Elise vs MR2 vs MGTF
Discussion
Its not even a fair comparison.
Buying from new. the elise has one price competitor in the Honda S2000.
The MR2 and MGTF are far too inferior IF the mould of car your looking for is similiar to an an elise.
Elises are often compared to Boxsters/M3's/Caterhams/TVR's - as if they should put up a good fight to fit into these types of market.
The truth is the elise doesn't even try to compete with these cars. It is in a much lower price bracket and the cars that cost the same age and with the same price, it will wipe the floor with in terms of handling, acceleration and the cliche'd smiles per miles
It gives good mpg, cheap servicing and parts, its reliable and durable (ahem) and if you own one, any other car that you get into feels sloppy
all 'IMHO' of course but the MR2 and MGTF are in no way an elise competitor.
Buying from new. the elise has one price competitor in the Honda S2000.
The MR2 and MGTF are far too inferior IF the mould of car your looking for is similiar to an an elise.
Elises are often compared to Boxsters/M3's/Caterhams/TVR's - as if they should put up a good fight to fit into these types of market.
The truth is the elise doesn't even try to compete with these cars. It is in a much lower price bracket and the cars that cost the same age and with the same price, it will wipe the floor with in terms of handling, acceleration and the cliche'd smiles per miles
It gives good mpg, cheap servicing and parts, its reliable and durable (ahem) and if you own one, any other car that you get into feels sloppy
all 'IMHO' of course but the MR2 and MGTF are in no way an elise competitor.
Wildfire :
Bogie is correct, completely different although similar cars, whadda ya want ?
Elise is the sharpest handler and the fastest car, but also the most raw and diccifultl to live with, some poeople can live with it, some can't.
MR2 is even less practical but a good handler.
MGTF is your softest option . . .
You want an opinion ?
By an Elise, you'll despair at some aspects of other cars forever after . . . and love other aspects of them . . .
fd
Bogie is correct, completely different although similar cars, whadda ya want ?
Elise is the sharpest handler and the fastest car, but also the most raw and diccifultl to live with, some poeople can live with it, some can't.
MR2 is even less practical but a good handler.
MGTF is your softest option . . .
You want an opinion ?
By an Elise, you'll despair at some aspects of other cars forever after . . . and love other aspects of them . . .
fd
No question, the Elise is the best drive, however an MR2:
- is around 6k cheaper (more so if imported)
- has an effortless roof
- is easy to get in and out of, even in tight parking spaces and without ruining clothes
- doesn't suffer random headgasket failures
- is around half the cost to insure
- has a better/longer warranty
- has dealers everywhere to service it
- is generally more solidly made
All while also being a mid-engined, well-balanced 2-seater that weighs comfortably less than a ton, much like the Elise.
I know a few people now with MR2s - all tried (and liked) Elises but went for the car that gives them more pleasure more of the time.
If it's a second car next to a barge, or if you do a dozen trackdays a year, the Elise is perfect. If it's your only car, if you're going to be dragging yourself into it for your commute on a frosty morning, then you just have to weigh up the pleasure/hassle thing. An Elise isn't completely impractical for everyday use, but it does require more effort than the others.
MGTF - supposedly much better than the old Fs, but not really an option if you're 6' or more - I'm under that and the driving position was more cramped than my old cinquecento.
- is around 6k cheaper (more so if imported)
- has an effortless roof
- is easy to get in and out of, even in tight parking spaces and without ruining clothes
- doesn't suffer random headgasket failures
- is around half the cost to insure
- has a better/longer warranty
- has dealers everywhere to service it
- is generally more solidly made
All while also being a mid-engined, well-balanced 2-seater that weighs comfortably less than a ton, much like the Elise.
I know a few people now with MR2s - all tried (and liked) Elises but went for the car that gives them more pleasure more of the time.
If it's a second car next to a barge, or if you do a dozen trackdays a year, the Elise is perfect. If it's your only car, if you're going to be dragging yourself into it for your commute on a frosty morning, then you just have to weigh up the pleasure/hassle thing. An Elise isn't completely impractical for everyday use, but it does require more effort than the others.
