2003 lotus esprit v8 vs 2010 Elise 4cyl

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The v8 48,000mi and the Elise is clocked at 17,000mi. Both are similar in price. I have ridden in a v6 SC exige track only car and it's my first choice but it's out my price range. Unfortunate because it strikes the best balance between displacement and light weight performance. The Elise leans to much to the track side of things and the esprit is honestly just a little too on the side of supercar side. Since the lf1 exige I want is track only and costs $130k I will have to wait a long while before I can afford it as well as pay for trailering it since it can't be road driven.


Anyways the car I get won't be commuted in but I do daily drive except in winter. Long road trips to tracks and just general hooking. The esprit looks killer. I would do a gearbox upgrade and possibly push the engine to 450hp. I believe it is a much smoother comfortable ride than the Elise, which is a fun as hell car to rip around tracks and tough on.

I understand the choice e comes down to driving characteristics. I think I may regret getting an Elise when I'm driving it 4hrs to the track or lotus dealer. The only time I would regret the esprit over the Elise would be on tight tracks where guys in NA miata are other performing me on the twisting sections.

I really do prefer displacement over turbo. The lotus will just end up being a fun piece of rolling jewelery for me and I will push it hard. I've pretty much decided on the v8 esprit but wanted some feedback. I understand the service and reliability issues as well. I will straight pipe the esprit and replace the lotus wing with a Le Man's style carbon unit and probably wrap it in animal girls, lol. Plz no bully. It will be totally a reflection of, personal sense of style.

So I've basically made my mind up but any input would be needed. I posted about a month ago and got so,even good replies. The exige v6 is my ideal car desu but out of my price range. Luckily I can import and esprit that will be legal for road use.