which is more fun

[jugjug]

which of these would you choose if you just want a weekend fun car for the odd track day?

a 996 GT3 on a 03 plate or a Noble M12 GTo 3 with six speed box?

[joolski]

jugjug said:

which of these would you choose if you just want a weekend fun car for the odd track day? a 996 GT3 on a 03 plate or a Noble M12 GTo 3 with six speed box?

It would have to be a GTO 3 with a six speed box and the M400 gear change mech. Ooooh, it nice and slick :-)

[DanH]

Depends what you want really. The GT3 has firmer damping so the secondary ride suffers a bit, but then it has a nice convenient boot and plenty of storage space in the back. It's also NA rather than FI, rear engined rather than mid (albeit pretty high!), big German R&D vs small British R&D. The list goes on...

I guess it depends how many trackdays you intend to do as well, as I feel that on the whole the 911s are more robust for that type of hard usage. At least mine has been so far. GT3s cost more for same age and mileage though, so you need to be more specific which ones you are comparing. Mk2 GT3 or mk1 etc?

In the end, they have very different feels, so why not test drive both and pick the one you prefer. FWIW I've not regretted my swap to a 911.

[micknall]

Surely, an 03 GT3 would be in the same price bracket as an M400, and a good deal more expensive than a 6-speed GTO-3?

Either way, the Noble is 300kgs lighter and rides considerably better on the road. In terms of outright dynamic ability and sub-100mph acceleration, it has also been proven by the press to be superior to the GT3.

Dan's comments about Porsche packaging are completely valid, so it's really down to your own personal needs.

I've driven both cars on road and track, so if you fancy a chat, feel free to call me at the office tomorrow (and I'm not a salesman, so you're safe!)

Simon Hucknall
Press Officer
Noble Automotive Ltd.

01455 844 052

[obes]

Although yours isn't 'just' a GT3 though is it Dan !

[monitor]

Not a tough choice. Have driven twin turbo X50 Ceramic for years. Very refined car, huge grunt. Very practical for cross US or all around Europe. GT3 more sporting, stiffer, louder but still very reasonable daily driver + track car. New M400 is a very well sorted car, and my new preference for track or fast (personal) road use. Not a GT car though. Biggest difference is driving style to be fast. The rear engine cars have higher trailing throttle oversteer. This leads to greater threshold braking before turn in, feed in power to apex and full boost about apex. M400 come in faster, balance through mid turn and feed on power after that limited by oversteer.

[adrian w]

Forget what the dealers say, running costs for the Porsche are far lower than the Noble.

[monitor]

True about the cost of operating Porsche hardware. Sorted out of the box, virtually nothing goes wrong. I usually buy mine at 1 - 2 years old, sell them at 5 - 7 years old and have never had a major repair. That is now 16 porkers.

Still the M400 is great fun and a lot more practical than an Ariel or Radical.

[haze]

Which one?

Noble, Noble, Noble