Noble or Tuscan ?
Discussion
I posted the following on the Noble forum and fairly predictably got lots of pro Noble comments, however one contributor asked what the response would be if the same message was on here. So here it is, what is the view from the speed six viewpoint ?
“I have owned various TVRs in the last few years. I currently have a Griff 500 and do a bit if hill climbing as well as “Sunny Sunday” use, I would like to get a Tuscan but frankly am still a bit frightened by doubts over engine reliability. Having looked at this Forum for a while there seems to be very little discussed in the way of major problems. I know you may all be a bit biased but have you any comments that may cause me to go or not go for a Noble instead of a Tuscan or T350 ?”
“I have owned various TVRs in the last few years. I currently have a Griff 500 and do a bit if hill climbing as well as “Sunny Sunday” use, I would like to get a Tuscan but frankly am still a bit frightened by doubts over engine reliability. Having looked at this Forum for a while there seems to be very little discussed in the way of major problems. I know you may all be a bit biased but have you any comments that may cause me to go or not go for a Noble instead of a Tuscan or T350 ?”
Beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that but the Noble has always seemed to me to be a bit, well, dated styling-wise. A sort of throwback to the 1980s.
Do Nobles have a decent boot by the way? I use the Tuscan for all sorts of trips and it easily accomodates all the junk you carry around on a two week road trip.
Do Nobles have a decent boot by the way? I use the Tuscan for all sorts of trips and it easily accomodates all the junk you carry around on a two week road trip.
I drove a Noble once and was hugely impressed by the power, the power delivery and its handling. It was a hoot of a car to drive and I wouldn't mind having one myself someday. It also looks the part with its rear mid-engine layout. I was talking to Tiff Needell about TVR v Noble and he put a well balanced argument forward for both cars - they are quite different beasts as specialised cars go.
The favourable points for the Tuscan is that you get a fixed head/coupe/convertible all in the same package - and a huge boot if you want to go off touring in Europe or something like that. I also think that the interior styling on the Tuscan will take some beating (by any brand with the same kind of performance. In contrast, the Noble has little luggage space to speak off and has more of a track day car interior with little in the way of real styling.
They are both fine cars though and having a Tuscan already, I would certainly put the Noble on the list if I fancied a change.
The favourable points for the Tuscan is that you get a fixed head/coupe/convertible all in the same package - and a huge boot if you want to go off touring in Europe or something like that. I also think that the interior styling on the Tuscan will take some beating (by any brand with the same kind of performance. In contrast, the Noble has little luggage space to speak off and has more of a track day car interior with little in the way of real styling.
They are both fine cars though and having a Tuscan already, I would certainly put the Noble on the list if I fancied a change.
It really depends on what you want from a car - if you want an out and out track day car with excellent handling then a Noble would be a good prospect, however if you want an insanely fast car with practical touches like a boot and styling to die for then a Tuscan is the one - you decide!
Given the choice I would go for the Tuscan (as I did) as it fills more of my personal requirements - great looks, wild performance, practical for trips abroad, etc etc but I would love to take a Noble round a track for a day!
Graham
Given the choice I would go for the Tuscan (as I did) as it fills more of my personal requirements - great looks, wild performance, practical for trips abroad, etc etc but I would love to take a Noble round a track for a day!
Graham
NOble M400 is much tighter handling than a Tuscan S and would be the better track car. And it's rarer, looks great etc. Outright acceleration wise I don't think there is much in it.
But fixed roof and no boot mean that you won't use it that often apart from trackdays (or at least you won't enjoy it a whole lot if you do).
But fixed roof and no boot mean that you won't use it that often apart from trackdays (or at least you won't enjoy it a whole lot if you do).
[quote=andyvdg]Tuscan. Noble has lightweight brand value and the potential for hiddeous depreciation once the cars get older.
Cant agree. We have sold both, for many years, and found as a matter of fact that the Noble depreciates less than the Tuscan. This could be due to a number of factors, e.g less Nobles built, build quality,reliability, etc.
At the end of the day, they are both great cars. It must depend on personal preference.
Mole
Cant agree. We have sold both, for many years, and found as a matter of fact that the Noble depreciates less than the Tuscan. This could be due to a number of factors, e.g less Nobles built, build quality,reliability, etc.
At the end of the day, they are both great cars. It must depend on personal preference.
Mole
andyvdg said:
Tuscan. Noble has lightweight brand value and the potential for hiddeous depreciation once the cars get older.
+ the fact women think the Noble looks like a "blokes car" (not a good thing).
So a Tuscan is now officially a "Girl's car"
I wouldn't factor depriciation in, you don't buy a car to make money. I shall repeat the advise I gave in the other thread - drive them both and buy the one you prefer.
andyvdg said:Well my wife, who qualifies as a petrol-girl says the Noble looks like a re-hashed 1980's Lotus Esprit and the interior looks low-rent in a kit-car parts-bin sort of way. Personally, purely judging it on style I agree... I know it handles and goes well etc. etc. so don't flame me. Rich...
the fact women think the Noble looks like a "blokes car" (not a good thing).
