Kitcat Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Like new, low-milage Elises are going for $32K. Any thoughts on how they compare with similarly priced 7 clones (Caterham or otherwise) as a track car? My family has lots of daily drivers('05 Prius,'03 T-Bird, '07 Accord) so my interest is in a car that is streetable enough to drive to the track in minimal comfort, then excel at the track. I don't want to have to buy a tow vehicle/trailer as I don't have room to store them and would rather put that extra money in to a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 What do you intend to do with the car at the track? Is it just for casual track days where you want to run the car for fun? or do you plan to compete in a SCCA class? Elise is a very capable car. I like "fiddlin" with cars, so the Seven is hard to beat. You can disassemble the car with simple tools, everything is easy to maintain, get to, etc... The Seven is significantly lighter, so it has a totally different feel to it. The advantages of the Elise are that you'll find many other very stock Elises to run with, and the car is more usable as a daily driver - can easily be driven in rain. You have to consider what you will do if you've prepaid for your track time, and it's going to rain (this just happened to me a couple of weeks ago, so I had to take another car). Some here drive their Sevens in rain, but it's not like a normal car where you just throw on the wipers and go on your merry way. The best advice I can give you is to hook up with a Caterham owner in your area and get a ride and then decide. You'll either fall in love with the car and have to have it, or decide it's too out of the mainstream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Mark B. is from OH, right? Find him and go for a ride in his SV. I'm obviously biased, but here's my take on Elises: A) Don't fool yourself that they are any more reliable or don't have build issues. A friend with one tells me about all sorts of "recall" repairs he's had done. Nice. B) I personally (and apologies to all who have an Elise, especially those I've met in person) find them to be too soft and not "hairshirt" enough. They're too "easy" a choice, IMHO. Like the Boxster was 10 years ago...I'd much rather have a mint 1969 911 than a Boxster. A recent post on Jalopnik.com (and not by me, I might add) said "A Lotus 7 or one of its diaspora is simply one of the manliest purchases you can make." http://www.jalopnik.com/http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/clips/whither-koenigsegg-caterham-unofficially-breaks-top-gear-lap-record-208378.php Not that I need someone else's approval on my car (well, except for my wife's!)... C) A Seven is a step off the planned obsolescence cycle that all car manufacters sell, a phenomenon to which I am particularly prone. You know how it goes, you buy an Elise, then they come out with the Exige, and so on. Sure, there are the new CSR (don't like/don't need the widebody platform) and Westfield 2000s, but Sevens (and Westfield XIs) are pretty much timeless. They come from the factory obsolete, so it's not like a new model can sway me that much. Just my 200 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 FWIW, a guy from my area who seemed very much in your situation ended up buying an Elise because his wife gave it the nod in terms of safety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted October 30, 2006 Author Share Posted October 30, 2006 Track days only-no organized competition. I hadn't thought about the rain issue. Many of the track days I ran in my Miata & my Evo were in rain. Also many of the trips there and back were in the rain. You can't just put the top up and run your 7? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Track days only-no organized competition. I hadn't thought about the rain issue. Many of the track days I ran in my Miata & my Evo were in rain. Also many of the trips there and back were in the rain. You can't just put the top up and run your 7? Yes, you can. You just gotta be flexible to get in and out with the top on. I don't even have a top for my car, so I'm not worried http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfgw Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Kitcat, I am in Columbus, Ohio and would be happy to take you for a ride in my Caterham. It's the non-SV model with a few performance enhancing goodies, but should give you an idea. There is also a Lotus dealer literally 10 minutes from my house where you could go to test-drive an Elise too. PM me if you are interested before the weather gets too cold, or bring a crash helmet with you as I have only added my weather equipment once since I have had the car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted October 30, 2006 Share Posted October 30, 2006 Kitcat-I drove my Superlight in torrential rain once for about 9 hours. And I don't even have a full roof or doors. It was an near religious experience experience from which I am still recovering.