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driving / racing enthusiast looking for a real drivers car

819 Views 31 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  StressCraxx, 
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Greetings All!

Licensed SCCA racer here on the hunt for a true drivers car.

While I never have actually even been in a lotus, they do amaze me.

Colin Chapman formula of "adding lightness" always intrigues..

I truly enjoy my //M Roadster, have been in Corvettes, Porsche's, Cobras, and got a chance to get a ride in a Ariel Atom

While all great, I think the Elise (perhaps Exige) is what I am after.

Looking forward to talking and meeting folks in this community.

Cheers,
//M Driver
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kfennell
Where in the country are you? I have a lotus/road race shop in central TX and we run time attack and soon W2W in NASA, and spec miata in SCCA and Nasa, happy to help you if you if we can [email protected]
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C
Welcome to LT M Driver! Be sure to check out the buying guide in the Elise forum. Once you've been a member three days and have ten posts you'll be able to send/receive PM and enter the Marketplace. GLWS!
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71type65
Yes for driver enjoyment there's really nothing like a Lotus. I have a 2009 Vette that handles great, no nannies to interfere, but in the end it's front (actually front-mid) engine so not quite as sharp as my 2003 Esprit V8. My 2014 650i M Edition has the nannies, still handles great, but can feel the weight above the Esprit. The 2018 LC500 is incredible, razor sharp, but since it's really a luxury GT carrying the weight of various accoutrements like a home theater quality stereo system and extensive sound deadening (man is that car quiet, I have to open the windows to fully enjoy the n/a 7100 rpm RPM V8 wail) that sharpness is accomplished to a large degree by technology magic.

The Lotus, in my case V8 Esprit, is a different story. Nothing like it to feel a direct connection to the road. Many say the 4 cyl is even more direct, think it's a bit lighter. But I like my torquey V8's (5 vehicles owned, 5 V8's).

I'm not that familiar with the "Elige" (Lotus shorthand) but owners love them. Short wheelbase, mid-engine, should be a blast to drive. One thing you for sure won't need to worry about is carrying the weight of sound deadening, I think there's little if any.

So you're on the right path. Whatever Lotus you pick it will be a special experience driving it no matter what other cars are in or have been in your stable. GLWTS
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Thank you Catsailr27 and All! :)

I am located in MA and one of the reasons I joined as there is a Lotus for sale in my area, thanks for the info!

@ 71type65, thank you for your feedback on different cars . the M cars are nice, I have a older E36/7 S52 powered one and its pretty connected to the road, lots of mods suspension wise, ran it in a few TniA's (Track night in America) and NASA events. love it. Had it for many years, but considering selling / trading for a Elise.

I seem to be a few years late, seems prices have shot up in the last 3 years, but hey, I'm not getting any younger ;)


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still learning the site, are there car meets / cars and coffee type events in the MA area?
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BMW-M-Driver said:
still learning the site, are there car meets / cars and coffee type events in the MA area?
Click to expand...
There is a community section, subdivided into regions. The Northeast region is what you want: Northeast Region
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BMW-M-Driver said:
I truly enjoy my //M Roadster, have been in Corvettes, Porsche's, Cobras, and got a chance to get a ride in a Ariel Atom
While all great, I think the Elise (perhaps Exige) is what I am after.
Click to expand...
My friend, and 1980s Porsche 911 owner, climbed into my Elise for the first time today, took a look around, and said "This is what 911 owners are chasing when they gut their car's interior." I think that's a complement. 😄
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EYERACE
Open wheel dude !! Formula Ford should be your next stop. You want to learn set up?.....open wheel. You want to feel G forces in the corner?....open wheel. You want to have your Ba!!s to the walls...open wheel. Tin tops are for those who scare too easily. You want to hear the sound of the draft of the car in front of you?....open wheel. Open wheel was built for racing......you want a real driver's car?...open wheel dude.
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hvymtlmcn
EYERACE said:
Open wheel dude !! Formula Ford should be your next stop. You want to learn set up?.....open wheel. You want to feel G forces in the corner?....open wheel. You want to have your Ba!!s to the walls...open wheel. Tin tops are for those who scare too easily. You want to hear the sound of the draft of the car in front of you?....open wheel. Open wheel was built for racing......you want a real driver's car?...open wheel dude.
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Couldn’t agree more and you don’t endanger a 50k dollar car.
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@EYERACE - LoL, I do drive open wheel. Formula Vee. You don't get in the car, you put it on!