Have to agree with Rich, my wife said the same!, saying all the guys she's seen driving them scream late middle aged guy/midlife crisis type. The Tusc, however, is an icon, a real stunner, all to easy to buy on looks alone, even if it was kitted out with a Morris Marina engine! I would think that, if you really, really love driving and do a lot of track days, and love pushing the car to it's limits, then the Noble is perfect, however, if like the remaining 99.9% of drivers, you just love to drive at sensible speed on the main roads and put your foot down now and again, it's the Tusc every time, oh, and from what I've seen, they're no slouches on the track either! 
Like a Tuscan driver going round a corner without almost coming to a standstill first 
Back to the original point - Test drive them both, take the extra load capacity and more comfort oriented interior of the Tuscan into account and buy the one that best suits your needs and wants, if track days and non chocolate engines are your thing then Noble every time.
>> Edited by m12_nathan on Wednesday 10th November 14:15
Back to the original point - Test drive them both, take the extra load capacity and more comfort oriented interior of the Tuscan into account and buy the one that best suits your needs and wants, if track days and non chocolate engines are your thing then Noble every time.
>> Edited by m12_nathan on Wednesday 10th November 14:15
friend has m400 and loves it, we swapped cars for a week once and both prefered our own. you'll love it whatever you get. in a line noble canes it, as well as on a track. is also autocars crivers car of 2004, while tvr is capaple of weekend trips too, i think it's still the 9th fastest new car on sale in uk. its a personality thing (plus the fact that i'm 6ft 7 and have been rock-climbing since aged 11, so i need room and comefort)
>> Edited by hardcore on Tuesday 16th November 04:59
>> Edited by hardcore on Tuesday 16th November 04:59
Having had 2 Tuscans and now a Noble I'm pretty well placed to help 
Tuscan
Pros: Looks great, interior is simply unbeatable, sounds great, excellent performance and a huge boot, larger dealer network to service and fix all the things that WILL go wrong. You get AA cover for free !
Cons: "Chocolate engine" is the biggest, eats rear tyres quickly. Loss of confidence about taking it on long journeys. Extremely poor reliability. Servicing costs are high.
Noble M12 3R 
Pros: Starts first time everytime. Superior build quality. Proven engine. That weird sound under acceleration Power delivery is sublime and tends not to leave you facing in the wrong direction. Much easier to drive on a daily basis (IMHO). Been away with my girlfriend on a long weekend and the space available in the cabin was enough to bring all of our clothing needs. THE NOBLE FACTORY ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE PISTONHEADS FORUMS AND HELP OUT A LOT ! Servicing costs are not as high as the Tuscan.
Cons: Looks not to everyones taste. No Boot. Does not come with breakdown cover but then again I've never needed it. Short on dealers.
As a comparison, I have completed 4500 miles in my Noble within a 4 month period. The same mileage I done in my Tuscan this year within a similar period.
The Noble has had a 1000 mile service and been back to the dealer once more to get the headlights re-sealed. THAT'S IT !
In contrast the Tuscan was constantly back to the dealer for a total of one months worth of work. Not in one go but spread over a period of time that involved 3 flat bed pickups. Failed to start on many an occasion or even stalled at 70mph on the motorway ! Bit's fell off it and needed stuck back on, including an indicator !
I leave you to make your own mind up
>> Edited by lucozade on Tuesday 16th November 14:25
Tuscan
Pros: Looks great, interior is simply unbeatable, sounds great, excellent performance and a huge boot, larger dealer network to service and fix all the things that WILL go wrong. You get AA cover for free ! Cons: "Chocolate engine" is the biggest, eats rear tyres quickly. Loss of confidence about taking it on long journeys. Extremely poor reliability. Servicing costs are high. Noble M12 3R
Pros: Starts first time everytime. Superior build quality. Proven engine. That weird sound under acceleration Power delivery is sublime and tends not to leave you facing in the wrong direction. Much easier to drive on a daily basis (IMHO). Been away with my girlfriend on a long weekend and the space available in the cabin was enough to bring all of our clothing needs. THE NOBLE FACTORY ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE PISTONHEADS FORUMS AND HELP OUT A LOT ! Servicing costs are not as high as the Tuscan. Cons: Looks not to everyones taste. No Boot. Does not come with breakdown cover but then again I've never needed it. Short on dealers. As a comparison, I have completed 4500 miles in my Noble within a 4 month period. The same mileage I done in my Tuscan this year within a similar period.
The Noble has had a 1000 mile service and been back to the dealer once more to get the headlights re-sealed. THAT'S IT !
In contrast the Tuscan was constantly back to the dealer for a total of one months worth of work. Not in one go but spread over a period of time that involved 3 flat bed pickups. Failed to start on many an occasion or even stalled at 70mph on the motorway ! Bit's fell off it and needed stuck back on, including an indicator !
I leave you to make your own mind up
>> Edited by lucozade on Tuesday 16th November 14:25
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