Joust's Marcos Pics

[barefoot]

As a devoted TVR fan I must admit to considering a Noble but the interior just doesn't justify the price. The interior of my T350 (400 bhp) always feels special when I get in it with all that leather and totally unique bespoke TVR parts/switchgear.

But why can't Noble build an interior with a bit more flair? Looking at the pictures Joust has put on the Marcos Forum makes you wonder. They might be mondeo dials etc but it looks so much better than the Noble. If Marcos can do it why can't Noble?

I truly believe that they would make a great car far better if they did and achieve even more sales.

[PetrolTed]

The same man is responsible for elements of both. I believe Alan Wallace had some influence on the M12 interior and he's had a major influence on the Marcos interior since moving there.

[amg merc]

barefoot said:

But why can't Noble build an interior with a bit more flair? Looking at the pictures Joust has put on the Marcos Forum makes you wonder. They might be mondeo dials etc but it looks so much better than the Noble. If Marcos can do it why can't Noble? I truly believe that they would make a great car far better if they did and achieve even more sales.

... hear what you say Barefoot, and I'd love a TVR/Jaguar/Aston Martin type interior in my Noble but then this isn't what the Noble is about - have you driven one yet?!

[m12_nathan]

If it doesn't make it faster why bother? TVR interiors look ok right up until the first bit falls off (give it a week) or becomes soaked with rain water (2 weeks), Noble came up with the plan that the less there is the less there is to fall off

[barefoot]

AMG

No I haven't, I have been tempted but at the moment I am very happy with my TVR. I have done several track days at Oulton Park in it where it was faster as in a straight line and every bit as quick round the bends as all the Nobles that were there one being a Chris Neil demonstrator that was DEF trying I can assure you.

On saying that it was also quicker than the standard yellow Tuscan that they had there as well. In fact the only car up to date that can keep up with it in a straight line is my brother's 03 Porsche GT2.

I so don't want to get into a Noble V TVR arguememt it's just the Noble GTR costs around £10,000 more than my Red Rose T350(if it can be called that, 400bhp lighter body bigger brakes) and if it had a similar interior I think it would help justify that price gap and as I said make a great car even better.



This seems to be all it lacks IMHO !

[joust]

I think it's horses for courses. I actually really do *not* like current TVR interiors (or exteriors), and the thing that attracted me to the Marcos was the fact that it was much more "Griff" than "tuscan" in looks.

The Noble IMHO actually looks like a fine GT car to me (and other 'esteemed' people such as Tiff N), if you want 'poncy' (no offence ment) brass twiddly bits then a TVR will light your flame, me, I prefer function over form anyday and the Noble is just that - pure function and very nicely layed out from that point of view.

But then I also absolutly love my X5 interior, and that's even blander than the Noble!

J

[paulcundy]

Noble M12; its a drivers car not a poseurs car...who cares whats going on inside, its whats happening outside thats important - I've had mine 3 years and I haven't even got a radio fitted yet and I still smile a mile wide every time I approach.
TVRs win hands down on looks and are exsquisitely stylish but on the road or the track against a Noble there is simply no contest. The bottom line is its a choice; style (TVR) or substance(M12).

[matt_t16]

Personaly I dislike bright or cluttered interiors. I'm much more concerned with whats happening on t'other side of the windscreen than what metal my heater controls are machined from or exactly what shade my leather is. I guess thats why the interior in every car I've ever owned has been either black or grey.

I really like the Noble interior for its complete lack of clutter. I don't think a TVR type interior would work.

Matt

[DanH]

I do agree the Noble interior is lacking for the money, but its a business thats building itself up, and presumably they couldn't throw loads of cash at the problem.

One thing that does grate a little, is your claim that the T350 is faster and you site the bhp figure as proof. Given that TVR consistently make up bhp figures, then compound this with the fact that one can't compare the bhp of an NA engine against that of a turbo engine. To do so ignores the earth moving torque said turbo lump bring to the breadth of the rev range*. As to comparisons on track days, that sir is hardly scientific Especially given the quality of driving often exhibited.



* TVR T350 figures :
0 to 60 mph 4.4 secs
0 to 100 mph 9.5 secs
Maximum +175 mph **

** The max speeds are always particularly funny as you'd be airborne sometime before...

[joust]

Without wishing to start a TVR vs Noble thread - just remember that Jeremy C was shouting "looser, looser" at Hammond when JC bet that the Noble would be faster around the Tog Gear track than Hammond's TVR T350c...