MGTF - supposedly much better than the old Fs, but not really an option if you're 6' or more - I'm under that and the driving position was more cramped than my old cinquecento.
I actually felt that the Elise was more practical than the MR2 due to actually having some storage space (the gloveboxes behind the seats are ridiculous) making it a better prospect for a daily driver than the MR2.
On top of that the elise is quicker, handles better and has a better image in my opinion.
The only downside to an elise is the getting in and out which gives me no problems but annoys some of my passengers a bit. Even when it was snowing I was glad to have the Elise under me as the control and feedback you get far outweighs any driver aids that might "save" you in a difficult situation.
The 340R is just a VERY VERY extreme elise, without a roof so whilst it might be a fun track car its day to day abilities are rather limited.
On top of that the elise is quicker, handles better and has a better image in my opinion.
The only downside to an elise is the getting in and out which gives me no problems but annoys some of my passengers a bit. Even when it was snowing I was glad to have the Elise under me as the control and feedback you get far outweighs any driver aids that might "save" you in a difficult situation.
The 340R is just a VERY VERY extreme elise, without a roof so whilst it might be a fun track car its day to day abilities are rather limited.
Basically what I'm looking for is a sports car, I'm not really bothered by basic and raw as my current modified mini is all that and more,v. noisey, v impractical and v uneconomical.
My original choice is the Elise, as really nothing looks like an Elise. But there is the practicality area to cover. Altough I won't be moving mass goods in the car it will be used on a day to day basis. So comfort is a little important, but not too much, my mini has bucket seats and harnesses and I used that day to day for 3 years. Economy is important, but they all seem to be around the same, also reliability. But I can do a lot of mechanical work my self, as well as respraying (: ) for stonechips).
The main thing really is price and running costs as I don't have too much money to splash about. Also I live in Newcastle where it rains a lot. I can cope with leaks, but not gushing water.
For the Elise the only thing against it is insurance costs, over £1000 more than MR2 and getting a good one. I think. Also I have a friend who makes Carbon Fibre doors for the Elise and says he will be making a carbon fibre front/rear clamshells. So cheap carbon fibre parts aplenty if I needed it.
Ah decisions, decisions, I shall try and test drive both the MR2 and Elsie this week or next.
My original choice is the Elise, as really nothing looks like an Elise. But there is the practicality area to cover. Altough I won't be moving mass goods in the car it will be used on a day to day basis. So comfort is a little important, but not too much, my mini has bucket seats and harnesses and I used that day to day for 3 years. Economy is important, but they all seem to be around the same, also reliability. But I can do a lot of mechanical work my self, as well as respraying (: ) for stonechips).
The main thing really is price and running costs as I don't have too much money to splash about. Also I live in Newcastle where it rains a lot. I can cope with leaks, but not gushing water.
For the Elise the only thing against it is insurance costs, over £1000 more than MR2 and getting a good one. I think. Also I have a friend who makes Carbon Fibre doors for the Elise and says he will be making a carbon fibre front/rear clamshells. So cheap carbon fibre parts aplenty if I needed it.
Ah decisions, decisions, I shall try and test drive both the MR2 and Elsie this week or next.
Interesting, you mention practicalty . . . the MR2 by far the least practical car on your list. There is effectively zero storage space in the car, I wouldn't like to try and do a 3 week camping/touring holiday in an MR2, however I did this in my Elise last year . . . My Elise also takes the weekly shop in the boot if carefull . . .
Fd
Fd
I hear a lot about this ledgendary tiny boot in the Toyota, so I am going to go have a look this weekend as to exactly how small it is.
As for wrong/right badges, basically nothing is a Lotus as you guys well know. But my budget doesn't allow me the freedom to be able to get exactly what I want. Elise S2 111S.
I suppose budget is what is holding me back, although I have found a MGTF 135 for £13500 new and the 160 for £14000 new at a car supermarket, but I'd rather have an Elise.
