Noble - Ground clearance at front?

[bri]

Hi, Keen to join the Noble owners after a test drive.

Unlike another post, was allowed out in rain!

But what about ramps in car parks, etc - is that generally a problem? Probably asked before - any advice?

Bri.

[guysh]

Not really if you sensible and take it at an angle - although some ramp are not possible. I've had one or two problems but the front chin spoiler is fairly robust and is easily replaceable. The turning circle however is not great - but hey you can't have everything.

[buxton]

Noble ground clearance is apparently better than the Lotus, and I have had no trouble with speed ramps. The ones that catch you are the very occeasional junction onto a high cambered road, there are two I know of in my area that I no longer drive over (my Honda NSX had the same issue with the same junctions).

Also some problem with some drives as the front wheel drops into the gutter.

Overall a lot better than I had expected.

[sidekick]

Speed bumps generally not a problem if you take them slowly, grounding the front splitter generally sounds worse than it is and as guysh says, it's easily replaceable (just bolts on to the front clam). Costs about £125 for a new one (I've just had to order one as the original got the crap ripped out of it going along the "road" to the PistonFest show car park ). I wouldn't go anywhere near a multi-storey car park though, the turning circle is such that I would imagine there's a very good chance of hitting the sideskirt on those nice concrete kerbs they seem to put at the bottom of the up/down ramps.

[bri]

Sounds a bit of a problem as I'll have to use either multi-storey car park or office parking that has steep ramp to basement level. Lotus Elise has no trouble.

Any other experiences of this?

[joust]

It actually isn't that bad.

I often use the multi-story short term carpark at Heathrow T1 without any problems at all.

Because the wheel is so far forward, you'll find if you take it at a slight angle you actually get up fine.

It's no X5, but I've grounded out the UrQuattro and Elise more than the Noble.

J

[joust]

Oh - also have a look at www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=26&h=&t=27698

J

[stuh]

I'd be very wary of Cabot Square car park in Canary Wharf. The exit has two high concrete strips that as I found to my embarresment, stop you opening the very low doors. Not normally a problem but as the car is so low you can't reach the machine to put your ticket in and can't therefore get out to do it either. Can't go forward cos of the barrier, can't reverse bacause of those nasty one way steel rumble strips !

In the end i had to honk my horn to get someone to put the ticket in for me

[joust]

LOL!

I use that quite a lot, but I was fortunate to spot that and I got my passenger to get out first.



>> Edited by joust on Thursday 3rd July 11:36

[amg merc]

stuh said:

I'd be very wary of Cabot Square car park in Canary Wharf. The exit has two high concrete strips that as I found to my embarresment, stop you opening the very low doors. Not normally a problem but as the car is so low you can't reach the machine to put your ticket in and can't therefore get out to do it either. Can't go forward cos of the barrier, can't reverse bacause of those nasty one way steel rumble strips ! In the end i had to honk my horn to get someone to put the ticket in for me

That's hilarious!!! Will bear in mind - maybe Noble's should have a sun-roof (or call it an escape hatch!) option?!

[stuh]

I'm glad that my misfortune gives so much pleasure to others!

I think the sunroof ejector seat option would be an excellent idea