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Should I get a Noble?

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rijk365gtb4

rijk365gtb4

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I'm being talked into getting a Noble. I have only once seen one. Does anyone here have experience with these cars?
 
Buy it and let me drive it for a while. I'll let you know if it was a good idea when I (eventually) give it back. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif


PC.
 
I've seen several Nobles, and they appear to be quite well engineered and nicely screwed together. IF you can, try and find old issues of EVO magazine-they've tested several Nobles over the years, and I generally trust their driving impressions more than most new car magazines. (You can probably find what issues on EVO's website).

-Wm.
 
Rijk, a friend here recently bought a Noble GT, and it is one impressive automobile. It handles like the proverbial car on rails, and the acceleration is breathtaking. A comfortable ride, considering what it is, and just an all around joy to drive. Neither he nor I have any major gripes with it. A very inexpensive "super car".
Jeff
 
Great photos. That front spoiler looks like it's not going to like the Dutch speedbumps. There was no hp rating for the 3.0L V6 (turbo?). The one I have seen had a 500hp V8.
 
https://www.noblecars.com/

I've never heard of a V8 powered Noble. All the ones I've ever read about were powered by some version of the Ford Duratech V6, 2.5L in earlier cars, 3.0L in more recent models.

As I understand it they aren't sold as factory-built cars in the US but as "kit" cars for regulatory reasons. They're really sold as "rolling chassis" ready for the motor.

Rijk, did they say if the car you saw had a factory installed motor? What kind of motor was it? Was the layout transverse or longitudinal?


PC.

.
 
PC,

It was custom ordered. If I remember well, it was a longitudinal placed, small block V8.

Rijk
 
I'm just guessing but since the Noble is so beautifully engineered as a system I'll bet the V8 was done by a custom shop. May help straight line speed and acceleration but I would think it would be detrimental to handling. The Noble was designed from the ground up to utilize a very light all-alloy transverse motor.

If the one you're being talked into is that one you saw I'd say pass (unless it's a raging good deal) and look into having one built just for you the way you want it.


https://www.1gracing.com/


PC.
 
PC,

I'm looking at a new one. And it's for the Netherlands, to replace the Elise when I get my US Elise. So, I guess I'm looking at the V6 turbo version of 354hp. That must be enough for a car of 1000kg.
 
The Noble should be and excellent successor to the Elise. Architecturally they're very similar, transverse-mid layout, light and rigid chassis.

The Noble is a couple of notches up in comfort and practicality but only one notch up in weight. And like you said, 345hp in a 1000kg car is plenty. A 1500kg car would need over 500hp just to match it in a straight line and still wouldn't even come close in the corners.


PC.
 
You need to send me a private message and check out the Javin. It's the newest of the privately made "pocket rocket" cars. Runs a Honda 2 liter at 230 bph and does 0-60 faster than an Enzo, Mclaren< Lamb etc. And it's about $25,000 less than a Noble.
 
Don't know the cars personally, but the Top Gear TV show in the UK has reviewed a couple of them in recent years and absolutely loved them.
 
Bah, all the new stuff looks the same. Nice but the same.
 
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