Noble, what the M250 could have been.

Noble, what the M250 could have been.

Author
Discussion

Tacoboy

Original Poster:

202 posts

268 months

Saturday 26th June 2004
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It seem to me that Noble is selling cars in the same class as the M250.
What did Noble know that the Lotus company did not ?

RichardD

3,608 posts

252 months

Saturday 26th June 2004
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When I think of the power / dynamics of the Noble I sort of think Esprit.
Bit like the Marcos TSO being a modern Chimaera.

Davey S1

13,140 posts

261 months

Tuesday 29th June 2004
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Lotus should build a mid range model like the Noble but for a price range of £40-45K. The Esprit model should be able to compete with the Ferrari 360's and Gallardo's of this world but for £80K max.

Lotus have the heritage to and reputation to sell cars in this price range which Noble do not really have.

unity1

271 posts

259 months

Thursday 1st July 2004
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An intersting point. More so as I'm very much considering an M12 as my Esprit replacement next year. If the Noble had a better interior there would be no dicission to make and I dont want to wait for the Esprit replacement(if it arrives).

tacoboy

Original Poster:

202 posts

268 months

Thursday 8th July 2004
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Could it be that Lotus just desided to put the V6
into a modifed Elise, some time in the future ?

tacoboy

Original Poster:

202 posts

268 months

Friday 6th August 2004
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Latest Autoexpress has info on the new M250 class Lotus

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Friday 6th August 2004
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unity1 said:
An intersting point. More so as I'm very much considering an M12 as my Esprit replacement next year. If the Noble had a better interior there would be no dicission to make and I dont want to wait for the Esprit replacement(if it arrives).


I'm not having a go, but I find it hard to understand why people go on about the Noble interior. Sure, it's not the best, but then it's far from the worst. The same could be said for the body AND the engine. But I think this is missing the point of Noble. It's a drivers car and will put a bigger grin on your face, for longer, than cars costing 4 times as much. The only thing that comes close (IMHO) is an Ultima, but at a cost of luxury/comfort and costing 15 to 20 thousand more. Martin.

PS - I pick mine up in 3 & 1/4 hours!

Martin_S

9,939 posts

252 months

Friday 6th August 2004
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I agree that the Noble is an excellent car and that it is hitting the niche that the M250 would have been in had Lotus produced it.

But...how many cars is Noble actually selling, and would it therefore have been a sensible business proposition for Lotus, with full, international type approval costs and the higher expectations of quality and interior equipment that would have gone along with the Lotus badge in this sector?

Still, I wish they'd get their finger out and produce an Esprit replacement. Just hope (at the risk of cross-posting) that it's a bit prettier than the car pictured in Auto Express. Too much influence from Proton, there, methinks!

V6GTO

11,579 posts

249 months

Friday 6th August 2004
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A missed oppertunity huh? But it can still happen, and at least Noble look safe to last instead of going the way of many other small British manufactorers. M.

unity1

271 posts

259 months

Friday 6th August 2004
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Dont get me wrong I dont think the Interior is awful just not the same level as the Esprit which I would have to chop in to get one.

Take it you've got you Noble now. I Guess its green based on your profile and pile of green body panels.

BTW : what are you doing reading this when you should be out playing in your new toy