between a well sorted Elise and an Exige…
aside from the latters very cool body work! 
Interested in opinions!
Discuss… 
Well there is a fundamental difference that you could only explore by posting on wellsortedelises.com.
Yes, exiges are cool 
we talking S1s or S2s here?
Do you mean in performance terms? The exige wins in the looks department for me but on track (like Anglesey this year) there was no diff on track.
I don’t think it really makes much difference (on track) for either S1 or S2! Quality of the driver can make a much bigger difference
Given that the chassis is identical and a set-up with Nitrons and arb etc etc, seems to me the only diff is the power plant variations and the looks!..
Sounds remarkably like a woman really!
Can’t understand why you’re asking the question, Pete - you’ve owned both Exige & Elise, & driven both on road & track, so what do YOU think?
I would say however, that the Exige feels/appears the more “planted” through fast corners, even with similar suspension/tyres.
Downforce has to make the difference… Plain and simple physics…
Now for the driver to exploit the difference is another thing …
C’mon pilot , I thought aerodynamics would be your thing !!
you can also add similar performing wings\splitters to an elise without changing its look too much, I still think the driver would be more relevant?
My son asked me this one the other day… he is doing some GCSE’s now, and it got me wondering why peeps buy and Exige over an Elise and vice versa really!
For me, the Exige has the looks (ESP the S1) and says loud and clear ‘move over’! wheras the Elise is just a bit ‘softer’ looking but is just GREAT with the roof off on a sunny day! The Exige just looks silly with the roof off however! 
Aside from that, I think there is no difference at all!!!
As far as ‘Aero’ is concerned, I reckon there is very little happening below about 80 mph with the ‘simple’ aero devices we have. But on fast corners such as the ‘Craners’ at about 100 - 110 mph, my Exige felt very stable wheras my Elise 160 felt quite light.
I would be interested to hear whether those with HUGE rear wings can tell any diff between them and the OEM item?
Yeah big rear wing deffo makes a difference. In my car i can adjust the angle fo the wing and every hole higher I made the wing reduced my top speed down the back straight at Snetterton by 3mph.
The rear end was also a lot more loose in the lower positions, it was a trade off in the end for fast corner stability against outright speed.
But in short, yes deffo makes a difference.
The “Racing Brummie” is of course correct…there is a noticeable difference eg Craners.
Does it really make a difference over a full lap though if the cars have more or less the same power and setup ? Does the car just feel more planted but you are carrying the same speed ? The guy with less downforce just has to work a bit harder for it …
This debate could rage on for weeks, now where did I put my popcorm???
It’s a pointless dabate really (sorry Pete) as the only time it can make any real difference is when they are both in the same class in the same race or sprint. Everything else is academic and down to personal choice/level of preparation. Forget all the techi bits. The S1 Exige simply knocks spots off just about anything out there on looks alone, but I’m sure it’s possible to make an Elise go just as quick or quicker.
If you apply the argument to what came out of the factory the debate makes more sense. Again the Exige wins hands down EXCEPT that the roof doesn’t come off it (usually!)which is a bit of a bummer in the middle of France (or anywhere hot) in August.
All IMHO, of course…
I think having a bit more downforce from the rear wing does help us mere mortal drivers out. I think we all drive better in a car that inspires confidence, I know I do.
If I throw my car into a corner and the front turns in nice and the back end is glued, i will push and push until it becomes un glued.
If I am a little slower down the straights due to my newly found planted arse end (waits for Pesky to take the piss) then I will simply turn the boost up to compensate.
Its a bit like brakes, I think that knowing when you press the middle pedal something is going to happen, that doesn’t involve requireing new under crackers, then you will push harder with your new found confidence.
Having confidence in your steed, makes you a faster driver I think
[quote=SeanB]Its a bit like brakes, I think that knowing when you press the middle pedal something is going to happen, that doesn’t involve requireing new under crackers, then you will push harder with your new found confidence.
[/quote]
Amen to that
Pete I cant believe you asked this question… 
You KNOW the Exige is faster .
You only get overtaken by Elises on your cooling down lap. 
The Exige is faster even when standing still.
[quote=MrBean]Pete I cant believe you asked this question…
You KNOW the Exige is faster. The Exige is faster even when standing still. [/quote]
Looking fwd to seeing your VHPD on full song soon Clive! When will it all be finished???
The original ‘question’ was not about speed however! However… since you have put your money where your mouth is!!!
For my money, I would have 3… a ‘standard’ Exige S1 VHPD, an Exige S2 240 or 260 Cup, and finally my S2 111s ‘K’'d Elise