Replacing a Caterham and Elise with one car?
Discussion
We are lucky enough to have a few cars in the family... My wife has an Audi TT, I have a BMW 530D company car and we have a Caterham superlight R, an S2 Elise, and a Clio Trophy.
I bought the Clio 2 years ago as a mate had one, which he raved about all the time. When one came up for sale at a local dealer, I bought it on a bit of an impulse!
Since we have had the Clio I have noticed that it has become the car of choice for going out... To such a degree that the Elise in particular is just not being used. Last weekend we were going to meet friends for lunch in Portmeirion which is a 190 mile round trip, mainly A and B roads. The Elise, BMW, and TT were on the drive, the Clio and Caterham were in the garage. I was shattered so my wife said she would drive... so she moved the Elise and got the Clio out of the garage! She said of all the cars, she preferred the Clio, particularly when we weren't going on the motorway... (Interesting as she went ballistic when I bought it!)
This has been the same since we have had the Clio, both of us prefer to drive this over the other cars. We didn't take it to France last year, or to Scotland, we used the BMW as its quiet and comfortable for long trips, but if we are going out for a drive somewhere, both of us jump in the Clio as a first choice.
On the way to Portmeirion I asked her what she liked about the car... She said she liked the way it handled, braked, the driving position, just about everything and that it was so much fun to drive! Sums it up for me to, its such a "fun" car, and dare I say it as quick as the Elise point to point on the road.
We have done 300 mile in the Elise over the last 2 years, and about 500 in the Caterham, and 7000 in the Clio!! The Elise is definitely being sold. Ideally I would like one car to replace all three... but what car?
I bought the Clio 2 years ago as a mate had one, which he raved about all the time. When one came up for sale at a local dealer, I bought it on a bit of an impulse!
Since we have had the Clio I have noticed that it has become the car of choice for going out... To such a degree that the Elise in particular is just not being used. Last weekend we were going to meet friends for lunch in Portmeirion which is a 190 mile round trip, mainly A and B roads. The Elise, BMW, and TT were on the drive, the Clio and Caterham were in the garage. I was shattered so my wife said she would drive... so she moved the Elise and got the Clio out of the garage! She said of all the cars, she preferred the Clio, particularly when we weren't going on the motorway... (Interesting as she went ballistic when I bought it!)
This has been the same since we have had the Clio, both of us prefer to drive this over the other cars. We didn't take it to France last year, or to Scotland, we used the BMW as its quiet and comfortable for long trips, but if we are going out for a drive somewhere, both of us jump in the Clio as a first choice.
On the way to Portmeirion I asked her what she liked about the car... She said she liked the way it handled, braked, the driving position, just about everything and that it was so much fun to drive! Sums it up for me to, its such a "fun" car, and dare I say it as quick as the Elise point to point on the road.
We have done 300 mile in the Elise over the last 2 years, and about 500 in the Caterham, and 7000 in the Clio!! The Elise is definitely being sold. Ideally I would like one car to replace all three... but what car?
If your wife has a TT but prefers the Clio, why not get rid of the TT making the Clio her main car and the BMW yours, then if you want a "fun" car for yourself for when she's driving the Clio, pick something just for that purpose? It seems silly to get rid of the Clio if you both like it so much.
The Trophy really is the last "old school" hot hatch. Everything now is a lot more advanced with independent rear suspension etc, which is great, however the Clio really is last of the old school. You cant' really replace it as things have moved on and I doubt you'll take to the 200 in the same way. I may be wrong, it maybe worth trying. Personally, I'd keep the Clio, it's hardly costing much in the big scheme of things and you both clearly love it. Keep it immaculate and it's appeal will probably never go away.
With the Clio and the BMW you have town trips, long trips and everyday use covered. What's left probably comes down to fun
By the sound of it the Elise is a little too raw for your needs. We're after a feel good kind of car I'm guessing so what about a classic? Something a bit recent maybe, like a 993 Porsche or an F355? Alternatively, staying modern, something like the Boxster could cover the Elise off nicely.
