Discussion
I have had a look at a few Elise R's but haven't found anything that has been 100% what I am looking for. I have seen a nice Exige S2 but is for sale privately in my area. It is a 2006 car and has done about 20K.
I am not a hard core track day driver, although I did enjoy the Lotus experience at Hethel and would like to get into doing a few track days in the future. Is this Exige really just a track car and for use on dry days only? Would I be missing out of the experience of having a soft top (something I have never had before)?
My brother got taken round the Lotus test track in an Elise R and an Exige SC and said he thought the Elise was more wild. I guess that might have been because of the power delivery in the Elise R being not as linear an an SC - possibly? Or it could have been down to the different drivers...
I am not a hard core track day driver, although I did enjoy the Lotus experience at Hethel and would like to get into doing a few track days in the future. Is this Exige really just a track car and for use on dry days only? Would I be missing out of the experience of having a soft top (something I have never had before)?
My brother got taken round the Lotus test track in an Elise R and an Exige SC and said he thought the Elise was more wild. I guess that might have been because of the power delivery in the Elise R being not as linear an an SC - possibly? Or it could have been down to the different drivers...
For road use, with basically weather considerations, security etc.,
the hard-top Exige I see as the better. Neglecting of course getting
in and out of it + the nuisance at toll booths. I have used mine to
go back and forward to Portugal - & will again do so later this year.
I have also used for that journey a C'ham CSR 260 - but what a mistake -
apart from the Tillets, which I found as more accomodating / comfortable
than seats in the Exige. Strange mebbe but fact.
the hard-top Exige I see as the better. Neglecting of course getting
in and out of it + the nuisance at toll booths. I have used mine to
go back and forward to Portugal - & will again do so later this year.
I have also used for that journey a C'ham CSR 260 - but what a mistake -
apart from the Tillets, which I found as more accomodating / comfortable
than seats in the Exige. Strange mebbe but fact.
I think I am leaning more towards an Exige. I don't like the idea of a soft top that might leak and I prefer the looks of the Elise with a hard top. The extra aerodynamic bits on the Exige add to the visual appeal for me. I guess if I wanted to I could take the top off the Exige in the summer but I proobably would rather be cocooned in an air conditioned shell! I would like to use it until the salt gets put down in winter, maybe some winter tyres can be found to fit the Exige for use when the temperature drops...
If you're not bothered by the soft top option the Exige is definitely the way to go. And as has been mentioned you can remove the roof anyway but it's a 15 minute job as opposed to a 20 second job for the Elise.
I however, find taking the roof off adds a huge amount to a journey and take the top off my Elise at every available opportunity. For going abroad and taking in the scenery, the sun and the smells you really can't beat it. The Exige is a bit like wearing a helmet, it's all about forward vision. It's very cool, very group C racer, very exciting but you see a lot more scenery in a topless elise.
As for the Elise R being more wild, the power graph of the SC Exige is higher up across the rev range but at no point matches the steepness of the Elise R power curve after the cam change point. That's why, even if its only for a few seconds, the Elise R feels 'wilder'. Because for a few seconds it is. And that's what I love about it. It might not be ideal for every situation but it is fun. However that's Elise R versus standard 220bhp Exige S. With 240 or more the Exige definitely feels wild!
I however, find taking the roof off adds a huge amount to a journey and take the top off my Elise at every available opportunity. For going abroad and taking in the scenery, the sun and the smells you really can't beat it. The Exige is a bit like wearing a helmet, it's all about forward vision. It's very cool, very group C racer, very exciting but you see a lot more scenery in a topless elise.
As for the Elise R being more wild, the power graph of the SC Exige is higher up across the rev range but at no point matches the steepness of the Elise R power curve after the cam change point. That's why, even if its only for a few seconds, the Elise R feels 'wilder'. Because for a few seconds it is. And that's what I love about it. It might not be ideal for every situation but it is fun. However that's Elise R versus standard 220bhp Exige S. With 240 or more the Exige definitely feels wild!
yes, I've seen it done but it looks a bit like something you'd buy at millets.
The exige roof with its scoop and all is too cool to remove. I have a friend who refuses to remove his Exige's roof and I quite admire his commitment. I'm told it adversely affects airflow to the intercooler too, driving without the roof.
The exige roof with its scoop and all is too cool to remove. I have a friend who refuses to remove his Exige's roof and I quite admire his commitment. I'm told it adversely affects airflow to the intercooler too, driving without the roof.
I'm in agreement (drophead) with running around the UK in glorious
summer weather (if it happens) when the fragrances from hedgerows
are a delight to savour. However, in Spain & Portugal, if you venture
off those superb motorways, the fragrances turn into foul smells
from household not-so-deep trench latrines - fact.
summer weather (if it happens) when the fragrances from hedgerows
are a delight to savour. However, in Spain & Portugal, if you venture
off those superb motorways, the fragrances turn into foul smells
from household not-so-deep trench latrines - fact.
If you want the best of both worlds get a soft top kit for the Exige. Use it as a soft top in the summer and put the roof on in Spring and Autumn.
As said already A/C is a must. Despite what some people say it works well. (even in teh middle of winter to stop your windows from misting up !!)
Ex77
As said already A/C is a must. Despite what some people say it works well. (even in teh middle of winter to stop your windows from misting up !!)
Ex77
60, 000 miles in Exiges in 5 years. 1st my N/A now a 240pp.
Only snow and black ice are no-no's, IMHO.
Roof off? Get a shower cap from Hangar 111 and Robert is your uncle. No discernible effect on performance because you left about 20 kg at home that was also in place that wrecked cog.
Only snow and black ice are no-no's, IMHO.
Roof off? Get a shower cap from Hangar 111 and Robert is your uncle. No discernible effect on performance because you left about 20 kg at home that was also in place that wrecked cog.
Edited by aelord on Friday 26th February 21:25
Edited by aelord on Friday 26th February 21:29
aelord said:
60, 000 miles in Exiges in 5 years. 1st my N/A now a 240pp.
Only snow and black ice are no-no's, IMHO.
Roof off? Get a shower cap from Hangar 111 and Robert is your uncle. No discernible effect on performance because you left about 20 kg at home that was also in place that wrecked cog.
And snow's not a problem with the right tyres. Black ice though... Only snow and black ice are no-no's, IMHO.
Roof off? Get a shower cap from Hangar 111 and Robert is your uncle. No discernible effect on performance because you left about 20 kg at home that was also in place that wrecked cog.
Edited by aelord on Friday 26th February 21:25
Edited by aelord on Friday 26th February 21:29
Very practical, all-year-round, track and road sports car. The hardcore complain that the current cars are compromised, but they're compromised in all the right ways IMO.
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