tell me about nobles...
Discussion
Okay, other than the fact they have ford engines, are built in leicestershire and handle wonderfully, i know nothing about Nobles.. except i think i might quite like one...
So, whats the difference between the M12 and M400?
Are they reliable? easy to live with?
what else should one know about them before delving into ownership?
So, whats the difference between the M12 and M400?
Are they reliable? easy to live with?
what else should one know about them before delving into ownership?
there are four models , the 2.5 litre GTO that had some early ecu problems (but which are probably all changed by now ) . The GTO 3 that had the 3 litre engine . The 3R with fared in headlamps , multi spoke rims 6 speed gearbox and track day sump etc and then the M400 which is more track orientated with more power , stiffer suspension and a better gear linkage ... prices increase with each step ..
More info ..they are easy to poodle around in (watch out for speed bumps ) but there is NO luggage space if that concerns you . With regard to reliablity , I've had one for 3 years and still cant really comment on this ...I think it helps if you are a bit of an enthusiast but other people use them everyday ! maybe wait for a few more opinions and take an average ...fabulous cars , but I'd suggest best as a second car / toy ! 
nigelw said:
there are four models , the 2.5 litre GTO that had some early ecu problems (but which are probably all changed by now ) . The GTO 3 that had the 3 litre engine . The 3R with fared in headlamps , multi spoke rims 6 speed gearbox and track day sump etc and then the M400 which is more track orientated with more power , stiffer suspension and a better gear linkage ... prices increase with each step ..
There are also some GTO3s with 6-speed boxes and some GTO3Rs with 5 speed boxes ( but not many ).nigelw said:
but there is NO luggage space if that concerns you .
Well, there is no boot ( either front or rear ) but you get a fair amount behind the seats and on the parcel shelf. If you are not very tall like me, and have the driver's seat as far forward as it will go then you can get a reasonable sized sports bag in. Actually, the space is quite large, but teh gap you have to squeeze the bag though is not so big. Two of us have been away for almost a week in the Nob, it's certainly possible to do - but you wont get your golf clubs in ! I can get loads of stuff in mine, even with the wife.
We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
hoyin said:
I can get loads of stuff in mine, even with the wife.
We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
A GT2, but it's not the same.We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
I truly miss my M400 (500)
Ash 996 GT2 said:
hoyin said:
I can get loads of stuff in mine, even with the wife.
We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
A GT2, but it's not the same.We've been away for a week and never had any problems. Just pack sensibly.
The car is great to drive even at slow speeds in around town, but even better on the twisties.
The only problem when you have one (and it is a real problem) is what do you get next???
I truly miss my M400 (500)
Perhaps a Carrera GT? But from what I hear not that driver friendly.
I have only just joined the Nob club bought a M400 originally as an every day car but realised after not very long 1 day that you can only really enjoy the car when its dry as it peed down the day i drove it back i class myself as a capable driver but you cant relax in the wet but at the same time your dying to just slide her tale just a little and whats great about this car is you can and its a dream to handle steer with throttle or point and steer, but all said i decided to keep my other car and my Nob as the second.
you could make alot worse choices this one will always make you smile til u maxed ur credit cards anyway.
you could make alot worse choices this one will always make you smile til u maxed ur credit cards anyway.
snuffy said:
nigelw said:
there are four models , the 2.5 litre GTO that had some early ecu problems (but which are probably all changed by now ) . The GTO 3 that had the 3 litre engine . The 3R with fared in headlamps , multi spoke rims 6 speed gearbox and track day sump etc and then the M400 which is more track orientated with more power , stiffer suspension and a better gear linkage ... prices increase with each step ..
There are also some GTO3s with 6-speed boxes and some GTO3Rs with 5 speed boxes ( but not many ).nigelw said:
but there is NO luggage space if that concerns you .
Well, there is no boot ( either front or rear ) but you get a fair amount behind the seats and on the parcel shelf. If you are not very tall like me, and have the driver's seat as far forward as it will go then you can get a reasonable sized sports bag in. Actually, the space is quite large, but teh gap you have to squeeze the bag though is not so big. Two of us have been away for almost a week in the Nob, it's certainly possible to do - but you WONT GET YOUR GOLF CLUBS IN ! 
Matching golf clubs.....
But I did find this site useful when looking for mine
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?ns=No...
HTH
Paul
But I did find this site useful when looking for mine
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?ns=No...
HTH
Paul
Hi Fidgits
As I stand next to Mark Twain when it comes to golf I can't comment on most of the previous replies, but I use mine everyday, wet or dry. The space behind the seats and in the passenger footwell is good for a weeks shopping for two of us. Had mine for just under a year - pluses:
The most fun I've ever had with my socks on
People get out of your way on the motorway (even BMW drivers!)
