Exige vs Elise?? - Page 2 - LotusTalk

erics75218 · 07-05-2009, 09:04 AM

The Exige has more downforce from the factory, and looks more bad ass. If your Elise has the LSS wheels, then I'm pretty sure the driving experience is gonna be almost the same.

I really wanted a used Elise, but when I laid eyes upon my Chrome Orange beauty, I couldn't ever look at an Elise again. They look kinda' "girly" but with a little time you can make them look tough too. And more or less, they perform the same. IF the Elise has the stock non lss wheels, you get a LOT less front end traction because the fronts aren't as wide, this actually makes "in town" driving a bit easier.

Can't go wrong either way, just look at them both, then look at your wallet, and make a call.

Mr. Know · 07-05-2009, 12:14 PM

This may be neither here nor there...but the body panels of the Exige are made using a different process than the Elise. They are more contiguous as well, meaning you'll have a much larger piece to deal with should something get damaged. Access behind the mesh is more limited as well, since the fins on the Elise are more or less removable, whereas it is not on the Exige.

For AutoX, the Elise would actually serve better, as the Exige's downforce abilities are meaningless at AutoX speeds. But, there is something to be said for a supercharger...

Sweet Adrenaline · 07-05-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

How much are you willing to $pend?

Good luck in your decision, and welcome to the insanity!

Yours too!

I'm certainly feeling the craze as I dive deeper and deeper into cars and racing! I can't stop thinking about it!!

I am hoping to stay in the 50k and under range...

Sweet Adrenaline · 07-05-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

For AutoX, the Elise would actually serve better, as the Exige's downforce abilities are meaningless at AutoX speeds. But, there is something to be said for a supercharger...

I love AutoX, so considering that is where the majority of my focus will be, I may be better off going with the Elise, but I eventually want to go Rally, but I guess by then I can go with the Exige (?) Oh, so many cars, so little time

I think I just want both...

Sweet Adrenaline · 07-05-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Can't go wrong either way, just look at them both, then look at your wallet, and make a call.

50K or less (if possible)

kmt63 · 07-05-2009, 12:35 PM

you could buy an elise.then down the road buy exige bodywork.then you could have both.the exige clams and roof come up for sale from time to time.bear101 has parted a few out.

apk919 · 07-05-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Adrenaline

50K or less (if possible)

Are you planning on having the car modded? It's pretty easy to turn a 2005 Elise into a car that's equivalent to or better than a stock 2008 Exige S240 (or even a Cup Car, for that matter). If you do it gradually, you can develop your skills with the car, and not have to spend all the money up front...

Drmike · 07-05-2009, 07:42 PM

i rather enjoy regularly seeing the stock elise (non supercharged) thrashing the lap times of the guys driving their exige cup 240s and exige Ss at Fuji. Sure on paper the exige cars are faster but as these (elise cup) drivers show if you have the skills you can more than compete with higher hp cars

Drmike · 07-05-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

Are you planning on having the car modded? It's pretty easy to turn a 2005 Elise into a car that's equivalent to or better than a stock 2008 Exige S240 (or even a Cup Car, for that matter). If you do it gradually, you can develop your skills with the car, and not have to spend all the money up front...

my philosophy with performance enhancing (non safety) mods is I do them when and if i reach the point where the limiting factor in reducing lap times is the car and not me. as im still the weakest link i dont even have a supercharger yet.

looking at the results from recent events, drivers skill counts for a lot more than the difference between a stock NA elise and a cup 240 Exige...

ashsimmonds · 07-06-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erics75218

The Exige ... looks more bad ass.

For day to day use around town - that's the rub, Elise is nicer, Exige is awesome, but annoying.

For proper driving - Elise is fantastic, but Exige is sublime.

(side note: only paxed in several Elises all in "sporty" scenarios, and driven Exige S)

Exige S review

Sweet Adrenaline · 07-06-2009, 09:42 AM

It seems like for AutoX, the Elise makes the most sense...I just so love the Raw Sexy look of the Exige...grrrrr!

Mr. Know · 07-06-2009, 07:23 PM

I'm not real familiar with AutoX, but the type you are doing (ie SCCA AutoX vs. Club level) may be a factor in your decision between the two. I'm not sure how the Elise and the Exige are classed, but I'm sure someone knows and can chime in.

doug_porsche · 07-06-2009, 07:36 PM

OK, I am confused.

If you compare the Elise with the LSS package to the Exige, both with either the NA motor (2006) or SC motor, the Exige has measurably better down force (but tough to feel at highway speeds), and the Elise has better top speed (Which you will never see on the highway). Doesn't that mean that, (and I am apologizing up front), the differences are more cosmetic to 80% of the the Lotus owners? The other 20%, who use ALL the capabilities of their cars , the differences could/should matter.

Again, I am not trying to down one car or the other. I own an Elise, and love the looks of the Exige, and dont think MOST people who buy a Lotus could choose wrong.

Drmike · 07-06-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug_porsche

Doesn't that mean that, (and I am apologizing up front), the differences are more cosmetic to 80% of the the Lotus owners? .

no.

it means the differences are cosmetic for 95% of the Lotus owners

MNlotus · 07-06-2009, 07:57 PM

how can an exige compete with this? plus we are even lighter

apk919 · 07-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNlotus

how can an exige compete with this? plus we are even lighter

I don't know... if you keep adding parts (splitter, wing, side scoops, canards, skirts, etc), you'll eventually catch up. Even CF isn't weightless

EDIT: I does look fantastic though...

