Advice for a "future" owner
Discussion
Hi guys,
Been looking through the site for a while now.
I was on the way home a few weeks ago and ended up stuck on the A406 by Brent Cross...So I slipped off down the A41 and back to Enfield Via Barnet.....And what did I do..Drove past Barnet TVR and turned around and dropped in...not the first time I have done this - but the first time somebody has asked "can I help"(BIG MISTAKE - LOL).
Anyway I ended up chatting with the owner who has his M400 up for sale.
Ive had a few "decent" cars in the last 2 years in order of latest..
Current Evo 9 running 400/400+
Had a 996 TT hated it with a vengence.lasted under 3 months...too good at what it does(no excitement)..
A subaru WR1 running over 360..
etc etc and the list goes on.
Anyway my "dilema!" (well its not a dilema) is everytime I get this great idea of changing the car I "stop" by a garage and end up with a new car!! PMSL
As yet I have resisted with the Noble as I would have it as just a weekend car.
How do you guys "live with" the M400 on everyday roads? Am I better off getting a 3R as I probably only do 4-5 track days a year along with the "odd" euro trip.
Finally any of you fellas around the North London area who could give a possible future owner a passenger ride in your car? I dont want to take the test drive at a dealer as the car is already as good as sold...so it would be good to see and chat to someone who has one and can show me what its all about and any pitfalls.
Many thanks in advance - hopefully!!
Mike
Been looking through the site for a while now.
I was on the way home a few weeks ago and ended up stuck on the A406 by Brent Cross...So I slipped off down the A41 and back to Enfield Via Barnet.....And what did I do..Drove past Barnet TVR and turned around and dropped in...not the first time I have done this - but the first time somebody has asked "can I help"(BIG MISTAKE - LOL).
Anyway I ended up chatting with the owner who has his M400 up for sale.
Ive had a few "decent" cars in the last 2 years in order of latest..
Current Evo 9 running 400/400+
Had a 996 TT hated it with a vengence.lasted under 3 months...too good at what it does(no excitement)..
A subaru WR1 running over 360..
etc etc and the list goes on.
Anyway my "dilema!" (well its not a dilema) is everytime I get this great idea of changing the car I "stop" by a garage and end up with a new car!! PMSL
As yet I have resisted with the Noble as I would have it as just a weekend car.
How do you guys "live with" the M400 on everyday roads? Am I better off getting a 3R as I probably only do 4-5 track days a year along with the "odd" euro trip.
Finally any of you fellas around the North London area who could give a possible future owner a passenger ride in your car? I dont want to take the test drive at a dealer as the car is already as good as sold...so it would be good to see and chat to someone who has one and can show me what its all about and any pitfalls.
Many thanks in advance - hopefully!!
Mike
Edited by spike like mike on Monday 3rd September 22:20
Edited by spike like mike on Monday 3rd September 22:20
Hi Mike,
The M400 is very much a track based car (although only with a few certain cooling mods done to it) and not as good on B-roads as a 3R. So for 3-4 track days a year, and a lot more B-road driving and euro trips I would recommend a 3R as the ride is much more comfy, just a bit more wallowy (sp?) on track, but still very capable.
However I wouldn't hold your hopes up for a test drive, for a brand new poster asking someone to meet you with their £60k sports car is a tad on the dodgy side, i'm sure you can see that. Your best bet is to take a test drive at a dealer in both an M400 and a 3R and see which you like, then go out and buy
.
The M400 is very much a track based car (although only with a few certain cooling mods done to it) and not as good on B-roads as a 3R. So for 3-4 track days a year, and a lot more B-road driving and euro trips I would recommend a 3R as the ride is much more comfy, just a bit more wallowy (sp?) on track, but still very capable.
However I wouldn't hold your hopes up for a test drive, for a brand new poster asking someone to meet you with their £60k sports car is a tad on the dodgy side, i'm sure you can see that. Your best bet is to take a test drive at a dealer in both an M400 and a 3R and see which you like, then go out and buy
. Yes I can understand that. I will pop to the dealer but know i will get the usual "FLANNEL" BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD/BULLET PROOF..ETC ETC!!
