Handling Sagaris vs Exige-S PP
Discussion
Guys as I search on for a Saggy I can't help but compare it to the Exige-S 240 with Performance Pack, I've driven the Exige-S with sports pack round a track and found it phenomenal, but having done the Lotus owning thing now I am seriously thinking about stepping up a gear into Saggy territory I've driven a Saggy but only for a about 30-45 mins on a test drive on road and was impressed. Has anyone here had, driven both for a while so how does the best handling TVR compare to the exige-s with PP!!!!
Edited by bing on Tuesday 26th May 14:16
I can't comment on the Exige as I only had a Elise but I was suprised how good the T350 handling was when I tested it.Now with new shocks and wheels it's even closer.
For some reason TVR's don't get praise for their handling but I have no complaints.
The Tuscan S I had could be a handfull on the road as alegedly the earlier mk1 cars setup was very track biased but it could also be made to handle with a change to shocks and tyres.
For some reason TVR's don't get praise for their handling but I have no complaints.
The Tuscan S I had could be a handfull on the road as alegedly the earlier mk1 cars setup was very track biased but it could also be made to handle with a change to shocks and tyres.
Hey Bing
I see you are still searching
I can give you a comparison as we had both a hot Elise (a lot quicker than a 240 Exige) and a Sagaris for over 3 years, both of which Ive driven on track.
As far as outright speed goes, the Sagaris was as quick as my old ELise (320bhp/800kg) ..which in turn is quite a few secs quicker to a ton than an Exige PP. Theres a big difference between a car that will do 150 ish at a push with a long straight (Exige) and one that will just accelerate up to 150 like it does to a ton (Sagaris).
Of course, there are few circuits in the UK with huge long straights, but somewhere like Snetterton or even a trackday at Bedford, and you would be pulling over at about 130mph on the straight to let the Sagaris cruise past
Cornering wise, the Sag has the advantage of quite a bit more rubber on the road, the Exige a slight weight advantage, both are quick through the twisties and in our mere mortal hands, I doubt you would tell any difference in cornering speed
So really its about the feel, and how easy it is to extract the performance ....this was to me where the Elise scored more highly...but then again, I spent the most time in track in it, so very familiar with it, whereas the Sag I never felt I had enough track time behind the wheel to get the best out of it.
The steering on the Sag takes some getting used to - 1.8 turns lock to lock, can make it feel twitchy at first...but is great for showboating and hooning about - real easy to catch and hold powerslides ...much more so than a mid engined Elise
The brakes on the Sag are easily as good, but lack the ABS of the later Exiges ...and of course no TC either to help with corner exits.
In short, I think the Exige will be the easier to drive and extract the performance from ...the Sag just as quick through the twisties, quicker if theres a long straight and any bits >130mph ....but it will take more practice with it.
In your shoes Id make my decision based on intended use - I wouldnt buy a Sagaris with the intention of it spending 80% of its life on track and just the drive to/from events ...it may be the most track biased off the shelf TVR made, but unless you have deep pockets, I wouldnt want to use it for that. It makes most sense to me as a fast road going sportcar, that you can take on the occasional trackday and it will hold its own
An Exige S PP would be the choice to go for if its a regular track toy - they are (relatively) cheap to run compared to most other track cars I can think of, light on consumables, reliable...even economical ! ..but not as practical (!) as a Sag in a GT role - you would be surprised how practical a Sagaris is for touring holidays etc...much more comfy place to be than an Exige
Horses for courses really.....
I see you are still searching
I can give you a comparison as we had both a hot Elise (a lot quicker than a 240 Exige) and a Sagaris for over 3 years, both of which Ive driven on track.
As far as outright speed goes, the Sagaris was as quick as my old ELise (320bhp/800kg) ..which in turn is quite a few secs quicker to a ton than an Exige PP. Theres a big difference between a car that will do 150 ish at a push with a long straight (Exige) and one that will just accelerate up to 150 like it does to a ton (Sagaris).
Of course, there are few circuits in the UK with huge long straights, but somewhere like Snetterton or even a trackday at Bedford, and you would be pulling over at about 130mph on the straight to let the Sagaris cruise past
Cornering wise, the Sag has the advantage of quite a bit more rubber on the road, the Exige a slight weight advantage, both are quick through the twisties and in our mere mortal hands, I doubt you would tell any difference in cornering speed
So really its about the feel, and how easy it is to extract the performance ....this was to me where the Elise scored more highly...but then again, I spent the most time in track in it, so very familiar with it, whereas the Sag I never felt I had enough track time behind the wheel to get the best out of it.
