Remember the excitement around the Noble M12? Its forerunner the M10 from 1999 looked like a mis-shapen Toyota MR2, offered little over a Lotus Elise and consequently didn't make much of an impact.
Bodywork looks fine from here!
But then the M12 GTO arrived back in 2000 and, in one car, Lee Noble announced himself to the world. It still wasn't the most beautiful thing to look at but, as something to drive, it was sensational. Low mass, excellent mid-engined dynamics and a thumping turbocharged 2.5-litre V6 made it the darling of road test desks nationwide. 'Like a big Elise' ironically became the go-to phrase for every drive feature, and praise probably comes no higher.
That engine may have been sourced from a Mondeo, but more than did the job. Its 314hp and 320lb ft of torque shoved along the 980kg really very rapidly indeed, with 62mph arriving in four seconds. The turbo whoosh and V6 scream didn't subside until 165mph. The M12 evolved through the GTO-3, GTO-3R and M400 in 2004, the latter taking the Noble beyond 400hp.
The 'big Elise' is on sale at a Lotus dealer
Given the GTO-3 arrived in 2003, it's actually quite rare to find an original GTO. This 2002 version with 49,000 miles is being sold at a Lotus specialist for £21,995 and is 'a standard unmolested factory car'. 'N10BLX' is probably best changed for its original plate before people get the wrong idea.
Anyone who wants a Noble will know it's far from a conventional purchase. Checks need to be thorough and detailed, even when buying from a specialist. Early M12s were known for sketchy ECUs, so check the later MBE system had been retrofitted. The engine itself is fundamentally strong, but there are known issues with the fuel pump and the five-speed gearbox. Cars headed for the track should have the upgraded Noble track day sump as well.
Good colour, good spec, and £22K
But on the track, you know it will be superb. The standard AP Racing brakes are more than up to the task (expensive to replace, mind), and the forgiving balance and instant responses will keep you lapping endlessly . If 'N10BLX' has been tracked, make your chassis checks even more detailed, just in case.
Dealers proclaiming a car is 'only going up in value' are often guilty of some hyperbole, but could it be an accurate view for once? Could M12s like this ever really go much under £20K?The potential track fun would surely offset the costs...
NOBLE M12 GTO
Engine: 2,544cc, twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 314@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 320@3,500rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2002
Recorded mileage: 47,000
Price new: £44,950
Yours for: £21,995
See the original advert here
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