outside)/plain(inside) - I do not mean this in any offensive way, just wondering if there are switchgear upgrades like there are on certain TVRs and such... I appreciate most of the money went on the supercar performance of the thing rather than making it look/feel like a supercar, a fair sacrifice. Equally this is my opinion, and just that, an opinion, dont take it to heart - to my eyes its no looker, but thats not to say I wouldnt grow to like it either.
Useability - Are they ok to use as normal cars generally? I know its a stupid question, but it would be used for the daily commute and driven occaisionally in traffic. Is the visibility reasonable? Boot space is a bit of an issue I think, but again - shouldnt be of too much concern. How are they with tramlining/motorways ruts? Dare I ask, is it ok on fuel?/insurance - silly on such a car I know, but it'll be used properly as well as having to cut it as a normal car occaisionally.
Durability - A crucial one for us, our Cerb is going to be off the road next year for an overdue body-off rebuild, did Noble understand rust-proofing? TVR didnt, at all, and this is one of the key reasons for the Noble being a consideration at present. Are the later cars any better for this if it is an issue? If its going to be the same old pain in a few years with an M12, we'll avoid.
Are there any areas to really look into carefully? I know alot of potential issues can really hide themselves well, even if a clamshell can be removed - I've seen various shockers in Lotii under heatshields in the past. What items need attention at regular intervals, e.g Turbos? I know from smart car experience (dont laugh) that these can be almost a service item every 40k miles... any idea of the costs involved for this?Serviceability - How hard are these cars to work on, are there any problem areas that require specialist care outside of normal servicing? How much are normal services too and thier intervals? I dont mean the base prices, I mean realistic prices with the odd niggle to sort or whatever. I've read about a chassis mod being needed to get the gearbox out too? Is this seriously the only way to do it?? (my memory isnt perfect, so this may be a mistake? - pretty sure it was a Noble though.)
Erm.. thats all I can think of at the moment; so any answers are most appreciated. We wont be considering such a car for a while yet, but would like to get a feel for the potential options. Apologies for anything obvious and the amount of questions, would just like to get a clear image of how the car would be for us.
Edited by BCA on Monday 16th February 23:02
Lots of questions most of which can be answered by using the search facility on here, looking at the wiki or having a look at www.gto3.com
worty
worty
worty said:
Lots of questions most of which can be answered by using the search facility on here, looking at the wiki or having a look at www.gto3.com
worty
Been to that site but content seems sparse.worty
The wiki is slightly better.
BCA said:
Talkative lot arent you?
I think people are starting to get a bit fed up with answering the same questions over and over again, because people think prices are falling they are coming here and asking lots of questions, I don't think anyone means to be rude, I would have a good look through the pages of this forum, I don't even think you'll need the search facility.Fair enough, but I would have thought alot of my questions havent really been answered lately - and quite a few of them are about peoples opinions of the useage of the car. Its all well and good people saying "yeah they're fine everyday" - but what about visibility?/rust proofing?/all weather driving ability?/can these cars just shrug off a trackday and be fine for the daily commute the next day? How long typically can one expect the engine/gearbox to last when driven in the same manner?
I've deliberately tried to ask as many questions as possible because we are guaging the possibility of buying one in the coming year - this isnt about prices falling or whatever - this is just timing in terms of the end of the sprint season and the TVR being taken off the road. I do not mean to make owners fed up, I assure you these questions are with a genuine interest.
I've deliberately tried to ask as many questions as possible because we are guaging the possibility of buying one in the coming year - this isnt about prices falling or whatever - this is just timing in terms of the end of the sprint season and the TVR being taken off the road. I do not mean to make owners fed up, I assure you these questions are with a genuine interest.
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
It was our only car for 18 months. Wasn't garaged. Did look a bit odd in B&Q, but it was there!
Thats the kind of thing I want to hear. 
Forgot to say, we dont have a garage - thanks for that input. Did you find it leaked much? I only ask as I think back in 2000 we were the only people with a Cerbera that lived outside - we found out it leaked pretty quick and it still leaks every few years for various issues! (windscreen fittings/ seals going etc etc)Had mine since April 2007 and loved every minute of it!! 
Even when it was up on axle stands with the engine and gearbox out!!
I've changed the clutch, had the turbos rebuilt, practically re-wired it and there are still things I want to do.
It's lived outside all this time and has never leaked.......................well not from the top anyway, the floor is rather prone to leaking when driving in the wet. Re-sealing the floor is the next job on the list.
Even when it was up on axle stands with the engine and gearbox out!!
I've changed the clutch, had the turbos rebuilt, practically re-wired it and there are still things I want to do.
It's lived outside all this time and has never leaked.......................well not from the top anyway, the floor is rather prone to leaking when driving in the wet. Re-sealing the floor is the next job on the list.
My experience..
My 3 isn't my everyday car (and it's garaged) but I never have any issues with speedbumps/parking/visibility although there is very little space for stuff. The only luggage space is behind the seats which is OK for sports bags but nothing bigger.
I've done 6000 miles with absolutely no problems at all, although the rev counter bulb stopped working two weeks ago
I'm looking at upgrading my car this year, this will involve exhaust/fuel pump and remap but also an engine out job to replace the standard diff to LSD. It's well reported the diff in the 5 speed gearbox doesn't respond well to upgrades!
I've looked at moving on from the Noble as I normally change my cars within a year but there's nothing else that provides the smiles per mile that the Nob does
My 3 isn't my everyday car (and it's garaged) but I never have any issues with speedbumps/parking/visibility although there is very little space for stuff. The only luggage space is behind the seats which is OK for sports bags but nothing bigger.
I've done 6000 miles with absolutely no problems at all, although the rev counter bulb stopped working two weeks ago
I'm looking at upgrading my car this year, this will involve exhaust/fuel pump and remap but also an engine out job to replace the standard diff to LSD. It's well reported the diff in the 5 speed gearbox doesn't respond well to upgrades!
I've looked at moving on from the Noble as I normally change my cars within a year but there's nothing else that provides the smiles per mile that the Nob does
BCA said:
What prompted the engine out if you dont mind me asking? also at what mileage? From the profile picture, I am guessing you use it rather spiritedly.
Well I bought the car with trackdays in mind. Although I do tend to use it a lot on the road it was meant to be a trackday toy but driving it is just too much fun!! Did 1700 miles in 3 days on a Eurohoon in Aug/Sept 2007, with a group of mates, ending up at The Nordschleife where the Noble was awesome!!
Then on a trackday at Snetterton in October 2007 I had a clutch failure.
A chunk of the friction material had parted company with the drive plate, rather than spend out on a whole clutch assembly I had the drive plate re-lined for a fraction of the cost. Probably took slightly longer than just ordering a new clutch but it gave me the opportunity to get to know the car while it was up on axle stands.
As I said before I've got a nice list of things I'd like to do to the car but they all cost money!!
BCA said:
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
It was our only car for 18 months. Wasn't garaged. Did look a bit odd in B&Q, but it was there!
Thats the kind of thing I want to hear. Forgot to say, we dont have a garage - thanks for that input. Did you find it leaked much? I only ask as I think back in 2000 we were the only people with a Cerbera that lived outside - we found out it leaked pretty quick and it still leaks every few years for various issues! (windscreen fittings/ seals going etc etc)BCA said:
Does anyone have any opinions on the standard of rust proofing on the chassis?/ has anyone done huge mileages in these things yet??
Some people have taken the floor off to re waterproof it, while its off they have waxoiled the chassis. I've never heard of anything failing though.BCA said:
how has the condition of the chassis looked out of interest? Does the factory protection look up to scratch still?
this may give you an ideahttp://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
node said:
BCA said:
how has the condition of the chassis looked out of interest? Does the factory protection look up to scratch still?
this may give you an ideahttp://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now that 'mysterious' build manual is something interesting... would any owner be able to access it? Is it in pdf form?
Thats my car and the rust is mostly on the surface ,but untreated i think it could be a problem !! it was caused by the exhaust wrap around the chasis rails holding onto the water !! bad idea ,it looks alot better now !!
Car is a 03 plate with 29000 miles ,body and interier is very good !!!
Car is a 03 plate with 29000 miles ,body and interier is very good !!!
Edited by TuxMan on Wednesday 18th February 16:44
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