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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Too Slow, What To Do?


Simon Mac

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As some of you know I've upgraded my daily driver, unfortunately my Elise now feels _very_ slow :(

 

On paper the Elise should be the same 0-60. In reality they are worlds apart, the new car feels as quick up to 70 as my old Exige S (at least when driven with some mechanical sympathy)

 

Sure the Elise is nicer on the right road, but the ease of overtaking the new car gives me (more so than even the Exige) means you have so much more "right road" to use without being stuck behind the 40 everywhere brigade.

 

The biggest difference is power delivery. So whilst I had been hankering after an NA Honda conversion, I'm starting to question even that wisdom.

 

Do I just give up on the Elise?

Start saving my pennies for an Exige roadster?

Audi conversion?

SC Honda?

 

It's time for some serious soul searching. All of the above are going to start being pretty expensive,

 

If anyone is willing to take me for a pax in something like the above I'd be more than grateful, as I don't want to make a very costly mistake :(

 

Si

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....or just enjoy it for what it is! My Audi diesel is faster cross country than my Exige and much less tiring. But my Audi would be a compete pudding on the track with its soggy suspension, rampant torque steer and inability to manage bumps and camber changes.

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Agree if all you want is an easy quick drive then stick with a turbo euro box but if you want a good drive where at the end of it it is all down to you stick with the n/a Elise, by all means have a little play so it is not so breathless at the top end but keep it as it is.

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As some of you know I've upgraded my daily driver, unfortunately my Elise now feels _very_ slow :(

 

On paper the Elise should be the same 0-60. In reality they are worlds apart, the new car feels as quick up to 70 as my old Exige S (at least when driven with some mechanical sympathy)

 

Sure the Elise is nicer on the right road, but the ease of overtaking the new car gives me (more so than even the Exige) means you have so much more "right road" to use without being stuck behind the 40 everywhere brigade.

 

The biggest difference is power delivery. So whilst I had been hankering after an NA Honda conversion, I'm starting to question even that wisdom.

 

Do I just give up on the Elise?

Start saving my pennies for an Exige roadster?

Audi conversion?

SC Honda?

 

It's time for some serious soul searching. All of the above are going to start being pretty expensive,

 

If anyone is willing to take me for a pax in something like the above I'd be more than grateful, as I don't want to make a very costly mistake :(

 

Si

Simon come out on the run on Sunday see if that sparks some new love?

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Si I have the same car as you. I agree they aren't that quick in a straight line, and turbo diesel rep mobiles will pull away from it at certain revs on dual carriageways etcetera. On a twisty road though I think my car is plenty quick enough. I enjoy the challenge of coaxing the maximum out of it (on trackdays obv!) - braking late and hard, carrying speed through the apex, getting on the power early and hard, being smooth and so on.

If I had the spare dosh I would buy more power, don't get me wrong, but I wouldn't go forced induction - a 180 -190 hp K series is a fine thing if built properly and because it is such a light engine doesn't spoil the on-limit handling. A heavy turbo'd lump makes for a very quick car no question but they are more difficult (because of the lag) to drive and the turn in oversteer problem all eliges have to some degree is much worse.

If you really want 260+ hp from a forced induction car have you thought about flogging the elise and buyi g a vx 220 turbo? With a chargecooler and a chip they are 260 hp, and cheap.

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Some time back I was also tempted by a 340R that was up for sale at Bell and Colvill.... this was "RED 340R", an immaculate SC Honda engined car that had been beautifully converted with no expense spared.  As the name suggests, it also had Ardent Red bodywork and looked stunning.

 

Only the massive price put me off - at £39k I would have had to trade in my Exige S 240 and that just wasn't going to happen!!

 

Suitably beefed up 340Rs definitely do get the adrenaline flowing nicely though.

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Simon come out on the run on Sunday see if that sparks some new love?

 

Was tempted Alex, just  too lazy to get out of bed that early :(

I have a 370-80 hp SC Honda S2. It's away having a new exhaust made for it but when it's back (2-3 weeks) happy for you to come for a spin in it / have a go.

 

Thanks, I would really appreciate that!  More than happy to reciprocate, and let you see what the fuss is all about with the Tesla of course!

Which Elise do you have?

 

Could take it in against this biggrin.png

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/vauxhall/vx220/vauxhall-vx220-2-2-supercharged/2784280

 

Brutal little thing. Scares me!

 

I've got a basic S2.... TBH though not sure I could go for a VX from a looks perspective.  I know I'm a tart !! :) 

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Was tempted Alex, just  too lazy to get out of bed that early sad.png

 

Thanks, I would really appreciate that!  More than happy to reciprocate, and let you see what the fuss is all about with the Tesla of course!

 

I've got a basic S2.... TBH though not sure I could go for a VX from a looks perspective.  I know I'm a tart !! smile.png

 

Deal! I've love to have a ride in a Tesla. I'll let you know when it's back with me. Was supposed to take 2 weeks. Has been there for almost 6 already......

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