Though very low in number (220 in the US), the Noble M12GTO3R and M400 are fantastic cars on or off the track. We were the first facility in the country and world-wide making over 500WHP with one using the factory ecu for tuning. Since then, we have made more than any other tuner- 630-710HP (1.2-1.6Bars of boost dependant and 3.0litres of displacement) while still maintaining excellent track handling characteristics. With only software, cats intact and a cat back the cars easily make 525HP. I've been a Porsche technician and shop owner for 15 years and spent a lot of time at the track- for the money, a Noble (or new Rossion Q1- the replacement) is hard to beat. Stock trim @ 425Hp the car makes 0-60 in 3.2 and does the 1/4 in 10-9. With a base upgrade to 525 you'll see 0-60 in 3.0flat and at 630+ 2.8 I love 996TT's and have upgraded many but the power to weight, even at 550 can't match the Noble. The interiors leave something to be desired but the new Q1 has really addressed that well i think. Also, regarding the "kit-car" stigma that has followed the Noble and Rossion- the cars have been imported into the US under the "kit-car" law in order to bypass DOT and EPA regulations- they arrive as you may have seen them on the road- fully assembled, less the motor and tranny installed, much like some other low-volume manufacturers have done. They were sold in England, Australia and SouthAfrica as complete cars in dealer showrooms. They are great fun to drive. If anyone has the opportunity to get a ride in one i would highly reccomend it. If anyone will be at the 24Hours of Daytona this year, i can certainly show you in person.

 

I don't mind taking a ride in any fast car, but you will never ever ever see me trade a Twin Turbo Porsche for a Noble or an Ultima.

Regardless, the Noble is a kit car just like the Ultima. I like both cars, but they are kit cars. They use someone elses production motor as well. Nothing wrong with that for a straight fun car, but definitely no history or racebred engineering there. Fun cars nontheless. I think the Ultima still faster to 100 or so they claim.

 

Porsche Tech, good to see you on 6speed.

Guys, I am a Porschephile and a 911Turbophile (my 993TT now tuned to 650+HP and down as we speak at Protosport in New Jersey for winter tuning with bigger turbo's to get it over 700+HP, easily my favorite car in the stable), but there is no need to betray our insecurities over a Noble.

I happen also to be a proud Noble M400 owner, tuned by Porsche Tech in Jacksonville to 573RWHP (about 630 crank HP), so now worthy of the "M600" moniker (600 HP per metric tonne), and with a recent tweak to the rear control arms for wider (12") Kinesis rims fitting Michelin Cup tires in back (345's). The car is so light and handles so crisply, and was properly assembled by Greg Robb in Indianapolis and impeccably tuned by Porsche Tech in Jacksonville. Nothing will give me greater driving pleasure than my 993TT, but I put the M600 above my 996TT-EVOMS GT700, simply because it's more raw, even though the 996 is superfast, as well. And I own an Audi RS4, undergoing tuning with an MTM supercharger this spring, so I don't even know what stock power in a car feels like anymore, LOL.

 

Insecurities? WTF I am sure they are fun cars like an Ultima GTR, which is another very fast, very fun track car. You seem to be lucky enough to be able to own it and several other nice cars, and that is great. I cannot. So I had to be choosy. I have a slightly modded 996TT and when I got it, I could have gotten a Noble, as well as many other cars in it's range including a modded 993tt and a mint 993tt. I have always like the ealy 911's, but after driving the 996tt and the 997tt, I would never even consider going back in time to something lesser unless I had enough to get another then I would because I like all 911;s. But the new generation is the best ever by far.

 

I would hate to see this degrade into a "who's car is better" discussion as that is an entirely subjective question which can't be resolved. Really just comes down to personal preference. The original question i think was how would the mildly upgraded 996TT stack up head to head from a performance stand point. It would take a lot of added ponies in the 996 Twin Turbo to compensate for the significant weight differential compared to a stock Noble M400 and even in the top end the Noble pulls very linear-ly to 185MPH. That in no way takes away from the history, engineering or driving pleasure of a Porsche.

