Considering an Elise, are they 'playful'?
Discussion
Hi all
As title, I'm looking at an Elise but I'm wondering how they handle?
To my mind you can have cars that are very stable, solid, unflappable, that you can fling around corners, but they aren't really what I would call 'fun' or playful. Example being a MR2 mk2 or Porsche Cayman and generally speaking, mid-engine RWD cars.
Other cars are more lairy and fun, you can provoke the back end out at will without fear of imminent death. Example being RX7 or MX5, generally speaking thats front engine, RWD cars - this is what I prefer.
Where would you say the Elise sit? I'm assuming it's the former but would like owners thoughts
As title, I'm looking at an Elise but I'm wondering how they handle?
To my mind you can have cars that are very stable, solid, unflappable, that you can fling around corners, but they aren't really what I would call 'fun' or playful. Example being a MR2 mk2 or Porsche Cayman and generally speaking, mid-engine RWD cars.
Other cars are more lairy and fun, you can provoke the back end out at will without fear of imminent death. Example being RX7 or MX5, generally speaking thats front engine, RWD cars - this is what I prefer.
Where would you say the Elise sit? I'm assuming it's the former but would like owners thoughts
rotaryjam said:
Thanks guys, pretty much as expected.
Still, would you say they are fun to drive?
Utterly fantastic. As I was saying to someone the other day, its one of those cars you always miss when you no longer own it. I have driven all sorts of exotica over the years and there is little that comes close to the Elise/Exige. I test drove a V6 Exige a few months back and it reminded me just how utterly brilliant they are. Still, would you say they are fun to drive?
Edited by rotaryjam on Thursday 18th August 15:26
Drive one and I have little doubt you will want to buy one.
Currently got an Elise S2. Previously had loads of MX-5s in various states/powers, also an MR-2 and a Boxster so not my first mid engined rodeo.
It is superb, the handling and chassis is obviously pretty much the highpoint. However I understand exactly where you are coming from -
However, I do also very much miss the dynamics of a front engined rear drive car, to the extent that I will probably change it at some point.
I've had this talk with a few people and they seem to assume I want to go doing full tokyo drift on the public road - its not that at all - its a subtle differenceand for road driving (not track!) I think the 'worse' dynamics of a front engined car are possibly more entertaining.
Unfortunately the car I want doesnt exist - which is a front engine rear drive MX-5 a-like but made by lotus using the same chassis tech - a proper Elan replacement (Caterham 21 was close but far too close to a 7 than a proper car with a roof, doors and windows!).
It is superb, the handling and chassis is obviously pretty much the highpoint. However I understand exactly where you are coming from -
rotaryjam said:
To my mind you can have cars that are very stable, solid, unflappable, that you can fling around corners, but they aren't really what I would call 'fun' or playful.
Its not that its not 'fun', its just a different type of fun. Much like the Boxster and MR2, theres isnt enough troque to break traction easily off the line, combined with the weight balance, means the car will pretty much dig in and go no matter how hard you launch it (in the dry). The balance and lack of inertia is superb, the braking, the ride on poor roads, brilliant.However, I do also very much miss the dynamics of a front engined rear drive car, to the extent that I will probably change it at some point.
I've had this talk with a few people and they seem to assume I want to go doing full tokyo drift on the public road - its not that at all - its a subtle differenceand for road driving (not track!) I think the 'worse' dynamics of a front engined car are possibly more entertaining.
Unfortunately the car I want doesnt exist - which is a front engine rear drive MX-5 a-like but made by lotus using the same chassis tech - a proper Elan replacement (Caterham 21 was close but far too close to a 7 than a proper car with a roof, doors and windows!).
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 18th August 18:26
Go and test drive one... dont forget to take your wallet 
I certainly wasn't brave enough to hang the rear out the street, but all my Elise were very playful on track.
I do challenge you to drive one, then make your mind up, I have daily driven all my cars and wish I had kept them all.
My K20 Elise could quite happily slide around with power, the Europa could also, Rover K series needed a little engine braking on track to engage a little slip.
Comfortably the most engaging car (with proper doors) I have driven.
I certainly wasn't brave enough to hang the rear out the street, but all my Elise were very playful on track.
I do challenge you to drive one, then make your mind up, I have daily driven all my cars and wish I had kept them all.
My K20 Elise could quite happily slide around with power, the Europa could also, Rover K series needed a little engine braking on track to engage a little slip.
Comfortably the most engaging car (with proper doors) I have driven.
The Elise is a car that prefers accuracy and being driven with the fingertips. Neat, tidy and precise is the way it likes going about business. It’s not a car that rewards being bullied.
