EVO says 'Flawed Driving Position'
Discussion
EVO magazine has a section at the back called 'The Knowledge' which gives the GTO 3R five stars. It also says 'Flawed driving position'. Maybe this has been discussed before, but with nearly 3 weeks and 1700 miles of ownership I haven't figured this out yet.
Does anyone know what they mean. Admittedly I have not yet done 500 miles in one go. But Brum and back on Saturday was about 220. No problems. Does anyone have any thoughts???
Regards.
Chris.
Does anyone know what they mean. Admittedly I have not yet done 500 miles in one go. But Brum and back on Saturday was about 220. No problems. Does anyone have any thoughts???
Regards.
Chris.
Did 290 miles there and back to Donington on Sunday and very comfortable. On the way back "Noble Girl" slept most of the way (NOT driving!!) so it can't be that uncomfortable.
Driving position is perfect for 6'4" and 5'6" drivers.
Great day on Sunday and great drive back South through horrendous weather. The rearward spray certainly stops the tailgaters on the motorway!!
Driving position is perfect for 6'4" and 5'6" drivers.
Great day on Sunday and great drive back South through horrendous weather. The rearward spray certainly stops the tailgaters on the motorway!!
This was a criticism that Sutcliffe used to level at the car too, and was worried about it before picking up his long termer. His beef was that he couldn't get close enough to the steering wheel. Has to be said that when he went for a special seat fitting before picking the car up he had no problems at all. I'm sure Micknall will post a comment on this in the morning.
)Yes we were in the Monza Suite. I am Christine and my partner Ian. I was the one in the pink scarf attacking the coffee machine.
PS The chauffeur did the driving whilst I tested the seat recline on the passenger seat (couldn't seem to get it to work though so probably a facory mod!).
It was great day and met loads of really friendly people in the Suite. looking forward to next meet.
PS The chauffeur did the driving whilst I tested the seat recline on the passenger seat (couldn't seem to get it to work though so probably a facory mod!).
It was great day and met loads of really friendly people in the Suite. looking forward to next meet.
crb1 said:
Stuart,
If Sutcliffe was worried about the seating position before he picked up the car, isn't he being a bit prejudiced. Surely he can only reach this opinion after having driven the car a while?
Chris.
PS. Noble Girl. Who was driving if you were asleep?
He'd spent a lot of time in a number of different cars over the years. I remember him making the comment upon getting out of the 3R for the first time on our A-B road shoot. So no, he wasn't being prejudiced - it was based on experience. Anyway, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that his previous gripes were not an issue.
Chris,
I have to admit that we do occasionally get people complaining that seats are too hard after a long journey. However, they are in a minority. Richard Meadon from Evo found the seats uncomfortable throughout his tenure with the car, and I have no reson to disbelieve him. On the other hand, I've driven thousands of miles in 3Rs and - other than butt ache after a single 1000-mile trip, where I got out only to refill - have always found them comfortable.
Feedback like this from owners and journos is invaluable, though, and Noble will always attempt to address any criticisms in future.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
I have to admit that we do occasionally get people complaining that seats are too hard after a long journey. However, they are in a minority. Richard Meadon from Evo found the seats uncomfortable throughout his tenure with the car, and I have no reson to disbelieve him. On the other hand, I've driven thousands of miles in 3Rs and - other than butt ache after a single 1000-mile trip, where I got out only to refill - have always found them comfortable.
Feedback like this from owners and journos is invaluable, though, and Noble will always attempt to address any criticisms in future.
Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.
OK - I'm one of the minority!
I've said it several times, and stand by it, that the Noble does have a flawed driving position.
The pedals are WAY offset from centre, and on a long trip my right leg does get tired. I've played with steering wheel and seat positions, but to no avail.
Having said that, no I don't find it a big problem and have got used to it. BUT stepping into my TVR Griffith is becoming a real luxury - a much better driving position than the Noble, no question!
I don't think the seat is too hard, but I would like more head room...
I've said it several times, and stand by it, that the Noble does have a flawed driving position.
The pedals are WAY offset from centre, and on a long trip my right leg does get tired. I've played with steering wheel and seat positions, but to no avail.
Having said that, no I don't find it a big problem and have got used to it. BUT stepping into my TVR Griffith is becoming a real luxury - a much better driving position than the Noble, no question!
I don't think the seat is too hard, but I would like more head room...
Oh, and speaking of magazines getting their data wrong (we were, weren't we? Sort of.)
Have you noticed that Auto Express lists the (new) Noble M12 GTO as 310 BHP? In fact, I'm not sure that I've seen many publications that show the correct data for the GTO3/R.
To add insult to injury, Auto Express proceeded last week to list the 3R as 'closest competition' to the new Lotus Exige, but marked the M12 down for being expensive.
Have you noticed that Auto Express lists the (new) Noble M12 GTO as 310 BHP? In fact, I'm not sure that I've seen many publications that show the correct data for the GTO3/R.
To add insult to injury, Auto Express proceeded last week to list the 3R as 'closest competition' to the new Lotus Exige, but marked the M12 down for being expensive.
I fail to understand why a magazine says the Noble is expensive. Yes it is... compared to cars that do not perform (ie Acceleration, Road Holding, Top Speed) as highly. But then you always get what you pay for.
£55k is a large amount of money in anyones language. What the magazines are failing to do is compare the relative prices of vehicles that perform at the same level. How many current Ferrari's accelerate like the Noble to 60 mph. None bar the Enzo. Cheapest Ferrari costs about £100k. If you want to pay for history, racing heritage and Michael Schumachers wages so be it. No problem. He's earned every penny he makes with Ferrari. With Noble you pay a reasonable price for the performance you get.
Maybe I'm beginning to sound like an apologist for Noble. Rest assured any problems I have will be posted here, as I have done already.
Chris.
£55k is a large amount of money in anyones language. What the magazines are failing to do is compare the relative prices of vehicles that perform at the same level. How many current Ferrari's accelerate like the Noble to 60 mph. None bar the Enzo. Cheapest Ferrari costs about £100k. If you want to pay for history, racing heritage and Michael Schumachers wages so be it. No problem. He's earned every penny he makes with Ferrari. With Noble you pay a reasonable price for the performance you get.
Maybe I'm beginning to sound like an apologist for Noble. Rest assured any problems I have will be posted here, as I have done already.
Chris.
Micknall said:
Marlon,
Point taken about the data sections of some of these mags. Have just e-mailed my contacts at the six main motoring titles with correct data and prices. Hopefully those concerned will ammend their info pronto.
Thanks for the heads up!
Simon
Think you'll find that Autocar's data sections are absolutely spot on
is that the sound of dozens of Noble enthusiasts reaching for a copy of the mag in a frantic bid to be the first to prove the smug git wrong? Thought so.
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