Can't decide

[Dr_Rick]

So I'm trying to move out of a higher capacity saloon car (Lexus ISF - which is awesome by the way), into something slightly more 'fun' to drive. I've narrowed to down to two completely different beasts. I'll try to justify each...

5days a week I'll do about 65miles a day, then pottering at the weekend. I like driving, but Sunday Hoons are rare due to young children taking up weekends, so the drive to / from work has to be an event.

Budget £30k tops.

Lotus Evora:
This would be a 2+2, N/A car, probably with some miles on it. I've had an Elise S before so know the brand. There's just something about a Lotus that gets under your skin. Evora rather than Elise / Exige as I do a few miles a year and the knees ain't what they used to be.

Merc A45:
I see this as a Group B car with mod cons. And with something like a Rebellion tune taking it to 400bhp, what's not to like. Calm on standard mode, beast when pressing on.

Thoughts and questions to assist gratefully received.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Evora if it's fun you're after.

[Dr_Rick]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say the Evora if it's fun you're after.

On what basis? Do you not think a 4square Merc with up to 400bhp could be fun?

There's also the availability. A45 is easier to find compared to Evora, especially in Trade for initial warranty cover.

[ZX10R NIN]

I've tuned a few A45's & while they're fun in a different way as you know having had a Lotus already they're a more pure experience also if I was going down that route I'd buy an Audi RS3 with that charismatic 5 cylinder engine (but that's just a personal preference) & killer exhaust note when running with some extra ponies.

[Dr_Rick]

For some reason, the RS3 just doesn't do it for me.

[ZX10R NIN]

I can understand that it's about personal taste

[Dr_Rick]

So I have an Evora earmarked (subject to getting the funds out of the ISF before the next Ice Age), which ticks all the boxes and my local indie has given the seal of approval on wrt spec and asking price. Still not driven one, which may need sorting sooner rather than finding something I don't like after I've travelled to see one / bought one.

I also have a couple of A45's bookmarked on various sites, but they're more commonplace and will come and go like the wind, so I'm not getting too hung up on them. I'm also going to sort out a test drive of my friends A45 (Rebellion Stage 1) to get a feel for it.

My wife's view is that the Evora is a good way to go (and from a sort-of investment perspective, I can't disagree), and that I'm too old for a 'boy-racer' A45 with the aero kit. It would have to have the aero kit as in my opinion it makes the car and stops it looking like an A180. But that would be a hard sell.

[Dr_Rick]

Got a lift home last night in the Rebellion A45. Very late 2015, so very early facelift.

Simple response: fu$$ me, that thing can take off!!

Lotus Evora: 1325kg / 276bhp = 208bhp/tonne
Rebellion A45: 1555kg / 420bhp = 270bhp/tonne

And the last one is notionally AWD.

Going to have to arrange a drive in an Evora to test the feel/difference

[DoubleD]

Get the A class if you like going from 0-60 quickly. But it will always look like a basic lease diesel with a bodykit.

[Dr_Rick]

Now now, keep it civil.

Simply a reaction to a passenger ride. Subjective observation only