RE: Noble M600: Spotted
Discussion
To be fair though, this is an opinion based discussion forum, where school children, housewives, photcopier reps, chief execs and racing drivers come to discuss their interest.
If we're going to limit each discussion only to those that have had direct interaction with the subject matter, the discussions would be very small, or full of liars.
So, aside from antagonistic barbs and semantics, that fact that I might be twelve and can't drive doesn't mean I can't come here and say I think that looks like a kit car, anymore than if I were an ex-BTCC racing driver or an ex chief engineer at Noble, and come here and say I think it looks like a kit car.
They're opinions. Not facts.
The stats are facts, they are amazing stats.
Damn near everything else is subjective.
If this were released under a badge no-one had heard of and suddenly appeared at Top Marques in Monaco, with all it's stats, it'd die within months like all the others. Noble has some decent history, a bit of investment in a good design student would I think help keep them relevant.
For the record, I'm 45, I have sat in, driven and owned 'nice' cars, not of this magnitude, I've only seen an M600 at a motorshow, none of that matters or is relevant too an opinion based discussion forum....and I think the design inside and out is woeful and probably one of the main reasons this car is so very niche and under appreciated. There is SO much design talent out it's a crime in my opinion not to tap into it, and whilst I also kneel at the alter of analogue driving and driver's cars...poorly finished and ugly stuff that drives sublimely won't be received as well as gorgeous, well executed but compromised stuff.....if that's something Noble are interested in... I don't know.
Clearly they focus on very focused machines, and they stop dreaming and trying when it comes to finishing it off. That's sad. In my opinion.
If we're going to limit each discussion only to those that have had direct interaction with the subject matter, the discussions would be very small, or full of liars.
So, aside from antagonistic barbs and semantics, that fact that I might be twelve and can't drive doesn't mean I can't come here and say I think that looks like a kit car, anymore than if I were an ex-BTCC racing driver or an ex chief engineer at Noble, and come here and say I think it looks like a kit car.
They're opinions. Not facts.
The stats are facts, they are amazing stats.
Damn near everything else is subjective.
If this were released under a badge no-one had heard of and suddenly appeared at Top Marques in Monaco, with all it's stats, it'd die within months like all the others. Noble has some decent history, a bit of investment in a good design student would I think help keep them relevant.
For the record, I'm 45, I have sat in, driven and owned 'nice' cars, not of this magnitude, I've only seen an M600 at a motorshow, none of that matters or is relevant too an opinion based discussion forum....and I think the design inside and out is woeful and probably one of the main reasons this car is so very niche and under appreciated. There is SO much design talent out it's a crime in my opinion not to tap into it, and whilst I also kneel at the alter of analogue driving and driver's cars...poorly finished and ugly stuff that drives sublimely won't be received as well as gorgeous, well executed but compromised stuff.....if that's something Noble are interested in... I don't know.
Clearly they focus on very focused machines, and they stop dreaming and trying when it comes to finishing it off. That's sad. In my opinion.
Eviltad said:
Is this not a PHer's ex Car? I thought this was the one I saw in Sutton Coldfield area and the chap also had an Orange M600 at the time.
You rang? 
I’ve been watching this thread with interest and as this M600 is my old car perhaps I’m most qualified to put the record straight?
F1nn – you clearly know very little about cars. “Volvo engined kit car” Really? Other people have expressed their thoughts on disliking the styling or saying they’d rather have a McLaren or more safety aids and that’s fine. We all like different things for different reasons. It makes the world an interesting place, gives us choice and forums such as this to discuss. You my friend just come across as a complete idiot – no offence meant. Your flippant comments suggest you don’t have much experience in driving fast cars? Please enlighten us all as to what other exotica you drive on a regular basis?
To date, around 30 M600s are in existence around the world. They are very rare, exclusive, fast, bespoke hand built supercars with a stainless steel chassis and a carbon fibre body shell. Noble’s philosophy of having a simple car with very little in the way of driver aids and a carbon fibre shell to keep weight to a minimum gives a better power to weight ratio than a Veyron and keeps fuel & servicing costs reasonable.
The engines are made by Yamaha and sent to Judd Engineering (do your research – they know a thing or two about making fast reliable engines) where the engines are reworked, upgraded and twin turbos added.
The carbon fibre body shell is a work of art. I’m sworn to secrecy where they’re made but I can say it’s all good news. The quality and pattern of the carbon weave is perfect and I’m sure they’d give Pagani a run for their money. The Carbon Sport edition uses tinted lacquer instead of paint to really show off the carbon weave to its full extent and is truly stunning in the flesh.
The interior does to some (including me) look slightly dated in its architecture but is very functional and superbly put together. The fit & finish as well as the quality of the materials used is superb. I will agree however that this particular cars interior is not the most pleasing on the eye. It was a very hideous “smurf blue” and cream before I bought the car last year but the factory kindly toned it down with some dark blue alcantara. My intentions were to finish off the interior retrim to something more tasteful but I never got round to it during my ownership.
The general quality of the M600’s construction is excellent. There was a review in EVO magazine towards the end of last year when they compared the new M600 speedster (removable roof) against a Ferrari (can’t remember which one). The Noble was praised for its build quality and lack of rattles. This made it superior to the Ferrari.
As for driving the M600, if you like DRIVING it’s awesome. There’s more power available than your testicles can handle and the way the car sticks to the road is pure witchcraft. The adjustable engine mapping (450, 550 or 650 bhp) ensures in its low power setting you can have fun on the road and drive the car properly. You can use the 550 map on wider sweeping roads but do require some restraint if keeping your licence is important to you. I found the 650 bhp map too quick for the public highway but it would be great on trackdays. My only criticism is the lack of ABS, although the Alcon brakes do a superb job in such a lightweight car there is the argument that ABS isn’t needed.
There was some confusion earlier on in this post about used M600s and conflicting stories about nobody ever having sold an M600 yet the one for sale has had a previous owner. That previous owner is me. The car for sale is the old factory demonstrator. It has always worn the number plate “M600 RHD” and the car used to be grey. This was never a customer car. No customer cars have ever been sold on and I believe I’m the only person in the world to have purchased a used M600.
As far as the buying experience of an M600 goes, Nobles distributers at Super Veloce Racing are a great bunch of guys – true petrol heads who are very passionate about the product. You also get to deal directly with the MD of Noble, Peter Boutwood. He’s a delightful guy and has a wealth of knowledge about his product. Above all, you’re really made to feel part of the family rather than just another customer in a swanky showroom.
Personally, I love the rarity of the M600 and the fact that you’d never see another at a car show. I love the fact it’s a quality, bespoke and very focused drivers car for people who love driving. I love the fact that the brand is relatively unknown and yet in the hands of the right driver its capabilities are arguably better than the Ferrari / McLaren / Lamborghini equivalent. Sure – for the large majority of us, we’d all set better lap times in a Nissan GTR but where’s the sense of achievement when you know the car irons out all of your mistakes? I may be old school but at 40 years of age, I just don’t see the appeal playing with all the cheat modes activated as being FUN? Finding purist MANual cars these days is becoming ever increasingly difficult as everyone moves to the latest flappy paddle gear change and gets hung up on Nordschleife lap times. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve tried a Cayman GT4 and an Aston V12 Vantage - both of which are great drivers cars that I'd be happy to own, but miss that sparkle that the M600 delivers in such abundance.
My only regret was selling the car – which is why I’m currently in discussions about buying it back. Watch this space…
Edited by L33 on Wednesday 3rd May 12:15
^^^ Great Post L33.
Well as it doesn't have any "Hamiltons", park assist, cup holders, traction control, lashings of expensive materials inside; I've got to use all 3 pedals to drive it and no doubt drive it into a hedge somewhere as I look for somewhere to place my artisan Latte while struggling to use my left foot on a pedal I am no longer familiar with I am oot.
I really would love one of these. It's the cheaper version of a F40 for me, raw, focussed, a hairy chested mans car.
Well as it doesn't have any "Hamiltons", park assist, cup holders, traction control, lashings of expensive materials inside; I've got to use all 3 pedals to drive it and no doubt drive it into a hedge somewhere as I look for somewhere to place my artisan Latte while struggling to use my left foot on a pedal I am no longer familiar with I am oot.
I really would love one of these. It's the cheaper version of a F40 for me, raw, focussed, a hairy chested mans car.
Edited by Never you mind on Wednesday 3rd May 09:52
I can't help but read this thread with a wry smile.
What started as something about a Noble has become a playground argument.
Let's face it, there will be hardly anyone on here who has even seen one, let alone driven or owned one, so we rely on people like Harris to tell us what it's like.
Personally, the looks and finish don't do it for me but does that make it a bad car, or a kit car?
I've owned a TVR 5.0 and loved it but never considered that a kit car. The looks and performance were just what I wanted but to others it definitely was a bad car / kit car.
Kudos to the guy who related cars to a new value of currency, a 'Hamilton', by which we can now measure the value of any car on PH ! Perhaps we should adopt the Hamilton as our national currency when we finally leave the EU?
What started as something about a Noble has become a playground argument.
