Real world difference of Exige & Elise

[vx220]

Continuing my thread about me thinking of buying an Exige next year, what are the real world differences from a driving perspective of the Exige over the Elise?

I know the S1 Exige was more track focused than the Elise (or was it really?) but how does the S2 Exige compare to an S2 Elise?

I am not starting a belittling thread on anything but wondered what the real difference is between the cars, on track and also on the road.

I look forward to reading your comments

Cheers
Kevin

[tut]

Exige is an Elise with a hood, front splitter, and rear wing. May have uprated suspension and brakes.

On the track it has more down force, but I doubt if it is any faster than a comparable Elise with the same driver.

tut

[ryallm]

I have owned both an S2 Elise and S2 Exige. I'll beg to differ a bit with Tut in that a Yota Elise and S2 Exige do feel substantially different both on road and track even though the mechanical differences are small. The stiffer suspension and super grippy A048 tyres give the Exige noticeably more grip, and the steering has a heavier, more mechanical feel. Conventional wisdom is that the Elise is a better road car and the Exige is better on track, but personally I thought the Exige was miles better on track and more fun as a road car too. A lot of it comes down to personal preference though - you really have to drive both and make up your own mind. And of course the Elise is a soft top which for many seals the decision.

Mark

[Andy G]

Or you could, as i did, have an Elige! The best of both worlds - although you could just get an Exige and do the roof change to soft top for the summer

The Elige, as it was christened, was a 111r running exige springs, wheels, tyres and up grade the brake pads

The tyres make a huge difference in themselves (the biggest bit of it) - I dont recall thinking there was anything in it, especially at KH where downforce isnt as important as on some of the souths high speed corners.

The S2 Exige is a hugely forgiving car on track - staggering how driver friendly it is - and takes a good bit of work to oversteer unless you have an SC. (ask kenny)

[vx220]

Is the Exige heavier than the Elise or roughly about the same?

What would happen though if the Elise's shocks/springs were uprated and A048's were put on, would there even be a difference?

Gonna have to find a local Lotus dealer and try them out

Cheers
Kevin

[tut]

Kevin, I was comparing like with like, ie both have RS 14 pads, R tyres, Nitrons or similar that the Exige comes with as standard. As I said, comparable cars, which you can do with the S2, but not really with the S1. It came with the VHPD engine putting out 177hp, or as with most cars 192hp after the Lotus upgrade. There was only one S1 Elise with Exige hp, the Sports 190, which are pretty rare and sell at a premium.

As for weight, S1's of any model are always lighter than S2's, the earliest like my two were only 730kg, but then only had 118hp.

tut

[Andy G]

the Exige S2 is heavier than the Elise and changing the suspension & wheels will do little to affect that

[kenny]

Are we comparing Rover or Toyota engined S2 Elises?

I always thought early Rover S2's were lighter but the difference in weight between Toyota 111R's and Exige was pretty minimal and not something you are going to notice. The Exige will feel heavier as Mark pointed out.

If you are planning to do lots of trackdays I'd get an Exige, if not the Elise might be more versatile for the road.

and takes a good bit of work to oversteer unless you have an SC. (ask kenny)

mine has always been nicely oversteery

[vx220]

Definately decided on the S2 variant as I am not a fan of the k series. Although a Honda engined S1 would be seriously considered!!

So any offers of taking me out in your car for a little spin????? Pllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeease

Cheers
Kevin

[tut]

Sorry Kevin, took you out in mine, but did not realise that you wanted me to spin it.

tut

[meatball]

If you can make your budget stretch....get a S2 exige S as it is a better road car, IMHO.

[vx220]

Cheers Tut enjoyed our little blast out, and such a quiet supercharger!

Cant wait for the nice weather so I can get out and play again!

[vx220]

Exige S - would love the supercharged variety but sincerely doubt my budget will stretch that far

This new car is costing me a fortune, I have already had to promise the wife 2 new horses

[meatball]

Honestly, try to make it stretch!
On track there is little or no difference.....however, on the road is a different story!

[Stumpy Nugget]

I am really interested in the debate here as I can already see myself looking to the future and trying to decide whether to keep the elise with its upgrades and swap out the K for a honda or do I put the money on an Exige... To be honest I would miss the softtop and I am sure the performance of a Honda Elise vs the Exige is weighted towards the honda...