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I've read the CBCB for these models plus the links provided but does anyone on here have experience of owning one of these cars? I've never driven a Lotus, are they really that good? And that unreliable? They look like real bargains for use a pleasure car with the occasional track day.
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I've driven one on the track - absolutely amazing.
I wouldn't want to try to get into the car on a regular basis with the roof on though!
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One of my best friends used to work for Lotus and had an Elise as a company car. Admittedly they were changed at 6 months (or a given lowly mileage, whichever occurred first) but the only problem he had was caused by impact with a wall during a B-road blast!
His Elises had the 1.8 K Series engine and suffered none of the HGF or catching fire antics of some.
The only thing I really disliked about the car were getting filthy dirty and wet trying to squeeze in over the sill with the roof up (the resultant aperture is wide and narrow) on a wet day. He eventually succumbed to carrying a towel to wipe the sill with before getting in.
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If your worried about reliability go for one of the later versions with the 1.8 Toyota engine.
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I was lucky enough to run an early R Reg 1.8 Elise (Titanium silver) for 3 years. It was a second car (my first was a van!)and did about 25k in it. Never had ANY problems.Wonderful to drive and exceeded all expectations.
Not as entertaining as my Mk1 Golf Gti (AUM 880X where are you now?)but I am far more sensible with the passing of years. Would have another tomorrow and probably shall next Nov/Dec.
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Friend has the 1.8 K series version, and yes it had HGF
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I have driven a couple of Elises, wonderful on the track, great on the right road.
Though for every day transport that is also fun on the back roads, a Clio 182 is much more practical.
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Thankfully it wouldn't be for every day use. I'm really in a quandry what to do. Later this year, if I bite the bullet and actually spend it on a car, I'll have around £20k-ish. My heart and head are saying Impreza STi with a prodrive pack. I can't think of many other cars that will give silly acceleration (sub 5 secs to 60), handling and grip for the money. Not to mention reliability. The only thing against it is the chavish style and image, which I could live with I suppose. I really like Subarus as they are so well engineered.
However, am I missing out by not considering other cars? That's why I was thinking of a Lotus, similar performance but less well built. Is there anything else? Caterham?
The big plus of an Impreza is that it can be a practical every day car if I need it to.
And let's not mention all those delicious classics within reach. But I think I want something silly fast once in my life to get it out of my system.
Then maybe pipe, slippers and an XJS.
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If you're going for something for everyday use, then choose the Imprezza.
If you're after a weekend sunny afternoon car for fun, go for the Caterham.
I've had both and they're both huge fun, but the adrenaline rush of a caterham is much greater than the Imprezza.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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Spikey, which models of each did you have? Adrenaline rush is what I'm after. I intend to do a few track days after some suitable training.
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I've had two Imprezzas, bith turbos, one a stock 215bhp saloon and the other an estate that had been tweaked to about 260bhp by a previous owner. It also had the traction control and ESP turned off, so although the ultimate grip was reduced it did make the driving experience a lot more fun. Being able to hang the tail out for a few hundred yards at a time is essential in a fun car. Its jsut not possible with the computer messing you about. It also makes it very dnagerous to drive in the snow.
The csterham I had was a 1700 supersprint, so only 135bhp and in a live axle car rather than the de deion suspension. Only four gears too. It did make for simple maintenance. Its very easy to drive quickly, its not very practical but soooooooo much fun playing in on a sunny afternoon. Very trackable, very easy to put on a trailer too to take to the track. Saves all the worries about having to drive home on nearly bald tyres or having to forgoe some expensive laps so you can drive home with legal tyres.
I like both cars and whilst the Imprezza can be used as an everyday car, running costs are high. Driven sensibly, you'll be replacing all four tyres every 10,000 miles. I got through a set every 5,000 and could probably go through them even qiucker had I ever tracked it.
I never tried driving the Caterham "sensibly," sensible and Caterham don't go together. Got through a set of rears in 2,500 miles, but at only £45 a corner fitted it doesn't hurt. Its £500 a set for the Imprezza, which meant tyre wear costs 10p a mile. Fuel consumption of 20 mpg means that this is an expensive car to run. Insurance? get some quotes. Try some of the specialists for the Caterham and you may get it below £200 pa with limited miles.
But the buzz always stayed with the Caterham, every time I took it out was fun and the depreciation was negligable. The only real downside was the sideways nature of driving it in te wet, travelling sideways down urban roads as you come of a roundabout gets to be a way of life, easy to control the car but not always easy to judge the reactions of other road users round you.
This is one of those decisions where you won't regret it which ever way you decide. Their isn't a wrong choice. Both cars are a lot of fun. If you've got a couple of years before you have to "mature" then own one of each for a year.
I just hope that after writing this missive, my dinner isn't too badly burnt, had completely forgotten it was cookign whilst typing this.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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Thanks for that Spikey, I hope your dinner isn't too burnt.
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According to the RAC website, which may be wrong of course, AUM880X is not currently issued to any vehicle! I had one fo the first 1800cc Golf Gtis and it was great!
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If you purchase the Elise at the 'right' time of year, depreciation on an older model should be minimal.If required,I can supply the insurer's details, which were very reasonable.
Incidentally, my Mk1 Golf Gti was only 1600cc if memory serves me correctly...available in red, black or white...mine was a metallic mint green purchased from a military chappie at short notice who had to return to his unit of BAOR at short notice, and it was RHD.
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