My original toon that I played a ton back in the day was a gnome fury warrior (back when fury warriors were laughed at and I had to fight tooth and nail for 1h drops in MC and BWL... though I still was top 3 in DPS).

Anyhoo, my gnome was the first on the server to get a tiger. I don't know how much time I spent grinding cloth, and turning in cloth, but it was a looong time. I still have that mount. I never traded it in for the new sabers, though I doubt anyone recognizes that I'm a gnome on a first generation epic mount that could have only been received by getting exalted with the elves, which was only possible with an ungodly amount of cloth turn-ins.

Good luck on your goal!!!