More space in a Noble M12 than in a elise/exige ???

[Cayman48]

Hello,

I'm frederic from france, just a simple question : in a Noble M12 do we have more space than in a lotus elise/exige S1 ? In terms of :
Head space ?
legs space ?
large seat or narrow seat ?

In other words is it bigger ?


The reason why I ask this question is because I'm very tall, I have a 293hp lotus elise honda S1 and it's a lot to small for me so I'm selling it but I would like to stay under a ton with a rear center engine for my next car. So the Noble could be a good opportunity for me.

There is not any Noble in France so impossible to sit in one !

Thanks for your help.

Frederic

Vive l'angleterre, such a great country for exotics cars !!!!

PS : Just for let you know I already posted in February the same question with another car (I'm saying this just for information).

Edited by Cayman48 on Wednesday 16th April 14:03

[Cayman48]

I'm 6 foot 8...
In my S1 Lotus I'm driving without the seat, and even like that it a little bit small.
I'm use to drive without seat (De tomaso Pantera, Westfield) so I might do it if I buy a noble so if there is a "little more space" compare to a Lotus it will fit great without the seat (as in the Lotus is a bit too small without seat)

I know I'm a crazy guy but I love exotics sport cars !

If someone has a more precise answer to give...

Thanks Devil !

[Cayman48]

Thanks, but I need to compare with a Lotus as I know how I'am in mine...

If anybody can speak about leg room and head room...

The best would be to sit in but I should comme to see you guys if I want to do so...

[Cayman48]

More room is a good point, I don´t feel good in the lotus !

Now I know.

Thanks for your help, I appreciate.

Unfortunately I´m far from lemans but I should go one day.

[Cayman48]

ERIKM400 said:

Hello Frederic,

There may be no Nobles in France but there are a couple of them in Belgium.
Where in France are you located?

P.S. Noble is definitely bigger inside than Elise/Exige.

I'm in the very North of France in LILLE wich is very close from Belgium, I would be happy to come see one ! I've never seen any in real. If someone would like to show me one...

[Cayman48]

Well this help me a lot, Unfortunately I'm not sure I would buy a late M12.

Another question not related to my original question but is it true that 3R are 25kg lighter than just "regular" M12 ? Weight is important for me and I would like to make an M12 just at 1000kg (a ton) do you think is it possible ?

Thanks to all of you, I know I will feel Ok in an M12, and if it's tight I could easily do something to fix the problem.

[Cayman48]

Interesting, I've read somewhere 3R were lighter !

Remove AC : Definitely yes
Lighter seat : OK
Lighter wheel : OK
5 speed : Already on GTO isn'it ?
Heater and ventilation : I need it for the windshield "fog" (I guess fog is not the right word but remember I'm french)

[Cayman48]

From what I just read about the weight we can except it to be just over a ton for a 2.5 but in term of HP, we can't expect 310 ?

[Cayman48]

Hollowpockets said:

yes, much more spacious car than a lotus sardine tin. You can also change the seat for something which gives you even more space too.

I think I could really like the M12, it has everything I want :
Rear center engine
Weight just under a ton for 310hp with possibilities to add power
Large cabin for my size
Nice looking
Track focus with good performance

All of this is great for me.

Hope my lotus will sell soon

[Cayman48]

andygtt said:

Getting to 1000kgs will depend on what you mean.... The modified nobles which are corner weighted are between 1100 and 1150kgs with fuel... Some stock ones have weighed 1070kgs but almost no fuel.... So your weight target depends if it's with full fluids or without.

GTO600's car is one of the absolute lightest out there and he is 1050kgs with fuel.... Hollow pockets car is a pure racer not road legal hence it's closer to 1000kgs wet at 1020ish.

I'm hoping to get close to hollow pockets weight with a road car, but it has cost me a huge amount of time and money!

Very precise informations but what cars are we talking about ? I guess not 2.5 ?

[Cayman48]

WillB said:

I've had a few Lotuses and I always think of my Noble as a big Exige.

Funnily enough, due to a power steering leak on my Noble I had to take an Elise to Holland this weekend.
We'd already packed our stuff in the Noble fitted luggage. The 2 large Noble bags fitted perfectly in the Elise boot and the smaller ones behind the seats etc. Good dual use for those who have both

Oh and to the OP, if you don't find a private buyer and are looking to sell your Exige, let me know

[e-mail]

I'm always looking for good Lotus cars (and occasionally Nobles) to buy

Will

Edited by WillB on Tuesday 22 April 18:18

Hi Will, Funnily I got in touch with you in july when I was looking for a Lotus. I'll send you an email to speak about it.

[Cayman48]

andygtt said:

yes Im talking about the 3L 6 speed cars, not seen any of the 2.5's being weighed... the early cars (including the 2.5L) had a 5 speed box, no LSD and no track day sump, this was a significant part of the 'weight' saving over later cars, however the lack of an LSD and track day sump mean you can't go on track as the open diff was a major weak point and most of them have been swopped for LSD's now, and engines fail on track without the TDS.

all I can say is go drive one, they don't 'feel' much heavier than the elise when driven... why do you have the 1000kgs target in your mind?... Im targeting it as I want 700bhp per tonne, but if the cars relatively stock and not raced why does it matter?

I think if you put a LSD and TDS on an early car you'll stay lighter than later car (2.5 vs 3).

I'll have to try one but I'm also considering a very light MK INDY with a bike engine. If I do some modifications on those one I can get confortable and have my leg streched.

If I have a very light target in mind...well it's because light is right ;-) Have you ever driven a 600kg car ? it's so great and I would like to stay under a ton. Plus it's cheaper to go on track with a light car (tyres, brakes, ...). Plus tracks around where I live are small, plenty of hard and tiny turns with not much straight line.