lotus or boxter ?
Discussion
Hi,
Been posting on the Lotus forum for a while now with the ultimate ideal of picking up a 111R or Exige S2 at Christmas (20k to spend).
I think i would be a fool if i overlooked the Boxter but i dont know much about them.
What can i get for 20k ?
I have another car to use on bad weather days. Would prefer something 4 years old max.
Thanks for any help
Scott
ps im not interested in track days.
doh ! missed an s.
Been posting on the Lotus forum for a while now with the ultimate ideal of picking up a 111R or Exige S2 at Christmas (20k to spend).
I think i would be a fool if i overlooked the Boxter but i dont know much about them.
What can i get for 20k ?
I have another car to use on bad weather days. Would prefer something 4 years old max.
Thanks for any help
Scott
ps im not interested in track days.
Edited by scotte on Monday 31st July 15:49
doh ! missed an s.
Edited by scotte on Monday 31st July 15:59
The Boxster, IMHO 
is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho....
I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho.... I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
mbutchers said:
The Boxster, IMHO is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho....
I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho.... I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
I have a Lotus (elise) and although not an Exige I imagine the effect is much the same on a day to day basis and I must say that I think the above post is spot on (having driven a boxster S for 4 months last year).
the Lotus is the car for the obsessed enthusiast, whereas IMHO the Porsche is the car for the cainer who likes a bit of comfort
put it this way, as an obsessed enthusiast, i'll have the Lotus thanks. but when I get old i'd like to think i'll prefer the Porsche - that's not an attack on any young boxster drivers btw
minimax said:
mbutchers said:
The Boxster, IMHO is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho....
I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
is a far better car than the Lotus - it's far more user friendly - not quite as 'hardcore', but you don't have to rev the nuts out of it to make good progress. Not sure what you get for £20k ish tho.... I think you have to be a real enthusiast to live with an Elise/Exige - I like them in priciple, but feel they need a bit more grunt (read torque).
Probably less depreciation from a 4 yr old Boxster too - also very easy to sell on.
I have a Lotus (elise) and although not an Exige I imagine the effect is much the same on a day to day basis and I must say that I think the above post is spot on (having driven a boxster S for 4 months last year).
the Lotus is the car for the obsessed enthusiast, whereas IMHO the Porsche is the car for the cainer who likes a bit of comfort
put it this way, as an obsessed enthusiast, i'll have the Lotus thanks. but when I get old i'd like to think i'll prefer the Porsche - that's not an attack on any young boxster drivers btw
I prefer the Porsche you whippersnapper.mbutchers said:
Oh - ps..... You won't need another 'bad weather' car if you had a Boxster. They don't leak, and have good Aircon/demister.....
thanks for replies.
its not so much the leaks that makes me think i need a second car ... its the RWD in the rain and snow. Im not as confident with RWD when grip is poor (happy to throw FWD around in any weather). Maybe i need a 4WD car ! I have been posting in the lotus forum for ages, reading every little detail and getting to know the 111R - been out in one but only as a passenger. I dont have the same info on the boxster to be honest - hence my post.
I think its nearing time to test drive ....
Cheers
Scott
scotte said:
abarber said:
Have you ever driven an Elise (any)? Or Boxster for that matter.
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
wanted to wait until i had the cash otherwise i would end up on some silly credit deal.
A wise policy
edited to add: although people who don't do that make my living
Edited by minimax on Monday 31st July 17:27
minimax said:
scotte said:
abarber said:
Have you ever driven an Elise (any)? Or Boxster for that matter.
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
wanted to wait until i had the cash otherwise i would end up on some silly credit deal.
A wise policy
edited to add: although people who don't do that make my living
Edited by minimax on Monday 31st July 17:27
What you offer "silly credit deals"
pies said:
minimax said:
scotte said:
abarber said:
Have you ever driven an Elise (any)? Or Boxster for that matter.
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
They have very different cars, both fantastic. I'm sure you'll know after a few miles in each..
wanted to wait until i had the cash otherwise i would end up on some silly credit deal.
