Exige 240 to a M12 GTO 3??
Exige 240 to a M12 GTO 3??
Author
Discussion

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
Good afternoon Noble owners,

I have had my Exige for just over three years now and am looking to change. I feel the Noble GTO3 would be a great next step for me, but, will be very hard to say goodbye to the Lotus.

I have found a 03'plate, silver, GT03 with only 11,000 miles, It is a peach with only one owner from new, fully serviced at Mole Valley. Up for a smidge under £29,0000.

I know running costs will be more than the Exige and have accepted that, (although my insurance will go down from £2200 a year to just £1054, flooping amazing!;). I just want to find out the do's and dont's and if there are wise and necessary changes I need to upgrade,or, what could go wrong further down the line.

Is there a rough mileage for an engine rebuild? gearbox? chassis corrosion?

I wont be tracking the Noble, just for road driving.

Sorry if I sound a tad naive on Nobles but since owning my Exige, nothing has gone wrong at all, its only needed servicing and new tyres so it will be strange having to poor dosh into a car.

Also figure wise, 0-60 0-100 my Lotus matches the Noble, is this car seriously quicker than an Exige? I have never been in one and getting a test drive is proving tough.

Thanks

Anthony,

Gadgeroonie

5,362 posts

265 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
i and plenty of others came from an Lotus to a noble

you will NOT be dissapointed

you will never look back !

go and test drive one and see what you think

over 400 hp is pretty easy to get with a 3.0 engine

make sure you have a LSD fitted and a track day sump if you go for a GTO3

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the info, that's good to hear.

I'am seriously close, I have driven everything I can think of changing the Exige for. Sagaris, 2eleven etc.

Everyone has told me the Noble is like driving an exige with triple the power.

Does the turning circle ever cause many problems?

Any idea of how much it is to equip the car with lsd? track sump?

Cheers

jay964rs

257 posts

224 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
I think that your paying quite a lot for a GTO3, look in p/h and you should get a very well sorted car for similar money, with most or all upgrades already done. I guess u might be p/xing your lotus?
Get a test drive before buying, just to make sure your happy.
As someone said, once you've driven one, you won't look back.

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
I did think the price was a tad steep, but i have to say, it is in mint condition. Cared for only by Mole valley, I couldn't get over how clean the engine bay was. It also has alcantara covering the whole cockpit and seats which is a must for me. I have been looking for a good few months now and this appears to be the best I have found with regards to mileage etc They are rare beasts too and hardly ever come on sale.

snuffy

13,205 posts

313 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
ChromeOrange said:
Does the turning circle ever cause many problems?
Yes, when you turn in to a parking space you end up with the white line under the middle of the car !!

I also went from a Lotus ( Esprit Sport 350 ) to a Noble and I'd not swap it back.

The devil

2,152 posts

212 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
I had both noble and exige at one stage and the exige was so boring after the noble, nice cars but the power is a different league

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
The devil said:
I had both noble and exige at one stage and the exige was so boring after the noble, nice cars but the power is a different league
That's good to know, do you reckon its worth to pay a bit more and go for the GTO3 R,?


anotherdom

535 posts

197 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
You should be able to pick up a decent 3R for that sort of money?

The devil

2,152 posts

212 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
Personal choice. as far as I know the performance will be the same, its down to you and your money

sunoco69

5,274 posts

194 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
Isn't Swampy selling his Red 3R for just under 29k? Very good looking car, it is in the classified section with the black stripes.

niccy b

122 posts

185 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
I had a s2 exile and thought it was the nuts, however I've since forgotten all about since my m400 came along!!! Better in corners and stupidly quick.... Mines maybe up for sale for 37k very soon......worth the price diff in my opinion smile

TuxMan

9,011 posts

267 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
sunoco69 said:
Isn't Swampy selling his Red 3R for just under 29k? Very good looking car, it is in the classified section with the black stripes.
Swampy's car is a cracking bit of kit !!! Well worth a look !!!!!!

sunoco69

5,274 posts

194 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
really wish I had waited a few months and had his, it looks awsome and from what everyone on here say's it is well worth the money.

mgbond

6,749 posts

261 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
ChromeOrange said:
I did think the price was a tad steep, but i have to say, it is in mint condition. Cared for only by Mole valley, I couldn't get over how clean the engine bay was. It also has alcantara covering the whole cockpit and seats which is a must for me. I have been looking for a good few months now and this appears to be the best I have found with regards to mileage etc They are rare beasts too and hardly ever come on sale.
It may well be clean, but if it has no LSD, fule pump/wiring, tunnel mod and exhaust done then these are all extras you WILL do.

You could get a GTO3 with all these mods done for less than 29k if you can go with that budget then go for a 3R.

Most of the GTO3s will be alcantara and most the 3Rs will be leather.

I once took out a exige sport 260 and although it was probably as quick as my 2.5 (back then wink) it felt dull when overtaking, it just drove past cars when the Noble explodes past cars smile

Bondy

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Sunday 17th July 2011
quotequote all
i have to thank you all for your advice, very well received indeed.

Swampys Noble does look absolutely awesome. Plus all the work that has just been carried out.

I didnt intend to buy one with such high mileage, but, with the engine rebuild and absolute insane bhp, it is well worth a look.

Absolutely marvelous. What an exciting time for me.

anotherdom

535 posts

197 months

Monday 18th July 2011
quotequote all
Just to add - I joined the fold relatively recently. I bought a low mileage single owner 3R at an excellent price, fully expecting to make the 'required' modifications. Sure enough, I am slowly working my way through the list, at considerable expense and effort. The advice and assistance received through this forum has been consistently excellent, and to my mind adds considerably to the pleasure of driving an M12.

Dom.

Scooby P1

2,617 posts

258 months

Monday 18th July 2011
quotequote all
ChromeOrange said:
i have to thank you all for your advice, very well received indeed.

Swampys Noble does look absolutely awesome. Plus all the work that has just been carried out.

I didnt intend to buy one with such high mileage, but, with the engine rebuild and absolute insane bhp, it is well worth a look.

Absolutely marvelous. What an exciting time for me.
Swampy's car is epic. Turns heads (I spent a morning trying to keep up at high speed in my re-mapped Impreza P1), is seriously quick when you put your foot down and makes a sensational noise.
I was looking for one when I met him, now I have one (1 mth ownership) i love it more than anything and just pray for good weather at weekends!!!
Good luck with whatever decision you make.

ChromeOrange

Original Poster:

171 posts

204 months

Monday 18th July 2011
quotequote all
Just thought i'd let you all know that the Noble m12GTO3 wwith 11,000 miles at Mole Valley was sold on Saturday so that's now out of the question. The salesman told me it would sell over the weekend even though they have had it 2months. Who would of thought....

TuxMan

9,011 posts

267 months

Monday 18th July 2011
quotequote all
good cars do not last long before sold , its also the right time of year to sell !!