RE: Noble M12 GTO | The Brave Pill

[mgbond]

Augustus Windsock said:

mgbond said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Love the idea of one of these, and some years ago had to decide between on of these or a TVR. The TVR won but I always had a slight feeling of regret.
The seller mentions 4 luggage bags; where do they fit, as there doesn’t seem to be any luggage area?

The two big bags go behind the seats and two small bags go on the rear shelf and another two small bags go under front of seats (if you have the clips fitted). Easily get a long weekend gear for two in there.

Thanks for the clarification!
I guess the luggage carrying capacity isn’t much different to an Elise (??).
I’m thinking of something fast for a blast to SE Spain and back for myself and SWMBO but I think I’m being a bit hopeful that it could accomadte more than a couple of days worth of grundies.
As an aside am I the only one that thinks there is some slight resemblance to a larger/longer Lotus Elise?

More than Elise, I recon you could get a weeks worth of clothes in it.

[snuffy]

TrotCanterGallopCharge said:

snuffy said:

I owned my GTO3 for 6 years from 2006 to 2012. I loved it. The reason it finally went was because going away for a few nights was always a faff. They are certainly bonkers to drive; it's a glorified go-kart for the road.

A few words and pics of mine on my site:

http://www.adrianmugridge.co.uk/m12.htm

Interesting Cars (& cats), perhaps an Evora next time if you're looking for a change? Hope you have many more enjoyable miles.

Thanks very much. I have been in a mate's Evora and I did like it. I really don't know what to change my GT-R for. The odd thing with me as that a just tool around in my cars really, I don't really use the power, I just like the idea of having it (as opposed to actually using it !).

[snuffy]

rockin said:

ere a real alternative to/replacement for Lotus Esprit and I think Noble would have been better off simply refining their existing car.

I think a few people did just that. It's what I did; Esprit Sport 350 to a Noble M12 GTO3.

[snuffy]

2002 said:

I remember reading that Vernon Kay had one. And a Nissan GTR.

Same as me (via an Aston Martin Vantage V8). You can't get two more different cars ! You do get 2 buttons to press in the Nob, one to start the engine and one to turn the fog lights on and off.

[Gez79]

sjc said:

The 3 litre was from the Maverick, not the Mondeo.

Pretty sure the same 3.0 was in the Mondeo with 201hp in the titanium x and 220hp in the ST220. Still a good engine regardless.

[EpsomJames]

Augustus Windsock said:

Thanks for the clarification!
I guess the luggage carrying capacity isn’t much different to an Elise (??).
I’m thinking of something fast for a blast to SE Spain and back for myself and SWMBO but I think I’m being a bit hopeful that it could accomadte more than a couple of days worth of grundies.
As an aside am I the only one that thinks there is some slight resemblance to a larger/longer Lotus Elise?

I went from Lotus Elise to Noble 3R back to Elise. The luggage capacity is similar, in that a weekend away is easily doable but you’d be stretching it to go away for a week.

The ethos is quite similar to Lotus as is the feel of the car to drive. The Lotus is better built and (without quite a few cooling mods to the Noble) the Elise is better suited to track work, and the reason I went back to an Elise.

Today’s equivalent to the M12 is the Exige V6.

[sjc]

Gez79 said:

sjc said:

The 3 litre was from the Maverick, not the Mondeo.

Pretty sure the same 3.0 was in the Mondeo with 201hp in the titanium x and 220hp in the ST220. Still a good engine regardless.

That maybe the case but the 3litre in the 3R and M400 is the 3 litre from the Maverick and was US sourced not Europe.The 6 speed box came from the ST 220.

[The Big G]

I almost bought one back in 2007 as I’d loved them since they came out, but bought my first house instead. Then another opportunity came along 5 years ago but I wasn’t able to again. Then I managed to by this one almost three years ago. Haven’t looked back since.

Similar to others, nothing comes close for the price. Would have to spend a lot more to get similar performance, handling, whole driving experience and looks. Have toured with selling but nothing comes close! It’s the perfect stablemate to my other cars. Don’t think it’ll be going anywhere for a very long time.

Edited by The Big G on Sunday 1st September 16:36

[TrotCanterGallopCharge]

snuffy said:

TrotCanterGallopCharge said:

snuffy said:

I owned my GTO3 for 6 years from 2006 to 2012. I loved it. The reason it finally went was because going away for a few nights was always a faff. They are certainly bonkers to drive; it's a glorified go-kart for the road.

A few words and pics of mine on my site:

http://www.adrianmugridge.co.uk/m12.htm

Interesting Cars (& cats), perhaps an Evora next time if you're looking for a change? Hope you have many more enjoyable miles.