The look on kids' faces when you cruise past
Excellent reliability generally (although I could just be lucky)
Acceleration, handling and road-holding are pretty mindblowing
Easy to drive around town
I look forward to every journey and find I'm never disappointed
Negatives:
From experience - get one which has been very well looked after, I'm not mechanically minded and have found that a lot of mechanics will simply refuse to touch it - even for what I'd consider to be generic problems (3 garages turned mine down when all I wanted was the heater fixing)
Parts seem very expensive - again, could be my lack of knowledge
A few places become inaccessible due to the ride height (but you learn to live without them)
Buy shares in an petrol company if you can, as they love the stuff
Unless you've got bottomless pockets you'll need to stick with it as you won't find anything anywhere near the price to follow it.
All said, I've never regretted my purchase and would recommend one to anyone who doesn't wear burberry
Go on - you know you deserve it!
PC
As I stand next to Mark Twain when it comes to golf I can't comment on most of the previous replies, but I use mine everyday, wet or dry. The space behind the seats and in the passenger footwell is good for a weeks shopping for two of us. Had mine for just under a year - pluses:
The most fun I've ever had with my socks on
People get out of your way on the motorway (even BMW drivers!)
The look on kids' faces when you cruise past
Excellent reliability generally (although I could just be lucky)
Acceleration, handling and road-holding are pretty mindblowing
Easy to drive around town
I look forward to every journey and find I'm never disappointed
Negatives:
From experience - get one which has been very well looked after, I'm not mechanically minded and have found that a lot of mechanics will simply refuse to touch it - even for what I'd consider to be generic problems (3 garages turned mine down when all I wanted was the heater fixing)
Parts seem very expensive - again, could be my lack of knowledge
A few places become inaccessible due to the ride height (but you learn to live without them)
Buy shares in an petrol company if you can, as they love the stuff
Unless you've got bottomless pockets you'll need to stick with it as you won't find anything anywhere near the price to follow it.
All said, I've never regretted my purchase and would recommend one to anyone who doesn't wear burberry
Go on - you know you deserve it!
PC
I use mine everyday... never not been able to get somewere, even managed all the speed humps in amsterdam and even the underground parking !!!
averages 30mpg so i find it very good on fuel... tyres last well and i got 25k out of the fronts and 15k from rears.
Shopping fits behind the seats or on passenger seat if im on my own, seats are very comfortable on long journeys, steering and pedals a nicly weighted but not even remotelly heavy IMO (try my M3 lol).
the real unknown is maintenance costs... and that will entirelly depend on the car you get, some never go wrong while others seem to have loads of issues, and its a hand built car so impossible to tell when buying... buy on condition is my advice.
Being able to do a little spanner work or maintenance will keep the cost to run down.
My car has always been reliable... i bought a GT03 around 2 years ago and have done over 30k in it, had it serviced regularly and i bought one without a track day sump or lsd. I recently took it off the road to refresh the gearbox and put an lsd in it and the open diff was actually totally worn out and about to fail so highly recomend you buy one with an LSD or budget £2k to get the box refreshed and one fitted.... only the older cars with 5 speed boxs came without an LSD and a lot now have the lsd fitted as its a know weak point.
Im intending to never sell mine and i love using it rain or shine.
averages 30mpg so i find it very good on fuel... tyres last well and i got 25k out of the fronts and 15k from rears.
Shopping fits behind the seats or on passenger seat if im on my own, seats are very comfortable on long journeys, steering and pedals a nicly weighted but not even remotelly heavy IMO (try my M3 lol).
the real unknown is maintenance costs... and that will entirelly depend on the car you get, some never go wrong while others seem to have loads of issues, and its a hand built car so impossible to tell when buying... buy on condition is my advice.
Being able to do a little spanner work or maintenance will keep the cost to run down.
My car has always been reliable... i bought a GT03 around 2 years ago and have done over 30k in it, had it serviced regularly and i bought one without a track day sump or lsd. I recently took it off the road to refresh the gearbox and put an lsd in it and the open diff was actually totally worn out and about to fail so highly recomend you buy one with an LSD or budget £2k to get the box refreshed and one fitted.... only the older cars with 5 speed boxs came without an LSD and a lot now have the lsd fitted as its a know weak point.
Im intending to never sell mine and i love using it rain or shine.
NickyTwoHats said:
mgbond said:
I can actually get two sets of clubs (inc Drivers) on the rear shelf. Then all you need are two pencil bags tucked behind the seat and two of you can go play golf. Trust me I've tried it
Bondy
Shotguns fit there too :-)Bondy
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