Am I going to regret this? Elise vs. Exige - LotusTalk

RichS · 08-02-2006, 02:16 PM

Assuming that my loft sale closes I'll be going to Autostrada later this month to pick up the 2006 Canyon Red Elise that I ordered (Hard Top, LSD, Touring, Sports, with the Biscuit interior).

I've seen a black Exige and I like the look even better than the car I ordered... Am I going to regret purchasing the Elise and not going with an Exige?

A bit of background: I ordered the Elise last year with the expectation that it would come in around March or April. It ended up coming in January, and between the time that I ordered it and it came in I had to buy a second house (wife couldn't stand living in downtown, hence the loft sale). With two residences I didn't have the funds to pull the trigger on the Elise. It took a while for the loft to go, but now it looks like it is sold. Neil at Autostrada has been more than patient about waiting for me to purchase the Elise. We had an understanding that if anyone else came in and wanted to buy it he would just give me a call before he sold it to them.

I'd feel really bad about leaving Neil in the lurch with the Canyon Red Elise, but I do really like the look of the Exige.

What should I do?

LARRY · 08-02-2006, 02:19 PM

Elise owners will vote Elise, Exige owners will vote Exige.

For me, the Elise looks PERFECT.

It's a totally bitchin' car. Totally.

Eclise · 08-02-2006, 02:22 PM

One thing I learned with my last car. Black is beautiful...when it's clean. And it's a hard color to keep clean. I went black, but I went back (to red). Stick with the other color.

RichS · 08-02-2006, 02:22 PM

Yeah that's probably the case.

Maybe I should ask if there are any Elise owners out there that really regret not getting/waiting for an Exige.

Also there are a few folks who have had both. Maybe they could say which they prefer...

Allan Gibbs · 08-02-2006, 02:23 PM

Which do you like better? I won't worry about the Canyon Red Elise. I'm sure Neil would like making an Exige sale now and start working on a Canyon Red Elise sale to someone else in a few weeks.

As for Elise v. Exige, it's a matter of personal taste. I doubt most people would be able to exploit the full potential of an Elise so the much more an Exige. So, like I said, which do you like better.

Personally, I'd go for the Exige and get a duster to keep the dirt off.

Taxcheat · 08-02-2006, 02:25 PM

I could have bought either.

I love the look of the Exige too, but I can't go with a car that has no rear view. I also drive almost exclusively with the top off. That's why I don't regret getting the Elise.

Stretch002 · 08-02-2006, 02:31 PM

Since they are essentially the same car I chose the Elise. I like the look of the Exige but wanted the versatility that came with the softop. I like driving on occasion as a convertible! The rear visibility was a factor as well for me since this is my daily driver.

Are you planning on driving it a lot or is it a track toy?

LARRY · 08-02-2006, 02:32 PM

Elise owner here.

Exige came out, I sat in it and thought it was a cool toy.

But overkill for me.

Elise: Smooth, cool.
Exige: Badass, cool.

Both VERY nice, but it's totally subjective. (Up to you.)

RichS · 08-02-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch002

Are you planning on driving it a lot or is it a track toy?

Sort of both.

I'd probably end up selling my current car (1999 10th Anniversary Edition Miata) and make this my 'daily driver', but I work out of my house so I don't really have to drive much. My wife has a 2004 Turbo PT Cruiser so I've got access to a practical car if need be. She doesn't work so I can always take the Cruiser if I need to.

I'm not worried about the practicality of the car at all. This car would replace the Miata because the Miata is too big and heavy, so for me it's more practical than the Miata.

milehitom · 08-02-2006, 02:40 PM

Rear visibility; soft top option; tons of around-town driving. The Elise was perfect for me. I love the Exige's look, but I love the Elise's scooped out back, too. My only regret is how am I going to fit a supercharger in there when my warranty runs out in a year and a half? unless you're going to hit the track a lot, I'd say "Elise."

Tom

Allan Gibbs · 08-02-2006, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LARRY22331

Elise owner here.

Exige came out, I sat in it and thought it was a cool toy.

But overkill for me.

Elise: Smooth, cool.
Exige: Badass, cool.

Both VERY nice, but it's totally subjective. (Up to you.)

Larry's post just reminded me of the time I went to Scottsdale Lotus for service and saw a Phantom Black Exige.

