Review of Noble

General General Lotus Talk
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I think this is a most interesting review by Rich (Jackal) who owns a 340R & a Mitsi EVO Jackals racetrack Rich is attending the 1st May Cadwell trackday, so no doubt will be available to answer any questions [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Thanks PeskyI’m very surprised by his impression of this much aclaimed road/track car.Nick Whale Sports Cars are going to let me loose in one around Donny soon, will let you know how it compares with the Exige.Trevor[This message has been edited by trevor (edited 04 February 2002).]

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the link doesn’t work…

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quote:Originally posted by Nicolas:the link doesn’t work…NicholasIt did last night, but I agree that at present it appears to be down! Suggest you try again later.

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I wouldn’t pay too much attention to Jackal, I suspect he likes the controversy. His damning review of the Exige flew in the face of common opinion.How much attention would a review get if it said “Yeah, the people in the know are right, it’s an excellent car”.I prefer to read reviews from people who have proven themselves in that field. After all, he has a 340R and an Evo… go figure.[This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 05 February 2002).]

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DavidI only said that Jackal’s report was “most interesting”, which I’m sure you will concur with. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Copied from Jackal’s thread on his Noble review on the British Cars - Lotus bbsQUOTE BY JACKAL: Posted 04 February 2002 at 14:30:23 UK time Harvey - the exige car was very very new and probably had thew restrictor in place, not even decatted and definitely not 190bhp. I was very very hard on teh exige but the article must be seen in context of the 340r. If the 340r didn’t exist then given whats on offer out there today i would have an exige. END QUOTEIF I was in the market to “trade up” from the Exige, then the Noble would definately be on the top of wish list - subject to my own test drive [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by Pesky:IF I was in the market to “trade up” from the Exige, then the Noble would definately be on the top of wish list - subject to my own test drive [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] Trade up in terms of price and weight but definitely not looks, handling or all round sheer ability to please…go wash your mouth out with soap :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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SteveI agree about price & weight - obviously!Looks - subjective, but personally I like the Noble’s looks as much as those of the Exige.Handling - can’t comment as I’ve not driven one.All round ability - again, can’t comment until after driving one.In saying all that, my post did say “IF”, & between you & me that is always going to be a non-starter, unless I win the lottery etc [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Bottom line is that I absolutely lurve the Exige, & have no intentions whatsoever of swapping it for the foreseeable future [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] So in that sense, my scouse friend, I think we are in total harmony [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

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Sure, the Noble may weigh more, but it knocks out a healthy 330bhp/tonne, which nothing short of a supercharge Exige can touch.The funny thing was, when I was on the Noble stand at the Autosport show, the guy said that it was more of a road car that can be used on the track car, rather than the other way around… he didn’t seem to rate it’s track capabilities… odd.The titanium coloured Noble on the stand looked 10x better than the silver one often seen in magazines.[This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 05 February 2002).]

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Not forgetting the Noble would probably have to go all the way back to a small backwater outfit in for its servicing.

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Noble is based in Hinckley (as are Ultima) which is only a few miles from me (yay)However, the dealers (which there are an increasing number of) will also be able to do the servicing.As it stands, a Noble dealer is nearer to me than a Lotus dealer.Your mileage may vary !

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It was interesting to read Jackal’s review as I’ve now read a few things on the Noble and they seem to come out with slightly different things each time.If I didn’t have an Exige, and wasn’t skint, [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image] it would be top of my list to try at least. It has a great P/W ratio and great handling, by most accounts. I like the styling aswell except for the front lights which are too high up. Lower down with clear covers would have been much better. The wheels need to be changed aswell - they look like plastic. But that’s nit-picking a bit.Looking forward to hearing what Trevor has to say about it on his “test-drive”. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Sorry guys…Im just a believer in light is right, bigger engine means more weight, more weight means bigger engine means bigger brakes means more weight…and so on…The inside is not as pure as an Exige…seat belts are a bit tatty and the rear view is just so bad…but if you can blag a test drive go for it!

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It’s not THAT heavy… besides, we managed to have fun in that 2 tonne behemoth of mine on Saturday [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image][This message has been edited by Admin5 (edited 06 February 2002).]

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Courtesy of Nick Whale, I managed to blag a ride round Donington in a Noble last year. I also got to thrash a non 190 bhp Exige round there on the same day. The Noble was a bit poorly, (They had to use a broom handle to start it!) but I have to say the Exige felt better on the track, and no slower. And I hate the cheapo interior in the Noble. It’s a good car, but I still rate the Exige higher.

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Eh ? Cheapo interior of the Noble?? How long ago was that ?The interior of the show car at the Autosport show was lurvely in my opinion.

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"I prefer to read reviews from people who have proven themselves in that field."what like the magazine road testers David - yes they know everything don’t they ;-)All i did was drive the thing and honestly report my findings guys. If you read the review its clear between the lines that i had half an idea to actually purchase one of these things and i had a long chat with the Noble posse up at the Autosport show … believe you me i wanted to like it and was ready to go home and convince the wife if need be. But it shocked me when i did drive it esp. in eth face of all the hype its had."The funny thing was, when I was on the Noble stand at the Autosport show, the guy said that it was more of a road car that can be used on the track car, rather than the other way around… "EXACTLY - you said it all. I was expecting a real road-racer (which is teh sort of car i like) but instead found it like a real road pussycat. I would take an exige all day long over the Noble. Million times more focused and involving (desritricted and properly run in or not :wink: ). My mate who is art editor on Top Gear took the Noble to the Nurburgring with an Exige for an article and he said the same. Exige wins every time.But, if you don’t believe my findings, like people don’t believe my P1 story or my bumpsteer findings in the Exige then fair enough - go out and drive these cars and make your own conclusions. Bet you that you agree with me, however much it may appear that im after controversy and attention !Sorry, but inert steering, soft suspension, quiet engine and highly deceptive acceleration just does not do it for me. Surely thats why we all buy exiges and 340r’s ?& caterfields ???

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How timely!EVO (a car mag I rate) has just arrived and there’s the new comparison between the new Espirit and Noble.Click here, if you want me to ruin it for you: http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/Forum20/HTML/000029.html

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i would take the esprit over the noble anyday. Although tis a bit old the V8 GT is just as quick (prob. quicker top end) and teh chassis as evo mag says in incredible as is the assisted steering. Handling is as always impeccable & very progressive.

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quote:Originally posted by Admin5:It’s not THAT heavy… besides, we managed to have fun in that 2 tonne behemoth of mine on Saturday [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Sure did…but as you have said the 2 cars are completely different and complement each other rather than compete. A Noble is not really an Exige with more power, and it would be a shame if any Exige owners swapped over hoping it was.I’m thinking of swapping the Exige for a Hummer…just love that big grunting V8 diesel and I bet no one would dare try to overtake on any circuit, although they might get underneath without me noticing!