RE: Noble M400: PH Carpool

[sjc]

I am the friend who couldn't sell his to MACKY17.... after 11 years of ownership I'm getting buried with mine.

Ticks every box in every way. Great summing up Niall.

Edited by sjc on Tuesday 26th July 19:36

[Ozzie Osmond]

sjc said:

Losing 15 grand on every one was madness.

If that's true I wouldn't disagree. Yet hens' teeth seem plentiful in comparison with the 600.

[Squirrelofwoe]

sjc said:

I am the friend who couldn't sell his to MACKY17.... after 11 years of ownership I'm getting buried with mine.

Ticks every box in every way. Great summing up Niall.

Edited by sjc on Tuesday 26th July 19:36

That is stunning. In an aggressive, functional kind of way!

Definitely suits that colour

[Ozzie Osmond]

It's a shame they couldn't get the aero to work without the Halfords rear wing. Mind you, Lotus other cars were going in exactly the same direction at that time - Esprit had all sorts of clutter in the rear window.

Proper British mid-engined cars. Wonderful.

[Squirrelofwoe]

Ozzie Osmond said:

It's a shame they couldn't get the aero to work without the Halfords rear wing. Mind you, Lotus other cars were going in exactly the same direction at that time - Esprit had all sorts of clutter in the rear window.

Proper British mid-engined cars. Wonderful.

I have to admit, I really like the wing- I think it suits the car. It was one of the things that always made the original M12 stick out to me.

But then I've always been a bit partial to a silly rear wing

[Ozzie Osmond]

Can't say fairer than that!

[sjc]

Squirrelofwoe said:

sjc said:

I am the friend who couldn't sell his to MACKY17.... after 11 years of ownership I'm getting buried with mine.

Ticks every box in every way. Great summing up Niall.

Edited by sjc on Tuesday 26th July 19:36

That is stunning. In an aggressive, functional kind of way!

Definitely suits that colour

Cheers for that.

[1Addicted]

I'll be honest, I'm really interested in one of these as I kind of miss my roots where I'd happily tinker with cars and enjoy a pretty hardcore, driver focused ride. I'm not quite keen on taking an older car and extensively modifying it to become track competent, that's gone for me but something like this that is fantastic as it is would interest me, and would allow a certain amount of satisfaction in fitting upgraded items in replacement of failed OE parts; I love working on cars.

My cars have become faster and more expensive, but honestly it's only the speed that keeps them exciting, so I can relate to your comment about the 996T and GTR, referring to my C63 which is brutal but refined.

An M400 commands a price that I'd probably consider some other cars at so, I'd realistically be looking at an M12.

Can anyone tell me the differences between M12 GTO-3, GTO-3R and M400? Are there any other variants to consider? I have lots to learn as you can probably tell.

[james_gt3rs]

Ozzie Osmond said:

It's a shame they couldn't get the aero to work without the Halfords rear wing. Mind you, Lotus other cars were going in exactly the same direction at that time - Esprit had all sorts of clutter in the rear window.

Proper British mid-engined cars. Wonderful.

My inner chav LOVES the rear wing

[sjc]

1Addicted said:

I'll be honest, I'm really interested in one of these as I kind of miss my roots where I'd happily tinker with cars and enjoy a pretty hardcore, driver focused ride. I'm not quite keen on taking an older car and extensively modifying it to become track competent, that's gone for me but something like this that is fantastic as it is would interest me, and would allow a certain amount of satisfaction in fitting upgraded items in replacement of failed OE parts; I love working on cars.

My cars have become faster and more expensive, but honestly it's only the speed that keeps them exciting, so I can relate to your comment about the 996T and GTR, referring to my C63 which is brutal but refined.

An M400 commands a price that I'd probably consider some other cars at so, I'd realistically be looking at an M12.

Can anyone tell me the differences between M12 GTO-3, GTO-3R and M400? Are there any other variants to consider? I have lots to learn as you can probably tell.

In brief ( more to it but...)
M12 is a 2.5/5 speed box,310 BHP no TDS ( track day sump)with possibly a dodgy ECU. Many will now have upgrades to 6 speed/TDS etc, and the ECU done as well.
GT0-3 is 3 litre/5 speed 352 BHP( 6 speed an option as was TDS)upgraded ECU
GT0-3R (early) is 3 litre/ 5 speed ( 6 speed an option as was TDS) with faired in headlights and leather interior, different alloys etc.
GTO-3R (mid term) 3 litre/6 speed and TDS standard.
GTO-3R (late circa 54- onwards)as above but with a few mods from the arriving M400, like a bit more footwell room, better turning circle etc.
M400 3 litre,6 speed, bigger turbos,425 BHP, different damping etc, no chin spoiler, better seats thinner transmission tunnel, generally a bit more alcantara, and although slightly more track biased, for me way more comfortable than my previous 3R. The end of the line, and the most developed, and for me it shows.( Ihad a 3R previously) You may consider other cars at the M400 pricepoint,but I'll guarantee what one will float your boat!

You can generally assume, like TVR's that each variant had improvements and developments from the preceding one,and many cars out there of all models have been upgraded, so I wouldn't dismiss any version, as the newest cars are now 10 years old in any case. Don't chase a low miler, it 's not worth the premium, and mine at 42K miles is probably better than it's ever been. A well maintained,sensibly upgraded, issues fixed early car, will be a better buy than a late plaything.
I promise you will be gobsmacked how good these things are if you drive a decent one with an obviously good maintenance history.

Edited by sjc on Wednesday 27th July 10:05

Edited by sjc on Wednesday 27th July 15:12

[macky17]

Good summary, sjc.

Yes, I'm not sure what other cars you would consider at the m400 price point which would meet that specific brief half as well.