Help I can’t decide on a track car. Lotus or Porsche?
Discussion
I want to buy a light weight track car. I drive a V8 Vantage and 993 C4S. Ones too big to track, I tried it at Bedford, and the other too precious.
I used to own the original Elise back in ‘96. So should I buy a cheap S1 Elise or a newer shaped but similar price one, should I go for a more meaty 160 Elise or or similarly priced Boxster or Cayman? My heart say £15k Elise my head says £25k 160 or Porsche. Help.
I used to own the original Elise back in ‘96. So should I buy a cheap S1 Elise or a newer shaped but similar price one, should I go for a more meaty 160 Elise or or similarly priced Boxster or Cayman? My heart say £15k Elise my head says £25k 160 or Porsche. Help.
motorhole said:
How about a Vauxhall VX? Essentially an Elise but cheaper than both. Could probably pick up an NA and have it k-swapped for not much more than £15k. The engine it should always have had...
I have heard that the VX can have a few issues and to be honest I love the originality of the Lotus, not sure the Vauxhall brand fits, which is a snobish but hey I have to drive it. ReallyDriven said:
motorhole said:
How about a Vauxhall VX? Essentially an Elise but cheaper than both. Could probably pick up an NA and have it k-swapped for not much more than £15k. The engine it should always have had...
I have heard that the VX can have a few issues and to be honest I love the originality of the Lotus, not sure the Vauxhall brand fits, which is a snobish but hey I have to drive it. 
I have Lotus bias, but my reasons for buying into the brand might suit you too.
Driving dynamics can be somewhat subjective - so all you can do is try both and make your own mind up, but on a practical front the Lotus is a pretty cheap way to go trackdaying in terms of depreciation and running costs.
Compared to a "super saloon" type approach to trackdays you can expect half the consumable costs, and also you have access to specialist insurers that do really competitive all inclusive policies too if that's your thing (I get unlimited UK trackdays included in my road policy which was only £70 more than generic meerkat quotes). I know this isn't exclusive to Lotus, but there's certainly a big market for it for Lotus owners.
It's not unreasonable to say you could buy a Lotus, track it for 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Providing you don't bend it
Driving dynamics can be somewhat subjective - so all you can do is try both and make your own mind up, but on a practical front the Lotus is a pretty cheap way to go trackdaying in terms of depreciation and running costs.
Compared to a "super saloon" type approach to trackdays you can expect half the consumable costs, and also you have access to specialist insurers that do really competitive all inclusive policies too if that's your thing (I get unlimited UK trackdays included in my road policy which was only £70 more than generic meerkat quotes). I know this isn't exclusive to Lotus, but there's certainly a big market for it for Lotus owners.
It's not unreasonable to say you could buy a Lotus, track it for 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Providing you don't bend it
I think I am swinging towards an Elise or Exige. I like the idea of light and cheap to be honest. If I get bored I can sell it easily, the market is sparce for original Elise cars, even if it is tracked I am happy to pay a specialist to look after it to ensure it works everytime. Nice idea on the insurance too. Thank you
Fonzey said:
I have Lotus bias, but my reasons for buying into the brand might suit you too.
Driving dynamics can be somewhat subjective - so all you can do is try both and make your own mind up, but on a practical front the Lotus is a pretty cheap way to go trackdaying in terms of depreciation and running costs.
Compared to a "super saloon" type approach to trackdays you can expect half the consumable costs, and also you have access to specialist insurers that do really competitive all inclusive policies too if that's your thing (I get unlimited UK trackdays included in my road policy which was only £70 more than generic meerkat quotes). I know this isn't exclusive to Lotus, but there's certainly a big market for it for Lotus owners.
It's not unreasonable to say you could buy a Lotus, track it for 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Providing you don't bend it
Driving dynamics can be somewhat subjective - so all you can do is try both and make your own mind up, but on a practical front the Lotus is a pretty cheap way to go trackdaying in terms of depreciation and running costs.
