[Chris-A]

Hi everyone

New member here and long time reader, first time poster. I’ve been a huge fan of lotus for as long as I can remember and have always wanted a get my hands on an Exige S. The opportunity came up several years ago at a local dealership, but the car sold over a weekend I was on vacation so I missed the opportunity. However, recently I’ve been more serious about purchasing a lotus, so I was hoping to get a few recommendations on which model. Recently I’ve been considering the Evora over an Elise or Exige but I’m still a bit conflicted.

What I’m looking for:
Choice between
2011-2012 Evora
Or
2006-2008 Elise (or maybe exige)

-Not quite a daily driver, but to be driven fairly often: The Evora seems best here because I really love the interior and more comfort in the ride. Also not bad visibility. But reliability is definitely a must, this is a car I’d keep as long as I possibly can. It’s a dream car for me, so I’d buy it and ideally never let it go.

-Easy to work on: since I’d be buying this well out of warranty, I’d like to do as much of the maintenance as possible myself. From what I’ve read, the Elise and Exige are better here because of the engine access via the rear clamshell. Generally I’ve heard the Elise and exige are extremely easy to repair. Can anyone speak to how difficult it is to work on the Evora by comparison? It seems like maybe most engine work on the Evora happens from underneath the car, which doesn’t sound fun without a lift.

-I wouldn’t mod it too much: maybe new exhaust but really that’s it, I love the cars just the way they are. I might track the car very, very infrequently, if at all.

-Styling: generally, I like the exterior and smaller size of the Elise/exige but I really like the interior of the Evora.

Handling isn’t much of a concern because I feel like all three handle great. Performance also isn’t much of a concern because I’m more interested in the driving experience and feel more than anything. I’ve owned cars with powerful V8s and they’re fun, but they’re no Lotus.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance!

 

[oldmansan]

Hi everyone

New member here and long time reader, first time poster. I’ve been a huge fan of lotus for as long as I can remember and have always wanted a get my hands on an Exige S. The opportunity came up several years ago at a local dealership, but the car sold over a weekend I was on vacation so I missed the opportunity. However, recently I’ve been more serious about purchasing a lotus, so I was hoping to get a few recommendations on which model. Recently I’ve been considering the Evora over an Elise or Exige but I’m still a bit conflicted.

What I’m looking for:
Choice between
2011-2012 Evora
Or
2006-2008 Elise (or maybe exige)

-Not quite a daily driver, but to be driven fairly often: The Evora seems best here because I really love the interior and more comfort in the ride. Also not bad visibility. But reliability is definitely a must, this is a car I’d keep as long as I possibly can. It’s a dream car for me, so I’d buy it and ideally never let it go.

-Easy to work on: since I’d be buying this well out of warranty, I’d like to do as much of the maintenance as possible myself. From what I’ve read, the Elise and Exige are better here because of the engine access via the rear clamshell. Generally I’ve heard the Elise and exige are extremely easy to repair. Can anyone speak to how difficult it is to work on the Evora by comparison? It seems like maybe most engine work on the Evora happens from underneath the car, which doesn’t sound fun without a lift.

-I wouldn’t mod it too much: maybe new exhaust but really that’s it, I love the cars just the way they are. I might track the car very, very infrequently, if at all.

-Styling: generally, I like the exterior and smaller size of the Elise/exige but I really like the interior of the Evora.

Handling isn’t much of a concern because I feel like all three handle great. Performance also isn’t much of a concern because I’m more interested in the driving experience and feel more than anything. I’ve owned cars with powerful V8s and they’re fun, but they’re no Lotus.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance!

There really isn't any comparison, especially as you aren't concerned with handling or performance. Drive both and buy which you like.

San

 

[Chris-A]

Hi San,

Thanks for the reply.

I have definitely driven them and I tend to like the Evora a bit better, but I’m concerned with its reliability and easiness to repair myself primarily. I’ve even gone though the repair sections of this forum for both and generally the Elise and Exige seem much less of a pain.

 

[brgelise]

Very few repairability issues with either vehicle as both are Toyota powerplants. I had an Elise for 9 years and have had Evoras for going on 9 years.

