Elise or Exige
Discussion
Just fancied a change from the old Landrover Defender as my everyday car and was wondering which would be the best way to go with £20-£22K an Elise 111R with hardtop or Exige.
I don't envisage any track use just interesting A & B roads.
I will get round to looking at the stickies later regarding buying advice for whichever model I go for.
I don't envisage any track use just interesting A & B roads.
I will get round to looking at the stickies later regarding buying advice for whichever model I go for.
patmahe said:
If theres no track use invoved then I'd go with the elise, the exige really is a hardcore track machine and wouldn't be as forgiving as the elise on the road.
Ok I'll qualify this, I consider the exige too hardcore for every day use (and I dont cut hair 
) but this is just my opinion - the best bet is to test drive both, preferably on the type of roads you'll use it on and decide for yourselfI guess the best way to find out would be to try both on the same road but the closest dealer is 60 miles away and I don't know the area so not sure whether the roads around the dealer are the similar to mine.
If the suspension on the Exige is more suited to smooth tracks then it may have problems on some of my local roads.
I am not overly bothered about the car being a soft top & am quite happy with a basic interior.
If the suspension on the Exige is more suited to smooth tracks then it may have problems on some of my local roads.
I am not overly bothered about the car being a soft top & am quite happy with a basic interior.
While I did not compare ther two, I have had no problems in the Exige on the rather crumby back roads where I live. However, I do not have it as an everyday car so not really qualified to judge. I find the suspension more comfortable than my wife's X5 and only a little more jarring than my 306 Gti.
dulcinea said:
While I did not compare ther two, I have had no problems in the Exige on the rather crumby back roads where I live. However, I do not have it as an everyday car so not really qualified to judge. I find the suspension more comfortable than my wife's X5 and only a little more jarring than my 306 Gti.
That's interesting as my wife had a 306 Rallye a few years ago and I didn't find that particularly harsh on our rough roads so the Exige suspension could be OK.Are there any differences in servicing / dificulty of DIY servicing?
Is it more likely to get caught out buying the Exige as they are more likely to be run on a track regularly?
Most S2 Exiges are brought as garage eye candy and rarely see anywhere near their limit let alone alot of track action ( Mine rarely sees a dual carrige way unfortunatly ) . Servicing is the same for both models and is very basic stuff , i would happily do mine myself if it wasn't for the harm it would do to the resale value not having a stamp .
As new Exige owner I'm clearly biased, but I knew if I got the Elise I knew I'd always be wondering 'what if'.... I use mine for days off and track days so may not be best qualified to comment on daily use, but a Landrover is hardly the most refined car to come from anyway! Its been said before, and I agree, that the Exige if most definately a 'male' car and the Elise is 'female'. To be fair, you're not going to go far wrong with either... Just do it.
Just do it.I have just sold my 2 year old exige s2,the reason being the awfull ride quality on my local roads and also the persistant roof creaking(went back twice to dealers for so called lotus fix).Having owned an s1 elise and a s2 135r, i went for the exige because the elise always felt like a girls car(cant really say that of the 135r though).Just to confuse you more, the elise 111r is a much more compliant ride than the exige, butI now find myself wanting a exige s, having tried one recently and been blown away.
Depends on the roads you drive on.
I live in a hilly part of yorkshire and have great road up on the hills. But although the road quality is fine, there not exactly the smoothest.
Having driven an exige, i'm sure that my elise will be as quick if not quicker on these roads. It wont try to jump all over the place to the same extent as the exige.
But if you live in an area with smooth roads you will be able to get more out of the exige and may enjoy that more.
My opinion is though, a well driven elise can match an averagely driven exige anyday. These cars are more about driver skill than ultimate power
I live in a hilly part of yorkshire and have great road up on the hills. But although the road quality is fine, there not exactly the smoothest.
Having driven an exige, i'm sure that my elise will be as quick if not quicker on these roads. It wont try to jump all over the place to the same extent as the exige.
But if you live in an area with smooth roads you will be able to get more out of the exige and may enjoy that more.
My opinion is though, a well driven elise can match an averagely driven exige anyday. These cars are more about driver skill than ultimate power
Having driven a fair few miles in Defenders and an S1 Elise I'd say my Elise is waaaaaay more comfortable. You'll also feel right at home with all the noise.
In your situation I'd drive both but if choosing the Exige option given your planned use I'd get rid of the OA48s and put a set of tyres more suited to road use on.
I wouldn't worry too much if the car has been tracked ss long as its been serviced more regularly to suit. The car can take it - its what they were designed for.
In your situation I'd drive both but if choosing the Exige option given your planned use I'd get rid of the OA48s and put a set of tyres more suited to road use on.
I wouldn't worry too much if the car has been tracked ss long as its been serviced more regularly to suit. The car can take it - its what they were designed for.
Chadders said:
Depends on the roads you drive on.
I live in a hilly part of yorkshire and have great road up on the hills. But although the road quality is fine, there not exactly the smoothest.
Having driven an exige, i'm sure that my elise will be as quick if not quicker on these roads. It wont try to jump all over the place to the same extent as the exige.
But if you live in an area with smooth roads you will be able to get more out of the exige and may enjoy that more.
My opinion is though, a well driven elise can match an averagely driven exige anyday. These cars are more about driver skill than ultimate power
Normally drive round Northallerton area but also Dales & MoorsI live in a hilly part of yorkshire and have great road up on the hills. But although the road quality is fine, there not exactly the smoothest.
Having driven an exige, i'm sure that my elise will be as quick if not quicker on these roads. It wont try to jump all over the place to the same extent as the exige.
But if you live in an area with smooth roads you will be able to get more out of the exige and may enjoy that more.
My opinion is though, a well driven elise can match an averagely driven exige anyday. These cars are more about driver skill than ultimate power
TIPPER said:
Having driven a fair few miles in Defenders and an S1 Elise I'd say my Elise is waaaaaay more comfortable. You'll also feel right at home with all the noise.
In your situation I'd drive both but if choosing the Exige option given your planned use I'd get rid of the OA48s and put a set of tyres more suited to road use on.
I wouldn't worry too much if the car has been tracked ss long as its been serviced more regularly to suit. The car can take it - its what they were designed for.
Yes Defenders are a bit rough suspension wise and basic which is why I wasn't too concerned about the ride.In your situation I'd drive both but if choosing the Exige option given your planned use I'd get rid of the OA48s and put a set of tyres more suited to road use on.
I wouldn't worry too much if the car has been tracked ss long as its been serviced more regularly to suit. The car can take it - its what they were designed for.
My instinct says Elise but can't quite get past how much fun the Exige looks; I would have to agree though it probably depends how you drive them.
Do you think they are going to be faster than the Defender?
OK only joking.
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