Let's face it, there will be hardly anyone on here who has even seen one, let alone driven or owned one, so we rely on people like Harris to tell us what it's like.
Personally, the looks and finish don't do it for me but does that make it a bad car, or a kit car?
I've owned a TVR 5.0 and loved it but never considered that a kit car. The looks and performance were just what I wanted but to others it definitely was a bad car / kit car.
Kudos to the guy who related cars to a new value of currency, a 'Hamilton', by which we can now measure the value of any car on PH ! Perhaps we should adopt the Hamilton as our national currency when we finally leave the EU?
L33 said:
You rang?
I’ve been watching this thread with interest and as this M600 is my old car perhaps I’m most qualified to put the record straight?
F1nn – you clearly know very little about cars. “Volvo engined kit car” Really? Other people have expressed their thoughts on disliking the styling or saying they’d rather have a McLaren or more safety aids and that’s fine. We all like different things for different reasons. It makes the world an interesting place, gives us choice and forums such as this to discuss. You my friend just come across as a complete idiot – no offence meant. Your flippant comments suggest you don’t have much experience in driving fast cars? Please enlighten us all as to what other exotica you drive on a regular basis?
To date, around 30 M600s are in existence around the world. They are very rare, exclusive, fast, bespoke hand built supercars with a stainless steel chassis and a carbon fibre body shell. Noble’s philosophy of having a simple car with very little in the way of driver aids and a carbon fibre shell to keep weight to a minimum gives a better power to weight ratio than a Veyron and keeps fuel & servicing costs reasonable.
The engines are made by Yamaha and sent to Judd Engineering (do your research – they know a thing or two about making fast reliable engines) where the engines are reworked, upgraded and twin turbos added.
The carbon fibre body shell is a work of art. I’m sworn to secrecy where they’re made but I can say it’s all good news. The quality and pattern of the carbon weave is perfect and I’m sure they’d give Pagani a run for their money. The Carbon Sport edition uses tinted lacquer instead of paint to really show off the carbon weave to its full extent and is truly stunning in the flesh.
The interior does to some (including me) look slightly dated in its architecture but is very functional and superbly put together. The fit & finish as well as the quality of the materials used is superb. I will agree however that this particular cars interior is not the most pleasing on the eye. It was a very hideous “smurf blue” and cream before I bought the car last year but the factory toned it down with some dark blue alcantara. My intentions were to finish off the interior retrim to something more tasteful but I never got round to it during my ownership.
The general quality of the M600’s construction is excellent. There was a review in EVO magazine towards the end of last year when they compared the new M600 speedster (removable roof) against a Ferrari (can’t remember which one). The Noble was praised for its build quality and lack of rattles. This made it superior to the Ferrari.
As for driving the M600, if you like DRIVING it’s awesome. There’s more power available than your testicles can handle and the way the car sticks to the road is pure witchcraft. The adjustable engine mapping (450, 550 or 650 bhp) ensures in its low power setting you can have fun on the road and drive the car properly. You can use the 550 map on wider sweeping roads but do require some restraint if keeping your licence is important to you. I found the 650 bhp map too quick for the public highway but it would be great on trackdays. My only criticism is the lack of ABS, although the Alcon brakes do a superb job in such a lightweight car there is the argument that ABS isn’t needed.
There was some confusion earlier on in this post about used M600s and conflicting stories about nobody ever having sold an M600 yet the one for sale has had a previous owner. That previous owner is me. The car for sale is the old factory demonstrator. It has always worn the number plate “M600 RHD” and the car used to be grey. This was never a customer car. No customer cars have ever been sold and I believe I’m the only person in the world to have purchased a used M600.
As far as the buying experience of an M600 goes, Nobles distributers at Super Veloce Racing are a great bunch of guys – true petrol heads who are very passionate about the product. You also get to deal directly with the MD of Noble, Peter Boutwood. He’s a delightful guy and has a wealth of knowledge about his product. Above all, you’re really made to feel part of the family rather than just another customer in a swanky showroom.
Personally, I love the rarity of the M600 and the fact that you’d never see another at a car show. I love the fact it’s a quality, bespoke and very focused drivers car for people who love driving. I love the fact that the brand is relatively unknown and yet in the hands of the right driver its capabilities are arguably better than the Ferrari / McLaren / Lamborghini equivalent. Sure – for the large majority of us, we’d all set better lap times in a Nissan GTR but where’s the sense of achievement when you know the car irons out all of your mistakes? I may be old school but at 40 years of age, I just don’t see the appeal playing with all the cheat modes activated as being FUN? Finding purist MANual cars these days is becoming ever increasingly difficult as everyone moves to the latest flappy paddle gear change and gets hung up on Nordschleife lap times. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve tried a Cayman GT4 and an Aston V12 Vantage - both of which are great drivers cars that I'd be happy to own, but miss that sparkle that the M600 delivers in such abundance.
