Summer car. Audi TT or Lotus Elise?

regulus · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:15

Or are they both girls cars?

Looking for a convertible for the summer and are looking at these two cars first (open for other options). It will be used at most twice a week so fuel consumption don't matter at all. It does not have to be the fastest car on the road nor does handling matter too much as I would just be cruising. Both cars can be had for around 7-8k which is incidentally my budget too.

Any opinions?

[TW]Fox · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:16

The very fact you needed to ask this means an Elise is very definately not for you.

regulus · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:28

meaning?

Hxc · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:29

They are completely different cars.

LeoN88 · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:30

If it is just for cruising and you're not bothered about handling or speed then out the two 2 the tt but for probably most on here including myself the elise everytime...

Janesy B · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:33

it sounds like you'll be suited to the TT. The Elise is a bit of a hardcore drivers' car, if you don't care about handling or speed then the TT is right up your street.

regulus · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:33

So the Elise gets a good writeup here then? Sorry, rarely come to the Motors forum so not sure if the Elise's fate has been decided here yet or not. Was also looking at the Spider but it's just too ugly, cheap, but ugly.

Janesy B · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:40

If you are just cruising, the Elise will be uncomfortable and leave you with a sore bum, you'll only get the best of it on the twistys The TT sounds like what you need.

flyingears2002 · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:43

Ginetta
GTM
As fun as an elise is to drive. Its the typical sports roadster that everyone seems to go for.

Dogbreath · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:45

The Elise is a pure drivers car. It's focussed on performance and handling way above driver comfort and toys. If you want a car that connects you 100% to the road, has outstanding handling and practicality is not a consideration the Elise is the car for you. If you simply want to cruise around with the top down, without the actual driving role playing the main part in the experience then the TT would be a far better choice.

As Fox says, if you have to ask you probably don't want an Elise.

regulus · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:50

Ok, anything else fun to drive besides the TT? What would you get if you had 8k to spend on a convertible?

L0rdMike · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:54

S2000's are in that price range.

broona · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:55

regulus said:
Ok, anything else fun to drive besides the TT? What would you get if you had 8k to spend on a convertible?

I'd get a BMW 330Ci Sport.

flyingears2002 · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:56

The elise a comfy car. You lot just need to man up lol!

Lord-Jaffa · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:56

Most definatly I would get an S2000, loads of cheap well looked after examples for around 8k on the s2ki forums at the moment.

regulus · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:56

Looked at them too. Pictures of them are quite ugly, perhaps seeing on for real would change my mind.

Morba · 21 Feb 2009 at 21:58

3 series sport cab

eidolon · 21 Feb 2009 at 22:16

I've got both and they're at completely different ends of the spectrum.

The TT is quiet, comfy, has plenty of toys, is reasonably quick and handles pretty well.
The Elise is NOISY, difficult to even get into, doesn't even have carpet, is very quick and handles amazingly.

For 8k I think I'd be looking at an MX5 myself. They're a nice compromise between the two.

Alex UK · 21 Feb 2009 at 22:35

Please don't buy an Elise just to cruise about in - it would be a complete waste of a brilliant car. Buy something bigger and more comfortable.

Matmulder · 22 Feb 2009 at 00:13

If your aware of the potential ownership costs involved, Boxsters can be had for 8k:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/908058.htm