I would dispute two things however. Just because the Noble has been imported into the states under the epa component car law, that doesn't make it a kit car. Outside of the United States, these cars were produced and sold as complete, hand-built, turn-key cars on dealer floors. Also, the idea that there is anything abnormal with a low volume manufacturer using an outsourced, custom spec'd motor for their chassis- that's pretty common. Koenigsegg has used ford motors in the past, Spyker uses Audi engines, McClaren used BMW and Lotus has used Toyota. I'm a little fuzzy on if the Gumpert Appollo is coming into the country as a component car, but that also uses an Audi power plant. Very few small manufacturers have the economic clout to produce their own motor 100% in house.

 

I looked at a Noble in Colorado Springs last year for kicks. It was in a custom shop that had a Skyline and a couple of older custom muscle cars as well as some modern hot rodded vettes. The owner was telling me about how it was a pain in the *** to get the Noble in the country, how it was basically a shell with a suspension with a tranny and that the engine is a Ford Duratec V6, etc... "but its quick as hell"

My impression from the build quality is that it was a kit car or a knock off but no, it was a real noble. Ive heard how these are rocket fast, but then again, so is a honda civic with a $20k engine.

I wont participate in a "whos car is better" conversation, guess it all comes down to what you want- if you want a ford duratec V6 powered fast car or a honda with a $20k engine, go for it. If you want a 700+ hp 996turbo, well you can do that too, I'll even give you some recommendations :-)

I used to adore Countach's, up until I saw one up close- was awful, ragged edges, nothing fit right, was absolutely deplorable, until you backed up a hundred feet and then it was cool again. The Noble is kinda like that... looks very cool and I'm sure its quick as snot (however fast that is), but like the countach, the built quality was hideous, had ragged edges, nothing fit etc...its impressive they made a Ford Duratec V6 that fast but other than that, I'll stand back 100' and admire, or even better, from my review mirrior :-) Now where's that damn ricer honda with the 20k engine?

 

I think if your dad knows how to drive, you are toast.
http://www.fastestlaps.com/index.php...=459a83be62679
Which would I rather own? Porsche

 

here is two noble M400's running the 1/4. The faster one ran a 11.85 and that was several car lengths faster than the slower one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGFQK...eature=related

so if your turbo can crank a mid 11, you should be right on. Most Turbos with a good tune and exhaust should do that.

 

Don't fret, Prche951, I wasn't accusing you of being insecure. Not your post, but others who brag that their tuned Porsche is faster than a stock Noble. Even I know a stock 911 Turbo is not the fastest car around, that's why I tuned the c--- out of mine, and out of my Noble, and next my Audi....

 

I think some would be surprised if they drove a Noble. Drives and handles incredibly, and doesn't feel remotely like a "kit car", more like a race bred car thats street legal. When I think of kit car I think of the pos Fiero builds, or Factory Five (which is good and fun). I know people may knock the engine being a "Ford" but guess what, not only is it a sweet engine, but it has a wicked snarl. And for those that didn't know, Porsche had a hand in developing the Duratec V6 . Have a buddy with a Rossion Q1 on order of whom also had a hand in helping design some stuff, so can't wait to see how the new model is.

 

Slow.
Disappointing.
A couple of adjectives that might be used!

 

Never heard of an Noble until today, looks like a sweet car and a blast to drive

 

you guys are just spoiled. there are people that think that a stock STI/EVO is more than they can handle, so it is all relative. Power is like a drug, or in my case a good Scotch.

 

Porsche Tech, I like the looks of the Red one in your Avatar, can you possibly post a full size picture of it?

 

Sure- the first ones are from a photo shoot we did with our house car- Photography by Britt McTamany of Digital Video Arts
Also a couple of shots of Derek Whitis' M400 we prepared from the begining of the Cannonball Run One Lap of America a couple of years ago. Finished first in SSGT1 and 7th over all. (should have finished second overall behind Mark Devias 996TT but had an off course excursion at VIR unfortunately dropping us in the overall points standing).