Elise to Exige

[sng45]

I have a chrome orange,2015, Elise SC220 which I absolutely love, it's my sixth Elise and I hadn't considered changing it until I was out for a drive today and stopped at a dealer who has a 2015 "Exige S roadster premium" 345bhp for sale, it's finished in red which wouldn't have been my first choice but overall looks like a great car.

I've arranged to go back for a test drive early next week and the "price to change" is around £14,000. Does anyone have experience of Elise v Exige - I'm intrigued at the apparent difference between them, 220bhp against 345bhp, albeit in a slightly heavier car. I've never driven an Exige as I've always been such as Elise fan !

Is the 345bhp the car to go for or if I change should it be for the 380bhp Exige ? and also is it worth spending £14,000 for the difference ?

Any experiences and comments on the above welcomed.

Thank you

[sng45]

Thanks very much for the replies - I'm hoping to have a test drive tomorrow or Wednesday. I must admit I'm struggling a little with £14,000 to change when I like the Elise so much but intrigued to try an Exige as I've never driven one before. I feel the Elise is such a capable and "nimble" car for the minor - Sunday afternoon - roads that I'd be loathe to change it. I can understand the Exige being better for out and out speed and travelling on motorways, having said that I've been down to the South of France and back over the Alps a couple of times in my previous Elises and really enjoyed the trips.

As mentioned I have and have had, a few fast-ish cars and as I get older I feel it becomes more about "it's now how fast you go, but how you go fast" and as the Elise is so small 50mph feels like 85 and you get to keep your licence !

I think I've pretty much answered my own question !!!

[sng45]

Since I started this thread unfortunately I haven't been in the best of health - I've had some fairly serious hospital treatment which is now over ( unfortunately so is the summer for this type of car - but I don't care after what I've been through!) so got back to looking again and noticed this...

http://www.alexandersprestige.co.uk/stock/7897409-...

( coincidentally the same dealer I bought my Elise from )

Does anyone know this car ? I've still not driven one but hoping to at least satisfy my curiosity this week !

[sng45]

Leggy said:

Sorry to read of your health issues. Hopefully you’ve made a full recovery. The previous owner of my V6 had recovered from a serious health problem but due to the heavy steering was told by his medical advisors to get something power assisted.
It’s worth a long test drive in different types of traffic to see if it’s suitable.

Thanks very much for your reply, my health issues were somewhat different from your friend - I went into hospital in January to have a tonsil removed and when I came round from the anaesthetic I was told I had cancer of the mouth and throat - a big surprise to say the least as I've never smoked a cigarette and never drank alcohol, so hardly a rock'n'roll lifestyle ! So I've had a year of Radio & Chemotherapy, allergic reactions, pneumonia and a few other things thrown in ! but I've just been given the "all clear" and told I'm in remission, so life is good.

I've had a lot of cars and should I change the Elise for the Exige it would be one of nine I have presently and I'm a little unsure whether the £13k I've been told is the cost to change is worth it for a car I'll drive for around three hours a month! ( I could keep the Elise and have my 1971 Fiat 500 restored to Abarth spec' with the cash - first world problems etc !)

I drove the Exige last week for five miles or so and really enjoyed it, certainly impressive from an additional power and comfort point of view - but perhaps I just like my Elise too much ( this is my sixth ) so mulling it over and trying to decide if the Exige is something I really can't live without - maybe I've answered my own question !

Appreciate all the replies, thanks very much.

[sng45]

B4rnst4ble said:

Sorry
Just seen this yes it was my car and what a car !
Just upgraded to something else
it was going to be a keeper ! Only put the lotus exhaust on in Feb this year any details on history let me know

Edited by B4rnst4ble on Saturday 11th November 07:48

Thanks very much for your reply, I've sent you a pm.

Best Wishes

Steve