Exige S2 v Noble M12
Discussion
Help... my brother has an M12GTO, fantastic car, but I'm firmly in the Lotus camp regarding handling and usable performance.
I'm looking for as much ammo available to argue the case for my chosen car. I have already done Clarksons 'Best handling car in the WORLD' to death and need a little more!
Thanks.
I'm looking for as much ammo available to argue the case for my chosen car. I have already done Clarksons 'Best handling car in the WORLD' to death and need a little more!
Thanks.
Hmm, an Elise is more nimble through fast transitions than a Noble, and as mentioned above you can't change some aspects of the geo very easily if you want a particularly agressive setup or to change the ride height. That said its not too bad in standard form. The m400 being a very nice compromise between road and track manners.
Elises are a lot cheaper to run and more robust, but in raw performance I'd have to say I think the Noble is a 'better' car. The ride is nicer and you the rush of acceleration is mind warping. Limit handling is more forgiving too. Fair enough really given they are 20-30k more expensive no?
Also in the elises favour, are a boot, and a 'designed' interior.
(I've owned an Elise and a Noble, but no longer own either, so think I'm reasonably impartial)
>> Edited by DanH on Thursday 9th February 12:35
Elises are a lot cheaper to run and more robust, but in raw performance I'd have to say I think the Noble is a 'better' car. The ride is nicer and you the rush of acceleration is mind warping. Limit handling is more forgiving too. Fair enough really given they are 20-30k more expensive no?
Also in the elises favour, are a boot, and a 'designed' interior.
(I've owned an Elise and a Noble, but no longer own either, so think I'm reasonably impartial)
>> Edited by DanH on Thursday 9th February 12:35
I'm less impartial as I've gone from Elise to Noble to Exige S2! Agree Noble is fantastic drive - performance, handling at the limit, ride compromise, etc BUT my experience with a new M12 was of constant problems due to design and lack of development.
Gave up and have gone to Exige - but keeping practical car as well, as Exige is not as useable day to day.
Brian J
Gave up and have gone to Exige - but keeping practical car as well, as Exige is not as useable day to day.
Brian J
BrianJ said:
etc BUT my experience with a new M12 was of constant problems due to design and lack of development.
For heavy track usage I'd not personally pick a noble either, for reasons you outline. Thats hassle and running costs though, rather than which is a superior driver's car.
Hi emenel,
Being the brother with the stunning Noble, i can understand why you would be looking for ammunition, ready and loaded for our next pub debate. I will concede that on track the Exige is a more focused car but in the real world i would imagine that you will be praying for the next corner to arrive, just so you can reign in a few feet on my rear clam.
Joking aside, i think the Exige is a great car and i can't wait for you to get it. Bring it on!!!!!!!!
Col
Being the brother with the stunning Noble, i can understand why you would be looking for ammunition, ready and loaded for our next pub debate. I will concede that on track the Exige is a more focused car but in the real world i would imagine that you will be praying for the next corner to arrive, just so you can reign in a few feet on my rear clam.
Joking aside, i think the Exige is a great car and i can't wait for you to get it. Bring it on!!!!!!!!
Col
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!
I had a Noble 3R then a 911gt2 and have finally settled on an Exige 240r. Very happy with the choice, glad to be away from Turbo power, although the lag is small in both it does impact the fun you can have, I'm not talking about the fastest way round a courner, just the fun way...
Biggest problem I had with the Noble was keeping the Geometry set... it's not got strong suspension for hard track use and needed frequent wishbone replacement due to lack of adjustment...
All great fun, but I can do far more track days for the same money... and that's what I've decided counts... oh and the 240 seems to sit very nicely on the back of a Noble....lol
Biggest problem I had with the Noble was keeping the Geometry set... it's not got strong suspension for hard track use and needed frequent wishbone replacement due to lack of adjustment...
All great fun, but I can do far more track days for the same money... and that's what I've decided counts... oh and the 240 seems to sit very nicely on the back of a Noble....lol
S Works said:
Rather like if big bruv owned a TVR, you'll have the last laugh when you catch him up and the bloody thing has broken down and needs another thing fixed on it. Just wave your RAC card at him as you drive past 
And the interior is utter gash.
Lovely cars though them there Nobles
Well said sir!
S Works said:
Rather like if big bruv owned a TVR, you'll have the last laugh when you catch him up and the bloody thing has broken down and needs another thing fixed on it. Just wave your RAC card at him as you drive past
And the interior is utter gash.
Lovely cars though them there Nobles
Ha Ha S Works, don't hold back there..
Sworks is a troll and I claim my £5..... 
Why be subtle about Trevors? They seem to be on a par with Noble as to running costs. My poor friend and neighbour who is probably even more passionate about his TVR than I am about my elise has had a litany of trouble over the past year totalling bills about 60% of what I paid for my elise. And now its back at the garage ? HGF again. (Though he might be using this as an excuse to upgrade to a 5l engine. Based on advice from many folks - most recently Dan, I have abandoned any thoughts of a Noble on the same grounds - running costs and fragility.
