First RWD/Lotus Experience
Discussion
Hey all,
So I'm currently saving hard for my first 'nice' car. Hope to have enough cash to get a Lotus Elise S2 111S or early 111R by the middle of next year (yeah I know that's still far away)
However, I've only ever owned FWD cars, and not very powerful ones at that. I was thinking about doing this http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/de_lotusExige_exp... as a first time driving a RWD car and a Lotus car. Obviously when the time gets a bit nearer I will be going on many a test drive in all of the different models to figure out which I want.
One of the other reasons I thought about doing the silverstone day is because I'm fairly certain when I get the Lotus I'd like to track it a few times a year, and I've never been on a track in anything so I'd like to try that out too.
Does anyone think this is a good/bad/ugly way to have my first experience? I realise there are others to choose from but I'd like to keep the spending down so that I can save more for the car! Then once I have it I can go on a Walshy day or something to hone my (non-existent) skills.
So I'm currently saving hard for my first 'nice' car. Hope to have enough cash to get a Lotus Elise S2 111S or early 111R by the middle of next year (yeah I know that's still far away)
However, I've only ever owned FWD cars, and not very powerful ones at that. I was thinking about doing this http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/de_lotusExige_exp... as a first time driving a RWD car and a Lotus car. Obviously when the time gets a bit nearer I will be going on many a test drive in all of the different models to figure out which I want.
One of the other reasons I thought about doing the silverstone day is because I'm fairly certain when I get the Lotus I'd like to track it a few times a year, and I've never been on a track in anything so I'd like to try that out too.
Does anyone think this is a good/bad/ugly way to have my first experience? I realise there are others to choose from but I'd like to keep the spending down so that I can save more for the car! Then once I have it I can go on a Walshy day or something to hone my (non-existent) skills.
Try this, very good value, and you will get some good pointers !
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
Stu_00 said:
Try this, very good value, and you will get some good pointers !
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
what he said ... twice http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
you can hire andys Elise for the training days and will learn loads about the car and RWD. and its perfectly safe there too
Stu_00 said:
Try this, very good value, and you will get some good pointers !
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
Wouldnt you need your own car for a Walshy day?http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
The silverstone day would give you experence of the right car in the best conditions i.e. with an instructor by your side. I dont know anyone who has done one but if it is like these "drive a fezza" days they can be limiting, you cant gover 4500 revs etc.
If you want good experience of mid engine and RWD then go get an old Mk1 Mr2. Superb education for this type of car. Not expensive to buy and run, BIG fun and you will learn that wet roundabouts are interesting when you have little disipline with your left foot.
If you want a day experience then Lotus do a "scare yourself Sensible" day which is on thier own test track and seems popular.
No you dont need your own car on the activity day, all cars, tyres, and instruction included for 250!
The silverstone day would give you experence of the right car in the best conditions i.e. with an instructor by your side. I dont know anyone who has done one but if it is like these "drive a fezza" days they can be limiting, you cant gover 4500 revs etc.
If you want good experience of mid engine and RWD then go get an old Mk1 Mr2. Superb education for this type of car. Not expensive to buy and run, BIG fun and you will learn that wet roundabouts are interesting when you have little disipline with your left foot.
If you want a day experience then Lotus do a "scare yourself Sensible" day which is on thier own test track and seems popular.
Gooby said:
Stu_00 said:
Try this, very good value, and you will get some good pointers !
http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
Wouldnt you need your own car for a Walshy day?http://www.carlimits.com/script/viewEvents.php?typ...
The silverstone day would give you experence of the right car in the best conditions i.e. with an instructor by your side. I dont know anyone who has done one but if it is like these "drive a fezza" days they can be limiting, you cant gover 4500 revs etc.
If you want good experience of mid engine and RWD then go get an old Mk1 Mr2. Superb education for this type of car. Not expensive to buy and run, BIG fun and you will learn that wet roundabouts are interesting when you have little disipline with your left foot.
If you want a day experience then Lotus do a "scare yourself Sensible" day which is on thier own test track and seems popular.
Salgar said:
Hey all,
So I'm currently saving hard for my first 'nice' car. Hope to have enough cash to get a Lotus Elise S2 111S or early 111R by the middle of next year (yeah I know that's still far away)
However, I've only ever owned FWD cars, and not very powerful ones at that. I was thinking about doing this http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/de_lotusExige_exp... as a first time driving a RWD car and a Lotus car. Obviously when the time gets a bit nearer I will be going on many a test drive in all of the different models to figure out which I want.
One of the other reasons I thought about doing the silverstone day is because I'm fairly certain when I get the Lotus I'd like to track it a few times a year, and I've never been on a track in anything so I'd like to try that out too.