Thanks very much. I have been in a mate's Evora and I did like it. I really don't know what to change my GT-R for. The odd thing with me as that a just tool around in my cars really, I don't really use the power, I just like the idea of having it (as opposed to actually using it !).

If not a post '13 Evora (GT car with a lot of comfort & storage), not the S version, then possibly an Exige Roadster (proper sportscar with a few more comforts)? Coming from the GT-R, most cars will seem a poor relation (possibly except running costs). Tvr Tuscan Mk 2-3 a good compromise? If you dont like the German/Italian offerings, then a Morgan (one of the newer ones) would give you something completely different?

Enjoy your searching, you'll know when you find what you're looking for!

[REDCARISMINE]

There nothing brave about this car
Reliable
Easy to drive
Better than lotus and tvr
Just works
Rare
One of the only car that seems to be beating the downturn in the market
Designed by lee noble - the man knows his stuff when it comes to cars , handing etc

No one will ever build something like this ever again

[coolchris]

This is why at the time the car was raved about by journalists and a bit of a giant killer competing with cars twice the price at the time.If your not to bothered about having a plush interior and loads of fancy switch gear but enjoy the thrill of driving very few regardless what they drive or will have driven would feel short changed after driving one.

[lowdrag]

Saw a M12 GTO at the petrol station at Le Mans yesterday. Said he had a few days off and felt like going on a road trip.

[s m]

EpsomJames said:

I went from Lotus Elise to Noble 3R back to Elise. The luggage capacity is similar, in that a weekend away is easily doable but you’d be stretching it to go away for a week.

The ethos is quite similar to Lotus as is the feel of the car to drive. The Lotus is better built and (without quite a few cooling mods to the Noble) the Elise is better suited to track work, and the reason I went back to an Elise.

Today’s equivalent to the M12 is the Exige V6.

That would make an interesting comparison test for a mag - older M12 vs newer Exige V6

Maybe EVO if they could tear themselves away from the Porsches for a bit

[Fonzey]

I spent a year overseas in 2014 and spent much of my evenings/weekends reading build threads/blogs and shopping for the track/weekend car I would buy upon my return.

M12's were pretty much top of the list alongside some Lotus options, the Noble's "bravepill" attributes counteracted by the fact they were a bit cheaper and tonnes more powerful than the Lotus options. In the time it took me to return from the UK, it felt like prices on the M12's rose by about £12k (don't quote me on it, but it was a lot) so I've ended up in the Lotus camp ever since.

These continue to turn my head though, maybe one day...

[Wolvesboy]

Each time I visited Bespoke in Hertford in my Cerbera, I couldn’t help but notice the Nobles for sale or awaiting service. Not having any Noble experience - And I stand to be corrected but I do think the Noble is way more reliable and must be cheaper to maintain. A ford V6 turbo unit vs the AJP V8. Both great engines but one definitely more “chocolate” than the other!

[mwstewart]

I've always loved these. Nice car!

[morgs_]

yonex said:

ATM said:

I hope we've all seen the Noble with DIY fabbed carbon fibre panels and tub built by a PH'er and all his own work.

That car is absolutely stunning.

Oh yes, one of my favourite threads on here. Saw it in the flesh at Autosport (last year?) and it didn't disappoint.

[sjc]

Wolvesboy said:

Each time I visited Bespoke in Hertford in my Cerbera, I couldn’t help but notice the Nobles for sale or awaiting service. Not having any Noble experience - And I stand to be corrected but I do think the Noble is way more reliable and must be cheaper to maintain. A ford V6 turbo unit vs the AJP V8. Both great engines but one definitely more “chocolate” than the other!

As someone on his second Noble after 2 Griffs,a Cerb and a Tuscan I can confirm that’s the case!
Not perfect ( all these type of cars have to compromise somewhere) but much much better.

[jdmTurbo]

Year into ownership for me, bought at the top end of the market.....

This one to be precise which was featured a couple of years ago
https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-spottedyky...


Been faultless other than cracked exhaust manifolds (common problem), not enough to put it out of action, but swapped to uprated 321 stainless items when serviced.
Other than that, 4000 happy B road miles and an open pit lane day at Brand's.

As long as the usual area's are addressed, it will be super reliable for you.

Pulls a crowd and doesn't look to out of place in amongst the more high end machinery.

[coolchris]

Yep the original manifolds are a known weak point and always crack so the stainless ones are a must upgrade.The car is pretty simple with no electronics so a lot less to go wrong which for me was a plus point.