I can finally report on a comparison between my GT3 and the ELise. I have gotten through the breakin period with the Elise and I am now able to explore the world of 7-8,000 rpm.
First the GT3:
An amazing piece of automotive delight. Pulls all the way from 2,000rpm to redline with the same gusto-above 6000 rpm it starts to soar. I've had it up to 170mph on Austrian autobahns and it is as stable as 60 but you have to keep both hands planted on that wheel. It will start to "wander" into road defects and constant handson wheel control is really necessary at higher speeds. It doesn't feel like you're going very fast until you reach speeds over 120-130mph. At 150 you know you are moving. The power is linear with a wonderful exhaust note.
Now the Elise:
Feels more go cart-makes the Porsche feel very very big. Visibility around the SUVs on the road is difficult but with proper mirror placement I really don't find driving visibility a problem. Visibility when backing up is not great and you are checking every mirror and turning you head constantly to be sure that someone hasn't sped up and is standing behind you.
On the road-the Elise is so much fun! Accelerate to red light (no red line) and work up the gears. You move in and out of traffic with ease-slip feeding into spaces that a vw would not think of going. The sound is great (standard exhaust). You know that you are moving even when you are only doing 100. The car is up to 125 in a flash and back to zero again with such grip of the brakes . Between the quick down shifts and the excellent brakes you stop on a dime coming down from 100mph+ speeds incredibly short distances. (Car mags claim 95ft from 60mph-better than an Enzo).
All in all, two totally different cars but fun, fun, and more fun. I am fortunate to be able to choose which of these two beauties I will drive each day because either one is a pleasure to use.
BTW- the in and out of the Elise is really not a problem. In a very short time you learn a entrance-exit style that works for you (especially with the top on).
First the GT3:
An amazing piece of automotive delight. Pulls all the way from 2,000rpm to redline with the same gusto-above 6000 rpm it starts to soar. I've had it up to 170mph on Austrian autobahns and it is as stable as 60 but you have to keep both hands planted on that wheel. It will start to "wander" into road defects and constant handson wheel control is really necessary at higher speeds. It doesn't feel like you're going very fast until you reach speeds over 120-130mph. At 150 you know you are moving. The power is linear with a wonderful exhaust note.
Now the Elise:
Feels more go cart-makes the Porsche feel very very big. Visibility around the SUVs on the road is difficult but with proper mirror placement I really don't find driving visibility a problem. Visibility when backing up is not great and you are checking every mirror and turning you head constantly to be sure that someone hasn't sped up and is standing behind you.
On the road-the Elise is so much fun! Accelerate to red light (no red line) and work up the gears. You move in and out of traffic with ease-slip feeding into spaces that a vw would not think of going. The sound is great (standard exhaust). You know that you are moving even when you are only doing 100. The car is up to 125 in a flash and back to zero again with such grip of the brakes . Between the quick down shifts and the excellent brakes you stop on a dime coming down from 100mph+ speeds incredibly short distances. (Car mags claim 95ft from 60mph-better than an Enzo).
All in all, two totally different cars but fun, fun, and more fun. I am fortunate to be able to choose which of these two beauties I will drive each day because either one is a pleasure to use.
BTW- the in and out of the Elise is really not a problem. In a very short time you learn a entrance-exit style that works for you (especially with the top on).
