v Lotus Elise

[zacherynuk]

Got caught behind an Elise the other day, open dual carriageway - Elise was 1 up - I had a 20+ stone passenger.... I was expecting to eat humble pie and rely upon sheer burble cool alone... turns out the little Elise was no match at all... I've learned my lesson with Fiesta ST's and thought the marvellous little Lotus would also make me look loud and silly.
Very happy

[Danattheopticians]

On a flat smooth open bit of road our cars, even the little 400's will outpace some good competition, I've beaten with ease a Nissan 350z but on bumpy narrow roads was "not trying" against a clio sporty thing but those hot hatches can use all there power whereas we have to know our cars grip and feel the limit so usually bumps and bends unnerve a car a light as ours with our footprint. Get the same hot hatch (Forget some of the ultra modern turbo stuff) on an open road and we'd say goodbye to them. The lotus elise for example is very light and low and grippy on corners but doesn't match us with torque or power hence on a dual carriage way you could keep up. Seem to remember to an elise would top out at around 125 mph.
God I've waffled on!

[zacherynuk]

Danattheopticians said:

Seem to remember to an elise would top out at around 125 mph.

Yeah... we got to... 69 and he had to pull over I stormed past at 70 - wasn't expecting it... and it was only mid range - could probably gone as high as ... 75 or even 80 in Germany. Bet the speed bumps hurt him more, I'm, guessing.

[Danattheopticians]

Of course I assumed that you must have been in Germany if you went over 70! Wouldn't behave like that in England!

[ChilliWhizz]

zacherynuk said:

I've learned my lesson with Fiesta ST's ....... make me look loud and silly.

[Mr E]

Many Elises have 118bhp. They're many things, but hugely rapid in a straight line isn't always one of them.

I'm pretty sure the family barge will out accelerate my Elise.

[blueg33]

An Elise just isn't about straight line drag racing. I suspect an Evora or Exige would have given you a run for your money.

[clarkmagpie]

My old Elise would beat most things on the road on twisties but straight line wasn't its forte.
On the flip, my griff would beat most things on big open roads but show it a corner and my lack of confidence in it would allow slower cars to give it a real battle.