SC to S and back

[edo111s]

While my own car was being repaired at Sincs for a NF accident, I drove Europa Consultant's own Elise for more than a week.
It's been quite interesting to compare them.

my car: MY08 SC, touring pack, 2bular, 16k miles
Europa's : MY06 S (Toyota 136BHP), no packs, stage two, 26k miles.

"is it more fun to drive a 'slow' car fast, or a fast car slow?"

The most obvious difference wasn't power (!) but refinement.
The stage 2 exhaust is exciting but very very noisy, drones a lot on the m/way.

I loved the non-touring-pack interior.
Suits the Elise much better: more aluminum in sight. Much much lighter roof.
Who needs carpets under and behind the seats?

MY06 steering wheel (no airbag) is nicer for spirited driving.
Definitely feels more race-car like. MY06 white background speedometer more readable.
MY06 interior feels more vintage, suits the Elise...
but the MY08 ventilation is way way better!!

S-5-speed-gears very tractable. Limited power however leaves 5th only for calm m/way driving.
Same as 6th in the more powerful sibling, really

On road imperfections, the 08 car is *a lot* quieter and more composed.
The older one squeaks and rattles.

The S is thoroughly exploitable on the road.
The SC is soo refined that you just do not notice the speed at which you may be traveling.
Rather than lack of power, on the S it is just slightly disappointing that the rev limiter cuts in so low (7200rpm?).

Getting back in my own car, I felt like I was driving a grand tourer.
I was amazed by the build quality !
... I was just missing some of the rawness ... :-)

[TIPPER]

Try an S1 then!
I've driven a few Elises but the biggest contrast would have been from an Exige S with performance pack (09my) and then getting back into my car. It might not be as fast in a straight line but my little S1 felt so much more alive, chuckable more willing and eager to please - generally more fun.

[edo111s]

TIPPER said:

Try an S1 then!
I've driven a few Elises but the biggest contrast would have been from an Exige S with performance pack (09my) and then getting back into my car. It might not be as fast in a straight line but my little S1 felt so much more alive, chuckable more willing and eager to please - generally more fun.

I've driven many S2s - but only been a passenger in an S1.
Quick test drives don't do for me, at the very least I need a car for a day to get an understanding of it ...

[S Works]

Compared to your 08 car, most S1's will feel like utter sheds build-wise. They are that much lighter and more direct though, that you soon forget it, and get absorbed by the driving. Horses for courses and all that...