My only regret was selling the car – which is why I’m currently in discussions about buying it back. Watch this space…
Great post, and I salute you for having owned one of these cars. I got to see and sit in one at SVR a few months ago and I was blown away by the fit and finish. And the carbon - gotta love the carbon! Unfortunately I was not allowed to drive the thing, but my god they look and sound ace! hope you can get your hands on one again. One question: was the ride really as smooth as all the reviewers say?I’ve been watching this thread with interest and as this M600 is my old car perhaps I’m most qualified to put the record straight?
F1nn – you clearly know very little about cars. “Volvo engined kit car” Really? Other people have expressed their thoughts on disliking the styling or saying they’d rather have a McLaren or more safety aids and that’s fine. We all like different things for different reasons. It makes the world an interesting place, gives us choice and forums such as this to discuss. You my friend just come across as a complete idiot – no offence meant. Your flippant comments suggest you don’t have much experience in driving fast cars? Please enlighten us all as to what other exotica you drive on a regular basis?
To date, around 30 M600s are in existence around the world. They are very rare, exclusive, fast, bespoke hand built supercars with a stainless steel chassis and a carbon fibre body shell. Noble’s philosophy of having a simple car with very little in the way of driver aids and a carbon fibre shell to keep weight to a minimum gives a better power to weight ratio than a Veyron and keeps fuel & servicing costs reasonable.
The engines are made by Yamaha and sent to Judd Engineering (do your research – they know a thing or two about making fast reliable engines) where the engines are reworked, upgraded and twin turbos added.
The carbon fibre body shell is a work of art. I’m sworn to secrecy where they’re made but I can say it’s all good news. The quality and pattern of the carbon weave is perfect and I’m sure they’d give Pagani a run for their money. The Carbon Sport edition uses tinted lacquer instead of paint to really show off the carbon weave to its full extent and is truly stunning in the flesh.
The interior does to some (including me) look slightly dated in its architecture but is very functional and superbly put together. The fit & finish as well as the quality of the materials used is superb. I will agree however that this particular cars interior is not the most pleasing on the eye. It was a very hideous “smurf blue” and cream before I bought the car last year but the factory toned it down with some dark blue alcantara. My intentions were to finish off the interior retrim to something more tasteful but I never got round to it during my ownership.
The general quality of the M600’s construction is excellent. There was a review in EVO magazine towards the end of last year when they compared the new M600 speedster (removable roof) against a Ferrari (can’t remember which one). The Noble was praised for its build quality and lack of rattles. This made it superior to the Ferrari.
As for driving the M600, if you like DRIVING it’s awesome. There’s more power available than your testicles can handle and the way the car sticks to the road is pure witchcraft. The adjustable engine mapping (450, 550 or 650 bhp) ensures in its low power setting you can have fun on the road and drive the car properly. You can use the 550 map on wider sweeping roads but do require some restraint if keeping your licence is important to you. I found the 650 bhp map too quick for the public highway but it would be great on trackdays. My only criticism is the lack of ABS, although the Alcon brakes do a superb job in such a lightweight car there is the argument that ABS isn’t needed.
There was some confusion earlier on in this post about used M600s and conflicting stories about nobody ever having sold an M600 yet the one for sale has had a previous owner. That previous owner is me. The car for sale is the old factory demonstrator. It has always worn the number plate “M600 RHD” and the car used to be grey. This was never a customer car. No customer cars have ever been sold and I believe I’m the only person in the world to have purchased a used M600.
As far as the buying experience of an M600 goes, Nobles distributers at Super Veloce Racing are a great bunch of guys – true petrol heads who are very passionate about the product. You also get to deal directly with the MD of Noble, Peter Boutwood. He’s a delightful guy and has a wealth of knowledge about his product. Above all, you’re really made to feel part of the family rather than just another customer in a swanky showroom.
Personally, I love the rarity of the M600 and the fact that you’d never see another at a car show. I love the fact it’s a quality, bespoke and very focused drivers car for people who love driving. I love the fact that the brand is relatively unknown and yet in the hands of the right driver its capabilities are arguably better than the Ferrari / McLaren / Lamborghini equivalent. Sure – for the large majority of us, we’d all set better lap times in a Nissan GTR but where’s the sense of achievement when you know the car irons out all of your mistakes? I may be old school but at 40 years of age, I just don’t see the appeal playing with all the cheat modes activated as being FUN? Finding purist MANual cars these days is becoming ever increasingly difficult as everyone moves to the latest flappy paddle gear change and gets hung up on Nordschleife lap times. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve tried a Cayman GT4 and an Aston V12 Vantage - both of which are great drivers cars that I'd be happy to own, but miss that sparkle that the M600 delivers in such abundance.