Just its good to talk to an honest owner who has nothing to sell so u tend to get the "real picture"
The dealer I went to only had a M400 so I would like to test a 3R / M400 back to back then - any suggestions? I see mole valley hold a few cars in stock.
I did give a test ride out to a lad not long after I got the evo.....alot of dodgy characters around I know...pmsl.
Guess Im just a bit trusting in people - rightly "or" wrongy Im yet to come a-cropper.
Do you fellas do many meets in London etc? would be very interested to come along.
So havin scanned through "alot" of the posts on here the 3R seems to be the way to go.
Whats the running costs of the 3R - I assueme it is no worse that the evo (as that is not possible-lol)but if its gonna be a weekender I suppose it does'nt really matter.
I have heard horror stories of build quality/gear boxes etc,etc or is this the "usual" one or 2 offs that get more "airtime" than the hundreds with no problems?
How do the dealers fare? are the dealers helpful or are they "doing you a favor" kind of attitude?
I had a bad experience with a porsche main dealer trying it on , ended up he had a bad experience as it cost them a few £££'s in the end once the "legal whizzs" got a hold of him...funny story!!
Lots of questions I know...sorry!!
thanks again.
Just its good to talk to an honest owner who has nothing to sell so u tend to get the "real picture"
The dealer I went to only had a M400 so I would like to test a 3R / M400 back to back then - any suggestions? I see mole valley hold a few cars in stock.
I did give a test ride out to a lad not long after I got the evo.....alot of dodgy characters around I know...pmsl.
Guess Im just a bit trusting in people - rightly "or" wrongy Im yet to come a-cropper.
Do you fellas do many meets in London etc? would be very interested to come along.
So havin scanned through "alot" of the posts on here the 3R seems to be the way to go.
Whats the running costs of the 3R - I assueme it is no worse that the evo (as that is not possible-lol)but if its gonna be a weekender I suppose it does'nt really matter.
I have heard horror stories of build quality/gear boxes etc,etc or is this the "usual" one or 2 offs that get more "airtime" than the hundreds with no problems?
How do the dealers fare? are the dealers helpful or are they "doing you a favor" kind of attitude?
I had a bad experience with a porsche main dealer trying it on , ended up he had a bad experience as it cost them a few £££'s in the end once the "legal whizzs" got a hold of him...funny story!!
Lots of questions I know...sorry!!
thanks again.
Edited by spike like mike on Monday 3rd September 23:31
Edited by spike like mike on Monday 3rd September 23:32
I have a mildly breathed-on GTO3.
I've driven 30K miles in it in almost all conditions - I use it whenever and wherever I can so it only stays hom in the pi55ing rain or when I have more than one passenger.
It does cost money to run and has the odd problem but it's cheaper to run than my TVR or my M5 were. There are lots of threads on here about it.
Where are you? I'm in Hertfordshire (office in the grounds of Hatfield House). I'd be happy to give you a passenger ride (but not to drive it until I knoew you much better) and to tell you all about it warts and all.
N2H
I've driven 30K miles in it in almost all conditions - I use it whenever and wherever I can so it only stays hom in the pi55ing rain or when I have more than one passenger.
It does cost money to run and has the odd problem but it's cheaper to run than my TVR or my M5 were. There are lots of threads on here about it.
Where are you? I'm in Hertfordshire (office in the grounds of Hatfield House). I'd be happy to give you a passenger ride (but not to drive it until I knoew you much better) and to tell you all about it warts and all.
N2H
spike like mike said:
Anyway I ended up chatting with the owner who has his M400 up for sale.
Mike - who did you speak to at TVR Centre (aka NobleLondon aka Trimar Sports Cars)? I know them well and they are a top bunch. Get a test ride with them in the M400 (and 3R if they've got one) because that's the only way to see which one you prefer. As MikeyP said 3R is better for road (especially B road) driving, but M400 is better on track (in the dry) but is perfectly acceptable on road. Just a matter of preference and use. N2H - Im based in Enfield so not a million miles away.
I would'nt have the cheek to ask to drive someone elses car as I would never let anybody I didnt know/trust wholly even near the steering wheel.
Wouldnt mind a chat and a passenger ride sometime when your availible.
Rob P - It was the dark haired fella with glasses i spoke to(apparently teh owner of the M400) - forgive me but Im useless with remembering names!
I have popped in to TVR Barnet on a few occasions but this time there were a severe lack of cars generally and the only Noble was the M400.
I have a day off this Friday so I may pop in during the afternoon to see what I can do about a test and see of they have access to a 3R aswell.
Mike
I would'nt have the cheek to ask to drive someone elses car as I would never let anybody I didnt know/trust wholly even near the steering wheel.
Wouldnt mind a chat and a passenger ride sometime when your availible.
Rob P - It was the dark haired fella with glasses i spoke to(apparently teh owner of the M400) - forgive me but Im useless with remembering names!
I have popped in to TVR Barnet on a few occasions but this time there were a severe lack of cars generally and the only Noble was the M400.
I have a day off this Friday so I may pop in during the afternoon to see what I can do about a test and see of they have access to a 3R aswell.
Mike
Edited by spike like mike on Tuesday 4th September 22:07
spike like mike said:
N2H - Im based in Enfield so not a million miles away.
I would'nt have the cheek to ask to drive someone elses car as I would never let anybody I didnt know/trust wholly even near the steering wheel.
Wouldnt mind a chat and a passenger ride sometime when your availible.
Rob P - It was the dark haired fella with glasses i spoke to(apparently teh owner of the M400) - forgive me but Im useless with remembering names!
I have popped in to TVR Barnet on a few occasions but this time there were a severe lack of cars generally and the only Noble was the M400.
I have a day off this Friday so I may pop in during the afternoon to see what I can do about a test and see of they have access to a 3R aswell.
Mike
That'd be Mark Kent then. Very clean and well looked after car. Get down there and go for a drive. You won't need any sales pitch (and probably won't get one either). The car will do the talking. I would'nt have the cheek to ask to drive someone elses car as I would never let anybody I didnt know/trust wholly even near the steering wheel.
Wouldnt mind a chat and a passenger ride sometime when your availible.
Rob P - It was the dark haired fella with glasses i spoke to(apparently teh owner of the M400) - forgive me but Im useless with remembering names!
I have popped in to TVR Barnet on a few occasions but this time there were a severe lack of cars generally and the only Noble was the M400.
I have a day off this Friday so I may pop in during the afternoon to see what I can do about a test and see of they have access to a 3R aswell.
Mike
Edited by spike like mike on Tuesday 4th September 22:07
Clean low mileage Nobles are getting more difficult to come by as Noble are not making any more and havn't done for a while. Simple.
spike like mike said:
Steve,
Spec 57 - you still got the white one matey?
Looks like Im goin to pass by Barnet over the weekend then guys!!
Yep still the same one.... as the missus has also got a classic scoob now which is parked in front of the garage mine done 1000 miles in the last yearSpec 57 - you still got the white one matey?
Looks like Im goin to pass by Barnet over the weekend then guys!!
so may as well put a new toy in the garage soon..
Still got the evo then???
spike like mike said:
Steve,
Still got it "just" pmsl...4th new car in under 2yrs PMSL....time for a change again!!
Change, don't change it, just add another one to the stable, I'm looking for a late 3R at the moment.Still got it "just" pmsl...4th new car in under 2yrs PMSL....time for a change again!!
Needless to say, it won't stay standard for long, I reckon it won't take us long to have it out (at least) towards the 600bhp area.
No doubt shortly after, we'll be offering tuning options out as well. :-)
Mike
Edited by Mike Tuckwood on Thursday 6th September 23:41
sc00by57 said:
Well best i get mine soon also..... 
Let the mods commence.....
You better believe it. Let the mods commence.....
Does anyone know if any M12's (specifically a 3R) were done in "unusual" colours?
I could swear I'd seen them in Yellow or Orange somewhere, and while I really like the Titanium ones. I'd rather have a bright colour if they exist?
Mike
dont take this as gospel (someone more knowledgeable will be along in a bit ) but they did a yellow on the 2.5 and maybe on later models , but the orange was a one off for a show , having said that , I gather that you could have a car painted any colour when they were being made ...for colour chart see http://www.gto3.com/colours/index.htm
Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff