vs. Lotus Exige

[SevenTenSplit]

I think it would be a fun comparison. After all, theres some toyota blood in this track car, right?

I didn't want to compare the S model, just the regular Exige.

Curb Weight
2,016 lb (914 kg)

Engine
Toyota Supplied, 1796 cc I4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing with lift intelligence) - Designed by Yamaha - Engine Code: 2ZZ-GE

Bore/Stroke 82 mm/85 mm
190 hp (142 kW) @ 7800 rpm
138 ft·lbf (187 N·m) @ 6800 rpm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1

Transmission
6-Speed manual, close-ratio with single-plate dry clutch

Performance
0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.7 seconds
0-100 mph (0-161 km/h): 12.9 seconds
Top speed: 147 mph (237 km/h)

Fuel consumption: 24 miles per imperial gallon (12 L/100 km; 20 mpg-US) city / 29 miles per imperial gallon (9.7 L/100 km; 24 mpg-US) highway

[torquemada]

maybe the Evora would be the better comparison

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Evora

[n2oinferno]

The Lotus would eat it alive.

[random]

This is a pretty pointless comparison. Neither the price nor the performance are even in the same league. The only slight similarity might be their relative diminutive sizes compared to the majority of the cars on the road, and even then the Exige is way smaller.

[SevenTenSplit]

Maybe a comparison to a civic si would have been better?

[SUB-FT86]

I have to agree with Random, it's a pointless comparo.

[3scapist]

This is probably the stupidest thread on this site.

[SevenTenSplit]

Alright, my bad. Bad comparison.

Kinda forgot how much better the Lotus performs and how much more expensive it is, too. It's just I was reading a magazine review saying something like, "dare we put the FR-S and Cayman in the same sentence?" or something along those lines, and It got me thinking crazy ideas.

Lock the thread. No hard feelings here

[Ryephile]

I have to comment simply because I have an Exige [albeit an S]

I can't imagine these two cars being similar in pretty much any way. The sensory overload visceral envelope of the Exige is simply too hardcore for most people [yes, even Internet Forum Experts!]

Casting aside the obvious differences in powertrain format, construction methodology, or even price, there's just too much the Lotus gives up to be in the same area code as pretty much all mass production cars, the FR-S/BRZ included.

I expect the FR-S/BRZ to have things like sound damping, reasonable NVH, and carpet [well, we know it has carpet]. From the reviews, the AS1 seems very friendly at and beyond the limit. The LRR tires certainly help expose that with minimal risk, which is why this car will be so fun a la Miata. Unlike the Miata [and definitely more so the Exige], the AS1 has things like useful cargo space, room for 2 occupants [the Exige is more like 1.5... "get out of my shifting elbow damnit!"]. The Exige from the factory is a hair-raising handful near and at the limit. After the limit [during the slide] you might as well have already kissed your ass goodbye. Thankfully there are race teams out there that've tweaked the geometry to make the car much more predictable at the limit, however in doing so the car also loses a layer of fear factor, something the AS1 likely will never have.

For the AS1, the stakes aren't as high, the limits aren't as high, and the price isn't nearly as high. All these things will make the car perfect for a fun daily driver, while retaining the extreme fun the Exige is for weekend blasts and track days.

The only other vehicle I could possibly need is the rental truck from Home Depot for lumber runs. Perfect.

[Longhorn248]

^Great post! I've only ever sat in an Exige, I'd love to go for a spin in one someday (hopefully in a large empty parking lot hah).

[ft86Fan]

Since I also own an Exige S I guess I'll chime in also. The Exige is a very raw car. To be honest its really not that enjoyable driving it on the street because everything rattles (including your teeth) and I'm constantly looking for a smooth patch of pavement to be on. Everybody knows about the difficulties in getting in and out of the thing. You also can't see anything out the back of it. Can't parallel park this car. etc..... The car is really only at home when its on a track but I still love my car.

I wouldn't say that you can't compare the 86 with an Exige. The 86 has the same beliefs as the Exige. Just not as extreme.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by ft86Fan

I wouldn't say that you can't compare the 86 with an Exige. The 86 has the same beliefs as the Exige. Just not as extreme.

Well said. The 86 has honest sporting intentions executed on a genuinely daily-driven streetable level.

[glorydays]

the Elise would be a better comparo

BASIC SPECS

Base Price $50k
Drivetrain Rear Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 1931
City (MPG) 21
Hwy (MPG) 27
Horsepower 134@6800
Torque (lb-ft) 118@4400
Wheelbase 90.6
Length (in.) 149.0
Width (in.) 67.7
Height (in.) 44.0

[Gardus@Supersprint]

Agreed, the Elise S with the 1.6 engine is a better candidate, but it's useless as a daily drive: very small boot, 3 seats, NVH are very bad, the radio is useless as well as the air conditioning in summer.

It is one of the most addictive and fun drive you can have on the road, no other car (exept extreme stuff like Caterham &co) give you the same feel of the road.