Elise or Exige S ?

[mulsannestr8]

Hi guys, lurking for a while, but just registered.

Sorry for the noob question - did a search, and found only one thread in 08, regarding comfort differences.

Did any of you have to decide one versus other or were you always dead set on one of them?

Good friend of mine owned both: wrecked his Elise, sold the Exige S. If he were to do it again, thinks he would buy Elise again....

I am leaning towards Exige S > Elise SC > Elise.

Would be 3rd car, DD is E46 M3 Vert (I find it unsuitable for the track). wife likes her minivan (thank god)

Your thoughts are appreciated!!

[Vampyre]

whatever you like...

[Demonized]

Sorta depends on how you plan to use it, I guess.. and what your budget is like, and if you like wrenching.

[mulsannestr8]

Would be weekend/track car. Would ideally like to track 5-6 times/year. I am not a hardcore track junkie though..

Thankfully, have the budget for either, but having cash left over with Elise would be nice.

Really was set on Exige S, then my friend confused me - he felt like Elise was more "user friendly?" didn't feel that Exige was worth the price premium.

Have any of the Elise owners felt urge to "upgrade" (if you want to call it that) to an Exige? Have any of the Exige owners wanted to switch to Elise?

[wallabyguy]

I used to have to help clients work through this question all the time. Basically it comes down to how you're going to use the car. The exige trades visability and some clearances in order to provide addition down force that makes a significant difference on the track and high speeds. The difference is very clear when driving at the limit. Now that said, frankly, the Elise is a better car than most drivers have the capability of fully utilizing. It is a good rule of thumb that unless you are an experienced driver, and I mean really experienced not a highway nut job, it's better to buy an Elise and then get driving lessons.

It does sound like you are am experienced driver so at very least the Exige should be on the table. The Elise SC is a great compromise and the route I would personally take. It gives you the additional power but doesn't sacrifice the practicality. For the half dozen track days a year versus the amount of other use the car would have, the Exige simply wouldn't make sense. My wife on the other hand wants an Exige because her on road use would only be ocassional and she would spend most of her time on the track.

[Demonized]

Or alternately, buy the Elise, get a VFII or TVS supercharger kit, get some aero aids... Have more power, and more downforce than an Exige S260, for less money.

[Andy 98RT10]

Like others have said, both cars have handling limits that most drivers will never meet on public roads. Just spend a lot of time looking at both cars and ask yourself which looks better in your eyes, as styling is the biggest difference.

Whichever you choose, you won't regret it

[LordZ]

Pick the one you like the best.

For me personally I went for an 06 Exige then added the SC. I really feel the stock NA power isn't enough for on the street. It's fine on track, but I just like to be able to accelerate when at speed. That is something I found lacking in the NA that I bought.

The downside to more power is at first it actually slowed me down on track. I'm really not that much faster than the NA guys on track overall. Yes the car is faster, I'm just not there yet and the added power has slowed down my learning curve I think.

[mulsannestr8]

Guys, thanks for your input. I agree that the supercharger would be overkill for the track and would compensate for poor technique rather than forcing you to correct and learn. Would miss the low-end power (torque) on the street however.

Aside from the visibility issue, are there other practicality issues specifically with the Exige?

[cashxdr]

I LOVE the wind in my hair with the top off raising hell on a beautiful day in my Elise. And if it rains, it takes minutes to put the soft top on.

And 145 mph on a curvy road with the top off is UNBELIVABLE!!!

I have the hard top and soft top and have tried it both ways. The car is no stiffer with the hardtop bolted in and I personally feel clausphobic. I currently have no idea where the hardtop is honestly. It's around somewhere.

And it's cool to just jump in, slide down the seat and take off.

But I guess I'm bias

[LordZ]

Originally Posted by mulsannestr8

Guys, thanks for your input. I agree that the supercharger would be overkill for the track and would compensate for poor technique rather than forcing you to correct and learn. Would miss the low-end power (torque) on the street however.

Aside from the visibility issue, are there other practicality issues specifically with the Exige?

No, practicality is the same. The Exige comes with a removeable hardtop, the Elise comes with the softtop and optional hardtop. The Exige can easily be fitted with a softtop as well though. The Elise does look better with the soft top on than the Exige, but off I think both look quite stunning.

Rear view on the Exige is tough. Alot of us just got a flip up indash stereo with backup camera. The wide angle lens on most backup cameras cover the blind spot very well. Unless it's another short car like a mini I can still see the rear of the car in the camera when I can see the front of the car in my peripheral vision.

[plastique999]

Originally Posted by Demonized

Or alternately, buy the Elise, get a VFII or TVS supercharger kit, get some aero aids... Have more power, and more downforce than an Exige S260, for less money.

+1000

Elise, enuff said....