With the Clio and the BMW you have town trips, long trips and everyday use covered. What's left probably comes down to fun
By the sound of it the Elise is a little too raw for your needs. We're after a feel good kind of car I'm guessing so what about a classic? Something a bit recent maybe, like a 993 Porsche or an F355? Alternatively, staying modern, something like the Boxster could cover the Elise off nicely.
kambites said:
If your wife has a TT but prefers the Clio, why not get rid of the TT making the Clio her main car and the BMW yours, then if you want a "fun" car for yourself for when she's driving the Clio, pick something just for that purpose? It seems silly to get rid of the Clio if you both like it so much.
I agree with Kambites, keep the Clio and sell the TT. Then take the money from the sale of the three cars and go looking for a 996 GT3.Wish I had your problem!
mike9009 said:
Sell the Elise, cater ham and tt. Then buy an evora. Or what about a europa???
Mike
To be honest, I will never have another Lotus... I like to keep my cars immaculate and the Elise has had to have a new front AND rear clam and two new doors!! all under warranty due to paint defects. its a common problem on them and I can just see faint bubbles starting under the paint again. I just know the first time it goes out on a really hot day there are going to be paint problems again... hence it will be sold.Mike
Sell the Elise, TT and Caterham, and buy something old and classic?* Or something that is about to be a classic? http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2227821.htm
TG are just testing an old Aston and an old E Type which might have influenced my reply
TG are just testing an old Aston and an old E Type which might have influenced my reply
Got to agree with the other people, the TT should be going, sounds like the Elise is replicating what the Caterham does. What about replacing the TT and Elise with a Scirocco R? You'd then have you long distance cruiser, the fun nippy hot hatch, the refined, sophisticated and fast coupe and the weekend toy.
The Megane RS250 is another good suggestion mentioned above.
Andy
The Megane RS250 is another good suggestion mentioned above.
Andy
Ozzie Osmond said:
Frankly, it sounds as though you're just not cut out for sportscars!
I read the title and went off to do something else while formulating my reply... I was going to suggest you had the best track car for sensible money in the SLR, so how about a race series or just some track lessons.Nevermind, eh
Keep the Clio for your missus and get a GT for the weekend. Something like a DB9 or if the budget's a bit lower an XKR.
billbill said:
We are lucky enough to have a few cars in the family... My wife has an Audi TT, I have a BMW 530D company car and we have a Caterham superlight R, an S2 Elise, and a Clio Trophy.
I bought the Clio 2 years ago as a mate had one, which he raved about all the time. When one came up for sale at a local dealer, I bought it on a bit of an impulse!
Since we have had the Clio I have noticed that it has become the car of choice for going out... To such a degree that the Elise in particular is just not being used. Last weekend we were going to meet friends for lunch in Portmeirion which is a 190 mile round trip, mainly A and B roads. The Elise, BMW, and TT were on the drive, the Clio and Caterham were in the garage. I was shattered so my wife said she would drive... so she moved the Elise and got the Clio out of the garage! She said of all the cars, she preferred the Clio, particularly when we weren't going on the motorway... (Interesting as she went ballistic when I bought it!)
This has been the same since we have had the Clio, both of us prefer to drive this over the other cars. We didn't take it to France last year, or to Scotland, we used the BMW as its quiet and comfortable for long trips, but if we are going out for a drive somewhere, both of us jump in the Clio as a first choice.
On the way to Portmeirion I asked her what she liked about the car... She said she liked the way it handled, braked, the driving position, just about everything and that it was so much fun to drive! Sums it up for me to, its such a "fun" car, and dare I say it as quick as the Elise point to point on the road.
We have done 300 mile in the Elise over the last 2 years, and about 500 in the Caterham, and 7000 in the Clio!! The Elise is definitely being sold. Ideally I would like one car to replace all three... but what car?
Billbill - send me an email/private message please, I can't send one to you. ThanksI bought the Clio 2 years ago as a mate had one, which he raved about all the time. When one came up for sale at a local dealer, I bought it on a bit of an impulse!
