bkniep

Year: 2005
Make: Lotus
Model: Exige
Cont. Porsche Models: Carrera GT
Mileage (numbers only please): 9800
Options (Please check ALL which apply): Air Conditioning, Power Brakes, Power Steering
Color: Porsche Midnight Blue
VIN: NUS0016
Price (no $ sign please): $45000
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (Region): Midwestern
Body Style: Coupe
Transmission Type: Manual - 6 speed
2 or 4 Wheel Drive?: 2 Wheel Drive
Engine Type: Fuel Injection
Stereo System: AM-FM CD

For Sale: A Meticulously maintained Noble M12 GTO 3R with many upgrades to M400 spec or beyond. (couldn't figure out to load this ad as a Noble)

What is a Noble M12 GTO 3-R? I assume most potential buyers will already know, but it never hurts to start from the beginning.

Noble is a lightweight sports car manufacturer in England. It was founded by supercar engineer Lee Noble who produced a series of tremendously fast, superlative handling mid engined supercars under his own name before selling the company in 2010. Several thousand Nobles were produced of which approzimately 230 came to the US.

The cars were imported to the US by 1G racing (which has since become Rossion). Because the cars do not come with OBD compliance, airbags, or Federal safety testing, they were imported as separate chassis and drivetrains. While they are technically "kit cars" in the US, this is only for legal reasons. They were sold as complete automobiles in other parts of the world. My Noble has the title in hand, its original Vin of NUS0016 and also an Arizona issued VIN (that was accepted in the state of Missouri). Rossion is still in business in Florida and can be an excellent resource for parts.

Two models of Nobles were imported. The M12 GTO 3R, and the M400. There were many detail changes on the M400, but many M12s, mine included have most of the important updates to bring them up to spec. My Noble weighs just over 2400lbs. It has a Turbohoses tuned Duratec V6 twin turbo motor that dynoed at 396 bhp at the rear wheels. So the motor is probably giving 430-440 bhp at the crank. It is a rocket that has been tested by all the major magazines at 0-60 in the low mid 3s and 0-100 in under 8. It is faster than many cars that cost $200,000+, both in a straight line and down a great back road. People are amazing friendly and interested in the Noble, I get a lot more thumbs ups, people approaching to talk aat gas stations etc. than I ever did in Porsches or Ferraris.

My Noble is painted Porsche Midnight Blue Metallic. It has 9800 miles. It has been obsessively and meticulously serviced by Reid Vann (Porsche specialist in St Louis). In preparation for selling I have spent a couple thousand dollars putting all the minor niggles right. I am the second owner and the builder was Autosport Engineering

I am the second owner of the car.
The car has never been tracked.

Upgrades:
Upgraded m400 turbos, and a watercooling system for the Turbos. 440 BHP with an estimated 10% drivetrain loss. The Tune is a Turbohoses tune (they are the definitive Noble shop in the US)
Stunning sounding Turbohoses 3inch exhaust.
Bride Low Max Carbon seats. These are awesome and hold you in place much better than the stock chairs. They also give more headroom for a taller driver. I fit well and am 6'3, though I look silly folding myself in.
The belts have been replaced by airplane style 4 point belts.
The very cheap plastic center panel has been upgraded with a brushed aluminum custom panel.
Car is fitted with a radio, cd, satellite radio, ipod

Defects.
The car has been used only on the road, but there is a small chip through the clear bra into the primer on the front clam. I didn't bother to get it fixed. (see picture)
The passenger door has a dime sized paint defect right at the window that I never addressed.
I removed the dead pedal to give myself more legroom. It will come with the car and you can use it or not.
I disconnected the immoblizer because it drained the battery so quickly. A purchaser who wants an immobilizer will have to install a new one.

The car has run strongly for me, but I bought it as a track toy to replace a Porsche 993 Turbo. Shortly after, some friends and I built a CHUMP car from an old BMW and have been spending all our free time racing it around the midwest. I have never used the Noble on track and it is a pretty impractical car for everyday use. I have put 2000 miles on it in 18 months.

It is up for sale at $45,000. Please do not waste my time and yours on lowballing me on the car. I know that Nobles appeal to a narrow slice of the auto world, but I am willing to wait for a serious, cash in hand, buyer.

$5000 deposit secures the car, with the balance due in 3 business days.
I can be reached by PM or at bkniep993@gmail.com.

bkniep

More pics

mx22

Must be one of the most unique cars I've seen for sale here. GLWS!

carcrazyteen

Seen this car in person and it is AMAZING! Also can vouch for the owner. Great car from a great guy.

512bb

I had an M400 and these cars are a BLAST to drive. No electronic nannies, but one hell of a balanced car. Anyone who loves driving cars should take this up. Great price for one too. GLWS.

Jjm4life

Had one as well, and couldn't agree more. Nice color

vincentdds

Keep hearing it's a great car but seems like no one keeps theirs for very long. It gives?

fpb111

no trunk space

bkniep

I bought the car to track it and then built a CHUMP Car and am now racing that in my free time.

The Noble is amazing, but it is very impractical. If you are a dedicated track rat, it will blow you away. It really can't be used as a daily driver.

No trunk. Ingress/Egress is tough, 4 point aircraft harnesses PITA for every day. You get the picture.

But the payoff is big.

Bill

bid4ueng

Was very interested in a "never tracked" Noble, somewhat hard to come by, but.....the internet has a way of finding the truth.

http://www.nobleforums.com/showthrea...er-Please-help

ztnedman1

oops!

Mikelly

87 944 C

what engine is that? did they still use a ford probe derived 3.0L v6?

btw: great cars, had a chance to drive on, sadly not on the street as designed, but even then, one of the best I've driven

Perk10

:O

Spiffyjiff

oh man, good one. now just waiting for OP to chime in.