Why an Elise ?

General General Lotus Talk
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I interested in what inspires someone to purchase an Elise say over a VX220 or S2000 or even dare I say a Caterham [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Is it pure driving experience, styling, or the practicality as an every day mode of transport [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]Has any one considered a Caterham but the bear to bones concept of weather battering drive put you off [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/mad.gif[/image]What do you think?R300 NUT[This message has been edited by Bafty Crastard (edited 12 June 2003).]

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From my side, (and I may be speaking alone here) I have no special interest for one brand or another.I just found out how much history Lotus has AFTER having bought one. And even if I admire that, I’m still not a fanatic.That means I would buy another brand of car if I thought it suited me better.In fact I arrived to the Exige after having started to look for the Ultima. Then I found out that the guy that invented it sold the business and went to make the Noble. Looked at that, but hae also sold Lotus.He invited me to a trackday where I sampled everything. S2, suspension felt unsorted; S1 160, felt good; Noble, very quick (a tad soft) and then he told me he had the Exige, but he wouldn’t roll it, it was new. I went to look at it and it felt just right. Knowing that it was going to handle at least as the S1 160, it was a no brainer. Half the price of the Noble for about the same performance (track).Now, your question: Caterfield? considered it and I like the minimalist approach. If only they were not so ugly (I know, it’s an acquired taste, I just haven’t acquired it yet). Now I might consider one when the Toniq comes out (if the chassis/engine is any good).VX220? turbo or non turbo, too heavy, it’s a touring car, but for that, it lacks boot space.S2000? same, and looks too… refined. I’m a bit against the posh look.But I still fancy the Ultima, Noble, a track speck TVR Tuscan, the shape of the Toniq…But above all, my Exige ! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Hey, that’s me.Uldis

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I chose a 340R over the R300 and Exige. Drove them all back to back and if you can live with zero practicality of the 340R there’s only 1 choice! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]The Exige and R300 both felt good but just not as special as the 340R.I’ve previously owned S1/S2 Elise’s and also currently have an M100 Elan SE. If you need a fun daily driver the S2 Elise is more refined but lacks some of the fun factor of the S1 Elise.You pays yer money, you take your choice!

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UldisI guess your criteria for a car may have been to have good track day capabilities, and an Exige is certainly that, alon with a little bit of “posing”! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]The other car you have mention are all over I guess 40-50K, but I am not so sure I would put them in the same categoryYou say Caterhams are minimalist and are an acquired tasted, I totally agree, I have said it before and I say it again they are plain quirky, but for me you may be missing the point of the car? Let’s face you may include the 340R into that category as well [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Like many race cars on the track the purpose is not for looking at, they are about performance and handling, given cars like the Superlight R3/4/5 there isn’t going to be a lot of competitionPound for pound, pose value, performance and handling how about a Westfield XTR or even my favourite the Radical SR2 Happy MotoringR300 NUT

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Crastard,track day capabilities means good handling to me. Handling, brakes, engine, the full package.Posing? no posing at all. I should do, since others tell me of the pulling power of the Elises and so far I have pulled only the cops!I may include the 340R but even if it’s better than the Exige, I don’t like it. wouldn’t have one at all.Looked into the Westfield and SR3, and they would be excellent options but I’m not wealthy enough.And “Superlight R3/4/5” ? didn’t get what you meant. But… why delve so much into this?I bought the car and later I discovered the story.I like it, and I don’t like Caterfields.That car by itself doesn’t matter to me, but how I drive it. You will never see me discussing which car is best in F1 for ex., because I don’t drive them, therefore they are not interesting to me.You may find me investigating why my car does the things it does and how to improve it.A few times I’ve heard somebody at the pits say “my car has such power” or “3 way adjustable suspension” or “has this power to ratio” only to be overtaken at the track.I like my car, and I’m learning all I can from it… and enjoying on my way.Uldis

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UldisWhat I mean is: A car’s capabilities “generally” will be limited by the skill of the driver, having said that some cars are so well balanced power wise, handling, braking that it can compensate for the less experienced driver. The SLR 3/4/500 cars have been widely accepted by the press as the bench mark [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/image]You say, “its how I drive that matters”, perhaps it should be “how the car drive’s” that matters! The diver is a great variable in the packageA more experienced driver will undoubtedly get a better driving experience from a more capable car.

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Yes, my point is, does it matter how much more capable is another car, if you are not driving it?Going back to your original point, I guess there are lots of different reasons for us Exigers to have bought one.I guess a common thread was: pound for pound, the best car (compromise track/road) than you can get. You can spank much higher-prced cars with the Exige at the track, and have (almost) all the practicalities of a normal car on the road.It’s a bare bones, back to basics road/track car (do not insert a Caterfield comment here)Besides, it’s gorgeous!UldisPS - why would you choose to marry a beautiful girl over another? Same thing.

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[image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Happy MotoringR300 NUT

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Bafty

On how many track days have you actually driven your (or anyone elses’s) Caterham(s)?

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Well, for me, the Exige was cool looking and cheaper to operate than a Porsche Cup Car. I do like the looks, love how it runs on a track, and enjoy the Lotus heritage. It was an impluse buy but I still have it after 2 years.

I’m getting one of the new GT3’s end of June or early July. I bet it won’t run better lap times on most tracks as my Exige… (Funny thing is when I told my Porsche Track buddys I was thinking of getting rid of the Exige, they had a cow They made me swear I would not get rid if it, it was just “too cool”)

As for the others:

VX220 - Can’t get them in the US and too ugly for me anyway.
S2000 - I just don’t get those. Keep in mind that the Exige is a track only car, I drive a P Cab daily and have a Turbo for when I get bored with that.
Caterham - I have been a Lotus nut for years but never got into the 7 or the Caterham…

Now a Radical, that’s an option as an Exige replacement for me. I REALLY like those…

Roy

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I’ve got a S2000 and Exige.

The S2000 is a good track car, however, to make it a really good track car takes a fair amount of cash. Which is why I wanted a dedicated track car. I ended up with the Exige. Great car.