Ooh…missed the juicy stuff 
The CSL is extremely capable… I really loved mine. A great car for Euro jaunts and as a single ‘do it all’ car its superb.
For me it came to a point where it was obvious that a ‘do it all’ car is always going to be a compromise. The Exige feels more at home on track and I push it harder… it’s also a lot more fun !
Bugger, missed that! I wonder what you said…?
[/quote]
I was explaining my point but it could have been taken in the wrong way and I cant be bothered to have an argument. Lazy but the truth. [/quote]
I am not looking for an argument either. 
All I can do is tell people of my experiences, having owned several track cars, including CSL and Exige… whether people people believe me or not, makes no difference to me.
I believe you.
[quote=DaveP]
Ooh…missed the juicy stuff
The CSL is extremely capable… I really loved mine. A great car for Euro jaunts and as a single ‘do it all’ car its superb.
For me it came to a point where it was obvious that a ‘do it all’ car is always going to be a compromise. The Exige feels more at home on track and I push it harder… it’s also a lot more fun ! [/quote]
Can I ask what your thoughts are of an e46 M3 with no back seats, uprated brakes and suspension, proper geo, half cage, stripped interior, cf bonnet and boot lids, cf seats, etc, etc. How would that compare ? Just interested as I am very tempted to do this for a 'ring car.
[quote=DSE][quote=DaveP]
Ooh…missed the juicy stuff
The CSL is extremely capable… I really loved mine. A great car for Euro jaunts and as a single ‘do it all’ car its superb.
For me it came to a point where it was obvious that a ‘do it all’ car is always going to be a compromise. The Exige feels more at home on track and I push it harder… it’s also a lot more fun ! [/quote]
Can I ask what your thoughts are of an e46 M3 with no back seats, uprated brakes and suspension, proper geo, half cage, stripped interior, cf bonnet and boot lids, cf seats, etc, etc. How would that compare ? Just interested as I am very tempted to do this for a 'ring car. [/quote]
Is this a car you would leave at the ring or tow it there? If so, I reckon it would be a lot of fun! How much are you looking at for that spec? Have you considered an e36 M3 race car - they can be had for sub 20k and go like stink.
[quote=DSE][quote=DaveP]
Ooh…missed the juicy stuff
The CSL is extremely capable… I really loved mine. A great car for Euro jaunts and as a single ‘do it all’ car its superb.
For me it came to a point where it was obvious that a ‘do it all’ car is always going to be a compromise. The Exige feels more at home on track and I push it harder… it’s also a lot more fun ! [/quote]
Can I ask what your thoughts are of an e46 M3 with no back seats, uprated brakes and suspension, proper geo, half cage, stripped interior, cf bonnet and boot lids, cf seats, etc, etc. How would that compare ? Just interested as I am very tempted to do this for a 'ring car. [/quote]
I think it’d be superb Dave !
Personally I think I’d go for a full cage though, the Ring is a nasty place and anyone who does a lot of laps is likely to have an off at some stage.
I’d guess you could do the above for ~15k ? I saw a very similar white car (stripped E46) at the ring a few years back with nice CSL bootlid and bumper…looked awesome.
Ive not looked at the e36 race cars as the car needs to be road legal to use at the 'ring. Ive not driven an e36, are they any good compared to the e46 ? If they are good drivers cars and cheaper it may well be something I will seriously consider.
I am looking at some cheapish E46 M3s (around �10K) and then spending between �10-13K on the track prep.
Thanks for your comments.
Good Point!! 
However I am sure they wouldn’t cost that much to make road legal…would they?
I know a few people who rave about them, one person in particular (Phat’s) that a few on here will know. But can’t vouch for them personally - certainly worth investigating.
I had them both. One handled like a gokart but felt like it was powered by hotpoint, the other had an engine made by gods but felt like a barge in the corners and was boring on tight twisty roads.
Are you referring to the e36 and e46 or the lotus and csl ?
CSL was a good allrounder, but expensive on track and didn’t provide as good a learning environment as the Lotus IMO. So as many have said here a more purposeful solution on track gives more reward than a compromise.
[quote=DSE][quote=Andyk][quote=DSE]Just been to the ring and there were 6+ csl’s there. When they went past me the noise was awesome, only bettered on the day by a gallardo and a california.
Any rich chaps on here want to buy me a csl, I will cut your grass for a year. [/quote]
Was that with the guys from the CSL register…They have just come back from the Ring. Some great pics on the www.cslregister.com [/quote]
Yep, I think it was them. They were going well at the 'ring. [/quote]
Yep they had a great time…I must get over with them next time…
Right, seems threads going away from my original question…So I will say that the CSL is a great every day car for my needs. It feels very special every journey and great on track for the 2 or 3 I do a year…But it’s odd being without a Lotus and the only one that could replace the CSL as my everyday car is the Exige S with performance pack. Just need to drive one now but very odd as been talking to the dealer for the last week they even put a very good deal together. Asked them to send me the finance details by email and since then no mail and haven’t returned my calls…car still for sale on their site…Very odd.
Unusual for a dealer not to be banging your door down these days!!!
I was thinking the same Damon…Will try again tomorrow then go somewhere else if no joy. Did like the spec though