My only regret was selling the car – which is why I’m currently in discussions about buying it back. Watch this space…
Edited by L33 on Wednesday 3rd May 09:42
I saw a few of these on display at Autosport a few years back - of course everything is subjective but I thought they looked bloody marvellous, especially the ones on show with visible weave (blue and red tinted carbon if memory serves). The interior harks back to the wacky days of TVR in my opinion, and Noble appear to have lost nothing of their early track focussed projects.
I've seen threads in the past bemoaning the fact we as a nation make very little of note when it comes to drivers cars, especially in relation to yesteryear (Lotus / Morgan aside). We should try to celebrate the lunacy / brilliance that is a British engineered, wholly ridiculous (price and specs) automotive wonder - especially as many of us will never be in a position to comfortably drop the sort of money required to own one.
The 'M' in M600 should stand for 'Marmite'!
I've seen threads in the past bemoaning the fact we as a nation make very little of note when it comes to drivers cars, especially in relation to yesteryear (Lotus / Morgan aside). We should try to celebrate the lunacy / brilliance that is a British engineered, wholly ridiculous (price and specs) automotive wonder - especially as many of us will never be in a position to comfortably drop the sort of money required to own one.
The 'M' in M600 should stand for 'Marmite'!
L33 said:
It has always worn the number plate “M600 RHD” and the car used to be grey.
So it is this car? It had a hard life, being thrashed around by Tanner Foust on Top Gear USA, and Chris Harris on the Nürburgring to name a few. I saw it at the Saint Saturnin Great British Welcome Festival on the Friday before the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011, and loved it immediately. Still my avatar, and still my lottery car. Here are a few pictures I took:http://www.autojunk.nl/2011/07/noble-m600-17
cypriot said:
One question: was the ride really as smooth as all the reviewers say?
Don't get me wrong, the ride is firm but the car doesn't crash though pot holes etc. At the same time I owned the Noble, my daily driver was an A45 AMG fitted with the uprated AMG sports suspension. The Noble was the smoother car to drive out the 2.Resolutionary said:
The 'M' in M600 should stand for 'Marmite'!
I agree 100%. I think its clear which side of the fence I sit but I fully understand why others would rather have something a little more mainstream. vincegail said:
L33 said:
It has always worn the number plate “M600 RHD” and the car used to be grey.
So it is this car? It had a hard life, being thrashed around by Tanner Foust on Top Gear USA, and Chris Harris on the Nürburgring to name a few. As for the car being "thrashed", I was a little nervous too - until I drove it. 30 odd thousand miles, admittedly some of them not so gentle, doesn't appear to affected the car one bit. It's as smooth as anything and pulls like a steam train when asked.
Even in its 650bhp map, the engine is only using around 70% of its designed capability so it didn't worry me too much.
I have my suspicions that as the car belonged to the factory it may be a little like triggers broom (which the factory deny), but either way it is testament to Nobles build quality.
I also had the pleasure in borrowing the factories other car for a few days - the infamous Lamborghini orange car wearing the number plate "M600 GB". This car has done 40 odd thousand miles and seen more track use but still drives faultlessly.
My God, thank f
k for that.
Every single M600 thread that's been on PH has been ruined by ill informed bks.
Even when we've had the owner of the company contribute to put the myths to bed it still continued on the previous thread. I gave up on the thread at that point. Now we have a real owner on this thread attempting to buy back his car again, and also proving that it was true about none of the 30 owners having sold until now.
Don't like it the M600? Absolutely fine, but back it up with reason, not downright lies, mis-representation and complete untruths.
k for that.Every single M600 thread that's been on PH has been ruined by ill informed b
ks.Even when we've had the owner of the company contribute to put the myths to bed it still continued on the previous thread. I gave up on the thread at that point. Now we have a real owner on this thread attempting to buy back his car again, and also proving that it was true about none of the 30 owners having sold until now.
Don't like it the M600? Absolutely fine, but back it up with reason, not downright lies, mis-representation and complete untruths.
Eviltad said:
L33 said:
That was and still is the factories GRP bodied development /test mule and its still going strong.
What are you driving now L33, so the next time I see you in a supermarket carpark in Sutton I can shake your hand for a great post?
I have an SQ5 as my daily driver and I've just sold my Morgan Aero Supersports so am on the hunt for a new toy.
I live in Sutton so will no doubt see you around.
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