Parked next to my Bordeaux Red (similar to Canyon), I came up with similar impression. The Exige in BRP has a sophisticated, elegant look with the PB Eige was aggressive, mysterious, and evil

I mean

My head would explode if they had a Canyon Red Exige.

Franco · 08-02-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichS

This car would replace the Miata because the Miata is too big and heavy, so for me it's more practical than the Miata.

Wow, just when I thought that I had seen it all, in the same day the OU football team implodes and somebody claims that the Miata is "too big and heavy".

def · 08-02-2006, 02:56 PM

I can't afford an exige, but if I could, I probably would get one instead of an elise. People have made their exige's soft-top friendly, so that argument goes out the window. I'm planning on getting an elise with LSS, so exige suspension/tires doesn't bother me like it does some. Only problem I see (or don't see, ha) is the rear view out the back. So 2/3 problems are solved for me, but the exige looks more aggressive and better (imo), so i'd probably get it, assuming I didn't need the extra 10 grand premium

CalBears92 · 08-02-2006, 03:39 PM

I want the Exige, but there was a used loaded '05 Elise with 1500 miles costing 20k less on the lot. So I took the Elise and so far spent $8k in mods. If I won the lottery, the Elise goes back to Newport European tomorrow for an Exige. I want room for the supercharger.

fishguy · 08-02-2006, 03:47 PM

I own an Elise, if i knew more about the cars when i purchased them AND how it would be used i would have gotten the Exige. i only use mine for trackdays. I would never buy a black car again, i had one, and it could not be kept clean(at least in AZ with all the dust).

jeph · 08-02-2006, 03:51 PM

The elise is really cute. The exige is mean. Which would you rather be?

That said, I daily drive an exige and dont have a rear view problem.

mark.r · 08-02-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eclise

One thing I learned with my last car. Black is beautiful...when it's clean. And it's a hard color to keep clean.

I can vouch for that . . . look at my sig. That being said, it looks so damn coool. Keep in mind I ordered a white one which did not happen. For me it was white, orange, or red. I ended it up with black and it is has been fun.

pilot · 08-02-2006, 03:57 PM

http://performanceimagery.com/pilot/index.html

Imolas54 · 08-02-2006, 03:57 PM

Look wise, i can't believe anyone would think an elise looks better than exige

but if you want the top down in your sports car.... and need a rear view.... and the smiling front bumper, elise is ur ride

Cartoonz · 08-02-2006, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imolas54

Look wise, i can't believe anyone would think an elise looks better than exige

but if you want the top down in your sports car.... and need a rear view.... and the smiling front bumper, elise is ur ride

Um...I prefer the look of the Elise....

View Poll Results: Which Lotus should Rich buy?
Elise	61	65.59%
Exige	32	34.41%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

08-02-2006, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,097	Am I going to regret this? Elise vs. Exige Assuming that my loft sale closes I'll be going to Autostrada later this month to pick up the 2006 Canyon Red Elise that I ordered (Hard Top, LSD, Touring, Sports, with the Biscuit interior). I've seen a black Exige and I like the look even better than the car I ordered... Am I going to regret purchasing the Elise and not going with an Exige? A bit of background: I ordered the Elise last year with the expectation that it would come in around March or April. It ended up coming in January, and between the time that I ordered it and it came in I had to buy a second house (wife couldn't stand living in downtown, hence the loft sale). With two residences I didn't have the funds to pull the trigger on the Elise. It took a while for the loft to go, but now it looks like it is sold. Neil at Autostrada has been more than patient about waiting for me to purchase the Elise. We had an understanding that if anyone else came in and wanted to buy it he would just give me a call before he sold it to them. I'd feel really bad about leaving Neil in the lurch with the Canyon Red Elise, but I do really like the look of the Exige. What should I do?

08-02-2006, 02:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 11,718	Elise owners will vote Elise, Exige owners will vote Exige. For me, the Elise looks PERFECT. It's a totally bitchin' car. Totally. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise, Sports & Touring Packages, Hard Top, Stage II Exhaust, '07 Probax leather seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

08-02-2006, 02:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Taxcheat Practical is boring. Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 1,259	No regrets I could have bought either. I love the look of the Exige too, but I can't go with a car that has no rear view. I also drive almost exclusively with the top off. That's why I don't regret getting the Elise. __________________ 06 Laser Blue Elise: Touring, Sport, Rear brace, SS brake lines, seamless clam, stupid DRLs disabled. 04 Blue Subaru STi The plural of Lotus is Lotus, not Loti.

