From Lotus Exige to GT86

[Celica00]

None of the images are working

At any rate, i'm very interested in a pros and cons comparison from someone who has owned these 2 cars and see how they stack up in relation to each other. I'll be back in the market for an FRS and am also considering getting the Exige.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by Celica00

None of the images are working

At any rate, i'm very interested in a pros and cons comparison from someone who has owned these 2 cars and see how they stack up in relation to each other. I'll be back in the market for an FRS and am also considering getting the Exige.

Thanks, I fixed it.

I will let you know as soon as I drive a ft86

[philooo]

Bienvenu sur le forum 86

Looking forward to your build..

Philippe de Paris..maintenant aux States

Did you sale the exige already ? I can't see the ads at leboncoin

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by philooo

Bienvenu sur le forum 86

Looking forward to your build..

Philippe de Paris..maintenant aux States

Did you sale the exige already ? I can't see the ads at leboncoin

Salut, merci.

Just changed the ads with updated pics.
I'll update the link in OP.

You're damn lucky to live in the US.
The only thing I like in France is the cheese.

[Suparu]

That's such a beautiful car, I wish we still had Lotus imported here in america. I loved the Elise when they were imported.

I'd trade you my turbo BRZ but there's the little issue of a large amount of water between us preventing the trade lol. That car would be incredibly exotic over here.

I get how the weight distribution could be a pain. I've never driven a Lotus or Porsche so I've never experienced a rear engine car before but I could see how it's a "love it or hate it" sort of thing. It seems like a layout that would be very tricky to engineer properly but I dig it.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by Suparu

That's such a beautiful car, I wish we still had Lotus imported here in america. I loved the Elise when they were imported.

I'd trade you my turbo BRZ but there's the little issue of a large amount of water between us preventing the trade lol. That car would be incredibly exotic over here.

I get how the weight distribution could be a pain. I've never driven a Lotus or Porsche so I've never experienced a rear engine car before but I could see how it's a "love it or hate it" sort of thing. It seems like a layout that would be very tricky to engineer properly but I dig it.

The problem is that, for cost saving reasons, the engine is transversal. That's why the weight distribution is wrong.

I don't mind the weight distribution that much, I just really want slick tires

But yes, that's a cool looking car.

Where I live, a Mustang is the more exotic car than the Lotus. We see more Lotus in the streets than 86. We see way more Ferrari than both.

That's a strange world

[Celica00]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

Where I live, a Mustang is the more exotic car than the Lotus. We see more Lotus in the streets than 86. We see way more Ferrari than both.

That's a strange world

Now i'm curious. What kind of driver is behind the wheel of the Mustang in France from your observations?

[SUB-FT86]

In America an exotic car must have exotic styling also. A Mustang being a exotic in France or any place in this world is laughable. I can understand the Ford GT mid engine car.

[mhughett]

Originally Posted by MaximeT

I have nothing else to do, so I'll talk a bit more, sorry o:

I have been a car engine engineer for 10 years now. Working mostly on emissions. (did a bit of ECU software too, but I don'l like that much).
Working on this kind of stuff makes me want a perfectly tuned engine. Something like the Jackson Racing stuff, or Cosworth, ...
It's so easy to have a poor working engine just by ruining MAF with the intake, or making stupid mistakes like that


On the Lotus side, I can make a few comments, as I think if you like the FT86, you may like a Lotus too.

The Exige is a great car and a poor one at the same time.

The steering is so good, that's crazy.
Suspensions are great with the double wishbone and strong chassis
The car is fast because of the lower weight.
Runing costs are very low

Weight distribution is lame (62% rear)
Stock Gearbox ratio are wrong between 2nd and 3rd (you need the Kaaz gearset)
Shifting feel is very bad
Build quality of non chassis parts is very low
The car is too heavy. (hard top, engine door, Radio, ...)
The rear aero is stupid, the rear wing is not even in the air flow.

One concern I've always had with the Exige is that the ingress/egress has got to be the worst of any car ever built. You need to be a gymnast to get in across the door sill and you practically have to get on all fours to get out. Best part would be if you had a date with a dress on. I'm pretty sure getting out while retaining any sense of modesty is not going to happen. I'm surprised this wasn't on your list of negatives. Great driver's car though.

[Dezoris]

I had an 07 Exige and built up an FRS. It was never the same, ever.
The 86 platform has a budget suspension and chassis mostly modified from the Impreza. At 25k it is indeed a great value in terms of steering feel and simplicity, but to get it anywhere near even the non-fi Exige, 10k plus and even then you have to deal with heat management, oil pressures etc etc to go flat out on a track with slicks and higher HP. (You can get a used Elise or Exige for about that) My 07 was 42k with 6k miles. (Although still in shop 6x in 10k miles.)

Never will the 86 have the driver connection of a mid engine, dedicated platform like the Exige/Elise. Two different animals.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

In America an exotic car must have exotic styling also. A Mustang being a exotic in France or any place in this world is laughable. I can understand the Ford GT mid engine car.

Know it seems weird but in Europe the U.S. Styling is exotic. Exotic is defined as different, unusual or special not as one particular style.
Back when I was stationed in Germany in the 70s one of the guys brought over his 75 Trans Am. That car would attract crowds bigger than a million dollar Lambo would here. Guys with cars that we think of exotic would drool and caress the bloody thing.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by Celica00

Now i'm curious. What kind of driver is behind the wheel of the Mustang in France from your observations?

Usually people that just want to show they have a big car. Some of them do switch to a RAM 1500 (which is super exotic). 10% are people that know cars and want something different.

The base Mustang GT used to cost 70 000$
(New one is imported by Ford now)

For most people in Europe, American cars are shit cars. Nobody knows Z06 or Boss 302.
They do think French cars or Opel or Fiat are good cars, but they are shit cars.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by mhughett

One concern I've always had with the Exige is that the ingress/egress has got to be the worst of any car ever built. You need to be a gymnast to get in across the door sill and you practically have to get on all fours to get out. Best part would be if you had a date with a dress on. I'm pretty sure getting out while retaining any sense of modesty is not going to happen. I'm surprised this wasn't on your list of negatives. Great driver's car though.

I'm 1m75 and quite light weight. I find it easy. But if you're longer it might be less fun.

[MaximeT]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I had an 07 Exige and built up an FRS. It was never the same, ever.
The 86 platform has a budget suspension and chassis mostly modified from the Impreza. At 25k it is indeed a great value in terms of steering feel and simplicity, but to get it anywhere near even the non-fi Exige, 10k plus and even then you have to deal with heat management, oil pressures etc etc to go flat out on a track with slicks and higher HP. (You can get a used Elise or Exige for about that) My 07 was 42k with 6k miles. (Although still in shop 6x in 10k miles.)

Never will the 86 have the driver connection of a mid engine, dedicated platform like the Exige/Elise. Two different animals.

Thanks for the comment.
I plan to add 20k€ to the car. I will test drive it to see the starting point.
If I feel it's not possible, I'll have to reconsider.
But looks like the only option atm.

I'm sure I'll miss the Lotus steering feel