[Jason11]

Just a quick inquiry as to impressions/thoughts from those who went to an exige or elise from an M3.

I currently have an E46 M3 and I'm considering an Exige (190HP)...my only concern is the power drop from the 333HP M3. I understand that the Exige is 1400Lbs. lighter but I'm concerned that the Exige wont be/feel as fast as the M3.

Anyone have insight into this?

Thanks~

 

[IamBatman]

it'll feel like doing it without rubber for the first time.

 

[Sh4rkattk]

Power to weight, arn't 0-60 in the NA exige the same or faster then the M3 0-60.

 

[Flash G]

it'll feel like doing it without rubber for the first time.

The perfect analogy.

I can't speak for the N/A Exige, however in my Exige S, I've easily walked on E46 M3s on the track and on the street. The weight difference is significant.


.

 

[Jason11]

Ummmm...ok. Batman Dont know what to say to that. Thanks~!~ I guess.

I feel violated. hahahah.

Sh4rkattk - yea i think its close. but 0-100 i think is much quicker in M3. Just hoping I wont miss the 333HP in the M3.

Hey Flash - yea, I'm sure that the Exige S would be noticeably faster than the M3 but I was planning on buying a 2006 Exige (190hp). (cant afford the S...too expensive). Maybe the normal Exige and the M3 would be similar in terms of the way straight line power is concerned.

Anyone actually driven both cars? Impressions?

 

[Flash G]

Hey Flash - yea, I'm sure that the Exige S would be noticeably faster than the M3 but I was planning on buying a 2006 Exige (190hp). (cant afford the S...too expensive). Maybe the normal Exige and the M3 would be similar in terms of the way straight line power is concerned.

Let me save you some time. If you're looking for a car that will be fast in a straight line, there are cheaper cars to be had. There are dozens of cars that will be fast in a straight line that won't cost you a lot of money.

This isn't the car to buy if your only interest is drag racing people from stoplights. Stick with an M3, Mustang Cobra, hell - a used Vette will do the trick.


.

 

[Jason11]

Point taken Flash. I do agree with you.

That is not what I'm looking for; I am looking for an excellent track experience as well as fun on the street. The M3 does this very well...just want to hear from Exige owners that can offer insight into that experience all around as well.

 

[Amarao]

I have an idea, go test drive one...

 

[azmurciev12]

the exige is a fantastic track car. no other car will give you the same feedback and enjoyment on the track granted that the exige may not be the fastest car on the track but it sure is the most enjoyable. i've had friends saying this to me and these guys own m3s, gt3, evos, etc. that go around the track faster than the exige. it also takes seat time to really get to drive the car fast on the track. i think it's quite tricky especially if you're coming from AWD STis or FWD cars.

i have an S and let me tell you that it's no straightline performer. yeah it does accelerate fast, but not that fast when it gets over 100mph. if you're getting an NA car, perhaps you can consider a TVS setup, seems that way of supercharging yields more power and might cost less than an exige S.

just remember that you will be sacrificing a lot of comfort and space. if i were to only have one car, it would be hard to pick the exige but fortunately i don't =)))

 

[jlj3394]

Point taken Flash. I do agree with you.

That is not what I'm looking for; I am looking for an excellent track experience as well as fun on the street. The M3 does this very well...just want to hear from Exige owners that can offer insight into that experience all around as well.

Someone's sig line says it best, but I will paraphrase:

When they come to a crossroads between performance and comfort, Lotus engineers almost always go with performance.

The Exige/Elise will be MUCH more enjoyable than an M3 on the track and (iIMO) on the street. This is a driver's car, pure and simple.

The M3 fits 3 chicks and the Lotus only 1.

 

[jhnmdahl]

You'll either want to keep the RPM above 6000, or buy a supercharger kit. Fortunately, there are several decent ones available...

John

 

[cstetter]

This thread should be useful for you

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f152/anyone-come-e46-m3-vert-986-boxter-s-72999/

 

[PECivil]

I have an elise and my E46M3 is my DD.
The M3 feels WAY more powerful and faster than the elise. It is more comfortable, more solid feeling and is just about the best street car I have ever driven. It does everything really well, and nothing poorly. I autoX it and it does pretty decently.

It however does not feel anything like the elise. The elise gives you that sensation of speed because it is so small and low, even though you only have a 4 banger behind you. You feel every bump and nuance in the road. You have telepathic steering. You have much more manuverability. You have a feeling of rawness that no other car could possible match except a race car I reckon.

If I could only have 1 car it would be the M3 hands down.

THANK GOD I can have 2 cars.

 

[fastpapaw]

I went from an E46 M3 to a N/A Exige then a 240S. All I can say is I never went out in the M3 just to drive it, I still do all the time in the Exige.

Mike

 

[def]

get the exige, keep the m3!

 

[Brennon]

Ummmm...ok. Batman Dont know what to say to that. Thanks~!~ I guess.

I feel violated. hahahah.

Sh4rkattk - yea i think its close. but 0-100 i think is much quicker in M3. Just hoping I wont miss the 333HP in the M3.

Hey Flash - yea, I'm sure that the Exige S would be noticeably faster than the M3 but I was planning on buying a 2006 Exige (190hp). (cant afford the S...too expensive). Maybe the normal Exige and the M3 would be similar in terms of the way straight line power is concerned.

Anyone actually driven both cars? Impressions?

I'm selling my Exige S for 41k. Located in San Diego

/shameless plug

 

[texige]

I went from an 05 M3 to a new 06 Exige. You will enjoy all aspects of the performance more in the Exige except acceleration over 100 mph.. The issue is daily driving, comfort, practicality, parking .....

 

[Man of Steel]

If you weren't living in Southern CA, I'd say get ready for instant celebrity status. Certainly true for Lotus owners in the South East.

 

[evotell]

Ummmm...ok. Batman Dont know what to say to that. Thanks~!~ I guess.

I feel violated. hahahah.

Sh4rkattk - yea i think its close. but 0-100 i think is much quicker in M3. Just hoping I wont miss the 333HP in the M3.

Hey Flash - yea, I'm sure that the Exige S would be noticeably faster than the M3 but I was planning on buying a 2006 Exige (190hp). (cant afford the S...too expensive). Maybe the normal Exige and the M3 would be similar in terms of the way straight line power is concerned.

Anyone actually driven both cars? Impressions?

You have a HP addiction. It all about weight NOT power.:coolnana:

 

[LotusStig22]

The perfect analogy.

I can't speak for the N/A Exige, however in my Exige S, I've easily walked on E46 M3s on the track and on the street. The weight difference is significant.


.

M3's are N/A (Stock) too...and 2 seats vs a good 4 would compromise a lot.
It's a much more track-y car, but my dad's M3 is way more comfy and better as a DD than my Uncle's Elise (Which isn't an Exige, but relatively closer)