The steering on the Sag takes some getting used to - 1.8 turns lock to lock, can make it feel twitchy at first...but is great for showboating and hooning about - real easy to catch and hold powerslides ...much more so than a mid engined Elise
The brakes on the Sag are easily as good, but lack the ABS of the later Exiges ...and of course no TC either to help with corner exits.
In short, I think the Exige will be the easier to drive and extract the performance from ...the Sag just as quick through the twisties, quicker if theres a long straight and any bits >130mph ....but it will take more practice with it.
In your shoes Id make my decision based on intended use - I wouldnt buy a Sagaris with the intention of it spending 80% of its life on track and just the drive to/from events ...it may be the most track biased off the shelf TVR made, but unless you have deep pockets, I wouldnt want to use it for that. It makes most sense to me as a fast road going sportcar, that you can take on the occasional trackday and it will hold its own
An Exige S PP would be the choice to go for if its a regular track toy - they are (relatively) cheap to run compared to most other track cars I can think of, light on consumables, reliable...even economical ! ..but not as practical (!) as a Sag in a GT role - you would be surprised how practical a Sagaris is for touring holidays etc...much more comfy place to be than an Exige
Horses for courses really.....
bogie said:
Hey Bing
I see you are still searching
I can give you a comparison as we had both a hot Elise (a lot quicker than a 240 Exige) and a Sagaris for over 3 years, both of which Ive driven on track.
As far as outright speed goes, the Sagaris was as quick as my old ELise (320bhp/800kg) ..which in turn is quite a few secs quicker to a ton than an Exige PP. Theres a big difference between a car that will do 150 ish at a push with a long straight (Exige) and one that will just accelerate up to 150 like it does to a ton (Sagaris).
Of course, there are few circuits in the UK with huge long straights, but somewhere like Snetterton or even a trackday at Bedford, and you would be pulling over at about 130mph on the straight to let the Sagaris cruise past
Cornering wise, the Sag has the advantage of quite a bit more rubber on the road, the Exige a slight weight advantage, both are quick through the twisties and in our mere mortal hands, I doubt you would tell any difference in cornering speed
So really its about the feel, and how easy it is to extract the performance ....this was to me where the Elise scored more highly...but then again, I spent the most time in track in it, so very familiar with it, whereas the Sag I never felt I had enough track time behind the wheel to get the best out of it.
The steering on the Sag takes some getting used to - 1.8 turns lock to lock, can make it feel twitchy at first...but is great for showboating and hooning about - real easy to catch and hold powerslides ...much more so than a mid engined Elise
The brakes on the Sag are easily as good, but lack the ABS of the later Exiges ...and of course no TC either to help with corner exits.
In short, I think the Exige will be the easier to drive and extract the performance from ...the Sag just as quick through the twisties, quicker if theres a long straight and any bits >130mph ....but it will take more practice with it.
In your shoes Id make my decision based on intended use - I wouldnt buy a Sagaris with the intention of it spending 80% of its life on track and just the drive to/from events ...it may be the most track biased off the shelf TVR made, but unless you have deep pockets, I wouldnt want to use it for that. It makes most sense to me as a fast road going sportcar, that you can take on the occasional trackday and it will hold its own
An Exige S PP would be the choice to go for if its a regular track toy - they are (relatively) cheap to run compared to most other track cars I can think of, light on consumables, reliable...even economical ! ..but not as practical (!) as a Sag in a GT role - you would be surprised how practical a Sagaris is for touring holidays etc...much more comfy place to be than an Exige
Horses for courses really.....
Yep still searching mate I'm not in a rush tbh, however the search has taken a bit of a back seat since the suns been out I'd forgotten how GOOD the lotus is and with the roof off it's even better!!! - I washed, polished and waxed her over the weekend and she's looking sexier then ever!!! I see you are still searching
I can give you a comparison as we had both a hot Elise (a lot quicker than a 240 Exige) and a Sagaris for over 3 years, both of which Ive driven on track.
As far as outright speed goes, the Sagaris was as quick as my old ELise (320bhp/800kg) ..which in turn is quite a few secs quicker to a ton than an Exige PP. Theres a big difference between a car that will do 150 ish at a push with a long straight (Exige) and one that will just accelerate up to 150 like it does to a ton (Sagaris).
