[X Porsche Guy]

Hi

Anyone with real life experience with the Elise Sport 190R -- I need some advice.

Have a US Elise on order list and have found a nice used Elise Sport 190. I plan 90% track use (I realize the limitation on registering the car for street use).

I believe the 190R may be arguably a better track car than the US version -- but have no experience with the car or engine - the high output Rover VHPD.

Also wonder what the value of the older 190 will be in the future?? Can see it both ways - up or down??

Any thoughts and advice appreciated???

Thanks - Jon

 

[adamant]

Well I have sat in one if that counts
Seriously, if it is a 90% track car then I'd take the Sport 190. It is going to be SIGNIFICANTLY lighter then the US road version. Also all the roll cage, seats and harness are installed.

 

[zvezdah1]

THe only issue is the Sport 190 legally licensed for the road, some are but it's not strictly kosher. Some states do have a limited license for display usage which limits annual mileag on the road.

Having said that, driven the Sport 190 compared to a 111S. For track use as has been mentioned the 190 is the way to go as it's already set up.

Having said that, the 190 is not that great to ride on the streets due to the really stiff suspension. ALso some concern on the high output rover engine with head gasket issues?

Meat can answer questions re the engine as he has an exige!

Chris

 

[meat]

Hmmm

Was the car you are looking at imported by Lotus USA? If it wasn't, I wouldn't touch it.

If it was, it is set up for the track basically. You can get the A038 tyres and you are good to go.

I bought an Exige for track use and I think it great. I wanted a dedicated track car. Sure it would be nice to drive it on the street every now and then, but I don't miss anything by not having it on the street. It isn't a great car for the street.

The new Elise will be a nice track car after some work is done - suspension and brakes mainly, but you will also have to add a roll bar, harnesses, fire system and other "track" items.

I'm thinking of selling my S2000 and getting an Elise for my weekend car, but we'll see.

 

[X Porsche Guy]

Meat

I answered you in the other forum - basically I believe the 190s is a better track car due to it's equipment.

Because I can't insure it for the minor street use it wll get - I am going to wait. Probably will enjoy upgrading the US version -- it's just money!!

thanks again for the reply.

Jon

 

[offroadr35]

if you're getting a track only car why not get a 340R?

 

[meat]

I've seen a 340R on track with an Exige and the Exige was faster.

The 340R has no aero benefits and has smaller wheels/tires.

Also, is it dry out every time you are on the track??

 

[RobertinArgyle]

Hey Meat- Please forgive if this is a dumb question. What are the chances of Lotus importing the Exige? I am on the US Elise list here in Dallas, but from what little I know-I think I would prefer the Exige.

 

[Rigel]

Nothing official on the Exige coming to the US. Speculation would suggest that perhaps it'll be available in a couple of years. There's a new S2 version (the current Exige is based on the S1) that has been in development for the European markets.

 

[moose]

The S2 Exige arrives in Europe around April next year. I suspect they've designed it to be US regulated but then again, this is Lotus we're talking about.

To the person who said they've seen a 340r on track and the Exige was faster - well I've seen a Volvo lap quicker than an Elise, so sadly your argument is quite frankly crap.

The 340r has the same power but is a lot lighter than an Exige and doesn't have the same downforce slowing it on straights.

However at the end of the day, it's more down to the driver than the car.

ps yes I've got a 340r

 

[Craigy]

I've seen a 340R on track with an Exige and the Exige was faster.

The 340R has no aero benefits and has smaller wheels/tires.

Also, is it dry out every time you are on the track??

Depends on the track but I guess that the saving of a lot of weight will be on the 340R's side. Anything with long straightaways might be exige territory but even there I'd be surprised if it were much faster than the 340R. ANyone care to tell me the relative weights of each?

As for rainy days, buy a waterproof jacket, and store the car in a garage!!

Craigy

 

[meat]

Did I make an argument???

I said what I saw - no conclusions were drawn. The Exige was faster than a 340R on the track.

All comparisons are crap unless you using equal drivers.

The 340r weighs somewhere around 1450 and the Exige weighs in around 1700.

 

[DanH]

The new Elise will be a nice track car after some work is done - suspension and brakes mainly, but you will also have to add a roll bar, harnesses, fire system and other "track" items.

Do you guys all put in roll cages and plumbed in fire systems for track days? In the UK plenty of people just turn up with their car stock and get perfectly respectable performance. Its not like taking a 'normal' road car on the track and finding the brake fluid boils within 1 lap etc. It'll happily lap all day without any problems, although obviously better brake pads etc. will help.

Still I agree new dampers and pads definitely help make it 'nice' rather than 'ok'.