Anyone moved from a Cerb to an Exige or Noble?

[ceejay]

Hi Guys,

After 2 years of Cerbie ownership I'm getting itchy feet. My current car has been great, totally reliable and goes / handles really well for a Cerb with big brakes, latest spec Nitrons and a 400.3 bhp Emerald re-map. Problem is I like speed around corners which means downforce, don't want to put a big rear wing and diffuser on a Cerb so considering option of an Exige or Noble. Anyone made the move and care to present the pro's and cons?

Ceejay

[s,one]

I had an Exige (s1) fantastic fun on track but on the road felt a bit underpowered.No quicker than a civic type R on the road and the RS Focus lads will show you a clean pair of heels.Great looking car though.

Steve

[vinny73]

Hi Ceejay. I considered an Exige before the Cerb, but the performance stats and power didnt really do it for me. So I didnt even bother going to take a look.

Nobles are ok, not really my cup of tea, don't like the Lax Power style spoiler on them, but without that, they look pretty cool. And go so I hear, bearing in mind that Ford Maverick engine in the newer model, or the Mondeo engine in the earlier, lol ;-) (Correct me if Im wrong, but I think they use versions, obviously with some development, from those cars?)

[daver]

Perhaps sir would like to consider the 430 Stradale(?) - there’s bound to be one. Comes with a respectable dollop of downforce by all accounts and rumoured to feature corner-lust as standard.

Also has the added benefit that the funds likely to be realisable from selling a Cerb will be so trivial compared to the cost of the new vehicle as to be irrelevant. Thus keeping the Cerb alongside the new vehicle is eminently justifiable to sir.

[Plotloss]

Went from a Chim to a VXT so a similar(ish) transition.

Do it, the mechanical grip is awesome in comparison which leads to a more rewarding, if slightly less comfortable, drive.

[tootall Paul]

Have you tried running slicks on the Cerb ??

[Extra 300 Driver]

I am looking at an Elise 111R at the moment, have a test drive booked!

[kojak]

I'm suprised at this Cliff.

You've only had this one 6/8 months or so, and by all accounts, yours is a bloody good one.

[s,one]

I think the 2.5 Noble is fast getting a very poor reputation for reliability. I've been advised by more than one person on the know to steer well clear of the earlier models.

Steve

[BCA]

The Noble is an absolutely awesome car. Have heard a few owners problems in the past - which would put me off... however the factory are a little more willing to help than smoleski is atm.

I would put it on the wish list, but I really cant get on with the looks/ interior at all. Jousts old car was awesome, but I couldnt get on with the look of the thing.

Shame, as it is one of the best handling cars I have had the pleasure of being in.

[ceejay]

Thanks for replys guys,

tootall Paul, slicks would maybe ease the problem on tracks but to be honest I don't get my kicks from track days any more, racing is much more fun and I can afford to stuff the Taz unlike the Cerbie.

Extra 300 Driver, I'd be interested to know how you get on with the Elise 111R.

Kojak, I've had this one for nearly a year and Cerbie ownership just over 2 years. It is a good un but I've done just about every upgrade that can be done to it and I guess I'm looking for pastures new. Problem is it has to be a step up, mainly in handling terms cos for me thats where the fun is, not doing 160+ in a straight line. But where do you go from here, only options really are track biased cars hence the Noble or Exige. Hopefully test a lotus in the next couple of weeks on some roads that I know then go for a run in the cerb to see how they compare. I'm expecting the Lotus to disappoint but I have high hopes of a Noble.

BCA, the guy from Noble is very active on their forum and that's nice to see. I'll be visiting the Noble forum quite frequently now, just for info on owners problems etc.

Ceejay

[Plotloss]

Try a VXT

I know its got a Vauxhall badge but with a small amount of tuning (map/exhaust/charge cooler = £3K ker-ching) you are in Cerb territory in a straight line, significantly quicker than even the Exige 240R and its got a cup holder.

What more could you want, really?

[joospeed]

I think you'd be disappointed with an exige Cliff .. my S on formula Rs was quicker around elvington .. mind you the exige driver might have been crap cos i'm not exactly brilliant!

I'd be spending my money marcos way ...

[Podie]

Plotloss said:

... and its got a cup holder.

yeah, that'll sell him on the idea...

[Plotloss]

Hey apart from more power its the only thing its got on the Exige!

[ceejay]

Joo, the drivers in these cars vary enormously and in the case of an Exige it's cornering ability is often way beyond that of the driver. An S, well driven on formula R's should be quick, an Exige on R's should be stunning.

Ceejay

[ceejay]

Podie said:

Plotloss said: ... and its got a cup holder. yeah, that'll sell him on the idea...

Especially as my family hack is an mpv with so many cup holders i still havn't found em all!

[Plotloss]

You should still try one though.

Much more TVR like power delivery than the Lotus that needs it neck wringing.

[joospeed]

how about a blink motorsport elise conversion?

or a Z cars hyabusa turbo version?

both look great cars .. dunno about pricing though .. but should give any exige a run and could actually be faster over a flying lap?

[ceejay]

Joo, would a 3.1 24V TT fit?