Of course, there are few circuits in the UK with huge long straights, but somewhere like Snetterton or even a trackday at Bedford, and you would be pulling over at about 130mph on the straight to let the Sagaris cruise past
Cornering wise, the Sag has the advantage of quite a bit more rubber on the road, the Exige a slight weight advantage, both are quick through the twisties and in our mere mortal hands, I doubt you would tell any difference in cornering speed
So really its about the feel, and how easy it is to extract the performance ....this was to me where the Elise scored more highly...but then again, I spent the most time in track in it, so very familiar with it, whereas the Sag I never felt I had enough track time behind the wheel to get the best out of it.
The steering on the Sag takes some getting used to - 1.8 turns lock to lock, can make it feel twitchy at first...but is great for showboating and hooning about - real easy to catch and hold powerslides ...much more so than a mid engined Elise
The brakes on the Sag are easily as good, but lack the ABS of the later Exiges ...and of course no TC either to help with corner exits.
In short, I think the Exige will be the easier to drive and extract the performance from ...the Sag just as quick through the twisties, quicker if theres a long straight and any bits >130mph ....but it will take more practice with it.
In your shoes Id make my decision based on intended use - I wouldnt buy a Sagaris with the intention of it spending 80% of its life on track and just the drive to/from events ...it may be the most track biased off the shelf TVR made, but unless you have deep pockets, I wouldnt want to use it for that. It makes most sense to me as a fast road going sportcar, that you can take on the occasional trackday and it will hold its own
An Exige S PP would be the choice to go for if its a regular track toy - they are (relatively) cheap to run compared to most other track cars I can think of, light on consumables, reliable...even economical ! ..but not as practical (!) as a Sag in a GT role - you would be surprised how practical a Sagaris is for touring holidays etc...much more comfy place to be than an Exige
Horses for courses really.....
I think you've hit the nail on the head regarding use, the Saggy will be a weekend/evening toy used mainly on road for weekend blasts, evenings out with the Mrs, taking my toddler out and about and also for the odd track day here and there!!!
The other option is of course to get a Sinclaire's Katana supercharger conversion in the Elise.
Having said ALL the above I've always fancied a TVR so why not!!!
The main decider is What is the driver talent level....
Sag has no driver aids apart from a long travel loud pedel....;)
Lotus has TC ABS etc...
If you want roof off then consider a well sorted Tamora- NO mine is not for sale but I am willing to show you what you could be missing...
I did consider a Sag but now theres no way in hell I swap....
Sag has no driver aids apart from a long travel loud pedel....;)
Lotus has TC ABS etc...
If you want roof off then consider a well sorted Tamora- NO mine is not for sale but I am willing to show you what you could be missing...
I did consider a Sag but now theres no way in hell I swap....
I went from a Sag to a Lotus Exige with the performance pack. Getting rid of the sag was my biggest mistake, I still kick myself over it.
The Lotus lasted about 3 month before I got rid of it, I now own a Tuscan 2 convertable. Apart from not owning a Sag now the Tuscan is the nearest thing to the Sag.
I did think about going back to a Sag however I would have been to busy comparing it with my old one if the new one hadn't been as good.
I found that the Exige image was all about trying to prove its worth with a 1.8 engine were as the TVR doesn't need to prove itself in any way.
The Lotus lasted about 3 month before I got rid of it, I now own a Tuscan 2 convertable. Apart from not owning a Sag now the Tuscan is the nearest thing to the Sag.
I did think about going back to a Sag however I would have been to busy comparing it with my old one if the new one hadn't been as good.
I found that the Exige image was all about trying to prove its worth with a 1.8 engine were as the TVR doesn't need to prove itself in any way.
its horses for courses and buying the right tool for the job, pros n cons for both cars
do 12 trackdays in the Exige and work out the bill
do it in the Sagaris and do the same
money no object, maybe get a 430 Scud for your weekend toy instead
personally a Lotus and TVR are in different requirements brackets to me, we used to have both, for idfferent things, not one or the other, and if I was in the market for a fast, practical, road going sportscar that could do the occasional trackday it would be a nice TVR
if I want a weekend track toy for the occasional Sunday blat too - get an Exige
if a car is a proper track toy it will be so comprised on the road it wont be pleasant to use there so everything is a compromise for most people, its just how far you go each way
do 12 trackdays in the Exige and work out the bill
do it in the Sagaris and do the same
money no object, maybe get a 430 Scud for your weekend toy instead
personally a Lotus and TVR are in different requirements brackets to me, we used to have both, for idfferent things, not one or the other, and if I was in the market for a fast, practical, road going sportscar that could do the occasional trackday it would be a nice TVR
if I want a weekend track toy for the occasional Sunday blat too - get an Exige
if a car is a proper track toy it will be so comprised on the road it wont be pleasant to use there so everything is a compromise for most people, its just how far you go each way
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