Does anyone think this is a good/bad/ugly way to have my first experience? I realise there are others to choose from but I'd like to keep the spending down so that I can save more for the car! Then once I have it I can go on a Walshy day or something to hone my (non-existent) skills.
I'd strongly recommend you have some instruction, I personally would recommend Lotus themselves, you get to drive various Elise and you're not limited to any speed or Rpm, it's a fantastic day and you'll get great advice and tuitionSo I'm currently saving hard for my first 'nice' car. Hope to have enough cash to get a Lotus Elise S2 111S or early 111R by the middle of next year (yeah I know that's still far away)
However, I've only ever owned FWD cars, and not very powerful ones at that. I was thinking about doing this http://www.silverstone.co.uk/php/de_lotusExige_exp... as a first time driving a RWD car and a Lotus car. Obviously when the time gets a bit nearer I will be going on many a test drive in all of the different models to figure out which I want.
One of the other reasons I thought about doing the silverstone day is because I'm fairly certain when I get the Lotus I'd like to track it a few times a year, and I've never been on a track in anything so I'd like to try that out too.
Does anyone think this is a good/bad/ugly way to have my first experience? I realise there are others to choose from but I'd like to keep the spending down so that I can save more for the car! Then once I have it I can go on a Walshy day or something to hone my (non-existent) skills.
http://www.lotusdrivingacademy.com/
Boggy
I've done the Silverstone one and it was great fun but waaaaay too short.
There are however no rev limits etc. and it made my mind up that I was right...I needed an Elise/Exige.
The car limits experience day will allow you to cane the cars to the limit though. If I had the chance again I'd go for that.
If however, you want to drive a proper circuit....do both.
There are however no rev limits etc. and it made my mind up that I was right...I needed an Elise/Exige.
The car limits experience day will allow you to cane the cars to the limit though. If I had the chance again I'd go for that.
If however, you want to drive a proper circuit....do both.
Pretty much 6/7 hours of jumping in out of the cars, plus some great instructors !
S Works said:
I would spend the £250 first at one of Walshy's days. That 'experience' day looks like great value for money and I bet you'll get plenty of wheeltime. The Lotus ones look great fun, but they are very expensive.
Thanks for the advice all 
That Walshy day looks great! I have some virgin vouchers that Silverstone accept so I'm going to do that for half price, at which point I'll be disappointed about how short it was, then I'll go for the carlimits day shortly afterwards. The carlimits day looks amazing value for money and quite fun trying out the different cars. I've never really tried to drive a car at its limit so I'm looking forward to sampling the world of proper driving.
That Walshy day looks great! I have some virgin vouchers that Silverstone accept so I'm going to do that for half price, at which point I'll be disappointed about how short it was, then I'll go for the carlimits day shortly afterwards. The carlimits day looks amazing value for money and quite fun trying out the different cars. I've never really tried to drive a car at its limit so I'm looking forward to sampling the world of proper driving.
Salgar said:
Thanks for the advice all
That Walshy day looks great! I have some virgin vouchers that Silverstone accept so I'm going to do that for half price, at which point I'll be disappointed about how short it was, then I'll go for the carlimits day shortly afterwards. The carlimits day looks amazing value for money and quite fun trying out the different cars. I've never really tried to drive a car at its limit so I'm looking forward to sampling the world of proper driving.
just be aware that the elise isn't exactly a classic RWD experience. depending on the car and the setup, lift off oversteer and understeer will often be top of the menu.That Walshy day looks great! I have some virgin vouchers that Silverstone accept so I'm going to do that for half price, at which point I'll be disappointed about how short it was, then I'll go for the carlimits day shortly afterwards. The carlimits day looks amazing value for money and quite fun trying out the different cars. I've never really tried to drive a car at its limit so I'm looking forward to sampling the world of proper driving.
think Tirumph TR6, porsche 944, Mazda MX5 etc.. for more honest predicatble right-foot-adjustable, 'tail out' RWD motoring
When I had my S2 Elise 111S between 2002-03, I attended the Lotus Drivers Training with a friend and was tutored by one of their test driver for the whole day (Alistair McQueen).
Although it was a wee bit pricey at £599, the whole day we spent at the Lotus Hethel circuit was amazing. Learned how to oversteer and hold a slide with an Elise in the morning, then it was onto the slalom course which really demonstrates how flickable and agile the Elise really is.
Then it was capped of with circuit driving in an Sport 190 Elise for the rest of the afternoon. What I learned on that day was invaluable and has definitely saved me in a few 'hairy' situations in RWD cars!
What made it even better was back in July 2003, it was during one of our hottest summers where we drove the Elise around the UK in uninterrupted sunshine for the whole week
Although it was a wee bit pricey at £599, the whole day we spent at the Lotus Hethel circuit was amazing. Learned how to oversteer and hold a slide with an Elise in the morning, then it was onto the slalom course which really demonstrates how flickable and agile the Elise really is.
