Noble or Porsche Turbo

[marcusjames]

I know I'm probably asking on the wrong forum but I need help. I have been looking to get a 996 turbo and really can't find one that justifies the £45-50k price in my mind. I've driven a few and are convinced by the performance and build quality.

I guess my question is, does the Noble realistically make a sensible option instead of the Porsche. They both have reliability issues to the degree that I would insist on a warranty on the 996.

Has anyone driven/owned both and prepared to comment.

Thanks

[Marki]

I dont know how you could consider a Noble over a TT

[DanH]

You are worried about the reliability/build of a 996 TT and in the same breath considering a noble? hehehe

[F.C.]

marcusjames said:

I know I'm probably asking on the wrong forum but I need help. I have been looking to get a 996 turbo and really can't find one that justifies the £45-50k price in my mind. I've driven a few and are convinced by the performance and build quality.

I guess my question is, does the Noble realistically make a sensible option instead of the Porsche. They both have reliability issues to the degree that I would insist on a warranty on the 996.

Has anyone driven/owned both and prepared to comment.

Thanks

I owned a 996 TT from new for about 18 months.
I sold it and bought an M400.

These two cars are poles apart in both performance and everyday "freindliness".
Firtly 996 TT,
I bought the car in August 2005 new for a "Bargain" price of 93K.
It was a very capable car and covered distance with incredible ease and comfort.
It was reasonably quick and handled well considering it's WEIGHT.
It was one of the most un-envolving drives I have ever had , there is far too much interference from the "Big brother" electronics trying DESPERATELY to keep you on the straight and narrow.
In short a long distance,straight line machine.
It was thrashed all of the time and never missed a beat.
Do NOT buy this car expecting razor sharp cornering.
I sold it to a hairdresser.
Now M400
I test drove a number of cars before buying at 45K.. Aston, fezza 360, Gallardo, GT3, and NSX to name a few.
The M400 is without doubt the most envolving car I have ever Driven/owned it is quicker than the 996 TT on the straight and absolutely NO contest in the twisties.
I find it comfortable over distance but don't expect to be enjoying a rendition of Handel's Messiah on the stereo (unless you are parked in a lay-by)as cabin noise can be a little wearing.
Reliability for me has been ok, I have had to replace the heater blower motor.
I have had some chassis work done Uprights machined for camber adjustment Ap grooved discs Pagid Road and track pads.
I have fitted C/F rim Dymags
I have also had a Roush exhaust and re-map.
All these things are part and parcel of owning a limited production machine.
You will be HANDS ON with the Noble but for me that is also part of the enjoyment.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO interferance from "Big Brother" in this car
Do buy this car if you like fast roads with lots of bends, at the price there really is nothing else to touch it.
I will not be selling this car anytime soon!
I wish I had bought this car before buying the Porsche.
By the way second choice would have been the NSX... QUALITY handling and Jap Reliability.
If it had had another 150 BHP it would have been a VERY difficult choice.
All of the above is of course My own opinion / experiance.

F.C

[gadgeroonie]

the M400 will turn heads and pull your heart strings when you go for a drive - you will find yourself making excuses just to take it for a drive

the 996 is a geat car - great power, but a bit less involved for fun driving.

if you want an everyday driver - the 996 is probably a better choice. If you want a car that inspires - get a test drive in an M400

alternatively - but a 3R for less money and buy a sensible Audi Diesel too !

[caccobra]

I have owned both for a while and I have posted these pictures before, but they do kind of say it all.

[TonyF]

Just sold my M400 but backed to backed with a 996TT and a GT3 when I bought her.
Simple answer is NOBLE M400 EVERYTIME !
As said above, the porches are good cars but soooooooooo boring in comparison plus the M400 was noticeably quicker in all cases.
I found the noble comfortable and a very involving drive.
Its a no brainer..

Tony.

[CRB1]

So the Porsche Turbo is faster (I think we all knew that anyway). But in just about every other respect the M400 is the better car.

Not bad for a fledging sports car company against probably the best sports car in the world. Give Noble another... 8 years.... I wonder where they'll be then??

[saucyboy]

CRB1, I'll think you find he is stating that his Porker is the slow one!!!

James

[WhoNo]

Tony..... just put the deposit down on your old M400. Very nice. And as you say compared to the GT3…. No contest.

[Marki]

CRB1 said:

But in just about every other respect the M400 is the better car.

What bollax

[Adrian W]

Marki said:

CRB1 said:

But in just about every other respect the M400 is the better car.

What bollax

There speaketh a man who has never driven an M400 (and maybe the Porsche)

[gizard]

I have driven both and they are completly different cars. It's like comparing an elise to an Audi TT Quattro.

If you want to do loads of track days the Noble will be better (but cost more in maintenace).

If you want to do lots of road miles the Porshe will probably be better.

The Porsche will be very cheap to add an extra 100BHP to with affecting longivity very much. The noble will be more expensive to add this much extra power to but as it's lighter it doesn't need that much extra power to have the same affect - but as said above they are completly different animals.

Guy

[Marki]

Adrian W said:

Marki said:

CRB1 said:

But in just about every other respect the M400 is the better car.

What bollax

There speaketh a man who has never driven an M400 (and maybe the Porsche)

What do you know ,you know nothing about me ,, or are you stalking me

[Adrian W]

Marki said:

Adrian W said:

Marki said:

CRB1 said:

But in just about every other respect the M400 is the better car.

What bollax

There speaketh a man who has never driven an M400 (and maybe the Porsche)

What do you know ,you know nothing about me ,, or are you stalking me

That's true, I apologise, your profile says you drive a luxobarge. So have you driven both cars? and if so for long enough to make a subjective asessement.

[CRB1]

I've driven neither but the M400 is clearly better

[caccobra]

gizard said:

The Porsche will be very cheap to add an extra 100BHP to with affecting longivity very much. The noble will be more expensive to add this much extra power to but as it's lighter it doesn't need that much extra power to have the same affect - but as said above they are completly different animals.

Guy

Actually it cost less for me to add 120 rwhp to my Noble. $1500 for a remap and $2500 for a true dual exhaust system. To do that to the TT would have been another $3,000. It was a little faster than the 911TT before, but it will now blow the doors off of it. Hence, it has been re-badged as an M500.

[gizard]

caccobra said:

gizard said:

The Porsche will be very cheap to add an extra 100BHP to with affecting longivity very much. The noble will be more expensive to add this much extra power to but as it's lighter it doesn't need that much extra power to have the same affect - but as said above they are completly different animals.

Guy

Actually it cost less for me to add 120 rwhp to my Noble. $1500 for a remap and $2500 for a true dual exhaust system. To do that to the TT would have been another $3,000. It was a little faster than the 911TT before, but it will now blow the doors off of it. Hence, it has been re-badged as an M500.

the Pond I suspect makes a difference,
It cost me 2k (UKP) for a new exhaust system and a further 600-700 and I got an extra 45ish BHP and 60 odd lbs ft. Whereas at the same centre by brothers 911 turbo cost about 500 to add about 100BHP to the head line figure...

[NickyTwoHats]

Buy a sorted noble 3 or 3r AND something else that sets your heart racing (a classic or a caterham for example) AND an 8 year old BMW 740 - you'll get 90% of the 996T experience in the BM, 200% of the fun of the 996 in the Noble and then anything else is just a bonus - year round costs (inc depreciation - porsche rock solid residuals are a myth) for all 3 comparable but you'll be so so much more happy

[TonyF]

WhoNo said:

Tony..... just put the deposit down on your old M400. Very nice. And as you say compared to the GT3…. No contest.

Good for you, you will not be dissapointed.
When do you pick her up ?
Tony.