CONFLICT!! WHAT TO DO: 370z or Lotus Exige S

Endgame · 10-05-2009, 02:08 AM

good dialog guys.... good point on the quarter mile. i think it is funny that some of the reviews i read stated the car was too loud and the engine note was not pleasing. sound like the z!!!!! LOL!!!

and, to answer one of the previous posters; lotus just slapped the s/c on and retuned the car for the most part; they did not strengthen the bottom end of the engine..

the vids were great also...

ZYUL8R · 10-05-2009, 02:09 AM

If i was looking at the price range...id be on a Corvette Z06.

LOL...but thats just me...

To me the Z doesn't feel too sporty when your obeying all traffic laws...so i drive my S2k most of the time around town..and track Z..or go breaking laws in the Z...or useing it to take my tahoe/truck luvin friends places because they can't ride around in my S2000 cuz it makes them sick. (S2K has a more communicative suspension, and the Z is comfy when your settled down)

The Z and the Exige are different flavors.

The exige is more pure, and has lots of compromises for some. To me i could live with them, and would choose the exige over the Z.

The Z has the handling, but not the purity, and with a bit of mods, net you the simular performance, but with a total different feel. But it will still be a blast and save you money to track more events and such...

I hate that I cant find a good track tire for the 19" Z wheels yet. If someone reads this and knows of one...please PM me.

travisjb · 10-05-2009, 02:42 AM

hey by the way, looks like you can pick this one up for prob about $35k

2006 Lotus Exige SC Spec Sheet

Brazilbro · 10-05-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

and, to answer one of the previous posters; lotus just slapped the s/c on and retuned the car for the most part; they did not strengthen the bottom end of the engine.

wow thats sad they dont upgrade the bottem end

I think i would get the non-S/C version build it and turbo it.
I found a few sites that turbo them putting out 400whp. but its exspensive.
I found one video with a guy that swaped the toyota for a S2000 motor and then turboed it.. thats the way i would goo it i had one..
YouTube - Lotus Honda Turbo 500PS from Warsaw!!!!!! FOR SALE !!!

JoeD · 10-05-2009, 03:08 AM

The Elise/Exige has never impressed me on the track. Regardless of how much fun they are, they are highly overrated and not as fast as everyone thinks.

It will be fun after about the first week. Then you realize you're driving a tin can. Get the Z.

JoeD · 10-05-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endgame

Right.. the Exige is about 2000 pounds, thus the power to weight ratio is similar to a Viper.

Power/weight ratios tell you absolutely nothing about how fast a car is...actuall acceleration numbers do. There is no Elise or Exige which has come from the factory anywhere near as fast as a Viper.

The early Elise models were very slow. They fell flat on their face after about 80 MPH. The flagship supercharged versions are quick, but by no means "fast" in any stretch of the imagination in terms of acceleration.

Endgame · 10-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Brazilbro - I also saw that Exige with the S2k motor. That was interesting!!

JoeyD - I hear ya on the power to weight not being a true indication of how fast a car is.... However, what are you comparing it to fast wise? I compare the Exige to a Cayman S in which case it is much faster even with the PDK and much better looking to boot.

Trav - How did you find that one?!?!?

awesomez · 10-05-2009, 10:03 AM

I am in a similar situation. I have bought Z hoping to drive it daily but that didn't work out well, so I had to end up buying a second car to be my daily driver. If I knew up front that I was going to have to do that, I would have a different car, Exige or maybe even something more ridiculous. You already drove the cars so you already know how they behave. You should know one thing though. Lotus elise and exige are extremely unreliable cars. They are not even good weekend drivers. Everything has to be perfect for me to actually want to drive one after the novelty factor. That being said, there's nothing out there that can quite compare to a lotus on a track. It really is amazing. But don't forget that you can get a low milage Maserati for 35k if you desire to have an unreliable fun car. Not a track car though.

Endgame · 10-05-2009, 10:56 AM

What??!?! So many of the Lotus guys I talk to have not had ANY problems with their cars. Of course, they will defend their cars, but I would not think they would have many issues as they are Toyota engines and trannies.

Help me out here Awesomz, what type of problems have you heard of them having??