You can play with the weight transfer and adjust the balance using the throttle but it’s capable of biting (the Elise twitch?
), however when you get all of this right, it’s one of the best ways ever to get down a B-road.
If you want a car to do skids in and go sideways, a Caterham is more naturally set for it. However, the Elise’s feedback, balance, ride quality (on non-knackered suspension!), steering feel and is surpassed by little else.
Drive one (preferably several, as even a tired one feels decent compared to “normal” cars; however a sorted one will instantly feel right) and a Caterham-only you’ll know what you prefer.
You can play with the weight transfer and adjust the balance using the throttle but it’s capable of biting (the Elise twitch?
), however when you get all of this right, it’s one of the best ways ever to get down a B-road.If you want a car to do skids in and go sideways, a Caterham is more naturally set for it. However, the Elise’s feedback, balance, ride quality (on non-knackered suspension!), steering feel and is surpassed by little else.
Drive one (preferably several, as even a tired one feels decent compared to “normal” cars; however a sorted one will instantly feel right) and a Caterham-only you’ll know what you prefer.
rotaryjam said:
Thanks guys, pretty much as expected.
Still, would you say they are fun to drive?
It depends entirely on how you like to drive. It's a car that rewards driving smoothly; if you try to throw it around it'll either understeer off the road or snap into uncorrectable oversteer unless you're a pretty good driver. Still, would you say they are fun to drive?
If you don't like the Cayman or MR2, my guess is that you wont like the Elise.
snotrag said:
Unfortunately the car I want doesnt exist - which is a front engine rear drive MX-5 a-like but made by lotus using the same chassis tech - a proper Elan replacement (Caterham 21 was close but far too close to a 7 than a proper car with a roof, doors and windows!).
Ginetta G40r?Edited by kambites on Thursday 18th August 19:23
I have an Elise S2 supercharged and an e36 M3 that are used pretty much exclusively on the track.
The BMW is well balanced but can be provoked into lurid sideways moments but is slow to break away and easy to control. Great fun
I have the lotus set up to be quite pointy at the front and a little loose at the rear. The grip levels are much higher than the BMW and it responds to gentle inputs rather than the bully boy tactics the BMW takes in its stride.
It will still break away at the rear if you turn in too hard on the brakes or are too brutal with your throttle when coming out of a corner. You have to be fairly quick to catch it but it is well behaved.
They are fun in different ways. The BMW puts a big smile on your face but you know you can get the absolute most out of the car at all times. The Lotus makes you concentrate much more on your inputs and I have never yet felt I can reach the limit and just beyond on a consistent basis. The car at present has more talent than I have. It gives me room to improve and this is ultimately my aim.
The BMW is well balanced but can be provoked into lurid sideways moments but is slow to break away and easy to control. Great fun
I have the lotus set up to be quite pointy at the front and a little loose at the rear. The grip levels are much higher than the BMW and it responds to gentle inputs rather than the bully boy tactics the BMW takes in its stride.
It will still break away at the rear if you turn in too hard on the brakes or are too brutal with your throttle when coming out of a corner. You have to be fairly quick to catch it but it is well behaved.
They are fun in different ways. The BMW puts a big smile on your face but you know you can get the absolute most out of the car at all times. The Lotus makes you concentrate much more on your inputs and I have never yet felt I can reach the limit and just beyond on a consistent basis. The car at present has more talent than I have. It gives me room to improve and this is ultimately my aim.
I reckon best way to test the cars is hassle the dealerships that specialise in Lotuses. I've got one in Northwich nearby but after having gone there and let my at the time young daughter sit in a caterham, and subsequently having some angry bloke shout her out the car going 'its a new car' it's put me off as a customer. I think they didn't take me too seriously as a prospective buyer (at the time) given my age too, so I now feel a bit reluctant asking them to take a car out.
Either way, from what's been said above, I think you're probably after a caterham or a lotus 7 variant, where the back end steps out happily/readily and the front engine thing means it's very easy to put right. An elige is a fantastic ride in a pointy/direct/brake before the turn sense, however deliberately try to get the back end out and it will bite you very hard (snap oversteer) if not very experienced with drifting etc. I've had a few unexpected spins in the past
Either way, from what's been said above, I think you're probably after a caterham or a lotus 7 variant, where the back end steps out happily/readily and the front engine thing means it's very easy to put right. An elige is a fantastic ride in a pointy/direct/brake before the turn sense, however deliberately try to get the back end out and it will bite you very hard (snap oversteer) if not very experienced with drifting etc. I've had a few unexpected spins in the past
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