08-02-2006, 02:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stretch002 Ambassador of fun Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 537	Since they are essentially the same car I chose the Elise. I like the look of the Exige but wanted the versatility that came with the softop. I like driving on occasion as a convertible! The rear visibility was a factor as well for me since this is my daily driver. Are you planning on driving it a lot or is it a track toy? __________________ Proud owner of a 2006 Storm Titanium Elise

08-02-2006, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Eclise Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,197	One thing I learned with my last car. Black is beautiful...when it's clean. And it's a hard color to keep clean. I went black, but I went back (to red). Stick with the other color.

08-02-2006, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,097	Yeah that's probably the case. Maybe I should ask if there are any Elise owners out there that really regret not getting/waiting for an Exige. Also there are a few folks who have had both. Maybe they could say which they prefer...

08-02-2006, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Evora Waiter (2010/2011) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 4,967	Which do you like better? I won't worry about the Canyon Red Elise. I'm sure Neil would like making an Exige sale now and start working on a Canyon Red Elise sale to someone else in a few weeks. As for Elise v. Exige, it's a matter of personal taste. I doubt most people would be able to exploit the full potential of an Elise so the much more an Exige. So, like I said, which do you like better. Personally, I'd go for the Exige and get a duster to keep the dirt off.

08-02-2006, 02:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 11,718	Elise owner here. Exige came out, I sat in it and thought it was a cool toy. But overkill for me. Elise: Smooth, cool. Exige: Badass, cool. Both VERY nice, but it's totally subjective. (Up to you.) __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise, Sports & Touring Packages, Hard Top, Stage II Exhaust, '07 Probax leather seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T)

08-02-2006, 02:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 2,429	Rear visibility; soft top option; tons of around-town driving. The Elise was perfect for me. I love the Exige's look, but I love the Elise's scooped out back, too. My only regret is how am I going to fit a supercharger in there when my warranty runs out in a year and a half? unless you're going to hit the track a lot, I'd say "Elise." Tom

08-02-2006, 02:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
def ...ault Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,006	I can't afford an exige, but if I could, I probably would get one instead of an elise. People have made their exige's soft-top friendly, so that argument goes out the window. I'm planning on getting an elise with LSS, so exige suspension/tires doesn't bother me like it does some. Only problem I see (or don't see, ha) is the rear view out the back. So 2/3 problems are solved for me, but the exige looks more aggressive and better (imo), so i'd probably get it, assuming I didn't need the extra 10 grand premium __________________ //kevin 05 Graphite Gray - Red Touring / LSS / Starshield / Stage 2 + more 06 gray civic hybrid ... with carpool lane stickers!!!

08-02-2006, 03:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
CalBears92 Monkey Tuned! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 470 Images: 3	I want the Exige, but there was a used loaded '05 Elise with 1500 miles costing 20k less on the lot. So I took the Elise and so far spent $8k in mods. If I won the lottery, the Elise goes back to Newport European tomorrow for an Exige. I want room for the supercharger.

08-02-2006, 03:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
fishguy BLAND Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,006 Images: 1	I own an Elise, if i knew more about the cars when i purchased them AND how it would be used i would have gotten the Exige. i only use mine for trackdays. I would never buy a black car again, i had one, and it could not be kept clean(at least in AZ with all the dust). __________________ 1986 Swift DB-1

08-02-2006, 03:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
jeph Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 327	The elise is really cute. The exige is mean. Which would you rather be? That said, I daily drive an exige and dont have a rear view problem.

08-02-2006, 03:57 PM	#18 (permalink)
pilot Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 307	Perhaps this link to some photos will adjust your thinking??? http://performanceimagery.com/pilot/index.html

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

08-02-2006, 03:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
Imolas54 ToYoTa dRiVeR Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,362	Look wise, i can't believe anyone would think an elise looks better than exige but if you want the top down in your sports car.... and need a rear view.... and the smiling front bumper, elise is ur ride

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode