Another hello from the USA
Discussion
(Also posted in the Noble Owners' Club email list)
Hi all,
Just wanted to say a quick hello and introduce myself. I live in Los Angeles and have a 3R on order which is due to arrive at the U.S. distributor in a couple weeks. I'm truly excited at the prospects of owning such an amazing car! (It sure is weird to buy a car before having even sat in one or seen one in person.)
Unfortunately, I won't be able to drive the car until early January, since with all the government restrictions, we have to buy the car minus drivetrain and then assemble it with a drivetrain separately. Us lucky California residents also have to obtain one of a select number of specialty car certificates which ran out in June of this year and which won't start being given out again until January. Ah well.
My current car is a 97 Acura NSX-T which has been twin-turbo'ed to the tune of around 450hp, as well as a wealth of other modifications to suspension, brakes, etc. A fun car for sure, but I prefer something that comes with these sorts of upgrades from the factory (ie, a Noble) instead of having to re-make the car myself.
Best,
Marc
Hi all,
Just wanted to say a quick hello and introduce myself. I live in Los Angeles and have a 3R on order which is due to arrive at the U.S. distributor in a couple weeks. I'm truly excited at the prospects of owning such an amazing car! (It sure is weird to buy a car before having even sat in one or seen one in person.)
Unfortunately, I won't be able to drive the car until early January, since with all the government restrictions, we have to buy the car minus drivetrain and then assemble it with a drivetrain separately. Us lucky California residents also have to obtain one of a select number of specialty car certificates which ran out in June of this year and which won't start being given out again until January. Ah well.
My current car is a 97 Acura NSX-T which has been twin-turbo'ed to the tune of around 450hp, as well as a wealth of other modifications to suspension, brakes, etc. A fun car for sure, but I prefer something that comes with these sorts of upgrades from the factory (ie, a Noble) instead of having to re-make the car myself.
Best,
Marc
Great to hear that you've found a way around punitive Cal regs for the M12 - though we were doomed for in your state!
From the factory's point of view, we are trying to assist 1g Racing with marketing the M12 as much as possible. To that end, the UK correspondents of Car & Driver and Automobile magazines are testing the car during the next couple of weeks. I'm also trying to get it in some of the other mainstream publications so that the car reaches a broader audience.
Keep in touch!
From the factory's point of view, we are trying to assist 1g Racing with marketing the M12 as much as possible. To that end, the UK correspondents of Car & Driver and Automobile magazines are testing the car during the next couple of weeks. I'm also trying to get it in some of the other mainstream publications so that the car reaches a broader audience.
Keep in touch!
If you found some way to offer the car as a complete kit......ie if some company bought all the parts and assembled them then sold the complete "used" car you'd gain quite a few more customers.
As is I might wait until a "used" car pops up then I'll snatch it up. So if any US owners wanna sell their cars email me.
As is I might wait until a "used" car pops up then I'll snatch it up. So if any US owners wanna sell their cars email me.
>Are you going to use the twin turbo drivetrain?
Yes.
>Doesn't any "kit car" in CA have to be completed with a CARB legal engine?
Normally, yes. However, a bill was passed a few years ago that allows a small number of cars each year to be registered under different, more lenient rules. I'll be going through the process in about 8 weeks. Feel free to drop me an email after that to inquire how it went. I will be writing up a document explaining the process and recounting how it went, to help other CA Noble owners-to-be.
Best,
Marc
Yes.
>Doesn't any "kit car" in CA have to be completed with a CARB legal engine?
Normally, yes. However, a bill was passed a few years ago that allows a small number of cars each year to be registered under different, more lenient rules. I'll be going through the process in about 8 weeks. Feel free to drop me an email after that to inquire how it went. I will be writing up a document explaining the process and recounting how it went, to help other CA Noble owners-to-be.
Best,
Marc
Hi,
I live down in Florida, a limey enjoying the good ol American way of life. I have just started down the trail of finding out everything I can before buying an M12. Can you share advise from your own buying experience with 1g racing, anything you would have done different?
What options did you go for?
Do you know what had to be changed to make the car legal in the US?
Final price tag on your car once all was said and done?
I'm thinking about flying home to see a Britsh version first, use the excuse of saying hi to the family and then bolt up to the factory if possible and talk to the experts.
Appreciate any advise
Dave
I live down in Florida, a limey enjoying the good ol American way of life. I have just started down the trail of finding out everything I can before buying an M12. Can you share advise from your own buying experience with 1g racing, anything you would have done different?
What options did you go for?
Do you know what had to be changed to make the car legal in the US?
Final price tag on your car once all was said and done?
I'm thinking about flying home to see a Britsh version first, use the excuse of saying hi to the family and then bolt up to the factory if possible and talk to the experts.
Appreciate any advise
Dave
Dave,
Check out some of the owners websites
www.lotus-elise.org.uk/noble (mine
)
www.gto3.com
Also - I presume you have searched for Noble's in the "Owners fleet" section here - lots of commentary on the cars in there.
www.pistonheads.com/members/fleet.asp?m=40
J
Check out some of the owners websites
www.lotus-elise.org.uk/noble (mine
) www.gto3.com
Also - I presume you have searched for Noble's in the "Owners fleet" section here - lots of commentary on the cars in there.
www.pistonheads.com/members/fleet.asp?m=40
J
Hi Dave,
You can always go on that trip to the UK if you want to say hi to people there, but there's no reason to go as far as test driving the Noble is concerned. The first batch of (completed) cars is being delivered to U.S. customers now -- some have them and are driving them already. Most relevant to you, one is being delivered to a Florida customer (Jeff & Jan) within the next week. I'm sure they'd be happy to show you the car.