-Al http://gardenstatesevens.org/wordpress/?p=28Al Navarro2006-10-30 12:34:59 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 For my 3000th post I thought I'd start at the beginning, way back at my very first post on this Forum, almost 10 years ago. Obviously I didn't get the Elise and instead a X-flow Caterham, the first of three (and counting) se7ens. It was a great choice and it has been a great adventure. And it was an easy choice, I grew up reading Road and Track in the early '60's and they never failed to extol the virtues of the small, but mighty seven. Al was right, it is possible to drive a se7en for hours in the rain. I did that numerous times (very exciting on shaved race tires!). I ultimately wimped out and went the trailer/tow vehicle route. That extended the useful range of my se7en's use. I was unwilling to travel long distances at night on the interstate to get to events. The deciding factor was the first USA7s get-together at NJMP 5-6 years ago. The thot of my nearly invisible seven in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic on I-95 was too intimidating, even for me. The trailer also solved the ominous breakdown-in-the-middle-of-nowhere issue, with the needed parts on a 6 month back order dilemma. Unfortunately, my track-dedicated seven ended the joy of early morning blats and scaring the adult citizenry and thrilling children 8 and under (a group with which seven owners seem have a natural connection -youth is fleeting but immaturity can last forever, etc.). So I may have to come up with some sort of solution in that regard, we'll see what the next 10 years brings. At that point I will be 80 and maybe starting to slow up a bit-maybe I will finally have matured enough to get that Elise:)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Congrats on #3000. Even though you're only young once, you can stay immature forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Mike Don't fool yourself. With a Lotus dealer just 4 blocks from my house, I get to try on an Elise every now and then. I swear it is harder to get in and out of than my Seven. Especially the out of part. Congrats on 3,000. I didn't know you were only working part time ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wemtd Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 Congrats kitcat Maybe you should try on the new relaxed fit Birkin Tom brought last summer. One for the street & one track? They do need company after all, just ask Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 For my 3000th post I thought I'd start at the beginning . . . ? :hurray: . . . . . :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 (edited) One for the street & one track? They do need company after all, just ask Tom Or me.... Then you need a bigger garage... :ack: Just remember posts are like age - 3000 is just a number. Grow older disgracefully. Works for me! :rofl: Edited January 11, 2016 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klasik-69 Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 3000 posts mean you spend too much time on the computer and not enough on the track 😃I've seen quite a few Elise on various tracks and they do better on smaller tracks where top end isn't as much an issue. At tracks like Roebling with a very long straight, just like our sevens, they run out of gas so to speak. A few have commented on reliability issues but I've never seen one break down, or Sevens for that matter. Porsches break down regularly but nothing compares to the Nissan 350Z & 370Z that fail regularly on the track. I think the Lotus Elise do very well for a street car with some creature comforts, and most drive to the track and then go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FE07 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I'm fortunate enough to have an elise and a 7. The elise for 10 years and the 7 for 2. What can I say- I like the lightweight thing and have always been more into handling than horsepower. I like faster through the turns! The elise is fine on track BUT- if you had an off track excursion (AKA- agricultural racing) especially into a gravel trap, it could get expensive fast. The front of the car is really low and the whole front bodywork is one piece and somewhat fragile and it ain't cheap to fix/replace. Being mid engine it's definitely more well balanced than the 7 and more responsive in handling. You can totally steer it with the throttle or brakes more easily than the 7. Maybe I'm just more comfortable with it because I've had it longer. I haven't had any reliability issues with mine. Getting in and out of them is about the same unless the top is on the 7 in which case there is NOTHING harder to get out of. I'm pretty flexible and 5'7" and I thought I might have to cut a hole in the roof! The elise is certainly much more user friendly- Don't have to worry about 'wind control' The ride in the 7 is actually better than the elise. Feels more softly sprung and definitely leans more in the turns. It's kind of funny- when I drive the elise after I drive the 7, I feel like I'm in a 'regular' car. The 7 is definitely something special! Wish it was 1/2 as reliable as the elise though!! Congrats on 3000 post's. You need stay off the computer and go out in the garage and find something to fix on the car. