Convertible car mainly for track

[Mr.Cambio]

As the years go by, i realise in practice that all cars are designed for a specific use.

For the past two years i've been interested in cornering, therefore i have done some driving courses for it, as well as tours on the GR mountains, where i am able to improve my steering skills.

Have been on track with the Maser, as long as with my everyday car, a heavily tuned saab. Both are not for track, so i am thinking of buying me one, that will be aimed for track days, maybe some touring on the mountains, too.

My Options are honda S2000, elise or exige and mg tf.

Had an mg for 3 years, it's an amazing car, it's fast, but if you tune this, you'll get engine trouble. Also this car made me learn car control, due to it's strange weight balance.

What are your thoughts?

What is the difference between elise and exige and if i go for elise, what production should it be? Have heard that the Toyota engine (year production >05 is superb).

Your comments are pretty much welcome.

 

[Andyk]

Now you talking Nikos.....out of the cars mentioned Elise or Exige is the only way to go....for track both are good but Exige takes it to the next level...The Toyota engine is reliable and when you hit the 2nd cam it's like you get all the power band again with a thud.....The aero bits and track type tyres made a big different to the EXige....A standard early EXige had the same power as an early Elise but the fact it was set up to hit the track made it quicker than an Elise around a track....

Lots of different Elise all in Toyota form...Standard 1.8, R model with a bit more power, Supercharged which is bloody quick...To be honest any will be loads of fun.

EXige you can have a standard 1.8 or a supercharged one or a supercharged one with a power up grade.....Standard had 189bhp...Supercharged 220bhp and the power upgrade 240bhp.....these are super car quick............

Nikos, I would urge you to drive these cars before you decide as these are perfect for what you need ......I am a bit biased as I have had 9 Lotus over the years including a Toyota engined EXige.......Stunning cars......

 

[stradaman]

Lotus Exige is a brilliant car But remember one thing. You prang it, and it will cost a mint, to repair it.
If you want thrills per £ spent, then look at a Caterham type car. The best they say, is the Tiger. With the right engine, it would blow the exige into the weeds. There is one, that uses the Audi TT 225 engine. It is bonkers fast. And if you prang it, not only are they very strong, but the costs are low, to repair. You need to drive one, then you will be hooked!

Andy.

 

[Andyk]

Isn't aTiger a kit car...a friend had one and although fast felt like a kit car....not well put together and felt like it was going to fall apart....plenty of thrills though...Still think the Lotus is hard to beat as an all round performer....Can be used everyday if you need to and attack the track.......

 

[stradaman]

Kit car yes Andy. But he could build it himself. More pride, and bloody fast!
This is more like i am talking about, and well made.
http://www.tigerracing.com/aviator.php
They also do Bike engined versions, plus they hold the world record for 0-60, of 2.8 seconds [Tiger Z100].

Andy.

 

[Wattie]

Bit obvious coming from me.... Depending on what you've gotta spend...why not go Atom 2 or 3???

Cheers Wattie

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Gents, many thanks for your replies. Andy superb explaination!

Not much into Atom or Caterham. The only reason is that, apart from track i want to use it to go for coffee for example, or for a small 50km trip to the sea. A full naked car would not give me that.

Is the Europa the worst one for track (between elise and exige?)? Optically it suits me most, as long as in drivability, cause i'm 1.90 tall.

 

[safrane]

Old MX 5 for very cheep thrills and Rwd

 

[Andyk]

Gents, many thanks for your replies. Andy superb explaination!

Not much into Atom or Caterham. The only reason is that, apart from track i want to use it to go for coffee for example, or for a small 50km trip to the sea. A full naked car would not give me that.

Is the Europa the worst one for track (between elise and exige?)? Optically it suits me most, as long as in drivability, cause i'm 1.90 tall.

Nikos, the Europa will never be as good on track as an EXige or Elise but it's s till pretty bloody good as it's a Lotus and they know a thing about handling and ride..........They were not that popular when they came out but are a great used buy in the UK.....the later SE cars are really rather good...they have a 2L vauxhal engine but don't hold that against them.......it you like the way they look a great car and rare.

 

[stradaman]

A good track car needs to be light, or lightish. Weight distribution, also important, as when you brake, it shifts the weight. So think about FWD v RWD. AWD will add to much weight.
Most cars can be made to handle, if you throw money at them. Im going to throw a name at you now, bloody great handler, and lots of bits, to make even better. Porsche Boxter S.
Or if you want a car on the cheap, great looker, engine thats extremely tunable, suspension, thats has loads of upgrades, then look at a Fiat Barchetta.

Andy.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

@Stradaman Agree on weight thing. Don't like the Boxter for track, cause it's an exclusive car, which means high service cost, as the Maser does.

Barchetta???Never thought of her! What's her handling like?

@Safrane Agree on MX5, but i still prefer the MG: It's not predictable, the Miata is.

@Andy I believe the Europa S will end to be a classic, due to limited amount of cars built. Is the 192hp Toyota engine the same as for the Celica?

Both Exige and Europa are still expensive here.As i'm still selling the SL, i imagined to give for a track car as many as the Merc would sell, but i guess it will be more in the end!

 

[stradaman]

Boxters are actually pretty cheap to maintain.
Barchetta, much like the MGF. Sort the suspension, and give the engine another 50bhp, and you have a high revving nice handling, nice looking car. I love the door handles. Very Retro.

Andy

 

[Andyk]

Yes Nikos, same engine as celica...but....an Elise/EXige weights so little against a Celic........If the EXige and Europa is lots what about an early Elise with Rover power...still loads of fun. I've had 5 rover engined cars and loved everyone........how much are early Toyota engined Elise going for then Nikos...?

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Andy..my question about the Celica engine had the following background.. MG TFs are great cars, but have sensitive engines...Thought of installing a Toyota one on a TF...Other guys have taken the Honda Type R engine with 200 hp and great high rpm output.

Early Elises are approx 15000-18000 euros. Exige's more than 33000 and Europa's for 28-30000. Took a look at pistonheads, we are a bit cheaper, due to financial troubles we have.

 

[stradaman]

If you want bonkers, how about a V8 Miata? Import one from USA!!
Rover K series is not as bad as people make out. Because of the silly small cooling system, and one way valve on the cooling system [fixable, by removing ball bearing], They tend to blow head gaskets above the alternator.
But use a XPower unit [180/190bhp], and these are pretty good. Even the Turbo K series, is good. Upgraded gasket, and metal head dowels, go a long way, of making them reliable. Some fit an aux fan, to keep everything cool.
The later steel sprung MGF, is much better. Plenty of XPower bits available, plus tons of race parts available too, due to the race series.

Andy.

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Stradaman, in three years i ran 33000kms on the TF. It was the 160 withmy only upgrade the ITG Maxogen air intake.

Never had gasket trouble, but heard about everybody else having that trouble.The only thing they made, is install the metal ring on the gasket (from Land Rover). Things then became reliable, but the compression was different, resulting loss in hp.

Never heard of XPower unit....Only springs i think.

Someone in GB installed a turbo that brought it to 220. I think that's a great horsepower for this weight.

 

[stradaman]

Here is link.
http://www.ptp-ltd.co.uk/shop/134/lotus/lotus_elise_s1/engines_inc._upgrades/index.htm

Also covers other Lotus engines.

Andy.

 

[GhostyDog]

Vx220 turbo, elise tub with a lot more power

 

[dickygrace]

Vx220 turbo, elise tub with a lot more power

It's got a chicken on the front though

 

[stradaman]

Keep away from VXR 2.2 alloy engine [none turbo]. Has a habit of clogging oilways, and timing chain snaps!

Andy.