Power is nothing without control.

J

[amg merc]

Oh-oh, here we go again - haven't had a good "versus" scrap since the last Noble v 911 "debate"!!! :-)

[barefoot]

Dan H and all

Have you seen performance figures quoted or actual test one's for a red rose T350? No neither have I

I personally know the man that built my engine at TVR (lives next door to my brother believe it or not) and I have the dyno figures for my engine which I can assure you is a good 400 bhp.

I totally agree that round a track driven by the same person the noble would be quicker one of my car's problems is the front brakes lock to early. But as I said on the straights which means put ya foot down and steer in a straight line the Noble is not as quick...period!

I think you will find that TVR will have addressed this with the Sagaris which for less than the price of a Noble will be very competetive. If/when Top Gear get to test one the results should be interesting.

I totally understand why most of you love your Nobles and prefer the simplistic interior if you check my profile I have a Turbo Megabusa which is minimalistic personified and the ultimate tack day tool. But the reason for my post was that if Noble made a nicer interior it would sway people like me into buying one. And you all know if they did all you owners who like/love the car would still love it... even a bit more perhaps!

At the end of the day I as many people, including most of the motoring press, feel that for the money (and this is my only gripe) the inside of the car is a let down and I stand by that.

[DanH]

Well I agree with your last point

Having said that I imagine the company already know people think that as its one of the few criticisms that keeps cropping up in reviews!

[LaurenceFrost]

barefoot said:

Dan H and all I personally know the man that built my engine at TVR (lives next door to my brother believe it or not) and I have the dyno figures for my engine which I can assure you is a good 400 bhp.

Hi Kevin, you have a valid point there about the interior, but I believe most who buy the Noble are looking for that fix of adrenalin when they drive it as well as the sense of occasion. I'm my opinion the interior - however nice - would do very little to enhance this in a Noble.

I get the feeling the interior is designed with a functional first, comfort second approach. The leather in the R does look a great deal more civilised, but any more and I think Noble would be loosing site of what they’re about.

Just a quick question – how/when did you have your engine dyno’d?

P.S. Your TVR is gorgeous - especially the interior

[barefoot]

Laurence

Thanks for the compliments. My engine was put together by Andy Mimms at the factory, he had it running on the dyno at over 400bhp but after John Ravenscroft finished with the ECU it was spot on 400 but had slightly more torque.

The only other engine that was being built at the time was Christof's and I have no idea if these are the same as what others have had fitted since.

The best part of this engine is the way the power keeps building all the way up to the 8,000 rpm cut out! When I asked Peter if he could put a Tuscan S engine in he said no but we can make you a 3.6 that will be a scorcher that thrives on revs, and thats what it is, but still loads of torque.

I had my Red Rose Tuscan at Santa Pod and Elvington and just couldn't control the wheelspin in 1st as I am sure most Cerbera driver's do. The T350 is awesome at take off and feels like it might spin the wheels at 7,000 rpm instead!

I am sure Noble are aware that the car's interior could be nicer and when/if they alter it I like many others would have to seriously consider it as more of an everyday car (not just track/sunny days) which is what the T350 most certainly is.

[eisenjj]

Does that mean I should not buy a 50" Sony Plasma XBR HDTV just because by La-z-boy is in shambles! I would sit on the floor if I had to.

[V6GTO]

All this bickering is pointless. The TVR has a superior interior or not...it all depends on your personal preference. Now, comparing power/speed, that's different...all very easily mesured. The Noble 3R is faster than a 350T. The 350T Red Rose ( if you believe the previous posts) is Faster than the Noble. However, the Noble M12 GTO 3R M400 will blow away ANY TVR on the road that has'nt had at least £15k spent on the engine. And at the first bend, when the TVR locks it's wheels and goes strait on, the Noble driver will be chuckling away at the scene in his rear view mirror.

[Lynton]

I always think the TVR’s interior looks best on the back of a tow-truck, which is where I tend to see them most…;-)

[DanH]

Now thats not fair I've seen plenty of Nobles on low loaders too!

I really do like TVR interiors though

[LaurenceFrost]

Lynton said:

I always think the TVR’s interior looks best on the back of a tow-truck, which is where I tend to see them most…;-)

PMSL!