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Congrats on the milestone! Time flies. For my 3000th post I thought I'd start at the beginning, way back at my very first post on this Forum, almost 10 years ago. Obviously I didn't get the Elise and instead a X-flow Caterham, the first of three (and counting) se7ens. It was a great choice and it has been a great adventure. And it was an easy choice, I grew up reading Road and Track in the early '60's and they never failed to extol the virtues of the small, but mighty seven. Al was right, it is possible to drive a se7en for hours in the rain. I did that numerous times (very exciting on shaved race tires!). I ultimately wimped out and went the trailer/tow vehicle route. That extended the useful range of my se7en's use. I was unwilling to travel long distances at night on the interstate to get to events. The deciding factor was the first USA7s get-together at NJMP 5-6 years ago. The thot of my nearly invisible seven in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic on I-95 was too intimidating, even for me. The trailer also solved the ominous breakdown-in-the-middle-of-nowhere issue, with the needed parts on a 6 month back order dilemma. Unfortunately, my track-dedicated seven ended the joy of early morning blats and scaring the adult citizenry and thrilling children 8 and under (a group with which seven owners seem have a natural connection -youth is fleeting but immaturity can last forever, etc.). So I may have to come up with some sort of solution in that regard, we'll see what the next 10 years brings. At that point I will be 80 and maybe starting to slow up a bit-maybe I will finally have matured enough to get that Elise:)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcollum Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I'm fortunate enough to have an elise and a 7. The elise for 10 years and the 7 for 2. What can I say- I like the lightweight thing and have always been more into handling than horsepower. I like faster through the turns! The elise is fine on track BUT- if you had an off track excursion (AKA- agricultural racing) especially into a gravel trap, it could get expensive fast. The front of the car is really low and the whole front bodywork is one piece and somewhat fragile and it ain't cheap to fix/replace. Being mid engine it's definitely more well balanced than the 7 and more responsive in handling. You can totally steer it with the throttle or brakes more easily than the 7. Maybe I'm just more comfortable with it because I've had it longer. I haven't had any reliability issues with mine. Getting in and out of them is about the same unless the top is on the 7 in which case there is NOTHING harder to get out of. I'm pretty flexible and 5'7" and I thought I might have to cut a hole in the roof! The elise is certainly much more user friendly- Don't have to worry about 'wind control' The ride in the 7 is actually better than the elise. Feels more softly sprung and definitely leans more in the turns. It's kind of funny- when I drive the elise after I drive the 7, I feel like I'm in a 'regular' car. The 7 is definitely something special! Wish it was 1/2 as reliable as the elise though!! Congrats on 3000 post's. You need stay off the computer and go out in the garage and find something to fix on the car. Jim I will second Jim's comment about the ride in the 7 being better than the Elise. My first couple of weeks in the Caterham, when I saw a bump appear in front of me, I swerved to avoid it and/or winced. The ride in the '07 Elise (with Lotus Sport Supension option) isn't all that firm, but really bottoms out sometimes. The 'step-over' on the Elise makes entry a chore - but it's not too bad on exit. I had a '72 Europa Twincam for 21 years, and its slightly-narrower verge prepared me for the Elise. My two biggest problems with the Caterham are - 1.) I have to unbutton two windshield snaps on the half-hood to be able to get in & out. My friends think it's very funny when I struggle to get in, and ask for help 'buttoning up'. I've learned that, when I drive with those two snaps undone, the left-front corner of the half-hood slowly lifts (like a bad toupee). It droops back down at lights, so I still look cool...:svengo: 2.) With the top off, it's easy to drop down into, but my hips are almost exactly the width of the seat opening. Plugging in the seatbelt is purely by feel. My wife even suggested that a racing harness would work better, and look cool. She loves driving the Seven, and I don't think she'd be happy with the ergonomics of a harness. For drives around the area, I take the Seven, unless it's wet. It's a nice option to have the Elise to drive in less-than-perfect weather. --Bob Collum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I have to unbutton two windshield snaps on the half-hood to be able to get in & out. I've only attempted ingress/egress into one 7 with a hood in place one time (a Mitsuoka Zero 1), and the method the owner suggested was head-first into the car until my rib cage was on the center tunnel, pull legs into driver's seat area, then drop in. It worked well, however inelegant and/or hilarious it may have appeared to bystanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcollum Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I've only attempted ingress/egress into one 7 with a hood in place one time (a Mitsuoka Zero 1), and the method the owner suggested was head-first into the car until my rib cage was on the center tunnel, pull legs into driver's seat area, then drop in. It worked well, however inelegant and/or hilarious it may have appeared to bystanders. Thanks, Sean. I'll give that a try this weekend. I'd like to be sure my wife is available, in case I need to be hauled back out of the car! --Bob Collum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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