...m... · 07-06-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drmike

it means the differences are cosmetic for 95% of the Lotus owners

...quite honestly, i'd be very surprised if the performance differences eclipse driver ability for even two percent of owners, considering that most people at that level begin experimenting with aftermarket aerodynamic packages regardless...

apk919 · 07-06-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...m...

...quite honestly, i'd be very surprised if the performance differences eclipse driver ability for even two percent of owners, considering that most people at that level begin experimenting with aftermarket aerodynamic packages regardless...

+1

I'm pretty sure that none of the usual top three finishers in N/A Mod or F/I in the Lotus Challenge Series are running stock aero (or completely stock engines, suspensions, etc)

EDIT: A stock Exige S would have real difficulty beating the fastest car in F/I, even with a very good driver.

...m... · 07-06-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNlotus

how can an exige compete with this? plus we are even lighter

...i think you have an attractive car, but i also think it's dipping its toes into saleen territory...

...more attractive than a racerboy exige?..possibly, but where one draws the line of sophomoric aesthetics in this case can come down to differences in taste...

Darth G-F · 07-07-2009, 03:40 AM

They are the same car!
The Exige comes with some downforce and a bit more power. But nothing the aftermarket can't cure. Reverie will triple the Exige downforce and VF will give you up to about 300rwhp.

You can easily built an Exige killer for less, using an Elise.

07-05-2009, 12:14 PM	#22 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,394 Images: 6	This may be neither here nor there...but the body panels of the Exige are made using a different process than the Elise. They are more contiguous as well, meaning you'll have a much larger piece to deal with should something get damaged. Access behind the mesh is more limited as well, since the fins on the Elise are more or less removable, whereas it is not on the Exige. For AutoX, the Elise would actually serve better, as the Exige's downforce abilities are meaningless at AutoX speeds. But, there is something to be said for a supercharger... __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S

07-05-2009, 12:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
kmt63 Elise Racer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: vancouver wa Posts: 706 Images: 2	you could buy an elise.then down the road buy exige bodywork.then you could have both.the exige clams and roof come up for sale from time to time.bear101 has parted a few out. __________________ rls west~nci motor sports fabrication

07-06-2009, 09:42 AM	#31 (permalink)
Sweet Adrenaline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 364	It seems like for AutoX, the Elise makes the most sense...I just so love the Raw Sexy look of the Exige...grrrrr! __________________ There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the Noble M400.

07-06-2009, 07:23 PM	#32 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,394 Images: 6	I'm not real familiar with AutoX, but the type you are doing (ie SCCA AutoX vs. Club level) may be a factor in your decision between the two. I'm not sure how the Elise and the Exige are classed, but I'm sure someone knows and can chime in. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S

07-06-2009, 07:36 PM	#33 (permalink)
doug_porsche Thanks Pepper Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 409	OK, I am confused. If you compare the Elise with the LSS package to the Exige, both with either the NA motor (2006) or SC motor, the Exige has measurably better down force (but tough to feel at highway speeds), and the Elise has better top speed (Which you will never see on the highway). Doesn't that mean that, (and I am apologizing up front), the differences are more cosmetic to 80% of the the Lotus owners? The other 20%, who use ALL the capabilities of their cars , the differences could/should matter. Again, I am not trying to down one car or the other. I own an Elise, and love the looks of the Exige, and dont think MOST people who buy a Lotus could choose wrong. __________________ "They swap ends at remarkable speed" - David Hobbs Japanese Grand Prix Practice 2009

07-05-2009, 09:04 AM	#21 (permalink)
erics75218 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 625	The Exige has more downforce from the factory, and looks more bad ass. If your Elise has the LSS wheels, then I'm pretty sure the driving experience is gonna be almost the same. I really wanted a used Elise, but when I laid eyes upon my Chrome Orange beauty, I couldn't ever look at an Elise again. They look kinda' "girly" but with a little time you can make them look tough too. And more or less, they perform the same. IF the Elise has the stock non lss wheels, you get a LOT less front end traction because the fronts aren't as wide, this actually makes "in town" driving a bit easier. Can't go wrong either way, just look at them both, then look at your wallet, and make a call.

07-05-2009, 07:42 PM	#28 (permalink)
Drmike Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 165	i rather enjoy regularly seeing the stock elise (non supercharged) thrashing the lap times of the guys driving their exige cup 240s and exige Ss at Fuji. Sure on paper the exige cars are faster but as these (elise cup) drivers show if you have the skills you can more than compete with higher hp cars

07-06-2009, 07:57 PM	#35 (permalink)
MNlotus 06 elise Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: apple valley MN Posts: 901	how can an exige compete with this? plus we are even lighter Attached Images __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise-way too many mods to list (k24 swap planned. 300+whp) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIcCsvhWvY 2003 Caterham Super Seven DeDion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ysO...e=channel_page 2008 Maserati Quattroporte Executive GT

07-07-2009, 03:40 AM	#40 (permalink)
Darth G-F Liberté! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,515	They are the same car! The Exige comes with some downforce and a bit more power. But nothing the aftermarket can't cure. Reverie will triple the Exige downforce and VF will give you up to about 300rwhp. You can easily built an Exige killer for less, using an Elise. Attached Images __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise Ronin Supercharger out... about to install VF2!! 2008 BMW 328Xi

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