Hi guys - newbie after a bit of info

[Russ_16v]

Hey guys, im Russ and towards the end of th eyear im looking to get a toy, and at the moment im down to a few options three being an Exige S, a TVR T350c or Noble M12.

quite random choices i know, but bear with me!

I live close to Castle Combe, so tend to get on track 4-6 times a year, but the car would mainly be used for weekend toy with a few days use during the week if i can.

I like the Lotus idea as iv driven a few miles in a mates S1 Elise and can imagine 10 odd years more development and an extra 100bhp will be great!

But also TVR's have always had a soft spot with me, and the noise makes my hairs stand on end and from what I understand give a hell of a drive!

The Noble simply because its a rocket ship that you dont see every day!

The reason why Im posting here is the Lotus is edging ahead at the mo, but id love to hear owners opinions and what to look out for when looking?

Budget will be up to circa £25,000


Many thanks

[swannynhb]

if its a trackday toy your after be wary of any tvr, my old cerbera couldnt pass any noise test anywhere!

[Russ_16v]

Actually that was one thing I am a bit wary of, what was yours mate? Il guess around 103 db?

[Loudman]

A TVR is like a really hot woman, you'll love her and desire her and you'll get some unbeatable thrills, but in the end you'll end up broken and bankrupt (but with a smile on your face for ever)......

A Lotus will give you excitement and capability and not cost that much, but will never quite be as 'special'.

Don't know about a Noble

Just my opinion.

One day, when I've recovered from my last one, I'd love another TVR, but in the meantime my Lotus is the best car ever.

[Russ_16v]

Thank you for your input mate, what Lotus do you have?


To be honest, iv just finished fitting my DIY throttle body conversion to my 172 (First one ever running on the standard ecu ) so id really like a toy I can drive, not spend fixing lol

[Loudman]

S2 111S, nothing quite as exotic as an Exige, but really practical, really cheap to run and really really good fun. There's a pic of it on my profile.

[Russ_16v]

It looks stunning mate!


Can I ask what TVR you had and what problems?

[swannynhb]

Russ_16v said:

Actually that was one thing I am a bit wary of, what was yours mate? Il guess around 103 db?

105db @ 4k! and obviously much higher on full chat under load. however for that sense of occasion and grin factor im yet to find a car at sensible money that can better it. my old s1 elise was a cracking car and of course didnt suffer from excess noise. realistically if your looking for a track toy i would be heading towards lotus, decent realiability, superb track manners, great residuals and relatively low running costs. but of course theres always caterham and ariel to consider?

[Russ_16v]

To be honest I prefere the Lotus ovr things like Atoms and Caterfields(lol), Id like to drive it as much as I can so although the Lotus's roof doesnt offer much protection, it offers more than a Caterhams lol.

I am temped to get an S1 Elise, then look to upgrading once used to it?

[21TonyK]

If it's mainly road with a few track days thrown in I'd go for a cheap Exige S and then upgrade the power if you miss that TVR "kick in the back" feeling.

[Russ_16v]

Iv been reading up about the S and iv read a lot of people saying its lacking in power, but surely hitting 100 in around 11 secs is pretty quick?

My Clio's doing it in circa 13.5 secs and that shifts along pretty quickly!

[21TonyK]

Russ_16v said:

Iv been reading up about the S and iv read a lot of people saying its lacking in power, but surely hitting 100 in around 11 secs is pretty quick?

My Clio's doing it in circa 13.5 secs and that shifts along pretty quickly!

You'll get a lot of different opinions from owners based on comparison to other cars they'd had or driven, their driving style and the use of the car.

Realistically, compared to most other road cars and Exige S is pretty quick but needs to be worked to get it moving. More so for a naturally aspirated Exige which is why I suggest the S. What you might find is the lack of low down torque makes it feel a bit lethargic but thats just the nature of the engine but once you have it about 3-4000rpm it starts to come into it's own. For a couple of grand you can tweak a standard S to 250-260hp which gives it that little extra bit of kick.

[Russ_16v]

Thanks mate, im running 48mm itb's on the Clio, so mines the same, it needs to be over 3500 to really start moving!

[Mr Darcy]

Going to buck the trend here but the Noble would be more of an event to drive than the Exige. Overall I think its the better car, less practical and fuel consumption is about 1/2 of what you get out of the exige but the noise of the turbos is awesome, it drives just like the a big exige and by hell does it go some.

[Russ_16v]

Iv never been in one, I think il need to grab a spin out in one somehow!


I think I might get an S1 Elise now, to start off with low power to get used to owning another RWD car, I havent had one in a few years and this will be my first mid engined car?

[fatwomble]

Go for a Honda'd Elise, you'd get a Supercharged one for you budget with all the trimmings.

If you are concerned about being back in a RWD car a NA Honda Elise will be plenty quick enough to start with.

[Russ_16v]

Im thinking it might make sense to start with, have a few months of getting used to it!

[Russ_16v]

In fact, anyone local to me in Wiltshire with a S1 Elise? I would love to have a good look round, maybe get some pointers with what to lok for?

[rob999]

Are you on Seloc? If not, join up...there will be plenty of S1 owners there

[Russ_16v]

No matey il join up now, cheers