Evora vs Elise vs Caterham
Discussion
TdM-GTV said:
The Evora is a great choice for your specific needs and I think you already knew that!
For me the NA is the best of the bunch on the public road. It has enough poke but not so much that you can't stretch it's legs (you'll still be going plenty fast enough if you do!). I have a theory that the best way to get as close as possible to what you want is to:
Get an S1 NA on the smaller wheels (you'll appreciate the lower grip)
Strip out some of the sound deadening, a lot of it is basically just taped/velcroed in so you can add and remove as you wish
Change the front seats for some lighter items as they are quite heavy
Get rid of the third cat
You can later tweak the suspension, bump the power a bit with new headers and an intake and even do a bit of bodywork to replace the heavy glass over the engine.
That will bag you an Evora that's reasonably light, pretty quick, handles beautifully is still more than capable of doing the cruising thing but gives a bit more visceral experience as well and most of it is very easy to return to original.
That being said. Any of the Evoras are lovely just the way they are go test drive a few and see what you like.
Thanks for the suggestions on this... Must confess browsing the classifieds I got a touch of the "more power" disease...just a bit more for an S...just a bit more for a 410...but actually the 276 bhp first iteration is probably fine for real world fun. For me the NA is the best of the bunch on the public road. It has enough poke but not so much that you can't stretch it's legs (you'll still be going plenty fast enough if you do!). I have a theory that the best way to get as close as possible to what you want is to:
Get an S1 NA on the smaller wheels (you'll appreciate the lower grip)
Strip out some of the sound deadening, a lot of it is basically just taped/velcroed in so you can add and remove as you wish
Change the front seats for some lighter items as they are quite heavy
Get rid of the third cat
You can later tweak the suspension, bump the power a bit with new headers and an intake and even do a bit of bodywork to replace the heavy glass over the engine.
That will bag you an Evora that's reasonably light, pretty quick, handles beautifully is still more than capable of doing the cruising thing but gives a bit more visceral experience as well and most of it is very easy to return to original.
That being said. Any of the Evoras are lovely just the way they are go test drive a few and see what you like.
Also like the idea of changing seats - partly for weight, but also I liked the feels of being squashed tight into a caterham and connection to the road.
Going for a test drive with kids this week - if they hate it then back to an Elise
Lotobear said:
No, purely the older tech (I am comparing with a modern Lotus here), it must have been an absolute revelation 50 years ago (the Elan or Plus 2) when compared to the likes of contemporary MGB's with their lever arm dampers and wheezy old engines and whilst it's great even now, and I still submit has better steering feel than a modern Evora, there are clear age related limitations in the suspension design, chassis stiffness, and other areas that are shown up when compared to any modern Lotus.
Still a great car IMO and nice to drive something from the Chapman era - the TC engine in particular has real character
Still a great car IMO and nice to drive something from the Chapman era - the TC engine in particular has real character
that's more what I expected.I keep lusting over an Elan. less stiff maybe, but at that weight there's the purity you describe.
Currently have 2 Caterhams an Elise and an Evora. Sevens have ruined ‘supercars’ forever for me they are all more for show than go. as Long as I’m able to get in one I’ll have a Seven. Of the te Lotus if I had to sell one right now it would probably be the Elise.
How did the test drives go!
How did the test drives go!
I have an Evora 400 and a Caterham R400 (k-series). There are at the polar opposites. Evora wonderful subline and hides the speed like no other car. Handling is amazing and feels a bit ‘warp speed’ in its delivery. Caterham is just mad and intense even at road speeds - easy to drive fast and so much communication. Evora gets used on the road, road trips getting to work, etc – very useable including all weathers. Caterham other than a few Sunday blasts is more a track weapon (where it feels a bit safer as well compared to road driving).
Having both is nice, but if you can only have one, go Evora.
I also have a Honda S2K and that splits them. Infact better than both the Evora and Caterham for road level thrashes.
Simon
Having both is nice, but if you can only have one, go Evora.
I also have a Honda S2K and that splits them. Infact better than both the Evora and Caterham for road level thrashes.
Simon
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