Compared to a "super saloon" type approach to trackdays you can expect half the consumable costs, and also you have access to specialist insurers that do really competitive all inclusive policies too if that's your thing (I get unlimited UK trackdays included in my road policy which was only £70 more than generic meerkat quotes). I know this isn't exclusive to Lotus, but there's certainly a big market for it for Lotus owners.
It's not unreasonable to say you could buy a Lotus, track it for 2 years and then sell it on for what you paid for it. Providing you don't bend it
Elise is it then. I want something to enjoy driving there and back, with some weather protection, but I have a daily driver so no need for a car than can easily do both. If I could justify it I would go for an Alpine.
culpz said:
Lighter is better for pure track use. A Boxster or Cayman can be used on track but an Elise will always feel more at home as standard.
For road and track use, the Porsche might be the better pick. For me, it all depends on the majority usage.
For road and track use, the Porsche might be the better pick. For me, it all depends on the majority usage.
Given your existing cars, Lotus every time. I tracked my older Boxster, and whilst it was a superb road car, and had the potential to be a superb track car, that is not what you get out of the box.
You can drive one on track, but then you'll start looking at fitting adjustable suspension arms to get the geo right. Damper upgrades. Brake upgrades. You'll need some bucket seats as standard Boxster/Cayman seats are good but not amazing. You''l need to keep on top of the cooling system. Many people will say you really need a baffled sump. Additional wheels for track tyres are expensive as Porsche use an (almost) unique PCD. etc etc.
Loved my Boxster, but honestly my MX5s have made a better track car out the box.
Elise -its deisnged to do it. Not saying it will be faultless but a damn sight closer out the box, and much, much cheaper to run and fix. Why get another car compromised for comfort/touring when you already have 2 of the very best of those!?
You can drive one on track, but then you'll start looking at fitting adjustable suspension arms to get the geo right. Damper upgrades. Brake upgrades. You'll need some bucket seats as standard Boxster/Cayman seats are good but not amazing. You''l need to keep on top of the cooling system. Many people will say you really need a baffled sump. Additional wheels for track tyres are expensive as Porsche use an (almost) unique PCD. etc etc.
Loved my Boxster, but honestly my MX5s have made a better track car out the box.
Elise -its deisnged to do it. Not saying it will be faultless but a damn sight closer out the box, and much, much cheaper to run and fix. Why get another car compromised for comfort/touring when you already have 2 of the very best of those!?
ReallyDriven said:
motorhole said:
How about a Vauxhall VX? Essentially an Elise but cheaper than both. Could probably pick up an NA and have it k-swapped for not much more than £15k. The engine it should always have had...
I have heard that the VX can have a few issues and to be honest I love the originality of the Lotus, not sure the Vauxhall brand fits, which is a snobish but hey I have to drive it. Supercharged VX would be easier (and better) than a k swap.
And the NA VX is more Lotus than the Elige as it has a Lotus developed engine.
ReallyDriven said:
I want to buy a light weight track car. I drive a V8 Vantage and 993 C4S. Ones too big to track, I tried it at Bedford, and the other too precious.
I used to own the original Elise back in ‘96. So should I buy a cheap S1 Elise or a newer shaped but similar price one, should I go for a more meaty 160 Elise or or similarly priced Boxster or Cayman? My heart say £15k Elise my head says £25k 160 or Porsche. Help.
Definitely Lotus given you already have the 993. Having another Porsche that is 100-200kg lighter won't feel as different as a Lotus that is little more than half the weight of the C4S!I used to own the original Elise back in ‘96. So should I buy a cheap S1 Elise or a newer shaped but similar price one, should I go for a more meaty 160 Elise or or similarly priced Boxster or Cayman? My heart say £15k Elise my head says £25k 160 or Porsche. Help.
S1 Elises are passing into the modern classic category and now seem to be more expensive like for like than early S2s. I would be looking at the 111s in S2 guise - pretty much the same weight as a S1, with 156hp of VVC K-series and generally considered a bit more habitable than the S1.
It doesn't seem to take much to bring them up to around 170hp either.
There is one in the classifieds for £16500:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10951238
Or for something more track ready that will also hold its value well - take a look at the S2 135R. There is one in the classifieds but near £20k.
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