As for wrong/right badges, basically nothing is a Lotus as you guys well know. But my budget doesn't allow me the freedom to be able to get exactly what I want. Elise S2 111S.
I suppose budget is what is holding me back, although I have found a MGTF 135 for £13500 new and the 160 for £14000 new at a car supermarket, but I'd rather have an Elise.
Having come from a MR2 roadster(I presume this is the vehicle we are talking about) to an S2, I have a few points I would like to share with you.
MR2 - Practical ? not really however if you remove the spare wheel from the front of the car, the room in there is vast and is equally to the Elise. Also you will now be able to here the alarm activate if an un welcome guest is present
Handling - couldn't fault it, great power slides.
Balls out performance & G/box - when you can't out sprint a V6 rep mobile it gets humiliating and a little red faced
Gearbox is a cracker, Elise doesn't even come close.
Great car, nippy and fun to drive with, of course, reliablity. Dare I say that!!
The revised version is much more finished, larger rear wheels, different headlamps & rear lights. More aluminium plastic
basically more finished.
Elise - Rapid, top handling, looks, snob factor, are all second to non, I wouldn't go back
SVG
MR2 - Practical ? not really however if you remove the spare wheel from the front of the car, the room in there is vast and is equally to the Elise. Also you will now be able to here the alarm activate if an un welcome guest is present
Handling - couldn't fault it, great power slides.
Balls out performance & G/box - when you can't out sprint a V6 rep mobile it gets humiliating and a little red faced
Gearbox is a cracker, Elise doesn't even come close. Great car, nippy and fun to drive with, of course, reliablity. Dare I say that!!
The revised version is much more finished, larger rear wheels, different headlamps & rear lights. More aluminium plastic
basically more finished. Elise - Rapid, top handling, looks, snob factor, are all second to non, I wouldn't go back
SVG
Try the new MR2 and you quickly notice its faults.
The storage space - its pathetic, you have to fully open the door to get to it, endanger your life by pulling the trigger that fires the seat forward enough to crush your head between it and the windscreen [i found this out to my expense]. The underbonnet storage is awful and its no good in the wet, dont get stuck without a spare wheel and its rocket science to open.
Getting in and out is much like an Elise you have to pull the seat right back and swing the door fully out.
Compared to the Elise the interior is plasticy and the car is no where as good to drive or listen to.
The good thing is the MR2 is quite easy to live with if you can overcome the space which is useless anyway. The car is easy to live with especially with the glass rear screen compared to the MGF+TF the car drives well and is not too tight to use everyday. I cant really fault it and although the interior isnt as good as an elise it is good enough.
The MR2 isnt a bad car just not compared to the elise.
The storage space - its pathetic, you have to fully open the door to get to it, endanger your life by pulling the trigger that fires the seat forward enough to crush your head between it and the windscreen [i found this out to my expense]. The underbonnet storage is awful and its no good in the wet, dont get stuck without a spare wheel and its rocket science to open.
Getting in and out is much like an Elise you have to pull the seat right back and swing the door fully out.
Compared to the Elise the interior is plasticy and the car is no where as good to drive or listen to.
The good thing is the MR2 is quite easy to live with if you can overcome the space which is useless anyway. The car is easy to live with especially with the glass rear screen compared to the MGF+TF the car drives well and is not too tight to use everyday. I cant really fault it and although the interior isnt as good as an elise it is good enough.
The MR2 isnt a bad car just not compared to the elise.
Wildfire ....... I was in a similar situation. Had a late classic mini but wanted something sporty. I test drove a Fiat Barchetta (like the looks but not very nice to drive ......... little boat indeed), then the MR2 (nicer drive, quite low) and then the Elise which was fantastic. Having a mini you will be used to little niggles so I wouldn't worry about it. You'll feel better in yourself if you get the Elise too I would imagine in that you're probably less likely to see an MR2 and be yearning after it than if you bought an MR2 and saw an Elise ....... well I eckon anyway.
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