Why be subtle about Trevors? They seem to be on a par with Noble as to running costs. My poor friend and neighbour who is probably even more passionate about his TVR than I am about my elise has had a litany of trouble over the past year totalling bills about 60% of what I paid for my elise. And now its back at the garage ? HGF again. (Though he might be using this as an excuse to upgrade to a 5l engine. Based on advice from many folks - most recently Dan, I have abandoned any thoughts of a Noble on the same grounds - running costs and fragility.
I can only refer to my ownership experience with the Noble. It is used everyday, 1200 miles per month in all weather and traffic conditions and has never missed a beat (fate tempting, and all that!) In terms of running costs, i had 3 e46 M3's prior to this car within a period of 18 months. All purchased from main dealers and all had major problems. In fact the last M3, was provided as part of an out of court settlement by the dealer.
The Noble to date has cost far less to run than originally expected and i am happy to report has not been off the road since purchase. To suggest you might only catch me up whilst i wait for a recovery truck is something of a compliment and as outlined above, not something i'm expecting to happen.
I can't wait for my brother to get his exige and i can't wait to have a go in it, maybe if it isn't too cramped inside i might, just might consider switching, after all i think they are fantastic cars also.
CDL
The Noble to date has cost far less to run than originally expected and i am happy to report has not been off the road since purchase. To suggest you might only catch me up whilst i wait for a recovery truck is something of a compliment and as outlined above, not something i'm expecting to happen.
I can't wait for my brother to get his exige and i can't wait to have a go in it, maybe if it isn't too cramped inside i might, just might consider switching, after all i think they are fantastic cars also.
CDL
Lol, I was joking. I think the Noble is a great car, and what that company has achieved in it's relatively short life is nothing short of brilliant.
I'm not a fan of the interior, I really think they could have done better, BUT if that's all you can knock it for and being a bit expensive, then that's not bad for a company still really in comparative infancy when stacked up against it's competitors.
From what Dan has posted previously, if you build up a good relationship with the factory then they are very client focussed, and I've heard of few people really griping about them. All the motoring press confirm that as a drivers car, they are utterly brilliant, I see no reason to differ from that opinion, and all I've ever done is walk around a couple drooling and wishing I could have a go.
NICE
I'm not a fan of the interior, I really think they could have done better, BUT if that's all you can knock it for and being a bit expensive, then that's not bad for a company still really in comparative infancy when stacked up against it's competitors.
From what Dan has posted previously, if you build up a good relationship with the factory then they are very client focussed, and I've heard of few people really griping about them. All the motoring press confirm that as a drivers car, they are utterly brilliant, I see no reason to differ from that opinion, and all I've ever done is walk around a couple drooling and wishing I could have a go.
NICE
speedyellow said:
I had a Noble 3R then a 911gt2 and have finally settled on an Exige 240r. Very happy with the choice, glad to be away from Turbo power, although the lag is small in both it does impact the fun you can have, I'm not talking about the fastest way round a courner, just the fun way...
Personally I don't really like forced induction in any form, but know what you mean about power delivery on turbos. Very woosh bang.
To those saying their Nobles haven't missed a beat, I can completely relate if you don't track it a lot, but if you do, then as mentioned above it hasn't had the depth of R&D necessary to make it the most obvious track proposition. Then again I had to spend quite a lot more to get something with similar pace and that type of race development. Nobles have their own niche and not a lot of competition at that price/performance level.
I'm not sure why anyone would want to compare with cars costing 20k+ more?
Tim
I hope you understand that i am always a bit tongue in cheek, i do agree that the interior needs work and have been making enquiries with bespoke interior shops to try to improve on it, without adding weight. If you go to the lotus meets and my brother starts going, if allowed, will bring it along and you'll be more than welcome to have a go! I'm pretty new to low volume "hand built" cars and having previously stayed with the safe option i have been pleasantly surprised. Totally agree with Dan about the factory support, it gives you some comfort and they can't help enough.
Enjoyed the banter (nice car by the way)
Col
I hope you understand that i am always a bit tongue in cheek, i do agree that the interior needs work and have been making enquiries with bespoke interior shops to try to improve on it, without adding weight. If you go to the lotus meets and my brother starts going, if allowed, will bring it along and you'll be more than welcome to have a go! I'm pretty new to low volume "hand built" cars and having previously stayed with the safe option i have been pleasantly surprised. Totally agree with Dan about the factory support, it gives you some comfort and they can't help enough.
Enjoyed the banter (nice car by the way)
Col
Fair play Col.
Tim, thanks for trying to fight my corner with me but I am aware it would have been a difficult argument to win against a £50k supercar. Brotherly rivalry forced me to try!
I too am a big fan of the Noble and have yet to experience anything cose to the violent acceleration when the 2 turbos wind themselves up.
Maybe this new Exige S 220 S/C is the answer.
Tim, thanks for trying to fight my corner with me but I am aware it would have been a difficult argument to win against a £50k supercar. Brotherly rivalry forced me to try!
I too am a big fan of the Noble and have yet to experience anything cose to the violent acceleration when the 2 turbos wind themselves up.
Maybe this new Exige S 220 S/C is the answer.
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