motor

adamrotor · 04-22-2004, 01:27 PM

What your guys's opinion about that car i think it is a very cool affordable sports car. Do any of you have any info on purchasing them here in the states?

_marcin

sentra_dude · 04-22-2004, 08:52 PM

I am a really big fan of the M12, I think it looks great, has exceptional handling, and is very fast in a straight line. If you're really thinking about getting a serious sports car the M12 would be an excellent choice.

To give you an idea of it's performance, it is faster than a Z06, in both straight line speed and handling.
0-60 3.5s
1/4mi 11.8s
1.156 lateral g
165mph top speed
$56,700 (no engine or transaxle)

If you look in the back of any recent Road & Track issues you will see some info about buying one in the U.S., from 1g Racing:
www.1gracing.com
or 1-866-M12-NOBL
The big downside is they sell the M12 without the engine or transaxle, but I'm sure if you can go to their website and find out more.

mit5005 · 04-23-2004, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by sentra_dude

I am a really big fan of the M12, I think it looks great, has exceptional handling, and is very fast in a straight line. If you're really thinking about getting a serious sports car the M12 would be an excellent choice.

To give you an idea of it's performance, it is faster than a Z06, in both straight line speed and handling.
0-60 3.5s
1/4mi 11.8s
1.156 lateral g
165mph top speed
$56,700 (no engine or transaxle)

If you look in the back of any recent Road & Track issues you will see some info about buying one in the U.S., from 1g Racing:
www.1gracing.com
or 1-866-M12-NOBL
The big downside is they sell the M12 without the engine or transaxle, but I'm sure if you can go to their website and find out more.

So is it like a kit that you put together yourself? Because I know you can buy Cobra replica kits and they also don't come with engine or drivetrain. M12's are very nice. I would consider it if I had some money.

jorge · 04-23-2004, 08:57 PM

Some european publications say the noble is one of the greatest cars to drive, and i personally love it´s style and performance

Vansquish · 04-23-2004, 10:22 PM

No...it isn't a kit you put together...you buy the car sans transmission and engine and have that installed by a professional (I suppose you could probably do it yourself if you're mechanically inclined enough) and then you're ready to go. They can't afford to get type approval for the US as anything other than a "kit" car...even though they are truly not a kit manufacturer...as such, the loophole exists and allows Noble to import to the US and have the same powertrain as the one in Europe installed.

kteo2003 · 04-24-2004, 03:23 PM

does anybody know if it exists a noble with the steering wheel on the left side?

adamrotor · 04-24-2004, 03:33 PM

Yea actually thats where i have seen the add at road and track magazine, but knowing that the engine is a mondeo motor aka contour here in the states would that still be tought o get a hold of the whole car already assembled here to the states? Otherwise if i had the money i too would buy the car but seeing it is priced around 50k has an interesting ring to it. I think its a good bang for a buck.

_marcin

Vansquish · 04-24-2004, 03:56 PM

it's not the contour engine these days...the engine in the M12 that we get in the States is the 3.0L GT0-3 version.

DMbaseball1604 · 04-24-2004, 06:21 PM

wow, thats really interesting I didnt know that you could get a Noble in the states...however if I was going to get an import car such as the Noble I would probably have to get a TVR even though the quality may not be as good..they sound incredible and they look great!

levensnevel · 05-06-2004, 03:10 PM

Found a nice review of the GTO 3R version by Graham Bell

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=137&i=7854

OK, it's nearly 4 months old but very informative

RC45 · 05-06-2004, 05:01 PM

The Noble is a great idea - but misses the boat a little in the form it is delivered in the US.

Think about it - you have to spend $60,000 + drive train and labour to get the car together - and then it is a very single-purpose car.

You are almost better off getting some "mass-market" local car, land commiting it to track-duty with real race car parts.

Just using some examples here - imagine the awesome track (and road duty) car you could build with a $70,000 budget and an MR2 or Miata or RX7 or older 911 or even a used Z06...

Price is limiting the Noble to "rich guys toy"...

sentra_dude · 05-06-2004, 11:06 PM

^^^LOL...I knew a mention of the Z06 was coming...I was just surprised it was so late in your post RC45.

RC45 · 05-07-2004, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by sentra_dude

^^^LOL...I knew a mention of the Z06 was coming...I was just surprised it was so late in your post RC45.

I will give credit where it is due... but also be realistic - and I was thinking about it... with $70,000 you could make a killer 911-based track car...

Gnome · 05-07-2004, 07:19 PM

You have heard a person who have driven the Noble talk about it's handling, right? It handles like (almost?) nothing else, and the driving pleasure is even better! Of course I don't know for sure, but I think you'd have to put in a lot of work to make something competitive without exceeding your budget.

The strange thing is that they say that the steering and handling are so precise, but that the ride still is very comfortable. That's another feature that is hard to beat.

05-08-2004, 03:24 AM

its a great car