FuszNissan · 10-05-2009, 11:14 AM

I would go with the Lotus, if you don't drive very often and you are going to track it. If you are looking for a DD go with the Z.

awesomez · 10-05-2009, 11:28 AM

My experiences with it are similar to most people here, I drove one, and the rest I have seen on track or heard from owners. I expected it to have a bulletproof Toyota drivetrain that we are so used to but as it turn out putting a drivetrain inteneded for a comfortable sedan into a shopping cart screws everything up.
So far I have seen two transmissions replaced, 1 before 1k miles 1 before 3k miles. These are people I saw at the track and obviously they didn't properly break in their cars. I saw one case of as soon as it's started the car shuts off. Never knew what the problem was as I never followed up with the guy.

Other general problems which were a big issue to me on a car that I drove with less then 5k miles on it. Noises coming from everywhere, rattling/squeeking, doors won't lock/unlock (perhaps disconnected wires from shaking), windows won't roll up fully, cracks in floor, sides, suspention noises, the paint chips you normally see on bumpers of 370z are covering entire hood on exige. Even after all these things, I would still seriously consider it for myself though. It turns heads better then Z but once you bag a chick, don't expect to tag her if she's getting a ride somewhere in that thing. Make sure you tag before, that's all I am saying

In good hands though it dances with the supercars on the track.

Endgame · 10-05-2009, 11:37 AM

^ LOL!!!!!!!!!! That made me laugh. Hmmm, good first hand insight to your track experiences. The only chick I would bag and tag would be the Mrs and I can FORCE her to ride in the car!!!! Werd up... But still good thoughts...

All good thoughts guys. I am still leaning heavily toward the Exige. I checked with my insurance person and it would increase my insurance rate about 60 per month.. Not that bad IMO.

SO, let's switch this up a little. Convince me NOT to get the Exige and go with the Z. SOme of you have already hit up on this with your post. I can think of many good reasons to go either way, and although I am heavily leaning toward the Exige S, my mind is still open .... soooo... CHANGE MY MIND!!

travisjb · 10-05-2009, 01:08 PM

1 operating cost over long term much lower
2 acquisition cost much lower
3 more mod'able w/ better aftermarket
4 once setup, will be a faster car
5 people expect lotus to be fast... doesn't live up to its rep... z will outperform its rep
6 the370z.com

shumby · 10-05-2009, 01:24 PM

i like reason #6

Endgame · 10-05-2009, 01:25 PM

SOLID case Trav....

10-05-2009, 02:09 AM	#32 (permalink)
ZYUL8R Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Corpus Christi, tx Posts: 140 Drives: 09 370z T/S, 03 S2K Rep Power: 16	If i was looking at the price range...id be on a Corvette Z06. LOL...but thats just me... To me the Z doesn't feel too sporty when your obeying all traffic laws...so i drive my S2k most of the time around town..and track Z..or go breaking laws in the Z...or useing it to take my tahoe/truck luvin friends places because they can't ride around in my S2000 cuz it makes them sick. (S2K has a more communicative suspension, and the Z is comfy when your settled down) The Z and the Exige are different flavors. The exige is more pure, and has lots of compromises for some. To me i could live with them, and would choose the exige over the Z. The Z has the handling, but not the purity, and with a bit of mods, net you the simular performance, but with a total different feel. But it will still be a blast and save you money to track more events and such... I hate that I cant find a good track tire for the 19" Z wheels yet. If someone reads this and knows of one...please PM me. __________________ Old enough to know, but too young to care. Last edited by ZYUL8R; 10-05-2009 at 02:13 AM.

10-05-2009, 02:42 AM	#33 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	hey by the way, looks like you can pick this one up for prob about $35k 2006 Lotus Exige SC Spec Sheet __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

10-05-2009, 09:24 AM	#37 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	Brazilbro - I also saw that Exige with the S2k motor. That was interesting!! JoeyD - I hear ya on the power to weight not being a true indication of how fast a car is.... However, what are you comparing it to fast wise? I compare the Exige to a Cayman S in which case it is much faster even with the PDK and much better looking to boot. Trav - How did you find that one?!?!? Last edited by Endgame; 10-05-2009 at 11:00 AM.