Everyone that I'm aware of, without exception, has had a fantastic experience working with 1G Racing. The only thing any of us would have done differently would be to get our order in even faster.
Options are typically: Air conditioning, leather interior, metallic paint, alarm w/ immobilizer, floor mats, and engine start button. Doesn't hurt to order the custom car cover too. I recommend also adding the track sump.
As for changes between the US and UK versions.. Nothing of any detriment to the US version. The cars are basically identical (other than left hand drive), but the US version actually gets a slight improvement by way of new rear lights (the lighting assembly has to be changed to a DOT-legal version). The US version looks cleaner by most opinions (and I believe is LED based rather than older-style lightbulbs). You also won't have to wait as long for your US car as those in the UK have to wait.
As an FYI, I ordered my car having never test driven one or seen one in person. The first time I see the Noble in-person will be when mine arrives at my house. This isn't because I'm frivolous or have lots of money to spare. It will actually be my daily driver/only car once I sell my current car. Rather, it's because I've done the research on the car and am pretty convinced it's an amazing piece of work that I'm bound to enjoy driving.
If you call 1G, let them know Marc from L.A. sent you
Best,
Marc
You can always go on that trip to the UK if you want to say hi to people there, but there's no reason to go as far as test driving the Noble is concerned. The first batch of (completed) cars is being delivered to U.S. customers now -- some have them and are driving them already. Most relevant to you, one is being delivered to a Florida customer (Jeff & Jan) within the next week. I'm sure they'd be happy to show you the car.
Everyone that I'm aware of, without exception, has had a fantastic experience working with 1G Racing. The only thing any of us would have done differently would be to get our order in even faster
. Options are typically: Air conditioning, leather interior, metallic paint, alarm w/ immobilizer, floor mats, and engine start button. Doesn't hurt to order the custom car cover too. I recommend also adding the track sump.
As for changes between the US and UK versions.. Nothing of any detriment to the US version. The cars are basically identical (other than left hand drive), but the US version actually gets a slight improvement by way of new rear lights (the lighting assembly has to be changed to a DOT-legal version). The US version looks cleaner by most opinions (and I believe is LED based rather than older-style lightbulbs). You also won't have to wait as long for your US car as those in the UK have to wait.
As an FYI, I ordered my car having never test driven one or seen one in person. The first time I see the Noble in-person will be when mine arrives at my house. This isn't because I'm frivolous or have lots of money to spare. It will actually be my daily driver/only car once I sell my current car. Rather, it's because I've done the research on the car and am pretty convinced it's an amazing piece of work that I'm bound to enjoy driving.
If you call 1G, let them know Marc from L.A. sent you
Best,
Marc
Marc,
Just wanted to let you know you made a good choice.
I'm also in the states, (ohio) and am into the whole import thing also. I drive a nissan skyline GTR but i had the chance to drive a nobel m12 gto about 6 months ago and it was a blast. Just like your nsx i'm the same way with my car, always upgrading this and that, but the nobel already coming with all the goodies from the factory is just awsome. I got to drive the car for about an hour, and from start to finish i was smiling from ear to ear. First off, I just think the intior is just awsome! Two tone swade everywhere you look, and that roll cage, Awsome!
But the best part about the car is by far the sound!!!
It is by far the best sounding car i have ever been in and i've driven a lot of exotic's. I can't stress that enough, (I have upgraded turbos on my gtr, No compairson!) the power isn't the same as my gtr, but it still pulls like a bat out of hell! (and sounds good as hell doing it). And the handling is just impecable. I'd love to put some corso tire's on it and take it on a track! it would be a blast.
But then when you not in it all the time and just cruzing around looking good, the car drives like any other car. No harsh ride nothing.
over all the car is awsome!!
just wanted to pump you up some more about getting you car..
It would be very interesting to see one running a little more boost or bigger turbos or both, (400-500rwhp) the car would be unstopable!!
good choice
Paul
Just wanted to let you know you made a good choice.
I'm also in the states, (ohio) and am into the whole import thing also. I drive a nissan skyline GTR but i had the chance to drive a nobel m12 gto about 6 months ago and it was a blast. Just like your nsx i'm the same way with my car, always upgrading this and that, but the nobel already coming with all the goodies from the factory is just awsome. I got to drive the car for about an hour, and from start to finish i was smiling from ear to ear. First off, I just think the intior is just awsome! Two tone swade everywhere you look, and that roll cage, Awsome!
But the best part about the car is by far the sound!!!
It is by far the best sounding car i have ever been in and i've driven a lot of exotic's. I can't stress that enough, (I have upgraded turbos on my gtr, No compairson!) the power isn't the same as my gtr, but it still pulls like a bat out of hell! (and sounds good as hell doing it). And the handling is just impecable. I'd love to put some corso tire's on it and take it on a track! it would be a blast.
But then when you not in it all the time and just cruzing around looking good, the car drives like any other car. No harsh ride nothing.
over all the car is awsome!!
just wanted to pump you up some more about getting you car..
It would be very interesting to see one running a little more boost or bigger turbos or both, (400-500rwhp) the car would be unstopable!!
good choice
Paul
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