Lotus Exige's

[-Neil-]

All the pulleys are the same, the differences come down to injectors (380cc or 440cc) and whether the throttle opens 100% or not (ecu map).

As for the question, go for a 07/08/09 240PP car with as many options as possible.

The main ones to go for would be:

Performance pack (4 pot brakes, full length roof scoop, etc)
Sports seats with holes for the harnesses and harness bar (essential for track work as you'll be fighting to stay in the seat other wise with A048/888's).
Forged wheels.

What use will it be getting?

After doing both Exige/Elise, the Elise wins hands down for fun due to the roof off experience. The Elise can be made to handle like and Exige with a geo change and different tyres/wheels.

Just looked at prices, they seem to have gone up a bit! You'll still get a PP car for 25K though.

Neil.

 

[pcoltrane]

I'm back into the mindset of these once more, what's the latest thinking on them if you were putting £25K down, which one and why?

What is your intention for the car Housey? Mainly track or road?

My experience of the two is limited to a couple of track sessions in each but what struck me was that the Elise was actually the more fun of the two on the track, and certainly the one I would want to be driving on the road too.
The exige (s1) although extremely capable was almost too good on the track, and too compromised for the road (even getting in and out was enough of a pain).
The elise however was a joy on the track - with a lovely balance between power and grip that made it great fun - but also it felt like the kind of car you could enjoy on the road without losing your license or doing something daft.

If you want something mainly for the road, I'd consider spending less on an elise and get yourself racing in the Mx5 more with the left over cash.
If you want the exige as track tool, then although they are fantastic cars, £25k is a lot of money for a track toy that is easily damaged and expensive to repair. If going down that route you almost might as well swap the Mx5 for a quicker purpose built racing car, or even get one just to test in that will compliment the Mx5 (can't deny the action you get in the Mx5 races)

 

[Housey]

I want to do a few track days and a couple of tours (Ring/Spa), the challenge with the MX5 is towing it everywhere is a pain but I cant deny throwing some cash at the MX-5 to sort it is a route as it needs an engine, geo and some weight reduction really and £2K at a trailer is another option as I now have something I can tow with. Lotus is an itch to scratch, bit like the CSL which is another option and I've driven a few lately and was looking at 2 last Friday.

 

[-Neil-]

I don't think you'd go wrong with either a Exige 240PP or even an Elise SC for that kind of use, on the road there would be next to no difference in performance.

Track work would suit the Exige better as it has stickier tires and stiffer springs/damping, but that can be sorted quite easily on the Elise to even things up. IIRC the Elise has a better power to weight ratio as most Exige's are low/mid 900kg.

Best bet is to drive both and see what you think, the 4 pot brakes are nice but don't stop you any quicker and most agree remove a bit of feel. The Elise trophy racers just run with the standard 2 pots..

Neil.

 

[pcoltrane]

I want to do a few track days and a couple of tours (Ring/Spa), the challenge with the MX5 is towing it everywhere is a pain but I cant deny throwing some cash at the MX-5 to sort it is a route as it needs an engine, geo and some weight reduction really and £2K at a trailer is another option as I now have something I can tow with. Lotus is an itch to scratch, bit like the CSL which is another option and I've driven a few lately and was looking at 2 last Friday.

It sounds to me like the itch you want to scratch is really more track time full stop

If so, get yourself the trailer and the Mx5 set and you won't look back.
The good thing about picking up a decent trailer like a Brian James is that they hold their value nicely. The towing isn't that much of a chore - and the track time is a lot more enjoyable when you don't have to worry about what you'd do if the car isn't in a fit state to drive home!

As for throwing money at the Mx-5 how much do you really need to spend? IIRC you haven't had a chance to do many races in it yet.
Is spending money on weight reduction really necessary? My car is 20kg overweight, (which is plenty when the limit is 440kg) but its not a high priority to get it lighter as at club level you can generally stick a top driver in any car on the grid and they'd win (or at least run near the front). The biggest gains will be simply from getting out there and getting more seat time/race experience rather than saving a few kg with the bonus that you can have some fun in the mean time!

I'm pretty certain that once you get back into racing it, you'll forget all about needing an exige