10-05-2009, 11:14 AM	#40 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	I would go with the Lotus, if you don't drive very often and you are going to track it. If you are looking for a DD go with the Z. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

10-05-2009, 01:08 PM	#43 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	1 operating cost over long term much lower 2 acquisition cost much lower 3 more mod'able w/ better aftermarket 4 once setup, will be a faster car 5 people expect lotus to be fast... doesn't live up to its rep... z will outperform its rep 6 the370z.com __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

10-05-2009, 02:08 AM	#31 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	good dialog guys.... good point on the quarter mile. i think it is funny that some of the reviews i read stated the car was too loud and the engine note was not pleasing. sound like the z!!!!! LOL!!! and, to answer one of the previous posters; lotus just slapped the s/c on and retuned the car for the most part; they did not strengthen the bottom end of the engine.. the vids were great also...

10-05-2009, 03:08 AM	#35 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	The Elise/Exige has never impressed me on the track. Regardless of how much fun they are, they are highly overrated and not as fast as everyone thinks. It will be fun after about the first week. Then you realize you're driving a tin can. Get the Z.

10-05-2009, 10:03 AM	#38 (permalink)
awesomez Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: VA Posts: 199 Drives: 09 370Z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 16	I am in a similar situation. I have bought Z hoping to drive it daily but that didn't work out well, so I had to end up buying a second car to be my daily driver. If I knew up front that I was going to have to do that, I would have a different car, Exige or maybe even something more ridiculous. You already drove the cars so you already know how they behave. You should know one thing though. Lotus elise and exige are extremely unreliable cars. They are not even good weekend drivers. Everything has to be perfect for me to actually want to drive one after the novelty factor. That being said, there's nothing out there that can quite compare to a lotus on a track. It really is amazing. But don't forget that you can get a low milage Maserati for 35k if you desire to have an unreliable fun car. Not a track car though.

10-05-2009, 10:56 AM	#39 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	What??!?! So many of the Lotus guys I talk to have not had ANY problems with their cars. Of course, they will defend their cars, but I would not think they would have many issues as they are Toyota engines and trannies. Help me out here Awesomz, what type of problems have you heard of them having??

10-05-2009, 11:28 AM	#41 (permalink)
awesomez Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: VA Posts: 199 Drives: 09 370Z Touring 7AT Rep Power: 16	My experiences with it are similar to most people here, I drove one, and the rest I have seen on track or heard from owners. I expected it to have a bulletproof Toyota drivetrain that we are so used to but as it turn out putting a drivetrain inteneded for a comfortable sedan into a shopping cart screws everything up. So far I have seen two transmissions replaced, 1 before 1k miles 1 before 3k miles. These are people I saw at the track and obviously they didn't properly break in their cars. I saw one case of as soon as it's started the car shuts off. Never knew what the problem was as I never followed up with the guy. Other general problems which were a big issue to me on a car that I drove with less then 5k miles on it. Noises coming from everywhere, rattling/squeeking, doors won't lock/unlock (perhaps disconnected wires from shaking), windows won't roll up fully, cracks in floor, sides, suspention noises, the paint chips you normally see on bumpers of 370z are covering entire hood on exige. Even after all these things, I would still seriously consider it for myself though. It turns heads better then Z but once you bag a chick, don't expect to tag her if she's getting a ride somewhere in that thing. Make sure you tag before, that's all I am saying In good hands though it dances with the supercars on the track.

10-05-2009, 11:37 AM	#42 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	^ LOL!!!!!!!!!! That made me laugh. Hmmm, good first hand insight to your track experiences. The only chick I would bag and tag would be the Mrs and I can FORCE her to ride in the car!!!! Werd up... But still good thoughts... All good thoughts guys. I am still leaning heavily toward the Exige. I checked with my insurance person and it would increase my insurance rate about 60 per month.. Not that bad IMO. SO, let's switch this up a little. Convince me NOT to get the Exige and go with the Z. SOme of you have already hit up on this with your post. I can think of many good reasons to go either way, and although I am heavily leaning toward the Exige S, my mind is still open .... soooo... CHANGE MY MIND!!

10-05-2009, 01:24 PM	#44 (permalink)
shumby Captin Canuck Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: with your mom Age: 44 Posts: 6,288 Drives: your sister Rep Power: 237	i like reason #6 __________________ Originally Posted by SAM@GTM Engine detonation is not normal and it should never never happen, and whoever told that need to do something else for living . Sam

10-05-2009, 01:25 PM	#45 (permalink)
Endgame A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,613 Drives: Nothing Now! Rep Power: 224	SOLID case Trav....

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