"B_dol" (bdolan40)
05/07/2015 at 11:56 • Filed to: None
3
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"B_dol" (bdolan40)
05/07/2015 at 11:56 • Filed to: None | 3
| 31 |
What are people thoughts on these cool cars and company? I keep seeing a dark blue Noble M400 on the weekends, sounds the business! Twin turbo v6 (v8 in the m600), manual 6 speed transmission...
Leon711
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 11:58 |
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V6!
Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
> Leon711
05/07/2015 at 12:00 |
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yeah, the m400 has a twin turbo v6.
Sn210
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:03 |
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I love these. They're attainable super cars
djmt1
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:03 |
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I love them. Its my attainable dream car alongside the TVR Tuscon 2.
SVTyler
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:05 |
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I love these things so much and would buy one in a heartbeat once I get my finances together (seems like they trade anywhere from $60-75k). Only thing is it’s a low-volume British sportscar, reliability and servicing costs could be a bit scary depending on what goes wrong.
As others have mentioned it actually uses a TT Ford Duratec motor.
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B_dol
> SVTyler
05/07/2015 at 12:06 |
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Any word on the reliability and drivability? I haven’t read much on the car and to be honest, in falls into a very nice price range for a unique weekend car.
Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:09 |
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Very cool, no-nonsense supercar. A TT Ford V6 supercar years before the new GT. I believe there is an outfit that still makes them here in the US too.
uofime
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:11 |
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I used to think it was awesome.
Thinking about it more now though I'm not sure the concept makes sense. Obviously I've never driven one, but I would bet it is garbage on the street and in order to be allowed on the street I'm sure it is compromised for the track too.
It seems like for the money you'd be better off just buying a full on race car and trailering it to the track.
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SVTyler
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:23 |
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The forums seem to think they’re a bit temperamental but that could just be because a lot of owners mod the crap out of these things and because they’re a bit of a hodge-podge of random off-the-shelf parts from other manufacturers to begin with anyways. Build quality aside (seems like there’s a lot of ancillary things that can go wrong) if you’re using it as a weekend car and don’t mind working on it yourself I bet it wouldn’t be any different than any other British sports car you can find, just a bit more expensive to buy initially.
Driveability-wise it’s a Noble; it’ll be raw, loud, and fast with not a lot of computer aids; it’s said these things are like more grown-up, quicker Lotuses with a touch of turbo lag. Dunno about you but that sounds absolutely perfect.
Sam
> Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
05/07/2015 at 12:26 |
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You could also buy one in Europe, pull the drivetrain out and ship the shell to the US.
My local Lotus dealer had an M400 shell on the showroom for a while. They also had a Duratec V6, two turbos, and a transmission. Their deal was basically, you buy the shell, then they “helped” you put the drivetrain in the shell (you turn a couple of bolts) so you could register it as a kit car. They wanted ~$30,000, complete (other than the post purchase assembly) and ready to go
CAcoalminer
> Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed
05/07/2015 at 12:27 |
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You’re thinking of Rossion.
http://rossioncars.com/models/
Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 12:27 |
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I absolutely love nobles, have ever since project Gotham racing 1
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B_dol
> SVTyler
05/07/2015 at 12:41 |
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A bit temperamental sounds just right doesn’t it... Raw, loud, MT, a Lotus with a real engine. Yeah... Adding it to the list of cross-shopping options in the $55-70K range.
Top Gear USA seemed to like the M600 quite a bit, M400 videos a bit rarer these days.
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B_dol
> CAcoalminer
05/07/2015 at 12:52 |
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What’re your thoughts on the whole kit car idea? This seems like a really cool weekend car, however one might get a little frustrated if it proves less consistent and drivable like a 911 or equivalent canyon car.
I am still thoroughly intrigued by the custom built scene; Rossion, Superformance Cobra, etc. It seems like a cheaper way to get into a truly unique car with a large sense of occasion.
As I narrow down a list of cars to shop next year I am having a hard time finding a balance between exclusivity, performance and reliability.
TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 13:01 |
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Personally I prefer the M15, I think it looks slightly more mature.
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SVTyler
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 13:03 |
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I don’t mind a bit of unreliability either, just makes your time with the car that much more interesting, especially when it’s a back-to-basics, honest-to-God supercar for about 1/3 the price of anything else comparable to it. You literally couldn’t ask for more care in the price range.
Think I’d stick with the M12/M400 though, 400HP in a 1000kg package is probably reaching its useability limits for most regular people. Its big brother just seems like something that wants to kill you (look how tense Tanner’s shoulders were during that whole run).
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CAcoalminer
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 13:20 |
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I guess it really comes down to the particular company and what your expectations are. For instance, if I was in the market for a Cobra, I would have no hesitations about buying a Kirkham. Same thing for a GT40 and Superformance. The reason being that these companies have stellar reputations and aren’t going anywhere. With companies like Rossion and Noble, I just don’t know enough about them and would worry that if something did go wrong that I wouldn’t have their support to fix it. I only bring up this last point because from what little I know, the M400s are spotty at best with reliability.
You also have to consider what you will use these vehicles for. If you want an M400 or Rossion just for a weekend toy or dedicated track car, it might be fine. However, if you actually plan on using it occasionally for a special trip or just to feel special while doing errands, then it could be challenging. Both cars don’t have any luggage space at all and, being so light, I would guess have very little NVH insulation.
This is how I see it, do you want something that is distinctive and performs well or something that is a bit more common, quite reliable, and can be utilized in a variety of situations? If it was me, I would go with the Porsche or other well known OEM and if I still wanted something distinctive in a few years probably buy the Noble or Rossion. The reason being that I don’t see Rossion or Noble values increasing any time soon.
