Elise or...?

[Razyre]

One thing to bear in mind is that the Elise platform is currently approaching end of production and is due to be phased out by the end of the year. Prices of some of the more desirable older variants could potentially react to this between now and the time you are ready to buy as people take notice and try to snap up the best examples of a fairly iconic car.

New model (Emira) is due to be launched at Goodwood next month which will get plenty of people’s attention

Yeah we'll have to see how things play out. I might end up with a K-series engined one if things get really bad! Or just get a different car altogether.

What about a 987.1 or 987.2 Porsche Boxster or Cayman?

As others have said, it's a bit more of a tame option. I was looking to go for weekend weapon that's *slightly* more sensible than something like a Caterham, though I'm not ruling out going for something as nutty as a Caterham.

VX220 is a fantastic base. Not quite as hardcore as the Elise but in a way makes it easier for daily use.

The 2.2 GM unit had a supercharged variant in the states so the kits are quite cheap and works better with the chassis which is the route I would go rather than buying a turbo.

I won't rule out the VX220 either, it was my original option until I started looking seriously at the Elise. If I see a really good one it might be worth the punt, especially if it's a cheaper N/A that I can upgrade with a supercharger later.

I drove one in the wet at silverstone and it certainly did not feel god tier on handling... its 100% a fair weather car haha!

I'm kind of adverse to driving cars hard in wet weather, ESPECIALLY a short wheel base mid engined rear wheel drive car with 0 assists. I certainly don't do it on the road. I like to drive a car hard when I know what I expect the car to do!

 

[adam cool dude]

I won't rule out the VX220 either, it was my original option until I started looking seriously at the Elise. If I see a really good one it might be worth the punt, especially if it's a cheaper N/A that I can upgrade with a supercharger later.

Like you have said if you are going to get an Elise you at least want the 111R and they are going for mid to low 20's whereas a mint N/A VX220 will be under 15K and with a supercharger kit fitted your all in for around 20K with 250 BHP and supercharger whine .

 

[Razyre]

Like you have said if you are going to get an Elise you at least want the 111R and they are going for mid to low 20's whereas a mint N/A VX220 will be under 15K and with a supercharger kit fitted your all in for around 20K with 250 BHP and supercharger whine .

I can't decide if I like the supercharger whine or not haha. Sometimes I really enjoy whine, then I watched a vid of a VX220 with a supercharger and god damn was it loud. Feel like it might grate after a while? I never get sick of turbo sounds, but they're a bit lower key I guess.

 

[m0ody]

Surely that would have been due to poor tyres? Unless it was not NA and coming on boost harshly?

It was probably down to poor tyres (not my car as well so I tip-toed around)

 

[BigStevieTT]

Sunday toy or daily?
If the latter, I'd go GT86. Plus, I LOVE the looks.
I gather it's down on power, but great fun if you keep it on the boil.
I still have a VVTLI Celica now, with a view to getting an 86

 

[Delta3D]

I'm not sure why you say the GT86 is lacklustre in performance and then list an ND MX5 next. They're about on par with performance with an Mx5.

I recommend test driving both. I had a GT86 and test drove an MX5 and found the 86 to feel quicker

 

[Razyre]

Sunday toy or daily?
If the latter, I'd go GT86. Plus, I LOVE the looks.
I gather it's down on power, but great fun if you keep it on the boil.
I still have a VVTLI Celica now, with a view to getting an 86

Sunday toy, hence a two car garage. The 86 would be a much more sensible daily than an Elise, maybe even an MX5 just for having a bit more space to chuck stuff in.

I'm not sure why you say the GT86 is lacklustre in performance and then list an ND MX5 next. They're about on par with performance with an Mx5.

I recommend test driving both. I had a GT86 and test drove an MX5 and found the 86 to feel quicker

The GT86 is an 8 second car to 60 and weighs over 1200kg. The ND is around 6.5 to 60 and weighs just over 1000kg. You're looking at around 200kg of weight difference and only 20hp more for the GT86. The GT86 likely has the better chassis in terms of overall capability, but I would have way more fun driving the more spritely MX5 - going to be more fun to chuck about, plus the boxer in the GT86 is a bit of a slow dog. It really should've been turbocharged from factory, that would have fit its character a lot better.

Power isn't everything but the GT86 just plain doesn't have enough for what it is. The new model should solve that, but I'm not looking to get a new car for my weekend fun box

 

[Nasher]

Like you have said if you are going to get an Elise you at least want the 111R and they are going for mid to low 20's whereas a mint N/A VX220 will be under 15K and with a supercharger kit fitted your all in for around 20K with 250 BHP and supercharger whine .

Don't be too focused on getting a 111r for road use tbh.

 

[Razyre]

Don't be too focused on getting a 111r for road use tbh.

It will probably be a mix of road/track but definitely biased towards road. I do rather like revving engines out as well, though the potential to upset the engine is a little scary.

My main desire is to get a Toyota engined jobbie, though if push came to shove I wouldn't say for definite I wouldn't get a K-series. I'd probably sooner look at a VX220 tbh.

 

[Nasher]

Try a few variations out because there are differences in the driving styles. The Toyota engines liked to be revved hard, the Rover ones have a very straight power curve and feel more responsive. Also electronic throttle, assisted brakes and ABS vs none of those things (the early 111Rs were also unassisted, up until 2006 I think). Or airbags so the steering wheel is also different. You really have to stamp hard on the unassisted brakes, which is scary.

 

[tom_nieto]

If you can get over the OMG HGF in the K series, then you’re left with a very nice engine which definitely likes to be revved to the limiter. They’re also cheap as chips to run. I had a whole new engine for £800 fitted in my TF (that’s another story).

 

[Delta3D]

Power isn't everything but the GT86 just plain doesn't have enough for what it is. The new model should solve that, but I'm not looking to get a new car for my weekend fun box

I'd strongly recommend a GT86 with the Tuning Developments NA Package in that case. Gets rid of the torque dip and makes it rev a lot nicer, will also give it a boost to edge ontop of the MX5

 

[Rich1988]

Hate to say it as its a bit of a standard reply but turbo/supercharged Mx5 would be my shout if you want something that handles well and has a slightly more practical feel than a caterham. One of my cars is a Mk2.5 turbo MX5 running 240bhp with a host of choice mods. It's comfortable enough that I often use it to commute to work but because of the fast road suspension set up and power along with no traction/stability it is a hoot to drive. Parts are also still relatively cheap.