Since we have had the Clio I have noticed that it has become the car of choice for going out... To such a degree that the Elise in particular is just not being used. Last weekend we were going to meet friends for lunch in Portmeirion which is a 190 mile round trip, mainly A and B roads. The Elise, BMW, and TT were on the drive, the Clio and Caterham were in the garage. I was shattered so my wife said she would drive... so she moved the Elise and got the Clio out of the garage! She said of all the cars, she preferred the Clio, particularly when we weren't going on the motorway... (Interesting as she went ballistic when I bought it!)
This has been the same since we have had the Clio, both of us prefer to drive this over the other cars. We didn't take it to France last year, or to Scotland, we used the BMW as its quiet and comfortable for long trips, but if we are going out for a drive somewhere, both of us jump in the Clio as a first choice.
On the way to Portmeirion I asked her what she liked about the car... She said she liked the way it handled, braked, the driving position, just about everything and that it was so much fun to drive! Sums it up for me to, its such a "fun" car, and dare I say it as quick as the Elise point to point on the road.
We have done 300 mile in the Elise over the last 2 years, and about 500 in the Caterham, and 7000 in the Clio!! The Elise is definitely being sold. Ideally I would like one car to replace all three... but what car?
I personally find Caterhams a bigger adrenaline hit than the Elise in standard form, so I'd vote for keeping the Superlight for track days and B-roads, and pairing it with something with four seats and a usable boot - which could be the Clio.
I reckon the average petrolhead only really needs 2 or 3 types of car:
I reckon the average petrolhead only really needs 2 or 3 types of car:
- A runaround (small, economical, practical)
- A toy - the more extreme the better - for track use and occasional blats on the road
- Perhaps a long distance tourer with elements of both
There is only one answer of course . . . a decent Lancia integrale. Doesn't matter which variant, just as long as it's a good 'un, or able to be made into one.
Job done . . . unless you want mega miles per gallon. I'm afraid after 17yrs of daily commuting, towing, fun days,holidays, drives just for the hell of it, my integrale is now taking second place to a 35mpg J-reg Pug 106 - 1100cc of pure French power. But an amazing desire to oversteer all the time . . .which is not always good!
Bri
Job done . . . unless you want mega miles per gallon. I'm afraid after 17yrs of daily commuting, towing, fun days,holidays, drives just for the hell of it, my integrale is now taking second place to a 35mpg J-reg Pug 106 - 1100cc of pure French power. But an amazing desire to oversteer all the time . . .which is not always good!
Bri
Well, decision made. She does not want to part with the TT... The Clio is staying, we will continue to use it while we sort another car, and as its value is low, we will probably keep it. Maybe it will go the way of the Williams Clio?
A call last night to a guy who has always lusted after the Caterham has secured a good deal, and the Elise will be up for sale over the weekend...
There are some good suggestions above and I will go and drive a few cars, but for sure they wont be classics or older cars!
I did drive the Clio 200... not a patch on the Trophy....
As for the Lancia...I went through the Intergrale phase many years ago... I had two, the first one was very unreliable... but the second one nearly broke me!
A mate bought one a few years ago as he had always lusted after one in his youth... he spent thousands (and I mean thousands!!) restoring it over 2 years. When he did get to drive it... BIG disappointment. As they say, never meet your heroes! I had it for a few days... not a patch on modern cars.
Any more suggestions welcomed... Going to try an M3 tomorrow
A call last night to a guy who has always lusted after the Caterham has secured a good deal, and the Elise will be up for sale over the weekend...
There are some good suggestions above and I will go and drive a few cars, but for sure they wont be classics or older cars!
I did drive the Clio 200... not a patch on the Trophy....
As for the Lancia...I went through the Intergrale phase many years ago... I had two, the first one was very unreliable... but the second one nearly broke me!
A mate bought one a few years ago as he had always lusted after one in his youth... he spent thousands (and I mean thousands!!) restoring it over 2 years. When he did get to drive it... BIG disappointment. As they say, never meet your heroes! I had it for a few days... not a patch on modern cars.
Any more suggestions welcomed... Going to try an M3 tomorrow
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