 

[NoRawkus305]

It seems to me the one thing holding you back is the maintenance/repair on both models. If you prefer the Evora over the Elige, I would just choose the Evora. It isn't that much harder IMO to work on the Evora than the Elige. I'm sure if you end up loving the car that much more, you will figure out how to do the work on the Evora. Worst case, you just take it to a shop to do it for you. Both models are not easy but also not so hard. Just requires time and patience. For me, even if the Evora was that much harder to work on, I wouldn't let that be the reason to not get it if it's the one I preferred. Although, if financially it matters cause you couldn't afford to take the Evora to a shop to perform the job is another story. Good luck with what you decide.

 

[glb]

Very few repairability issues with either vehicle as both are Toyota powerplants. I had an Elise for 9 years and have had Evoras for going on 9 years.

I think not.

The more elaborate Evora seems to have more stuff going wrong vs. the simpler Elise.

There a simply more things to fail on Evoras.

So, some of this might depend on how handy one is. If not very and it's long drive for service, Elise would be better.

For me, I love 2 seat droptop. Had Elan, 7 too.

Feel is different: Want more of a GT feel, it's the Evora.

More of a toss able sports car, Elise. (But neither are bad in either scenario.)

 

[jordanpryce]

Forgive my terseness, but if you don't know which one you want, you shouldn't buy either. Get a Boxster or Cayman. They split the two quite well.

 

[brgelise]

I think not.

The more elaborate Evora seems to have more stuff going wrong vs. the simpler Elise.

There a simply more things to fail on Evoras.

So, some of this might depend on how handy one is. If not very and it's long drive for service, Elise would be better.

For me, I love 2 seat droptop. Had Elan, 7 too.

Feel is different: Want more of a GT feel, it's the Evora.

More of a toss able sports car, Elise. (But neither are bad in either scenario.)

CAM WIPE seems to be a bigger issue than anything on an Evora WADR.

 

[glb]

CAM WIPE seems to be a bigger issue than anything on an Evora WADR.

Good point, but not that many cars suffered this. I have about 80k and never engaged cam change until 25 or so minutes after coolant was at full temp.

So, easily avoidable, and is part of the instructions I send to new Elise/Exige owners.

I now have both oil coolers disconnected. Warms up much faster and I stopped doing track days a decade ago. I'm old.

 

[krn]

I've been a huge fan of lotus for as long as I can remember and have always wanted a get my hands on an Exige S.

...this is a car I’d keep as long as I possibly can. It’s a dream car for me, so I’d buy it and ideally never let it go.

I was a bit unsure when I was choosing, and eventually drove all three. But I ended up picking the one I had wanted since I was a kid and feel that sticking to the dream was the right choice (though it's ok if your dreams change). Sounds to me like the Exige was your dream.

I just started getting into doing a bit of work myself on my car. They're kind of odd cars and I think it helps to pick the one you really love in order to deal with quirks over the long haul.

 

[Sun Hester]

How quirky and how much maintenance should one expect?

I mean it's a Camry engine so I assume that's reliable.

Do they have chassis/ body problems?

Was seriously considering a used Evora S 2+2 for a daily driver.

Thanks

 

[2011 chrome orange]

How quirky and how much maintenance should one expect?

I mean it's a Camry engine so I assume that's reliable.

Do they have chassis/ body problems?

Was seriously considering a used Evora S 2+2 for a daily driver.

Thanks

Below is the basic Evora S1 maintenance schedule. Aside from normal consumables (tires, fuel, etc) or breakage, this is what is required. I don't recall actual engine failures aside from 1 or 2 overseas that ate part of the primary cats (or so they believe).

And here's a link to a bunch of threads regarding what to know about buying an Evora:
https://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f170/evora-buying-guide-449889/#post5782289

 

[Seanagone]

I feel like the two cars are in different sectors. Surprised to see cross shopping.

 

[thenumberoned]

For me personally, the Evora has two big advantages*

* heavily dependent on individual circumstance and may not apply


First, I am taller and wider than most so the Evora is much more comfortable, and Second, with a 2 + 2, I can taxi around and share the sports car experience with my smaller children.


Otherwise, if I was smaller or didn't have kids, I would 100% get an Elise.

Good luck with your search either way!

Edit - I just noticed that Seanagone brought this post back from the dead, from 2019... so i guess OP probably doesn't need any luck at this point with their search.