Blimey, never thought I could get one of these!

[G-Rich]

Hi,

I'm getting a new 2nd/weekend car soon, and had shortlisted the usual 911s, TVRs and BMW 'M's into a sub 30K budget. Then, I wandered through the classifieds to see what else caught my eye and found Noble, and didn't realise how much 'bang per buck' they represent - or indeed I could afford one. I've always liked the styling, and the performance stats are eye watering. I rather liked the look of a couple of the M12-GTO3R in the classifieds.

A few questions if you will entertain me;

- I get the impression the Noble is very much a racer for the road. What's it like for GT type work? Is there any luggage space for a couple of weekend bags? Whats the comfort like for 2-3 hours at the wheel?
- Has anyone gone from a TVR Cerb to a GTO? How did the running costs differ? What was the reliability difference like?
- Any Noble specialists in the East Mids / Notts area? I'm no spanner user - does that effectively rule me out of ownership? I have reasonably deep pockets where maintenance is concerned.
- Tuning potential is obviously good on a twin turbo engine. I think I read somewhere that most GTOs do not make the book figures - how much does it cost to generally get them up to the 350/375 bhp area?
- What are the external dimensions (garage wise!)

Thanks - apologies to anyone who posts the 'search' type reply!
Richard

[S26VE P]

Check the search function all the reading you will ever need.

[G-Rich]

[alex s]

G-Rich said:

Hi,

I'm getting a new 2nd/weekend car soon, and had shortlisted the usual 911s, TVRs and BMW 'M's into a sub 30K budget. Then, I wandered through the classifieds to see what else caught my eye and found Noble, and didn't realise how much 'bang per buck' they represent - or indeed I could afford one. I've always liked the styling, and the performance stats are eye watering. I rather liked the look of a couple of the M12-GTO3R in the classifieds.

A few questions if you will entertain me;

- I get the impression the Noble is very much a racer for the road. What's it like for GT type work? Is there any luggage space for a couple of weekend bags? Whats the comfort like for 2-3 hours at the wheel?
- Has anyone gone from a TVR Cerb to a GTO? How did the running costs differ? What was the reliability difference like?
- Any Noble specialists in the East Mids / Notts area? I'm no spanner user - does that effectively rule me out of ownership? I have reasonably deep pockets where maintenance is concerned.
- Tuning potential is obviously good on a twin turbo engine. I think I read somewhere that most GTOs do not make the book figures - how much does it cost to generally get them up to the 350/375 bhp area?
- What are the external dimensions (garage wise!)

Thanks - apologies to anyone who posts the 'search' type reply!
Richard

I find it a comfortable car for long trips, have done London to interlarken in Switzerland in a day in the Noble before.
Others get some back pain.

To get the car to around 370-400 bhp is an exhaust, fuel pump and remap..price from around £1200 up to £3500 depending where you go.
A lot will have had this done already , Greg's blue 3R in the classified is a cracking example.

They are more reliable than a TVR, but less than a Porker/BMW.

As for servicing, any compentent motorsport garage will be up to the job, they are quite simple cars, plus there is a very good manual available for it.

Luggage space, plenty for a long weekend away, custom luggage set available for them. No boot though.

dimensions...see www.gto3.com, they are all there.

Any more help...use the search.

HTH
Alex

[S26VE P]

G-Rich said:

Wasnt meant like that BUT if you search you will find everything already covered and replied to many times

[clarkm5]

G-Rich said:

Hi,

I'm getting a new 2nd/weekend car soon, and had shortlisted the usual 911s, TVRs and BMW 'M's into a sub 30K budget. Then, I wandered through the classifieds to see what else caught my eye and found Noble, and didn't realise how much 'bang per buck' they represent - or indeed I could afford one. I've always liked the styling, and the performance stats are eye watering. I rather liked the look of a couple of the M12-GTO3R in the classifieds.

A few questions if you will entertain me;

- I get the impression the Noble is very much a racer for the road. What's it like for GT type work? Is there any luggage space for a couple of weekend bags? Whats the comfort like for 2-3 hours at the wheel?
- Has anyone gone from a TVR Cerb to a GTO? How did the running costs differ? What was the reliability difference like?
- Any Noble specialists in the East Mids / Notts area? I'm no spanner user - does that effectively rule me out of ownership? I have reasonably deep pockets where maintenance is concerned.
- Tuning potential is obviously good on a twin turbo engine. I think I read somewhere that most GTOs do not make the book figures - how much does it cost to generally get them up to the 350/375 bhp area?
- What are the external dimensions (garage wise!)

Thanks - apologies to anyone who posts the 'search' type reply!
Richard

Not a huge amount of luggage space - You're looking at the passenger foot well (assuming you have a passenger too) and a small amount of space behind each seat.

GTO knocks TVR out of the water for reliability in my experience (had a Grif 500 not a Cerb though)

I'm not a spanner user (minor work only) but have had no trouble at all with mine. I'm only selling it because I'm not driving it enough... probably get another one in a year or so - can't imagine what else I would buy.

With respect to not making the book figures, I'm happy with the performance of my car but have heard of others doing some pretty minor mods with major performance benefits.

It's a surprisingly big car - it will fit in my somewhat small single garage but it's not easy to get out of the car one it's in!!! Not sure of the exact dimensions but I'm sure you'll find them on the forum somewhere...

[NobleGuy]

Mine's 5 years old now and is still making book figures and is in really good nick. In that time (no mods at all) I've had no car go past it where I was trying - only a 911 turbo managed to keep up with it. Motorbikes are a different kettle of fish but in terms of car performance per £ you won't get much else better.

Currently getting mine upgraded and from the conversations I've had with the tuners I'm expecting around another 20% bhp and torque for around £2250 inclusive of local taxes, which I don't think is all that bad value at all.

If you have deep pockets for maintenance like you say then I can't see you regretting it. You may find you have no issues with it at all - in 2 years of ownership my diff went and that is the only time it's been of the road for more than a week. Others have been a little less lucky.

[Mike Tuckwood]

G-Rich said:

Hi,


- Any Noble specialists in the East Mids / Notts area? I'm no spanner user - does that effectively rule me out of ownership? I have reasonably deep pockets where maintenance is concerned.
- Tuning potential is obviously good on a twin turbo engine. I think I read somewhere that most GTOs do not make the book figures - how much does it cost to generally get them up to the 350/375 bhp area?

Hi G-Rich.

We're in Nott's though moving imminently to either the Eastern edge of Derby, or Kirkby in Ashfield, as we need more room and have just bought ourselves a new toy off Gadgeroonie. (Dyno Dynamics Rolling road).

We will be doing staged and extensive tuning on my 3R as soon as we've moved.


Mike.

Edited by Mike Tuckwood on Thursday 29th May 09:27