Sunday Times M400 review

[joust]

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12929-1355749,00.html

I think he liked it

J

[V6GTO]

"Weekend recriation only" What a tosser.

[amg merc]

A pretty good review for Noble and well done but I wish they'd keep better data in their research dept. - the M12 has 352bhp (and not 344) and does not have a "motor starting life in a Mondeo" ;-(

Simon (Micknall), perhaps a letter to the editor?! :-)

Regarding the photo - is this a library photo as its the early car with the Thunderbirds 'M400' decal and a wierd setting for the front number plate?!

[DanH]

Well the other M400 is somewhat bent IIRC?

[GetCarter]

Last few reviews I've read of the M400 have highlighted the lack of ABS / it's tendancy to lock very quickly in the wet.

I've read all the arguments for no ABS - so think I understand that side of things. I also drove a Caterham R500 on lots of wet tracks so understand the physics - in a hands on sort of way!

Two questions for those that may know.

1/ I read somewhere (perhaps the article was wrong) that ABS was due to be a must fit for cars after 2005/6 (E.U. regs)... is that so? If so...

2/ The M14 - I notice has no ABS listed. Are there no plans to include?

Having owned many quick road cars with ABS (911tt, M3, RS6 etc), I've kinda' got used to being able to steer whilst emergency braking when on public highways when, as happened today, a dog ran out in front of me.

I also (ducking) have a wife who wants to drive the noble

Any idea of the plans?

Thanks in advance.

Steve


>> Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 14th November 14:09

[joust]

Under SVA all sort of mandatory things for type approval don't have to be done.

AFAIK ABS is a type approval thing, and so won't apply to SVA'd cars.

J

[joospeed]

V6GTO said:

"Weekend recriation only" What a tosser.

lmao at you sir, andrew frankel is one of the most respected motoring journos around. I suspect he may be a little miffed at your remark ...
I think he gave the noble a very fair appraisal .. it's great at what it does, but luggage carrying isn't it! As a performance driving machine however it appears to be stunning

[m12_nathan]

Andrew Frankel raced my old race car after I sold it - seemed like a nice bloke.

[joospeed]

Yup Frankel's a great bloke. I remember seeing a vid once of some people on a Dodge Viper track / handling day run by Justin Bell (son of Derek) .. There was a timed slalom event and Frankel had a bash for *abit of a laugh for the cameras* and promptly did the fastest time of the day!

[davey S1]

I think that a lack of any luggage space does work against the Noble to a degree.

I think more people would buy them if you had a decent bit of space for luggage to enjoy extended continental trips.

The Maclaren F1 has more luggage space than a Ford Fiesta so I'm sure Noble could have done something to increase the capacity.

M400 does look the business though. Anyone know when its on Top Gear?

[V6GTO]

joospeed said:

V6GTO said: "Weekend recriation only" What a tosser. lmao at you sir, andrew frankel is one of the most respected motoring journos around. I suspect he may be a little miffed at your remark ... I think he gave the noble a very fair appraisal .. it's great at what it does, but luggage carrying isn't it! As a performance driving machine however it appears to be stunning

So he's a good journo...then why did he write that less than clever remark. I, and a lot of other owners, drive our Nobles every day. While I agree the lack of luggage space is a negative, it does not mean that it is only for weekends. In his case that might be true, but not for many owners. It is more than made up for in other areas, and I have a Renault Megane Scenic if I want to carry a lot of luggage. I think you'll find owners on this forum who have had vacations, with thier partners, for a week. This also dispells the weekend recreation theory.
Martin.

PS - wish I hadn't called him a tosser though, that was not warranted...journalist with little vision would have been better.

[amg merc]

V6GTO said:

joospeed said: V6GTO said: "Weekend recriation only" What a tosser. lmao at you sir, andrew frankel is one of the most respected motoring journos around. I suspect he may be a little miffed at your remark ... I think he gave the noble a very fair appraisal .. it's great at what it does, but luggage carrying isn't it! As a performance driving machine however it appears to be stunning So he's a good journo...then why did he write that less than clever remark. I, and a lot of other owners, drive our Nobles every day. While I agree the lack of luggage space is a negative, it does not mean that it is only for weekends. In his case that might be true, but not for many owners. It is more than made up for in other areas, and I have a Renault Megane Scenic if I want to carry a lot of luggage. I think you'll find owners on this forum who have had vacations, with thier partners, for a week. This also dispells the weekend recreation theory. Martin. PS - wish I hadn't called him a tosser though, that was not warranted...journalist with little vision would have been better.

Martin, well maybe you called him a (friendly!) tosser 'cause you're in Spain so he can't come get ya! LOL -

[joospeed]

V6GTO said:

...then why did he write that less than clever remark. .

erm dunno, i think you'd probably have to ask him. I think he'd probably do the reverse for your scenic tho ..

the Noble is a focussed track car with road car manners assuming you're willing top put up with certain compromises like no luggage space (unless your partner is willing to sit with a suitcase on her lap for a 2k mile blast round europe)..

your scenic is a focussed family / workhorse hack / holiday hold-all that can be taken on the track providing your partner can put up with 30 degrees of body roll, stomach churning tyre squeal and brakes that fade after only 2 laps

being willing to use a certain car everyday and having an everyday car aren't the same thing.

The noble is great, but don't be so techy when someone finds just ONE thing it can't do well! If i had the price of a huose burning ahole in my pocket I'd have a Noble no question, and sod the no-luggage thing, just enjoy driving it

[joust]

joospeed said:

the Noble is a focussed track car with road car manners assuming you're willing top put up with certain compromises like no luggage space (unless your partner is willing to sit with a suitcase on her lap for a 2k mile blast round europe)..

Sorry - that is just bolloxs. I have done one week and two week stints in the Noble, including DJ for a formal dinner, without having to wash anything, a change of clothes every day, and a change of clothes at the evening.

Given it's actually got more usable space than my old Lotus Elise, the comment shows lack of actually thinking and/or trying to stick two weeks of clothes in it.

An no, we didn't put anything in the passenger seat apart from using the fitted "under knee" bags.

J

[turnbaugh]

I find language intriguing. Would you guys mind explaining some of the terms you use from time to time for the education of us yanks?

What's a tosser? Or shouldn't I ask?

[amg merc]

turnbaugh said:

I find language intriguing. Would you guys mind explaining some of the terms you use from time to time for the education of us yanks? What's a tosser? Or shouldn't I ask?

Well, do you know what a w*nker is?! ;-)

[DanH]

I see his point. Having said that if as a buyer you are worrying about load space, then make sure you get the fitted luggage. Before I owned the car I thought it was a ludicrous waste of money, but in fact it makes a world of difference to its load lugging capacity.

I do wish it was easier to fit a helmet or two in without them going in the passenger footwell. Then again doesn't the M400 and convertible both have boots?

[V6GTO]

joospeed said:

V6GTO said: ...then why did he write that less than clever remark. . erm dunno, i think you'd probably have to ask him. I think he'd probably do the reverse for your scenic tho .. the Noble is a focussed track car with road car manners assuming you're willing top put up with certain compromises like no luggage space (unless your partner is willing to sit with a suitcase on her lap for a 2k mile blast round europe).. your scenic is a focussed family / workhorse hack / holiday hold-all that can be taken on the track providing your partner can put up with 30 degrees of body roll, stomach churning tyre squeal and brakes that fade after only 2 laps being willing to use a certain car everyday and having an everyday car aren't the same thing. The noble is great, but don't be so techy when someone finds just ONE thing it can't do well! If i had the price of a huose burning ahole in my pocket I'd have a Noble no question, and sod the no-luggage thing, just enjoy driving it

I wasn't having a go because he found fault with the car, the car is what it is, I disagreed with his interpretation of what can and cannot be done with the car. It showed remarkable lack of vision.
Martin.

[joust]

DanH said:

I do wish it was easier to fit a helmet or two in without them going in the passenger footwell. Then again doesn't the M400 and convertible both have boots?

Nope - M400 doesn't have a boot.

Of course, if you get a rally open face certified helmet, then it fits nicely behind the seat. If you've seen me turn up at a track day you'll find it's not a problem coming prepared - even two up.

J

[DanH]

joust said:

DanH said: I do wish it was easier to fit a helmet or two in without them going in the passenger footwell. Then again doesn't the M400 and convertible both have boots? Nope - M400 doesn't have a boot. Of course, if you get a rally open face certified helmet, then it fits nicely behind the seat. If you've seen me turn up at a track day you'll find it's not a problem coming prepared - even two up. J

Oops was being a tard, I meant M14.