Open Wheel, H Pattern 4 speed stick in your right hand and heal toe. Not the fastest thing on the planet, but a true "Momentum Racer" tons of fun, so not FF, but FV :)


Sadly, I can't drive it on the road, but a Lotus seems like a close second. The Atom does have my eye, but not sure I can register it in MA

I like this board already:)

Cheers!,
//M Driver
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hvymtlmcn
BMW-M-Driver said:
still learning the site, are there car meets / cars and coffee type events in the MA area?
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British car day june4th in Waterford conn.
British car day June 25 Larz Anderson Brookline ma.I’ll be at both with my race car.
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@hvymtlmcn
Thank you for the info! I will try and go to both. I have not been to the Waterford CT event, but I have been to Larz in Brookine quite a few times, great take.

I have been going to Endicott Estate show (amazing gathering!) since before I could drive, and plan on going this year July 9th. I have a 1970's Mopar in my collection, hope to be there with it. I must say, I don't recall ANY Lotus at Endicott...

Cheers,
//M Driver
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L
You should buy a Miata if you're lookin for a race car. I own most of the cars you mentioned and the Miata is the best drivers car.
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@Ls2Rx7

Ha!, My great friend has had a few Miata's, and last year we did the Tail and the back of Dragon in it. Great car, and there are Soooo many at the track. Just want to taste the Lotus Flower..

To your point, he keeps pushing me that way...
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hvymtlmcn
BMW-M-Driver said:
@hvymtlmcn
Thank you for the info! I will try and go to both. I have not been to the Waterford CT event, but I have been to Larz in Brookine quite a few times, great take.

I have been going to Endicott Estate show (amazing gathering!) since before I could drive, and plan on going this year July 9th. I have a 1970's Mopar in my collection, hope to be there with it. I must say, I don't recall ANY Lotus at Endicott...

Cheers,
//M Driver
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I have a 69 Vette so maybe I’ll make it next year.
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@hvymtlmcn

your Vette would be very welcome at Endicott Estate in Dedham, MA
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71type65
EYERACE said:
Open wheel dude !! Formula Ford should be your next stop. You want to learn set up?.....open wheel. You want to feel G forces in the corner?....open wheel. You want to have your Ba!!s to the walls...open wheel. Tin tops are for those who scare too easily. You want to hear the sound of the draft of the car in front of you?....open wheel. Open wheel was built for racing......you want a real driver's car?...open wheel dude.
Click to expand...
BMW-M-Driver said:
@EYERACE - LoL, I do drive open wheel. Formula Vee. You don't get in the car, you put it on!

Open Wheel, H Pattern 4 speed stick in your right hand and heal toe. Not the fastest thing on the planet, but a true "Momentum Racer" tons of fun, so not FF, but FV :)


Sadly, I can't drive it on the road, but a Lotus seems like a close second. The Atom does have my eye, but not sure I can register it in MA

I like this board already:)

Cheers!,
//M Driver
Click to expand...
Don't forget to remove the brake system....it just slows you down and adds weight... 👀🤯😃🤣😂🤣😆😉
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@71type65

What is the "Brake System" you speak of, not familiar with it ;)

When in doubt, Throttle out!
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eldonz
A "Real" driver's car is one that has to be "Driven". I've been around FVs and they do require driver. I've driven cars with more HP than the tire can hook up and they require a driver. I've driven cars that that are 80-90% of what is required to make them fast and they are frustrating. So, a Lotus is a unique car because it requires to be driven. Most owners are want to be drivers and think they are good. In truth, they are just average. For someone to say "Open Wheel" is the only car to drive, is just stating their ignorance.

Since I've probably pissed off enough all ready, I think I should conclude. Driving is about "Feelng" the car. Making it a part of you and wearing it. When a car can make you feel this way then it is a "Driver's Car". An Elige will let you "Wear" the car but it still lacks having to drive it with both feet. This is why I'm trying to get my V6 Cup-R to over 500 HP. I want the right foot to make a difference.

Later,
Eldon

P.S. For those who question me, I have raced a 2500# IMCA modified with 8 1/2" tire that had over 700 HP.
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