Then it was capped of with circuit driving in an Sport 190 Elise for the rest of the afternoon. What I learned on that day was invaluable and has definitely saved me in a few 'hairy' situations in RWD cars!
What made it even better was back in July 2003, it was during one of our hottest summers where we drove the Elise around the UK in uninterrupted sunshine for the whole week
Edited by amare32 on Wednesday 25th March 12:50
OK so, I did the Silverstone Exige S thing today, (9 laps in an Exige S and then one with the instructor).
Only did this one because I had vouchers to pay for half of it, Will now be saving up for the carlimits day because, s
t I never knew cars could go that fast round corners (this wasn't when I was driving), but it was amazing. So I've never been in a Lotus before today and I've never driven anything fast before either, it's just a whole different kettle of fish. I can honestly say, I'm really not very good, but I'd love to attempt to get better
Unfortunately the only pro-active thing I can do towards getting better right now is spending less money so I can buy an Elise sooner!
It was an amazing few laps, I think my back doesn't really know what's happening right now and all the way home I drove really slowly with my eyes wide open, looking for the braking point, turn in, accelerate, people on the M1 probably didnt like that though.
I'm talking out my arse now so i'll stop. Amazing. Where do I buy one?
Only did this one because I had vouchers to pay for half of it, Will now be saving up for the carlimits day because, s
t I never knew cars could go that fast round corners (this wasn't when I was driving), but it was amazing. So I've never been in a Lotus before today and I've never driven anything fast before either, it's just a whole different kettle of fish. I can honestly say, I'm really not very good, but I'd love to attempt to get better Unfortunately the only pro-active thing I can do towards getting better right now is spending less money so I can buy an Elise sooner!
It was an amazing few laps, I think my back doesn't really know what's happening right now and all the way home I drove really slowly with my eyes wide open, looking for the braking point, turn in, accelerate, people on the M1 probably didnt like that though.
I'm talking out my arse now so i'll stop. Amazing. Where do I buy one?
Salgar said:
OK so, I did the Silverstone Exige S thing today, (9 laps in an Exige S and then one with the instructor).
Only did this one because I had vouchers to pay for half of it, Will now be saving up for the carlimits day because, st I never knew cars could go that fast round corners (this wasn't when I was driving), but it was amazing. So I've never been in a Lotus before today and I've never driven anything fast before either, it's just a whole different kettle of fish. I can honestly say, I'm really not very good, but I'd love to attempt to get better
Unfortunately the only pro-active thing I can do towards getting better right now is spending less money so I can buy an Elise sooner!
It was an amazing few laps, I think my back doesn't really know what's happening right now and all the way home I drove really slowly with my eyes wide open, looking for the braking point, turn in, accelerate, people on the M1 probably didnt like that though.
I'm talking out my arse now so i'll stop. Amazing. Where do I buy one?
Glad you enjoyed it, the good news is it gets even better the more training and experience you gain as it allows you to fully exploit the cars potential.Only did this one because I had vouchers to pay for half of it, Will now be saving up for the carlimits day because, s
t I never knew cars could go that fast round corners (this wasn't when I was driving), but it was amazing. So I've never been in a Lotus before today and I've never driven anything fast before either, it's just a whole different kettle of fish. I can honestly say, I'm really not very good, but I'd love to attempt to get better Unfortunately the only pro-active thing I can do towards getting better right now is spending less money so I can buy an Elise sooner!
It was an amazing few laps, I think my back doesn't really know what's happening right now and all the way home I drove really slowly with my eyes wide open, looking for the braking point, turn in, accelerate, people on the M1 probably didnt like that though.
I'm talking out my arse now so i'll stop. Amazing. Where do I buy one?
Unfortunately (for you) the prices have now stabilised as the exchange rate encourages foreign buyers to snap up all the cheaper cars.
Great that you enjoyed it: amazing cars aren't they!
When you're ready to buy don't worry about getting the most powerful car you can. The basic cars are (arguably) plenty fast enough for road use and with some training and sensible mods (brakes and suspension) you'll be able to hold your own on track with supposedly faster cars. It all depends on what you're budget is thoughn - if you've £450k burning a hole in your pocket then tgake your pick. If not £8k buys a nice basic Elise at the mo and you can add to that as you're ready.
When you're ready to buy don't worry about getting the most powerful car you can. The basic cars are (arguably) plenty fast enough for road use and with some training and sensible mods (brakes and suspension) you'll be able to hold your own on track with supposedly faster cars. It all depends on what you're budget is thoughn - if you've £450k burning a hole in your pocket then tgake your pick. If not £8k buys a nice basic Elise at the mo and you can add to that as you're ready.
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