I would offer a different opinion in regards to "creature comforts." Since I drive regularly an NSX turbo and a Noble, I think that I can give some insight. The cars themselves are similar in many ways. They both have excellent styling, excellent handling, relatively exclusive (2 identical Nobles within 30 miles in MI and soon a third), and are comfortable to drive for long distances.
NSX Advantages: Carries luggage more easily than the Noble in that it has a trunk, better creature comforts like quieter vehicle, easier to get in and out, better sound system (less road noise), power windows, cruise control, windows that go all of the way down, air bags, more comfortable seats and side impact protection. Targa top for some of us. Getting in an accident in the NSX with another vehicle would still be pretty bad due to its low heighth.
NSX Disadvantages: Power to weight ratio is less but this is effectively negated with the FX500 power upgrade. Brakes not as good and handling overall is inferior but to be honest, I doubt most of us ever take full advantage of the capabilities of the NSX. (At XPO, a stock NSX with racing slicks was so far ahead of the others which included supercharged cars with racing slicks in the advanced group that despite a spin, the stock car was off of the track before the others came in sight of the front straight).
Noble Advantages: Power, Less weight, better handling, inexpensive engine components, and uh, power and less weight. Other guy in MI has Noble with probably 425 HP or more since his boost is 1.2 bar vs .6 on the stock.
Our Noble has basic creature comforts like AC, power steering, stereo, leather interior. It can carry almost as much luggage as the NSX but it all goes behind the seats. We will be changing our seats, hopefully Sparco Milano if they fit and this will allow easier access to this area. It helps that I am not tall (euphemism for kinda short 5'8'').
Major question, would we buy a Noble if we did it again vs a FX500 NSX. The cars are very similar in regards to overall straight line acceleration at least in the 0-60 and quarter mile times (FX500 should have a higher top speed) and if you spent another 20K modifying the suspension of the NSX, I suspect that it would handle and brake as well if not better than the Noble for those talented drivers who can actually drive this well. YES but this is from someone who already has an NSX, Noble was an additional car.
Major differences between the 2 cars is a sense of refinement and feel. The NSX is by far a more refined vehicle but the Noble gives you butt-kicking acceleration with great handling. On a side note, the Noble definitely draws more attention, including from the cops, and interestingly, not as many "challenges" as compared to the NSX. Only "challenge" was from a 911 TT, kinda embarrassing. (He stalled as he dropped the clutch after chirping the wheels, me, I slowly pulled away
).
Finally, in regards to service, you can take the car to the Ford dealer for engine work although I probably would take it to a good mechanic. For oil changes, I go to Jiffy Lube where they let me go into the pit and point out where the drain plug is located and then they go pull an oil filter for the 3.0 X-type Jag, add around 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and away I go. Service is pretty simple.
Tim
NSX Advantages: Carries luggage more easily than the Noble in that it has a trunk, better creature comforts like quieter vehicle, easier to get in and out, better sound system (less road noise), power windows, cruise control, windows that go all of the way down, air bags, more comfortable seats and side impact protection. Targa top for some of us. Getting in an accident in the NSX with another vehicle would still be pretty bad due to its low heighth.
NSX Disadvantages: Power to weight ratio is less but this is effectively negated with the FX500 power upgrade. Brakes not as good and handling overall is inferior but to be honest, I doubt most of us ever take full advantage of the capabilities of the NSX. (At XPO, a stock NSX with racing slicks was so far ahead of the others which included supercharged cars with racing slicks in the advanced group that despite a spin, the stock car was off of the track before the others came in sight of the front straight).
Noble Advantages: Power, Less weight, better handling, inexpensive engine components, and uh, power and less weight. Other guy in MI has Noble with probably 425 HP or more since his boost is 1.2 bar vs .6 on the stock.
Our Noble has basic creature comforts like AC, power steering, stereo, leather interior. It can carry almost as much luggage as the NSX but it all goes behind the seats. We will be changing our seats, hopefully Sparco Milano if they fit and this will allow easier access to this area. It helps that I am not tall (euphemism for kinda short 5'8'').
Major question, would we buy a Noble if we did it again vs a FX500 NSX. The cars are very similar in regards to overall straight line acceleration at least in the 0-60 and quarter mile times (FX500 should have a higher top speed) and if you spent another 20K modifying the suspension of the NSX, I suspect that it would handle and brake as well if not better than the Noble for those talented drivers who can actually drive this well. YES but this is from someone who already has an NSX, Noble was an additional car.
Major differences between the 2 cars is a sense of refinement and feel. The NSX is by far a more refined vehicle but the Noble gives you butt-kicking acceleration with great handling. On a side note, the Noble definitely draws more attention, including from the cops, and interestingly, not as many "challenges" as compared to the NSX. Only "challenge" was from a 911 TT, kinda embarrassing. (He stalled as he dropped the clutch after chirping the wheels, me, I slowly pulled away
). Finally, in regards to service, you can take the car to the Ford dealer for engine work although I probably would take it to a good mechanic. For oil changes, I go to Jiffy Lube where they let me go into the pit and point out where the drain plug is located and then they go pull an oil filter for the 3.0 X-type Jag, add around 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and away I go. Service is pretty simple.
Tim
