Is an Elise really worth the extra over an mr2
Discussion
In many cases, same engine, same layout (mid engined rear drive), ok the Elise is lighter but you can get a good mr2 for 3k and a decent Elise is what, 3 or 4x the price. Are you just paying for the badge? Sometime in the future I'd likely get one of these 2 cars but I'm really struggling to come to terms with why the Elise is so pricey. For the same cost you could probably put a v6 or a Honda engine in the mr2 and then it would be much faster...
I can't speak for a standard MR2 but i've just built a Mk3 MR2 with a 2zz engine and 6 speed gearbox (same as used on the 190bhp Elise). It's great fun. I can't really give a comparison as i've only briefly driven an Elise around town but I wouldn't have thought there was a great deal in it, especially when you consider the price difference.
My 2zz MR2 is going to end up costing me around £1200, that's the cost of the car plus the engine. Awesome car for the money.
If you are thinking of tracking it, MR2 parts are cheaper, rear 1/4 panels bolt on and off, and if you had a total loss on track it's no biggie.
My 2zz MR2 is going to end up costing me around £1200, that's the cost of the car plus the engine. Awesome car for the money.
If you are thinking of tracking it, MR2 parts are cheaper, rear 1/4 panels bolt on and off, and if you had a total loss on track it's no biggie.
I replaced a modified VX220 (Exige sized wheels, baffled tank, big brakes, ECU etc) with a mk3 MR2 with a 2ZZGE conversion. The MR2 will never be as 'special' or grip as well however its very nearly as good in every other area. I think on the limit handling is actually better and its a much easier car to live with. I'd only buy an Elise derivative again if it was only for weekend and track use and modified appropriately, I'd not buy one to use as a daily driver again. Which is bit of an irony as I have not needed a daily driver for the last 3 years (motorbike commute) and the MR2s been modifed and is only now used on track, oh well.
Chapppers said:
Is it?
Small, lightweight, mid-engined, two-seat sports cars with Toyota engines. The series 2 Elise isn't even that much lighter. If you've only driven one of them or neither, they look quite similar on a piece of paper...
Design sharing as well lot of Lotus / Toyota overlap.Small, lightweight, mid-engined, two-seat sports cars with Toyota engines. The series 2 Elise isn't even that much lighter. If you've only driven one of them or neither, they look quite similar on a piece of paper...
Escy said:
I can't speak for a standard MR2 but i've just built a Mk3 MR2 with a 2zz engine and 6 speed gearbox (same as used on the 190bhp Elise). It's great fun. I can't really give a comparison as i've only briefly driven an Elise around town but I wouldn't have thought there was a great deal in it, especially when you consider the price difference.
My 2zz MR2 is going to end up costing me around £1200, that's the cost of the car plus the engine. Awesome car for the money.
If you are thinking of tracking it, MR2 parts are cheaper, rear 1/4 panels bolt on and off, and if you had a total loss on track it's no biggie.
£1200 for a 2zz mr2? That's fantastic.My 2zz MR2 is going to end up costing me around £1200, that's the cost of the car plus the engine. Awesome car for the money.
If you are thinking of tracking it, MR2 parts are cheaper, rear 1/4 panels bolt on and off, and if you had a total loss on track it's no biggie.
Good replies, still not sure id pay the extra.
Way before I got my elise my brother loaned me his brand new Mk3 MR2 when he went on holiday for 2 weeks. It was nice enough to drive, but not great. I was suprised by how slow it was, and the way it wobbled when the hard top was off.
My first drive in an elise was a a dramtic change from my daily driver, and I was hooked from that moment. An elise is mid way between an MR2 and a Cateham IMO, and thats what stands it apart from mainstream convertables. its not just a badge thing, they really are a great drive.
The best thing you can do is drive both. Only you can decide if you can feel the difference, and if you think its worth the extra.
My first drive in an elise was a a dramtic change from my daily driver, and I was hooked from that moment. An elise is mid way between an MR2 and a Cateham IMO, and thats what stands it apart from mainstream convertables. its not just a badge thing, they really are a great drive.
The best thing you can do is drive both. Only you can decide if you can feel the difference, and if you think its worth the extra.
they're different. MX5 and MR2 are two kinds of apple. Lotus is a pear, if banana is a fruit too far for some.
For sure Elise and MR2 are both mid-engined and will share some characteristics with each other.
I have an MX and an Elise (guess i like small agile cars...); they are wonderfully and amusingly different.
For sure Elise and MR2 are both mid-engined and will share some characteristics with each other.
I have an MX and an Elise (guess i like small agile cars...); they are wonderfully and amusingly different.
WhyAyeMan said:
In many cases, same engine, same layout (mid engined rear drive), ok the Elise is lighter but you can get a good mr2 for 3k and a decent Elise is what, 3 or 4x the price. Are you just paying for the badge? Sometime in the future I'd likely get one of these 2 cars but I'm really struggling to come to terms with why the Elise is so pricey. For the same cost you could probably put a v6 or a Honda engine in the mr2 and then it would be much faster...
.........in a straight line.If it's all about ultimate speed then no the elise isn't worth the money.
If it's about the driving experience then the elise is worth every penny.
However, the elise is not everyone's cup of tea.
Many people just want a traffic light racer though and are disappointed that in a straight line the elise doesn't compete..
A very good question 
I decided between these two ten years ago when I bought my Elise and I went for the Elise, but it was an active decision. I do believe the Lotus is worth the extra for the increase in steering feel, chassis feel and chassis stiffness and the suspension tuning. The MR2's a great car, a really great car in fact, but I always found the Elise much better to drive. The Elise (S2) is also considerably more practical in terms of boot space. If you can afford an Elise then I'd go for it, but if the spare change from buying an MR2 instead will improve your overall quality of life by opening up other areas (a motorbike, travelling etc), then the MR2 will not disappoint
I decided between these two ten years ago when I bought my Elise and I went for the Elise, but it was an active decision. I do believe the Lotus is worth the extra for the increase in steering feel, chassis feel and chassis stiffness and the suspension tuning. The MR2's a great car, a really great car in fact, but I always found the Elise much better to drive. The Elise (S2) is also considerably more practical in terms of boot space. If you can afford an Elise then I'd go for it, but if the spare change from buying an MR2 instead will improve your overall quality of life by opening up other areas (a motorbike, travelling etc), then the MR2 will not disappoint Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff