Elise or Exige

[Monty1502]

I've had six Elises - and unfortunately sold my last 220SC about six months ago to fund divorce legal fees. I immediately regretted it and definitely need to buy another !

I've recently sold some of my other classics which I hadn't driven for sometime and want to buy another Lotus in time for the summer. However rather than jump straight to another Elise I've been debating an Exige convertible, ( I've only driven one in a short test drive many years ago and at the time decided to go for another Elise ) . At the time my reason for not buying was that, although the performance was incredible, the Exige was a similar ( ? ) size to the 718 Boxster S I had at the time, and I felt that another Elise would ( and was ) be a "different" type of drive i.e smaller / more agile / "dainty" !

However fast forward and I'm now in a position to buy, I still have a Boxster S ( albeit a 981 - manual, switchable exhaust , all the right bits ) and I'm in a similar dilemma - i.e Elise or Exige ( must be a convertible ) - any thoughts from people with experience of both ?

Thanks

[Monty1502]

Thanks very much for the replies, just made an enquiry on an Elise 250. Sounds Interesting !

[Monty1502]

I've been looking to see what was available since my original post and bought a Roger Becker ( RGB ) edition Elise 220 today. This will be my seventh Elise, can't wait to collect it next week.

I decided an Exige was probably too close to my Boxster S ( size wise ) and the Elise is more of a Sunday afternoon car , having said that I've been across the Alps to Italy for the Mille Miglia a couple of times in my previous Elises , looking forward to some European trips in my new car.

Thanks for all the replies

[Monty1502]

I've been looking to see what was available since my original post and bought a Roger Becker ( RGB ) edition Elise 220 today. This will be my seventh Elise, can't wait to collect it next week.

I decided an Exige was probably too close to my Boxster S ( size wise ) and the Elise is more of a Sunday afternoon car , having said that I've been across the Alps to Italy for the Mille Miglia a couple of times in my previous Elises , looking forward to some European trips in my new car.

Thanks for all the replies

[Monty1502]

matt5964 said:

Welcome to the RGB club, ours is an aspen white number 34, had it since 2019

I've bought No 57

[Monty1502]

keo said:

TheOctaneAddict said:

I'd be interested for your thoughts back to back comparing the Lotus with the Porsche. I've got a manual 981 base Cayman at the minute but the pull of an Elise is very strong and I really fancy one.

I have had a vx220t, Elise 111r and then a 981 GT4. GT4 is a great car it gets really good reviews however I didn’t take to it and got myself a 410 Exige. I’d say Porsche is a great daily and a Lotus is a toy but still half useable. Just my opinion different people like different things.

I'd agree with the comments above. I use my 981 manual Boxster ( switchable exhaust/ quick change gear box / alcantera steering wheel etc ) as my everyday summer car, I've bought the Elise as a more involving Sunday afternoon blast over the Yorkshire moors car. Having said that , as mentioned before I've driven previous Elise's down to the South of France Côte d'Azur to Florence/Brescia for the Mille Miglia and back over the Alps to St Moritz a couple of times and absolutely loved it !

I always feel that due to the size of an Elise, you almost "wear it" rather than sit in it and drive it. 981 certainly better for motorway trips , back roads the Elise wins every time. Collecting my RGB next Friday, it'll be my seventh Elise, can't wait !

[Monty1502]

flattotheboards said:

Monty1502 said:

I'd agree with the comments above. I use my 981 manual Boxster ( switchable exhaust/ quick change gear box / alcantera steering wheel etc ) as my everyday summer car, I've bought the Elise as a more involving Sunday afternoon blast over the Yorkshire moors car. Having said that , as mentioned before I've driven previous Elise's down to the South of France Côte d'Azur to Florence/Brescia for the Mille Miglia and back over the Alps to St Moritz a couple of times and absolutely loved it !

I always feel that due to the size of an Elise, you almost "wear it" rather than sit in it and drive it. 981 certainly better for motorway trips , back roads the Elise wins every time. Collecting my RGB next Friday, it'll be my seventh Elise, can't wait !

I hope the collection all went to plan. You have bought yourself a fantastic example - I have known this car from new and it has been pampered! I was intending to buy this but couldn't make the numbers work unfortunately so I hope you enjoy it

I sent the previous owner the link to this thread and he was absolutely delighted that it is going to somebody that will enjoy it.

Thank for your post, I collected the Elise on Friday, absolutely wonderful car in excellent condition. The history file is exemplary and in perfect order. I've done about 200 miles since Friday lunchtime and absolutely love it. I had a minor problem with the push switch for starting so nipped down to see Dave at "Seriously Lotus" who are only about twenty miles away, he managed to sort the contact out and all is fine ( although a new one has been ordered to be on the safe side).I've also booked it into "SL" for a complete checkover and oil change, I always prefer to get this done as soon as I buy a car just so I know that everything is right and up to date, so it'll go in once the new switch arrives in a week or so. I had my previous Elise for eight years and sold last summer to fund divorce legal fees, so my new car isn't going anywhere,it's a long term "keeper" . I had the underneath of my last Elise completely stripped and cleaned and all suspension components powder coated and my new car is booked in for the same once the summer is over, I like my cars to be as perfect underneath as on top !
Please pass my regards onto the previous owner, I appreciate him keeping the car in such excellent condition.