Convertible Elise anyone??
- Thread starter Hilux
- Start date
RC18B 911 turbo
New member
Autocar thinks that it's the best out of an Ariel Atom Supercharged, Caterham R400 and Brooke double R there was another car in that same test but apparently it was rubbish and I can't remember what it's called either.
I would absoloutly love to have one of them looks like loads of fun.
I would absoloutly love to have one of them looks like loads of fun.
mik_ok
New member
But the Elise already is a convertible. [&:]
Edit 'cos I forgot - Harry Metcalfe (creator / funder of evo mag before Dennis bought it) has a 340R ~ the previous mad bonkers elise based car. One piece carbon body ~ a light crump on one of the front corners cost circa £9K.
I have a vague recolection that timing belt changes require removal of the body for access, causing it to be a severa £000 job too, but I may have just made that up.
Edit 'cos I forgot - Harry Metcalfe (creator / funder of evo mag before Dennis bought it) has a 340R ~ the previous mad bonkers elise based car. One piece carbon body ~ a light crump on one of the front corners cost circa £9K.
I have a vague recolection that timing belt changes require removal of the body for access, causing it to be a severa £000 job too, but I may have just made that up.
Even the battery needs the body removing I believe - you see them advertised saying they have a mod to access the battery through some sort of hatch.
That said I'm pretty sure I read that this new thing has addressed the silly single piece body issue of the 340R which is a lot more trackday friendly a method of construction.
That said I'm pretty sure I read that this new thing has addressed the silly single piece body issue of the 340R which is a lot more trackday friendly a method of construction.
RC18B 911 turbo
New member
Apparently the 340R also weighs more than the 2 eleven as well and doesn't have as much power and it was a fairly flawed plan from the start. The idea was good but in practice it wasn't quite up to expectations, but this new one the 2 eleven certainly looks like it's going to meet maybe even exceed the expectations of everyone I also happen to think it looks better too.
As someone who has some experience of an open top track car in the UK I think I would get an Exige [
]
Except I wouldn't as all super low light cars useless on the road (unless you live in Scotland but then it always rains). They are too low so you can't see anything in traffic and you are way too vulnerable. When you get them moving (which is the only point in having one) you inevitably arrive behind other cars which you then can't see around to overtake.
IMHO the 944 provides a superb compromise in road car for track use. Super low super light cars are even a bit of an issue on track days - you wouldn't want to be T boned by an M3 in one.......I was almost T boned by a Z3 at Graham Hill once.
Noting all of the above - a super light, super low track car on a dry sunny track is better than sex......
]Except I wouldn't as all super low light cars useless on the road (unless you live in Scotland but then it always rains). They are too low so you can't see anything in traffic and you are way too vulnerable. When you get them moving (which is the only point in having one) you inevitably arrive behind other cars which you then can't see around to overtake.
IMHO the 944 provides a superb compromise in road car for track use. Super low super light cars are even a bit of an issue on track days - you wouldn't want to be T boned by an M3 in one.......I was almost T boned by a Z3 at Graham Hill once.
Noting all of the above - a super light, super low track car on a dry sunny track is better than sex......
Hilux
New member
As someone who has some experience of an open top track car in the UK I think I would get an Exige [
Except I wouldn't as all super low light cars useless on the road (unless you live in Scotland but then it always rains). They are too low so you can't see anything in traffic and you are way too vulnerable. When you get them moving (which is the only point in having one) you inevitably arrive behind other cars which you then can't see around to overtake.
IMHO the 944 provides a superb compromise in road car for track use. Super low super light cars are even a bit of an issue on track days - you wouldn't want to be T boned by an M3 in one.......I was almost T boned by a Z3 at Graham Hill once.
Noting all of the above - a super light, super low track car on a dry sunny track is better than sex......
I thought of taking my Westy off road and making it purely trackday and WSCC spped series based but the thought of not being able to take it for a `spin` whenever the urge got me was too much.
However I sold it primarily as I felt so vulnerable if I was T boned so bought the Ginetta G27 and I managed to T bone and take out a lamp post and walked away so was proved correct. The low side of the cars is a disadvantage especially on a motorway or dual carriageway with lorry wheels taller than your head spinning less than 5 or 6 feet away however my lowered 951 is lower than you think especially when put against other `convertibles` and other cars, in fact it looks taller cos of the roof but we sit at the same height as a Boxter driver IMHO and due to road clearance and meatier adjustable seats etc I bet my head is only 100mm?? above your average low sports car.
Having said all that I miss terribly the noise, wind, flies, dirt, rain etc (the total sensory experience) of my old plastic `bath tubs`. A mate of mine summed it up when I said I used to get really nervous and thrilled when strapping in to the cars before I went on a `blat` and he said everytime he went to get on his R1 he had to get off and go have a pee due to the excitement. I dont get that with my 951 sadly but love it all the same.
So I`m still thinking of building a Ginetta G20 with a decent engine................................
pauljmcnulty
Active member
I beg to differ.....[:-]
So true.
There was something quite special in putting on the flying jacket and strapping oneself in on a sharp and sunny winters day.
I don't often drive Beaky just for the sake of it but would take out Sluggy the Westfield for no other reason than to drive it.
It is perhaps the knowledge that you are that much more at risk that makes the whole experience more intoxicating. If driving such a car doesn't make your heart beat faster then you are dead...............but then wrestling bears and kissing cobras will make your heart beat faster as well.........if only briefly.
Guest
New member
mmm, trouble is a standard elise will snap at the heels of a GT3 in the corners (before being left standing on the straight) and a Honda s/c or Audi t/c will leave a GT3 on the straight, it was a tough choice but i sold my elise and bought a GT3 and now i am having my heels snapped.
But at least the seats are more comfortable and i doubt it will take over 2 months to sell when the time comes!!
But at least the seats are more comfortable and i doubt it will take over 2 months to sell when the time comes!!
Hilux
New member
Yup, thats it in a nutshell [
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[/blockquote]
Then you haven't been there. [
Another nutshell......................[
][]The sheer invigoration of it, the noise, the smell.........................and the risk [8D]
I used to come back full of adrenaline, high as a kite and knackered if out for a few hours, I used to drive miles and miles for no reason other than I could....................ho hum, sadly missed.
As for track days, superb fun, flies and rubber in yer teeth [
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pauljmcnulty
Active member
Are we still on trck cars or back on sex?? [&:]
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