A friend is considering these two cars. He is coming from an S2000. I believe they are comparably priced, but other than that, anyone have any good insights into which car is better. There is the obvious "Cayman is more friendly on the road and the Exige is more made for the track", but any insights besides those two? TIA
I do not fit in the Exige. I am 6"3 and about 220lbs. It feels like a great little car, but I could never get comfortable. I have not yet driven the Cayman.
I OWN a Lotus and I'd say the Cayman. It's better in ALL objective categories (from what I know) (I've driven in one a few times) INCLUDING track ability if you read a (R&T?) article where they tested the two at Road Atlanta. The only reaosns I see to buy an Exige are the subjective ones. Lucas.
I really like the Cayman. I wouldn't mind a Ruf Version with the GT3 engine in it though Image Unavailable, Please Login
As much as I love RUF I think I'd take the 9ff version. It can come with a 4.1-liter 414hp engine. I'd love it in orange with the black stripe and lettering. Color keyed wheels center lugged wheels as well. http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/201940/9ff_cayman.html Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
There has been significant discussion on this topic on EliseTalk (no surprise ) and it really breaks down to useage and personal preference. The Exige is certainly harder to get into and out of than the Cayman and if after a new one in the US you can now only get the Exige S (supercharged version) which has NO rear view due to the intercooler mounted immediately behind the rear window (that said rear vision has never been an Exige strong point ). Only a test drive can really answer the question - researching the options is a great start but there is no substitute for the bum on seat experience (FWIW my daily driver is an Elise)
I like those wheels! You know... I"m really starting to like 9ff. Their gt3-like 997 is supposed to be wonderful.
Id definetley take the Cayman. My dream Cayman: Cayman S, Red, Black interior-red stitch, black rims with red lip (ceramic brakes of course), fully loaded and the inside covered in carbin fiber Any closely related pics?
I did not know about the Exige S... It might be time to brush up on the 'ol yoga and go for a test drive... Any idea how much power they make? Or modability???
220hp - 935kg I know of one in Oz with 260+ rwhp (bigger injectors + new computer + dyno time!) - sounds good too!
Re: Cayman with GT3 motor No doubts it would be awesome, but no such 986/987 exists, of which I have heard. No RUF for sure. Considered too much work / mod required to fit a GT3 motor. I am pretty sure you have to start cutting metal. That RK Coupe has a supercharged 3.4 or 3.6 in it. A 3.8L X51 motor gets pretty darned sporty! Or just get the 3.4/3.6 superhcarged. RUF definitely does quite a bit of that. Re: 9ff Cayman Wow, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder cuz that 9ff is does nothing for me. And those wheels...yikes! And not in a good way. Love that Kirb Photo Cayman. Wow. Is there a listing somewhere of what body kit and wheels are used? May be the best looking Cayman I have seen.
True, Ruf has a supercharged 3.8 for their Cayman packages as well. I beleive it's somewhere around 440 hp. I would perfer a gt3 engine though.
Hadn't heard of an SC 3.8. I will have to ask them about it. Sounds sweet. I agree about the GT3 motor, though. I much prefer NA to forced induction. A GT3 motor (either 996 or 997 version) would be SO amazing in a 986/7 chassis. I have a 986 with a 3.6L X51 in it, but the GT3 motor would be even that much more outstanding. I want.
I agree. I would much prefer a screaming NA engine. May I see your boxster!?!?! Sounds awesome! http://www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=2256&alph=all&dec=ALL
Checked the RUF site...they do list an SC 3.8 for the RK cars, but I haven't heard of the US RUF guys putting that into anything yet (non RK). But then I haven't spoken to them in a little while, and I know if you have the $$$, they have the answer.
I think the Lotus Elise / Exige is simply in a class of its own. It's a bare-bones sportscar. It's supremely impractical, whereas the Porsche is arguably a more civilized car. That's not to say the Porsche isn't as worthy performance-wise. Which is better in that regard is probably impossible to quantify objectively. One COULD argue, however, the EXPERIENCE (subjective) is different in each car. The Lotus is a car that makes ZERO compromises in the effort to connect the driver to the road. Most drivers, even enthusiasts, prefer to have at least SOME creature comforts as would be found in the Porsche. While some will claim the Lotus as their daily driver, I can't imagine anyone using it that way unless they are young and single. Otherwise, it's a great SECOND (or 3rd, or 4th, or 5th...) car. Definitely drive both and make your decision. But, I don't think we can accurately compare one to the other or qualify one as "best." They are too different for any objective comparisons. Just my opinion! Mike - 2005 Lotus Elise
My friend and I went out and test drove both this weekend. The Cayman he found to be amazing, in terms of driving experience, and fit and finish. Very competent, and also very comfortable. He loved it. He also drove an Elise, which he really loved. But it was in a quirky way, because he is a quirky guy. It is hardly a totally dedicated car, as it has air con, a nice stereo head unit, and a plug in for your IPod (lol), but yeah, it is pretty bare bones. Reminds me of a kit car, to be honest. He loved the responsiveness of the car obviously, but said it squeaked and rattled like an old convertible (not a new one). Fit and finish were marginal. The dealer bragged about them being hand built. I didn't have the heart to tell him hand-built is a bad thing, when talking about putting complex machinery together. Getting in and out without looking like you have epilepsy is impossible (without an aftermarket mod which allows you to "notch" the hard-top we saw at the dealership). With all that said...he still really fell for the car, but feels that ultimately it will be just a little too compromised (in terms of comfort and space) to justify. You are really snug in the cockpit, for sure. No chubby people allowed. I haven't talked to him this AM. I am curious what his missus said.
The A/C is almost vestigial in terms of function. It can barely keep you comfortable if you live where it gets warm. The stereo SUCKS. Given the acoustics of a bare metal tub chassis with no carpet... well... it sounds like a radio would in side a tin can. I literally never use the stereo. I prefer the mechanical music courtesy of Lotus. If you eliminated the A/C and the stereo, the experience of driving this car would not change much. If anything it would improve - LESS WEIGHT! All true! But, like you said, it gives it that lovable quirkyness! See: http://www.racingdentist.com/images/Videos/Lotus%20quality%20control.wmv I can get it in quite easily and quickly with what I call the "limbo ingress technique." But, I've had a lot of practice! No mods needed. Just practice. But, if you have a bad back or other joint problems... fuggedaboutit! Yep. All true again. And, all the things you've listed here are why I love my Lotus Elise. But, I absolutely understand why it wouldn't have the mass appeal of the Porsche. Mike
My exige is pretty much dedicated to track use only and its the closest thing I've driven to a formula car.
He fell hard for the Elise, but said on his way home that his '01 S2000 still felt pretty darned good when compared to these pricey, new cars. Both were better, but neither blew him away when compared with his trusty S2000. And then when he got home, his wife told him her failing Mexi-Beetle should be next to get replaced, so now they are shopping for a Mini for her and he is staying put in his S2000. lol For now. I think the Elise/Exige would be awesome track weapons; would love to try one some day, but then it might spoil me for regular cars on the track. I do wonder if my friend's enthusiasm would survive the street duty he intended for its primary use. It is only for the VERY hard-core on the road, I think. Thanks for all the feedback you guys. Much appreciated.