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B_dol
> CAcoalminer
05/07/2015 at 13:53 |
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I appreciate the reply and believe that sometimes I confuse admiration of these folks and kit cars for a true desire to own. The biggest lesson one can learn from the wealth of knowledge and opinions the internet provides is to discount it , and truly consider one’s own usage, requirements and happiness.
It has not taken me long to see that 90% of my driving pleasure comes on scenic back-roads and spirited canyon drives with only 10% being the 1 or 2 times a year I make it onto a track. With that in mind, a 500HP R8 or GT-R becomes overkill and I experienced that first hand. Having used my FR-S, a friends Z4M and rental 991 Carrera S, the sweet spot is 3-400HP, 3200lbs with a 6 speed. Anything more and you risk the danger of tickets and not being able to utilize the full potential of the car on a regular basis.
With that in mind I have two approaches to my next car purchase. The easiest is to pick up a 997.2 Carrera S or 987 Cayman S and keep my FR-S as my commuter car. Without a lot of seat time in a Cayman, I still can’t decide between the two.
The second, more rational approach is to pick up a used BMW M3 4-door sedan to share driving duties and continue to modify the FR-S for weekend/track duty. Brakes, coilovers, etc. Only problem is my gut says I won’t be content until I own a P-car.
DrScientist
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 13:54 |
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in the 60-75k range, as someone else points out, youre going to NEED the unique nature of the car. you could get a lot of 997 carrera for that money and likely the best 996 turbo in the country.
i imagine that repair cost/convenience would balance out considering the wealth of diy out there for the porsches. but the porsches will give you added comfort and space.
all that said... as a third car... with a 996/7 daily driver, i’d definitely consider this.
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B_dol
> DrScientist
05/07/2015 at 14:03 |
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Absolutely. In ANY price range its hard to argue with the Porsche and the room. To be honest, that is where I will end up next unless I decide to build the FR-S further into a track car.
Given the means, I would like to revisit the idea of a kit car later in life....
PushToStart
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 14:05 |
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They’re awesome as hell. As CAcoalminer pointed out, you can still buy one new, but they’re branded as Rossions now.
They are very “bare-bones” cars so they might not be fantastic for DD duty (although I’m not saying I wouldn’t try) but they’re great performance cars.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 14:25 |
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I think you’d love owning and enjoying an E90 M3 on the way to your Porsche. I know I am! My Porsche ownership may not come for another decade, but I have no doubt that I could enjoy my car (if it can hold up for that many years and miles) until I’m at the point in life that I can swap it out for something even more special. I truly hope that I can keep this car in my “stable” for the long haul, though.
Here’s fellow who’s in the process of giving up his M3 (or not) for a Cayman GT4:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr…
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B_dol
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 16:14 |
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I have no doubt I would enjoy the M3 ownership experience and german luxury sedan (missile). At this point in my life I can still manage with two 2+2 (really 2 seater only) cars. I know once kids enter the equation I will be forced to downsize to only 1 impractical car.
I also like gas mileage. Maybe a 335d is a wiser choice...
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 16:23 |
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Yes, the economy of the M3, well... let’s change the subject. I’d shy away from the 335d. My boss has one and he’s had terrible carbon buildup problems with it.
I picked up an old Pathfinder (‘03 with 150k) at the end of last year, so if M3 ownership at some point becomes unsustainable, my options have opened up a bit for a fun car, since the Pathfinder can handle kid-hauling duties when needed. There is something to be said about being able to pile the whole family in the car for a fun drive, though...
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B_dol
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 16:46 |
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That’s disappointing to here. I guess i’ll leave the diesels to VW.
If you’re willing to allow door number 3 into the scenario, Jeep Renegade or Jeep Wrangler. Since I need a car to allow for adventures to the beach, Lake Tahoe and house muddy/wet gear and bicycles
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 17:00 |
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I haven’t done a ton of reading on it, but it sounds like it might be a US-only issue due to the poorer-quality diesel we have. Not sure.
I’ve always thought it’d be fun to have a Jeep. The Pathfinder kind of fits that role for me. Kids/dogs/hauling/kayaks/camping/light offroading. It was old and cheap enough that I have no problem abusing it some, and I fitted it with Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs. Might give it a little lift at some point. Did great in the snow this winter; haven’t yet had a chance to test it in deep mud or soft sand, but I’m looking forward to it!
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B_dol
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 17:51 |
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There’s something to be said about owning a capable SUV. It really lets you appreciate the different ethos and uses of various cars. No doubt I’d appreciate the FR-S after a few drives in a Jeep. Every time I return from vacation I think the FR-S is a Ferrari.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 18:12 |
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For sure. I can even respect the pure lux, isolated cars with autopilot for people who have to sit in a a couple hours of stop & go traffic every day (just thankful it’s not me).
I think the perfect trio is a very offroad-capable SUV or truck, a sports sedan (or wagon!) of some flavor, and a low, raw, pure sports car (perhaps convertible).
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B_dol
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/07/2015 at 18:26 |
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Yep, isolated cars will always suit the purpose better than a catch-all. One caveat, targa or spyder roof style only. I hate rag tops.
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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 18:31 |
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I do love the look of a targa. Convertible versions of coupes too often ruin the good lines, but cars that were meant to be open-topped from the beginning usually look good. My issue mostly is that I’m very, very white...
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CAcoalminer
> B_dol
05/07/2015 at 20:01 |
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Very well said. As I always tell people that ask me for advice, I can talk you through the process I go through and ultimately the decision I would make for myself, but ultimately this decision doesn’t involve me. You are the one who is investing his hard earned money and must be satisfied at the end of the day.
I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts. I can still remember when anything over 300 hp was very quick. Haha
It sounds like a wonder predicament to be in. I know you’ll make the decision that is ultimately best for you.