111r to Elise SC
Discussion
Have had the sportracer for over 2 years now ,and haved loved all parts of ownership etc but am thinking about changing to a Elise SC or Exige S . Had my first drive in the Elise SC on Saturday and found it a lot different to the NA Toyota111r . Much more smooth , quick ,refined and the interior of the 08 models is a massive improvement? The problem for me is that the elise seems to be evolving into an easy wooly experiance (Airbags for godsake!!)etc and i felt less involved in the experiance. What first attracted me about the Lotus Brand was its raw appeal and simplicity so should i go for the Elise or The Exige ? 
Am waiting for the S1 brigade
Am waiting for the S1 brigade
As one of the S1 brigade... I agree with Kevin.
5k (incl VAT) to katana your 111R will give you closer to 250bhp than the 220bhp you'll get from Lotus, from what I read anyway. A new SC will cost you north of 35k once you've added in a few goodies, apart from the new dash etc, its the same car.
5k (incl VAT) to katana your 111R will give you closer to 250bhp than the 220bhp you'll get from Lotus, from what I read anyway. A new SC will cost you north of 35k once you've added in a few goodies, apart from the new dash etc, its the same car.
Gooby said:
I keep coming back to a simple question. Will a supercharger make me faster? I have concluded that probably no. The limit is not usually power it is the road and it's features. Will a supercharger make my drive more fun? Probably not. I find the SC engines are a lazy drive
Thats it Gooby, what i was trying to say was that it is a lazy drive (Boring!):thumpup:bogie said:
Id keep the car you know, own and love, and spend a few quid on it - makes the most sense...unless you have money to burn of course 
otherwise lose yourself £££ in depreciation and line the dealers pocket with near £40k for a nice SC Elise..
The one i drove was a ex demo few options and around £26k, ideally thought i might change for a year ,ultimately buying an Evora late 09/10. otherwise lose yourself £££ in depreciation and line the dealers pocket with near £40k for a nice SC Elise..
Have the evora for Fun and buy a old Beamer for day to day.Oh ,that could go out of the pan if i don,t like the Evora on the road!!
Gooby said:
I keep coming back to a simple question. Will a supercharger make me faster? I have concluded that probably no. The limit is not usually power it is the road and it's features. Will a supercharger make my drive more fun? Probably not. I find the SC engines are a lazy drive
:lol...the +30bhp offerings yep, more flexible lazy drive...not *that* much faster ...however my old SC Elise wasnt boring....and it did make me quicker (on track of course ) ...although you could be a lazy driver if you wanted to be and drive in 6th gear, even round town...but thats with another 100bhp on top of what Lotus offer There's been a similiar thread running over on Seloc (but N/A Exige vs S).
FWIW my thoughts: I've always liked the looks of the S2 Exige (especially in LOUD colours) but my expriences of driving compared to my S1 left me feeling that on balance I'm better off with my S1. However when I drove an Exige S (with performance pack) I knew I'd found my replacement for the S1 - but only when I'm a bit older and softer
FWIW my thoughts: I've always liked the looks of the S2 Exige (especially in LOUD colours) but my expriences of driving compared to my S1 left me feeling that on balance I'm better off with my S1. However when I drove an Exige S (with performance pack) I knew I'd found my replacement for the S1 - but only when I'm a bit older and softer
bogie said:
Gooby said:
I keep coming back to a simple question. Will a supercharger make me faster? I have concluded that probably no. The limit is not usually power it is the road and it's features. Will a supercharger make my drive more fun? Probably not. I find the SC engines are a lazy drive
:lol...the +30bhp offerings yep, more flexible lazy drive...not *that* much faster ...however my old SC Elise wasnt boring....and it did make me quicker (on track of course ) ...although you could be a lazy driver if you wanted to be and drive in 6th gear, even round town...but thats with another 100bhp on top of what Lotus offer I drove a SC Exige and loved it, it was ferocious, mean and hungry. I found my driving became a simple search for overtakes because on an average road it was not only faster than EVERYTHING else it was fast enough to overtake where other cars would be dangerous. I made me comfortable with silly risks. This is not the fault of the car it is my lack of self control.
The roads I really enjoy were no longer fun, it made the road feel too small, odd sensation and not a comfortable one. It was not at home on a B- road blat which turned it into a A-road and dual carrigeway machine. That is not where there is any (Much) fun.
Now please bear in mind that I drove for 3-4 hours, over time, when the initial buzz wore off, my attitude (and it was my attitude at fault, not the car) may change and a lot more enjoyment would settle in.
If I was starting the "lotus Odesey" again, would I buy one? Oh yes, in a heartbeat, without a seconds thought. Would I trade my 111R for one, probably not - it would have to be one charming deal.
Would I supercharge the 111R - If I had the spare money and I could keep it off Mrs Gooby's radar the possibly .... probably.
The bottom line is the same with all mods, start with the driver. The driver is a automotive knuckle dragger with sod all finese.
Gooby said:
I drove a SC Exige and loved it, it was ferocious, mean and hungry. I found my driving became a simple search for overtakes because on an average road it was not only faster than EVERYTHING else it was fast enough to overtake where other cars would be dangerous. I made me comfortable with silly risks. This is not the fault of the car it is my lack of self control.
The roads I really enjoy were no longer fun, it made the road feel too small, odd sensation and not a comfortable one. It was not at home on a B- road blat which turned it into a A-road and dual carrigeway machine. That is not where there is any (Much) fun.
The very same reason that I sold the NA Honda'd car.The roads I really enjoy were no longer fun, it made the road feel too small, odd sensation and not a comfortable one. It was not at home on a B- road blat which turned it into a A-road and dual carrigeway machine. That is not where there is any (Much) fun.
Gooby said:
bogie said:
Gooby said:
I keep coming back to a simple question. Will a supercharger make me faster? I have concluded that probably no. The limit is not usually power it is the road and it's features. Will a supercharger make my drive more fun? Probably not. I find the SC engines are a lazy drive
:lol...the +30bhp offerings yep, more flexible lazy drive...not *that* much faster ...however my old SC Elise wasnt boring....and it did make me quicker (on track of course ) ...although you could be a lazy driver if you wanted to be and drive in 6th gear, even round town...but thats with another 100bhp on top of what Lotus offer I drove a SC Exige and loved it, it was ferocious, mean and hungry. I found my driving became a simple search for overtakes because on an average road it was not only faster than EVERYTHING else it was fast enough to overtake where other cars would be dangerous. I made me comfortable with silly risks. This is not the fault of the car it is my lack of self control.
The roads I really enjoy were no longer fun, it made the road feel too small, odd sensation and not a comfortable one. It was not at home on a B- road blat which turned it into a A-road and dual carrigeway machine. That is not where there is any (Much) fun.
Now please bear in mind that I drove for 3-4 hours, over time, when the initial buzz wore off, my attitude (and it was my attitude at fault, not the car) may change and a lot more enjoyment would settle in.
If I was starting the "lotus Odesey" again, would I buy one? Oh yes, in a heartbeat, without a seconds thought. Would I trade my 111R for one, probably not - it would have to be one charming deal.
Would I supercharge the 111R - If I had the spare money and I could keep it off Mrs Gooby's radar the possibly .... probably.
The bottom line is the same with all mods, start with the driver. The driver is a automotive knuckle dragger with sod all finese.
)Even the Honda'd cars weren't really pulling away that much on the straights
The other recent thread s
gging the NA misses the point entirely. I may Katana mine at some point, (like Gooby, wife radar permitting) but it will be a long way down the road after driver and suspension upgrades. There's also masses of time to be made up from braking late and properly, based on my experience to date. I am probably losing money on my 111R, but I only live for days where I can take the Elise out. Last saturday night it payed off.
Sat waiting in a jam with 430 Scuderia, 599, 612 in front, and 360 behind (who let me in) waiting to go on the ring. Sun setting in the back ground and the roof down.
You cannot pay for moments like that, that was worth millions to me. Got overtaken by the 599 on the Carosel, then saw it at the end with brakes smoking. Wow what a saturday night.
So yes keep your Lotus's and keep the sports racer and spend the money on more trips.
Sat waiting in a jam with 430 Scuderia, 599, 612 in front, and 360 behind (who let me in) waiting to go on the ring. Sun setting in the back ground and the roof down.
You cannot pay for moments like that, that was worth millions to me. Got overtaken by the 599 on the Carosel, then saw it at the end with brakes smoking. Wow what a saturday night.
So yes keep your Lotus's and keep the sports racer and spend the money on more trips.
Alimac said:
Well the worlds gone mad 
and the deal is shocking on my Car so will be hanging onto ownership for the forceable future ( actually very happy with that ). Interest on the credit option @ 14% !!!!!
My advice is to sit tight, don,t panic and start drinking heavily
and the deal is shocking on my Car so will be hanging onto ownership for the forceable future ( actually very happy with that ). Interest on the credit option @ 14% !!!!!My advice is to sit tight, don,t panic and start drinking heavily
Edited by Stu_00 on Thursday 9th October 17:29
after driving the elise SC and 111r on a back to back test drive, I decided to get a sportsracer. The SC didn't feel much quicker, even if it is and I find thrashing the NA toyota engine with it's sillier power delivery more fun. a loud exhaust on the SC would make a big difference though. It was way too quiet as standard.
Gooby said:
bogie said:
Gooby said:
I keep coming back to a simple question. Will a supercharger make me faster? I have concluded that probably no. The limit is not usually power it is the road and it's features. Will a supercharger make my drive more fun? Probably not. I find the SC engines are a lazy drive
:lol...the +30bhp offerings yep, more flexible lazy drive...not *that* much faster ...however my old SC Elise wasnt boring....and it did make me quicker (on track of course ) ...although you could be a lazy driver if you wanted to be and drive in 6th gear, even round town...but thats with another 100bhp on top of what Lotus offer I drove a SC Exige and loved it, it was ferocious, mean and hungry. I found my driving became a simple search for overtakes because on an average road it was not only faster than EVERYTHING else it was fast enough to overtake where other cars would be dangerous. I made me comfortable with silly risks. This is not the fault of the car it is my lack of self control.
The roads I really enjoy were no longer fun, it made the road feel too small, odd sensation and not a comfortable one. It was not at home on a B- road blat which turned it into a A-road and dual carrigeway machine. That is not where there is any (Much) fun.
Now please bear in mind that I drove for 3-4 hours, over time, when the initial buzz wore off, my attitude (and it was my attitude at fault, not the car) may change and a lot more enjoyment would settle in.
If I was starting the "lotus Odesey" again, would I buy one? Oh yes, in a heartbeat, without a seconds thought. Would I trade my 111R for one, probably not - it would have to be one charming deal.
Would I supercharge the 111R - If I had the spare money and I could keep it off Mrs Gooby's radar the possibly .... probably.
The bottom line is the same with all mods, start with the driver. The driver is a automotive knuckle dragger with sod all finese.
The Ferrari to Exige change for me is probably a similar "jump" as the N/A to S/C for you. (I still see the point about shrinking roads but to a FAR lesser degree).
I also agree with another poster on here about the lack of noise from the Exige...positively horrible!
I have hopefully remedied that with the purchase of a Larini race exhaust.
F.C.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff