Porsche v Lotus - Help!
Discussion
Currently have a Caterham Superlight and an Integra type R. Love the 7 so that's staying but looking to change the Honda. Not really sure what to go for given a budget of £10-£13k. What I look for is great handling and feel. It will be a roadcar with maybe 1 or 2 trackdays a year. Ideally want a light and sharp rear drive coupe but can't think of anything with the ability/feel I look for.
Mechanically I don't have the space or time to work on it so it will need to be reliable for the 8k miles or so I will do a year. Cost of ownership and residuals are also something to think about. Not too fussed about practicality provided it has a heater and radio and can fit a couple of bags in the boot!
Oh yes, and I need it for year round transport so needs to be able to be driven in the salt without excessive washing.
Choices seem to be an Elise S1 or S2. Ideally want a hardtop but which is the best model? See that the Toyota engined S is almost the same price as the K series 111S but which is the more desirable? Is the S2 much better built than a late e.g. 2000 MY S1 car?
Another option is a 968 Sport/CS or a Boxster S. I am expecting more reliability but heavier running costs with these. Loved the 968 and heavy steering is something I do love.
Anyone owned both and can provide some feedback?
Mechanically I don't have the space or time to work on it so it will need to be reliable for the 8k miles or so I will do a year. Cost of ownership and residuals are also something to think about. Not too fussed about practicality provided it has a heater and radio and can fit a couple of bags in the boot!
Oh yes, and I need it for year round transport so needs to be able to be driven in the salt without excessive washing.
Choices seem to be an Elise S1 or S2. Ideally want a hardtop but which is the best model? See that the Toyota engined S is almost the same price as the K series 111S but which is the more desirable? Is the S2 much better built than a late e.g. 2000 MY S1 car?
Another option is a 968 Sport/CS or a Boxster S. I am expecting more reliability but heavier running costs with these. Loved the 968 and heavy steering is something I do love.
Anyone owned both and can provide some feedback?
SliderSi said:
Ideally want a light and sharp rear drive coupe but can't think of anything with the ability/feel I look for.
You're Caterham is the perfect trackday car. I don't see why you'd buy another car to do the same job slower? Okay you need a car for regular use which still provides some thrills but why trackday it?This is nice
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2901222.htm
As is this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3478809.htm
Sadly you have just missed this one
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3452698.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2901222.htm
As is this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3478809.htm
Sadly you have just missed this one
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3452698.htm
Classic Grad 98 said:
You're Caterham is the perfect trackday car. I don't see why you'd buy another car to do the same job slower? Okay you need a car for regular use which still provides some thrills but why trackday it?
I don't drive the Caterham in the salt so do miss having a sharp car at times like this! Figured an Elise/Porsche would provide 80% of the thrills but in a package I could use year round? I have luckily driven a few Caterhams, upto an R400, an Elise S1 and own an R1 bike-engined Sylva Phoenix. So I think I know where you are coming from :-)
I also had a mint '03 Boxster S up until a few months ago, very nice car, but nice is all I could say about it really... With hindsight the worst car I ever bought, servicing, repairs and depreciation cost me £6,000 for the year or so I had it. I just found it completely uninteresting to drive, to the point I didn't. It just sat there, and the day I decided to drive my Ford Transit instead for a 20 mile Sunday morning journey I knew it was time to sell it. I even did a few PH runs in it around Kent and could not gel with it. Was a shame, as it looked lovely. All I suggest is try to get an extended drive in one before parting with your cash, I wish my wife had not done the test driving!
Never been in a 968 Clubsport, again I adore the way they look and they supposedley handle fantastic, but I would want a long drive in one if considering it as a daily. As I found out, running a Porsche and keeping it in fine tune is expensive despite what a lot of people say.
If you could hack it and not too hardcore, for miniscule running costs, solid residuals, good mpg, cheap spares and the most incredible steering feel I would consider an Elise . Great dilema though!
I also had a mint '03 Boxster S up until a few months ago, very nice car, but nice is all I could say about it really... With hindsight the worst car I ever bought, servicing, repairs and depreciation cost me £6,000 for the year or so I had it. I just found it completely uninteresting to drive, to the point I didn't. It just sat there, and the day I decided to drive my Ford Transit instead for a 20 mile Sunday morning journey I knew it was time to sell it. I even did a few PH runs in it around Kent and could not gel with it. Was a shame, as it looked lovely. All I suggest is try to get an extended drive in one before parting with your cash, I wish my wife had not done the test driving!
Never been in a 968 Clubsport, again I adore the way they look and they supposedley handle fantastic, but I would want a long drive in one if considering it as a daily. As I found out, running a Porsche and keeping it in fine tune is expensive despite what a lot of people say.
If you could hack it and not too hardcore, for miniscule running costs, solid residuals, good mpg, cheap spares and the most incredible steering feel I would consider an Elise . Great dilema though!
GT03ROB said:
The Boxster is your best choice of the 3 you mention, given its a daily driver.
Elise is too close to the Caterham.
I agree. I have an R300 and an Elise R and to be honest they are close enough to not really matter which you drive for a bit of fun. As much as I don't really like Porsche's (really didn't bond with a 996 Turbo S) you do get that bit more practicality and comfort to go with the handling and make it different enough. Elise is too close to the Caterham.
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