Original:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=15985651#post15985651
My Review:
Been out nearly every weekend. Unfortunately the crap weather has caused me to have to use the daily grinder (Yaris).
My Review
Performance
Simply staggering!
For the first few days I was very sheepish regarding putting my foot down, what with the frosty wet roads and such. A few days after driving though, on the A19 I really drove it properly. And it was insane; you feel very stable and secure during hard acceleration, even in less-than-perfect conditions on our less-than-perfect roads.
There were only 3 indications of the acceleration however - supercharger whine, the speedo flying round and the extreme disappearance of level-traffic. There was no kick in the back, or really surge as you get with the Elise R, but just power available on tap from the word 'go'.
Handling + Stability
I've not pushed the handling or stability yet for obvious reasons (240bhp in a 890kg car is disaster in wet/frost/ice/snow) but the vehicle is immensely stable at high speeds with no noticable lift or unsteadiness in high winds.
Obviously this is a product of the Elise employing downforce generating technology as well as it's very small streamlined profile.
The steering is heavy at slow speeds but is very precise and wonderous to drive after poking around in the Yaris with it's comparable random slack steering.
Quirks
There is an element of wind noise from an airgap on the Driver's side which will be addressed by the dealership. Also the tyres are mismatched PSI (Fronts: 20/21 / Rears 23/25) which is crazy and lethal. The first thing I did was balance the PSI according to manufacturer specs.
Public Opinion
I'm unsure if it is publicly acceptable - it generates untold amounts of attention from literally everyone. Even on my driveway (which is gated) people have had the cheek of opening my gates and walk around the car (despite being about 10m from the gates) which leaves me slightly disturbed.
Loads of young lads have stopped me on the drive at times when they were walking by and are enthralled by it and are genuinely loving it. Most of my colleagues are impressed by it and are equally looking forward to the Summer months to be taken for a spin. Lots of women love it too
My neighbours are mostly jealous and have suddenly stopped talking to me
Running Costs
So far i'm using Super Unleaded and getting shy of 41MPG with mixed driving, typically around 30MPH - 50MPH.
Pics
http://img202.imageshack.us/g/dscf0228r.jpg/
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=15985651#post15985651
My Review:
Any pics foofighter? or have I missed the thread with the grand unveiling?Have you managed to get a decent run in the car since the bad weather?
Been out nearly every weekend. Unfortunately the crap weather has caused me to have to use the daily grinder (Yaris).
My Review
Performance
Simply staggering!
For the first few days I was very sheepish regarding putting my foot down, what with the frosty wet roads and such. A few days after driving though, on the A19 I really drove it properly. And it was insane; you feel very stable and secure during hard acceleration, even in less-than-perfect conditions on our less-than-perfect roads.
There were only 3 indications of the acceleration however - supercharger whine, the speedo flying round and the extreme disappearance of level-traffic. There was no kick in the back, or really surge as you get with the Elise R, but just power available on tap from the word 'go'.
Handling + Stability
I've not pushed the handling or stability yet for obvious reasons (240bhp in a 890kg car is disaster in wet/frost/ice/snow) but the vehicle is immensely stable at high speeds with no noticable lift or unsteadiness in high winds.
Obviously this is a product of the Elise employing downforce generating technology as well as it's very small streamlined profile.
The steering is heavy at slow speeds but is very precise and wonderous to drive after poking around in the Yaris with it's comparable random slack steering.
Quirks
There is an element of wind noise from an airgap on the Driver's side which will be addressed by the dealership. Also the tyres are mismatched PSI (Fronts: 20/21 / Rears 23/25) which is crazy and lethal. The first thing I did was balance the PSI according to manufacturer specs.
Public Opinion
I'm unsure if it is publicly acceptable - it generates untold amounts of attention from literally everyone. Even on my driveway (which is gated) people have had the cheek of opening my gates and walk around the car (despite being about 10m from the gates) which leaves me slightly disturbed.
Loads of young lads have stopped me on the drive at times when they were walking by and are enthralled by it and are genuinely loving it. Most of my colleagues are impressed by it and are equally looking forward to the Summer months to be taken for a spin. Lots of women love it too
My neighbours are mostly jealous and have suddenly stopped talking to me
Running Costs
So far i'm using Super Unleaded and getting shy of 41MPG with mixed driving, typically around 30MPH - 50MPH.
Pics
http://img202.imageshack.us/g/dscf0228r.jpg/
