Elise Alternative
Discussion
david@mediacopy" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">david@mediacopy said:
I've ran a couple Elise's now for the last 8 years and I'm about to order another.
The thing is this would be my 3rd, and I'm thinking that maybe a change is in order but can't think of anything I especially fancy at the £25k price point that is better than an Elise.
Any suggestions ?
ExigeThe thing is this would be my 3rd, and I'm thinking that maybe a change is in order but can't think of anything I especially fancy at the £25k price point that is better than an Elise.
Any suggestions ?
Boggy
depends on what you are after and whether you are buying brand spankers. I am looking at a similar budget and have looked at 996 Porkers, 350Zs and E46 M3s (all with a view to having only the 1 car to cover both weekdays and weekends). None of them excited me particularly.
When I went back to teh 2 car route Exige and an early Noble, but the latter will cost you more to run.
When I went back to teh 2 car route Exige and an early Noble, but the latter will cost you more to run.
I would like a Porker but a GT3 is the only one that excites which puts it out of my budget at the moment. 350Zs look cool but I've heard the running costs are quite high ?
Other than that I've occasionally thought of S2000's but have never been quite convinced. The new SLKs apparently drive well but something doesn't quite sit right with them (a bit girly?).
As for BMW, the company hasn't made anything to tempt me since the E30 M3 . . . . . (Such a shame).
Exige ? Maybe. I've been slightly put of from when I bought my current car. It had to go back to the dealer a few times and the same Exige was always on the Ramps. Apparnetly a 'Friday afternoon' Car. Mind you it was a S1 and I expect S2s are better.
Other than that I've occasionally thought of S2000's but have never been quite convinced. The new SLKs apparently drive well but something doesn't quite sit right with them (a bit girly?).
As for BMW, the company hasn't made anything to tempt me since the E30 M3 . . . . . (Such a shame).
Exige ? Maybe. I've been slightly put of from when I bought my current car. It had to go back to the dealer a few times and the same Exige was always on the Ramps. Apparnetly a 'Friday afternoon' Car. Mind you it was a S1 and I expect S2s are better.
LivinLaVidaLotus said:
RobM77 said:
The defining points of the Elise are everyday useability with unassisted controls, which makes it unique so far as I know, so get that order down! 
Only if you ignore servo'd brakes on the later S2s 
Seriously though, the early cars suffered from about three feet of brake pedal travel, which was laughable, but now with the drive by wire throttle they appear to have sorted it by firming up the brake a bit and making the throttle lower. I'd still prefer a cable throttle and proper brakes, but the current range drive very well indeed
Even despite bizarre digressions into servo brakes and electronic throttles, the Elise and Exige remain the only cars out there to give that delicious feeling of well balanced controls and feel through the chassis that connects you with the car like you feel connected to a bicycle, kayak, surf board etc. Nothing else I've ever driven even comes close. It's not the speed, it's that connection that gets me.
LivinLaVidaLotus said:
Now I don't know for sure, but I'd imagine that FBW throttle saves weight?
Mm.. A cable throttle setup has the pedal, plus cable plus lever arm and spring.A FBW setup has the pedal, plus potentiometer, plus wiring, plus stepper motor.
To be honest I reckon FBW weighs more, but we're talking mere grammes here!
I'd rather be attached to the engine myself 
From my current expereinces of a S2000, dont get one of these. Going from 111R to S2000 is to say the least disappointing.
It maybe just me, but getting anything out of the Honda engine takes a lot of work, even more than the Yota lump in the R.
The only 2 things I can say that this car has better than the R, is headlights, they are truely brilliant and the electric roof, which in itself is not what you want on a Lotus anyway.
I could go on about the thing for a lot longer, but its not worte the effort and the cars not worth the money
It maybe just me, but getting anything out of the Honda engine takes a lot of work, even more than the Yota lump in the R.
The only 2 things I can say that this car has better than the R, is headlights, they are truely brilliant and the electric roof, which in itself is not what you want on a Lotus anyway.
I could go on about the thing for a lot longer, but its not worte the effort and the cars not worth the money
Edited by Beachbum on Thursday 4th October 12:52
Gooby said:
I've always wondered about picking up an ex race car from the 1 make series. I've seen them for about 5k and apparently go very well. A cheap track car.david@mediacopy" Target="_blank">class="forumQuoter">david@mediacopy said:
Gooby said:
I've always wondered about picking up an ex race car from the 1 make series. I've seen them for about 5k and apparently go very well. A cheap track car.
Lawrence5 said:
very cool, but i love the 'standard' lotus touring accesories on the interior pic - big bottle of water and a fire extinguisher!Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff