How do you rate Lotus v Porsches

[phop77]

I've got a Lotus Exige , and was wondering what you guys thought of Lotus cars compared to Porsches

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[Tim Riseborough]

I have had 5 Porsches and only one Lotus (Esprit V8 Turbo in 1998/99) but have driven many Elises of the original and new shape.

Hard to compare them at all - I certainly would not have a Lotus as my only car as they tend to be far less comfortable (ride, space, equipment levels etc.) and less practical (minimal luggage space). Driving-wise, Lotus handling is obviously quality - the only car that has handled better than my Esprit (for my driving anyway) is the Cayman. The Elise (and therefore I would imagine the Exige and some) is great fun and as a weekend hooning tool great, but is not an everyday car and is not a cruising car either (straight line speeds - at least in the Elise - was not that great at the higher end, i.e. at motorway speeds overtaking was not especially rapid).

So just my two pennies worth!


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[nic_]

i'm sure RobJ will be along soon....

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[911UK]

Quote: Originally posted by Tim Riseborough on 29 December 2006

I have had 5 Porsches and only one Lotus (Esprit V8 Turbo in 1998/99) but have driven many Elises of the original and new shape.

Hard to compare them at all - I certainly would not have a Lotus as my only car as they tend to be far less comfortable (ride, space, equipment levels etc.) and less practical (minimal luggage space). Driving-wise, Lotus handling is obviously quality - the only car that has handled better than my Esprit (for my driving anyway) is the Cayman. The Elise (and therefore I would imagine the Exige and some) is great fun and as a weekend hooning tool great, but is not an everyday car and is not a cruising car either (straight line speeds - at least in the Elise - was not that great at the higher end, i.e. at motorway speeds overtaking was not especially rapid).

So just my two pennies worth!



good post there Tim

Because of the difference in sheer size and weight the Elise v 911 are very different, the Elise is very nimble and on a twisty circuit it is more than a match for a regular 911, but on anything faster it's 911 al lthe way...

both good cars, I did consider an Elise years ago but the additional practical element of the 911 made it the choice

another factor is how much you are looking to spend and which 911 you are thinking about

regards

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[Parts]

Quote: Originally posted by phop77 on 29 December 2006

I've got a Lotus Exige , and was wondering what you guys thought of Lotus cars compared to Porsches

I think that really depends what you what to do with them. The Exige is an awesome car (esecially on the track), but I'm not sure it is as easy to live with as a 911 (even a GT3.

I choose the porsche more for comfort and touring capabilities. Like others have considered Elises in the past, but always ended up going for the bigger car.

If you are talking about tracking then you will have to spend quite a bit on money on a 911 to match the Lotus experience just in terms of fun.


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[Rob J]

Quote: Originally posted by nicola on 29 December 2006
i'm sure RobJ will be along soon....

Here I am.....and just to prove I'm different....I have a Porsche thats like a Lotus & a Lotus that's like a Porsche.

To me a Lotus should be light quick & a raw experience. A Porsche is a comfortable, reliable, practical sportscar. To me the 2 are like chalk & cheese, different audience. The only place you'll find a Lotus type experience is in the GT's or RS's. Lotus simply do not currently offer a Porsche typical experience. (and incidently they shouldn't try to it's not their raison d'etre & they could never come close to Porsche)

So to my original comment my GT3 is the closest car I've ever driven to the feel of an exige, but with a bit more comfort. My Elan on the other hand is a wonderfully comfortable, quiet, refined, easy to drive, reliable open top sports car. It's my 911 cab on the cheap, oh & it's drop dead gorrgeous, timeless design & :cough: quicker than my Gt3 on many roads in many conditions!

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[william howarth]

I had an elan(front wheel drive) from 93-96,and I can quite honestly say that it is the only car I have ever owned where nothing has gone wrong with it!Istill regret selling it to this day.I would say that although the Porsche is a more upmarket product there is still a place in my heart for Lotus and in the future when they make a car I can get in and out of(im over 6 foot tall and weigh 16 stone!),I could see myself being Lotus owner again.

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[Rob J]

Quote: Originally posted by william howarth on 29 December 2006
I had an elan(front wheel drive) from 93-96,and I can quite honestly say that it is the only car I have ever owned where nothing has gone wrong with it!Istill regret selling it to this day.I would say that although the Porsche is a more upmarket product there is still a place in my heart for Lotus and in the future when they make a car I can get in and out of(im over 6 foot tall and weigh 16 stone!),I could see myself being  Lotus owner again.

Bought mine in 92 and still have it

Now with just over 20k on the clock.

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[paeffman]

Quote: Originally posted by phop77 on 29 December 2006
I've got a Lotus Exige , and was wondering what you guys thought of Lotus cars compared to Porsches

Sound like a brand customer clinic question.

Lotus - Cars that are build more for fun than practicality. A second car. Fragile. (very)British. Bought
by people for the love of driving.

Porsche - Cars built for a fun/practicality balance. Well constructed(mostly). Give sense of well being owning but come with a bit of an image problem.

If the Exige came with a boxer six or another engine with some proper sound effects I would be seriously interested. Just my personal taste priorities.

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[Jonathan Rubins]

i started as im thread on the lotus site when I got the 996, i was rightly reminded that you cannot compare and it is all about what you intend to do with the cars, however so far the porsches have never made me wish I took the train due to, wind, rain etc

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[Philip1972]

FAO Tim...

What was the performance of the Esprit V8 Turbo like in comparison to your 996 C2?


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[Tim Riseborough]

Quote: Originally posted by Philip1972 on 02 January 2007

FAO Tim...

What was the performance of the Esprit V8 Turbo like in comparison to your 996 C2?

Considerably quicker...I think 0-60 was officially 4.2 whereas the 996 would have been approx 1 sec different...top speed similar so difference would have tailed off. Handling very accurate in the Esprit BUT had to have careful throttle control...engine was a 3.5 V8 twin turbo with a bit of lag so whilst cornering was great, accelerating out of corners could be dangerous, especially in the wet if you just tried to boot it. Practicality is the only reason I ended up getting rid of it, the front overhang was very low and very long so I frequently scraped speed humps and it couldn't go into multi-story carparks (tried it once and nearly got stuck going up the first ramp)...boot space was rubbish too...and the gearbox wasn't great either thinking about it!!


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[Robertb]

I was looking at an Elise the other day in a car park space next to us, and thought what a great looking car it was.

As I see it, Lotuses are focused sports cars, where most Porsches (specials excepted) are definitely more GT focused and usable day to day.

The weakness of lotuses IMO is that whilst plenty of power, the engines tend to be not as appealing as a 6 or proper bent-8.

I also percieve a lotus, being UK developed, to be well suited to the UKs poxy roads, where a stiffly set up german car can be a bit skittish and harsh over bumps.


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