Farewell to the Nobility
Farewell to the Nobility
Author
Discussion

BrianJ

Original Poster:

256 posts

271 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Last posting from me, as the Noble has gone - with regret, as it was undoubtedly the best driver's car that I'm ever likely to try - and that includes the Ferraris and Porsches I've driven on track days.

BUT - it has proved chronically unreliable with, in this part of the world (Scotland) inadequate service back up. Suffered a mixture of major breakdowns, inherent faults, things falling apart and erratic service from agents and factory. Certainly I did lots of track days (including Owen's superb Millbrook day when I enjoyed meeting some of you). But trackdays seem to have contributed to the failure rate - and I see no point in not tracking a Noble - how can you use more than a fraction of the performance and handling on UK roads?

And I feel that Noble may lose their way with the M14. Surely they should fix the M12 first? The buyers for a M14 won't tolerate the compromises inherent in Nobles to date.

I pay tribute to Micknall, as without his tact and diplomacy, I would have sold it ages ago - if only the rest of the organisation, central and local, operated at that level......

I'm not a fan of Porsches (unlike others here! - re-opens furious exchanges) - so my replacement strategy is quite different - an Exige S2 for fun/track days and a 350Z for reliability/motorways - you get both for the price of a Noble.

All the best with your cars, Brian J.

AMG Merc

11,955 posts

282 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Sorry to see you go Brian and keep in touch via PH and let us know what you ended up with.

ps - can I have the sword back please

DanH

12,287 posts

289 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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I'd hold fire on the exige if buying new, given the rumours of the 220bhp model coming very soon. Its still a low volume car though, so you are still going to have a few issues. The current Exige one seems to be IACV problem so that they stall lots (check seloc).

Anyway, have fun with your new toys

ufo 2 nob

4,485 posts

278 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi Brian,if you are getting a road car is it not worth having a full on track car.

I have an XTR2 and Radical and they wipe the floor with Exiges or anything similar on track days and at a fraction of the cost,both in terms of purchase and running costs.

m12_nathan

5,138 posts

288 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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Cheers Brian, have fun with the new toys.

Obes

3,298 posts

273 months

Saturday 14th January 2006
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All the best Brian

DanH

12,287 posts

289 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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ufo 2 nob said:
Hi Brian,if you are getting a road car is it not worth having a full on track car.

I have an XTR2 and Radical and they wipe the floor with Exiges or anything similar on track days and at a fraction of the cost,both in terms of purchase and running costs.


Until the engines need a rebuild Theres also an argument that going round a track with downforce is a tad tedious as you just get caught behind normal cars in all the corners Not to mention having to own a tow car, trailor and having to drive it to the track each time.


>> Edited by DanH on Sunday 15th January 00:58

JAZ 34

568 posts

272 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Sorry to see you go Brian........

Good luck with the Lotus.

JAZ 34

joust

14,622 posts

288 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Brian - sorry you have got caught in some sort of support North/South divide.

Have fun with whatever you have next.

J

BrianJ

Original Poster:

256 posts

271 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Many thanks for messages - did consider pure track day car e.g. Caterham - but same problem - who will maintain it here?

Picked up Exige this weekend - deliberately chose end of line 2005 model so that I am not guinea pig for 2006 mods. Seems 100% OK out of the box.

Bye, Brian J