drbrunel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 after nearly 4 years of Z power i think its time to move on. I dont really use the car in the week for commuting to work so Im thinking of trading her in for something a little more focused.. Three cars top of the list in order are Lotus exige S Noble GTO TVR 350 Thoughts please...and not interested in Caterhams. Definately leaning towards the lotus due to the overall package of running costs, reliability and performance and very good examples start from around 23K My 55 plate z (UK GT Spec) is completely mint but has 54 000 miles on the clock (never had any probs with the car).. Not expecting much for the car as i know the values a lot but if I can get between 11-13K that would really help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Out of the 3 I wold lean towards the Noble. The TVR, well we all know how much they can cost to keep running. I liked the lotus until a mate asked me to drive in front of him so he could see at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS16 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Definitely the Noble! Always wanted one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbrunel Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Noble was top of my list until I heard about all the reliability issues plus as they are a small company....who knows they may do a TVR and go bust and then what.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 So could any car maker right now to be honest..... I like all three. I'm guessing a sagaris is out? I'd trade a nut for one. Sack the 8k rebuild costs, I'd still have one! I would say try one of each and see what you like. You'll know which one after trying them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maz77 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 if you r thin and shorter than 6 foot with no back problems than go for the lotus. dump the toyota engine and throw in an S2000 engine and a turbo and I dont think anything else can match it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I agree with the others and having driven a Noble and Exige at a performance car event at Mallory I was very impressed with the Noble and rather like the Zed, its rarity adds to appeal. Not had a go in a TVR 350 but whilst the sheer brute power and the fact they are a pure driver's car is appealing, the reliability factor surrounding TVR's and now the potential difficulty in getting spares etc would put me off ownership. But I guess the 'safe' option is the Lotus - and 'Kev' on this site will no doubt sing its praises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS16 Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I was following an Exige (not an S) in Redditch the other day (dual carriageways) and he was giving it some (you could hear it ) but he couldn't pull anything on me at all. I'm sure if you put an Noble or a TVR against a Zed I would have been annhilated. I know the lotus is more based on handling but I wouldn't want to upgrade to something slower that a Zed. Plus I've only ever seen a Noble once in my life, rare as rocking horse poo and I love that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ab350z Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I know its not on the list, but a Z4M?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1 HNK Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 The noble purely for the turbo noise, they sound awesome and thump you in the back like a sledgehammer. Friend does test driving at Christopher Neil in Northwich and he said its by far the quickest feeling he's driven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbrunel Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 hhmmmmmmmmmmm gonna do some more research on nobles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zedrush Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 fiat 500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinopy Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 For me it would have to be the noble with the tvr second and lotus third. Take your time and have a good go in all 3, i've driven the GTO 3R and the M400 nobles, absolutely brutal performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
From A to Zed Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I would take the Noble, the lotus would be great fun on the track but possibly a bit much when you fancy a nice a weekend away... The TVR would be awesome but they tend to suffer terribly from reliability. I like your choices, you're a patriotic man indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainSensible Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I would say the T350 Targa, purely because it looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 I was following an Exige (not an S) in Redditch the other day (dual carriageways) and he was giving it some (you could hear it ) but he couldn't pull anything on me at all. I'm sure if you put an Noble or a TVR against a Zed I would have been annhilated. I know the lotus is more based on handling but I wouldn't want to upgrade to something slower that a Zed. Plus I've only ever seen a Noble once in my life, rare as rocking horse poo and I love that! He wasnt flat out then, cos they are a fair bit quicker than Zeds, even without the supercharger. The stage 1 exhausts sound pretty sweet too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Noble will cost you a fortune, TVR will fall to bits, Exige S will be 95% as quick without the fear that it'll kill you everytime you stamp on the loud pedal. There's no doubt that the Noble is a thing of pure aggressive beauty, but could you really live with no boot? The footwell is tiny as well so if you've got medium to large feet forget it, and I'd definitely be looking at the servicing costs before picking out a car... The T350 is stunning but too fragile UNLESS you can get one that has had all the required rebuilding done to the engine, but even then I wouldn't touch one if you need a resemblance of reliability. The tendency to break down is very over-stated, but it's still 10x worse than anything else you could get. Exige S looks good, and has a very exploitable power band. It's relatively bullet-proof mechanically (I believe the oil surge issues on the early N/As was sorted for the S) and there is simply nothing in the world that drives as purely as an Elise or one the many derivatives. Well, IMHO anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanS Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Exige is a great package thats for sure, but for me, Noble all the way. Decision from the heart, not the head! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbrunel Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Decisions decisions!!! thanks for the opinions guys... If reliability was not an issue it would have to be the TVR but I just have the money to keep it going from the stories that I hear.. Comes down to the Noble or the exige S Heart says Noble but sense says the exige S plus it will be far cheaper to buy and run in the long run... None the less Ill take all three for a test drive... Anyone wanna buy my Z?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srobrien Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I think if you are using it on the track then definatly a Lotus, if you want to turn heads get a Noble and if you want HUGE repair bills get a TVR. Don't get me wrong I love TVR's but my mates brother has a Chimera and he only does about 200 miles a year as its always being repaired...plus the nearest garage that will touch it is down south. On the other hand I have always loved the Exige, so poised, serious accelleration and awsome looks. IMO of course. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cara Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Most aesthetically pleasing (for me anyway) - TVR all the way! However, if you're thinking sensible and considering all aspects - Lotus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maz77 Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 adding to the above the exige is a fantastic car if your a DIY person. easy to change everything your self Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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