A wise policy
edited to add: although people who don't do that make my living
Edited by minimax on Monday 31st July 17:27
What you offer "silly credit deals"
they can be arranged....
scotte said:
abarber said:
Have you ever driven an Elise (any)? Or Boxster for that matter.
wanted to wait until i had the cash otherwise i would end up on some silly credit deal.
You need some seat time before you even consider this one. Much as I love Lotuses (and always have), they haven't made a car that I could actually drive since I have had a license (long enough). I have only sat in [not driven] an Elise (and the new Europa - driving postition is the same) and the combination of legs, feet steering wheel, pedals and gearstick adds up to only 4 gears being available without the kind of acts of contortion that would not be an option in spirited driving (and third is marginal). It took a hell of a toy fund to stop me from envying short-arses and their Elise/Exiges though...
Anyway - I suspect that the real dilema here is peak smile factor (Elise) versus persistant warmth of ownership (Boxy). Only some test drive time and a few nights sleep are going to solve this one...
You are right to have waited though - genuine drivers cars are as addictive as any drug I can imagine and once you drive, you must have it and there is no way back.
I ran an S2 Elise 111S for a year.. Loved the looks of it and still do.. But it could be very hard work sometimes.. Quite a few faults with the car despite it being brand new. They are great for throwing round at speed but it's rare when you can do that on our normally congested roads. The heater was rubbish (worth bearing in mind if your buying at Xmas), it was also awful to drive in the rain. Cabin is spartan to say the least, and even with standard exhaust was quite noisy.. And dont bother with the stereo over sixty.. BUT I also had some GREAT days in it when the sun was shining, did a carlimits day at North Weald, and a mini track day /driver training at Hethel, and only then did I realise just how good its handling was, it was also very economical to run 35-40mpg.. . Bought a Boxster 2.7 few months ago and really like it.. Obviously its much quieter (and heavier) but is a very nice car to be in, feels really safe as well (al thise airbags).. I know the 0-60 figures etc are way off between the two but it doesn't feel much slower than the lotus and once your up to 70 it will leave the lotus far behind. It has much more torque so for nomal day to day driving it's much more user friendly. The Lotus reguarly needed to be dropped a gear. Its not as good looking as the Lotus but from certain angles its growing on me. Realy fancied the S but I wanted a low miler from an OPC with warranty etc, and the 2.7 was in my budget. As already said drive both and decide which is best for you..
Hi Scotte,
I sold my Lotus Turbo Esprit a while back and was also looking between the Boxster and Elise.
The Lotus is an awesome track tool. If I was going to do track days more than once a month I would have gone for the Lotus. That is what it was built to do well.
I ended up buying a Boxster S.
The Porsche is in a totally different class. It's build quality is great. At first I found it not aggresive enough, but am now in love with the awesome handling and torque from the smooth engine.
She puts a smile on my face every time I drive her.
Drive both, then decide.
I sold my Lotus Turbo Esprit a while back and was also looking between the Boxster and Elise.
The Lotus is an awesome track tool. If I was going to do track days more than once a month I would have gone for the Lotus. That is what it was built to do well.
I ended up buying a Boxster S.
The Porsche is in a totally different class. It's build quality is great. At first I found it not aggresive enough, but am now in love with the awesome handling and torque from the smooth engine.
She puts a smile on my face every time I drive her.
Drive both, then decide.
How old are you? Serious question, the rawness of the Lotus would be fantastic when you're young but as you get that bit older (like me) the total package of luxury, handling and performance of the Boxster will probably win you over as an everyday car.
I would try the Lotus for a few hours to see how you get on in traffic and on runs etc as that'll be the bit that may become tiresome. Brilliant cars, but a bit too edgy to live with for the daily grind.
I would try the Lotus for a few hours to see how you get on in traffic and on runs etc as that'll be the bit that may become tiresome. Brilliant cars, but a bit too edgy to live with for the daily grind.
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