2 Elises driven, 111S Mk1 and standard 120 hp Mk II. Both were brilliant (insert all known clichés concerning go-kart handling, race car for the road et cetera here) and basic engineering is very sturdy, so good ownership prospect - only thing I did not like about them is ball-bearings-in-can engine noise. That's why I'll go for a TVR Chimaera instead in a year or two (fantastic V8 soundtrack, a better tourer - but handling nowhere near an Elise or similar cars) - but then again, at Casa Van Spelde the Saab is destined for any track duty that might come up, and the sports car will be a daily driver (except for wintertime and hauling stuff - Saabine time again).

The US versions of the Elise will have some more creature comforts as well as the Toyota VVT-i engine, and weigh about 150-200 kgs more. No matter - the Opel/Vauxhall take on the Elise theme (and chassis), the Speedster/VX220, weighs about 900 kgs too, and it handles as well as the Elises I tried.

I'd stay away from the Esprits unless I was very committed and had stacks of money to run it - it's an outdated design with all the low-volume production quirks but without the ultimate satisfaction (ergonomics are abysmal, as is the Renault gearbox), and the Elise is the purer handler anyways.

posted by 82.169.6...

• Viggen dyno results w/SQR Stg III, Steve88SiS, Sat, 20 Dec 2003 12:01:30
  • You know what - Who cares!!!, Steve88SiS, Tue, 23 Dec 2003 20:46:44
    • I am so with you there!, Talladega900, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 10:41:42
      • own one of each!, WASSAAB, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 20:22:44
  • Oh boy, here we go with the old SPG debate ....(long), TERRY, Sun, 21 Dec 2003 09:39:55
    • In a straight line, yes, Eric van Spelde, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 00:56:26
      • Re: In a straight line, yes, 9-3 Hirsch, Thu, 25 Dec 2003 05:11:27
      • Eric, I have a Lotus ? for you, GM, Tue, 23 Dec 2003 18:46:02
        • Re: Eric, I have a Lotus ? for you, Eric van Spelde, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 01:18:31 <-- Viewing This Message
          • I used to work on an esprit, jak , Wed, 24 Dec 2003 07:06:00
          • thanks!, GM, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 05:33:33
      • Re: In a straight line, yes, TERRY, Tue, 23 Dec 2003 15:04:45
        • Re: In a straight line, yes, Eric van Spelde, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 07:25:34
          • Very nicely put Eric, excellent points ( : nm, Taylor, Fri, 26 Dec 2003 14:25:39
          • Re: In a straight line, yes, ed smith, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 13:00:28
            • Limited slip diffs are non-starters for road use, davenew, Sat, 27 Dec 2003 05:40:07
              • Hmm, how many fwd race cars have LSD? probably 99%, davenew, Sat, 27 Dec 2003 05:42:51
                • There's a BIG difference..., Eric van Spelde, Sat, 27 Dec 2003 09:44:10
                  • I agree with you about the tough steering, davenew, Sat, 27 Dec 2003 12:21:56
            • Re: Interesting contribution ;-), Eric van Spelde, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 13:31:46
              • Re: Interesting contribution ;-), GM, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 15:22:14
                • Re: Interesting contribution ;-), murphwiz, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 17:39:11
                  • that's funny.... sigh..., GM, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 22:20:28
                    • Re: that's funny.... sigh..., murphwiz, Thu, 25 Dec 2003 04:39:53
                      • Ring taxi is entirely stock excpet for...., 9-3 Hirsch, Thu, 25 Dec 2003 04:52:46
                        • Re: Ring taxi is entirely stock excpet for...., GM, Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:45:02
          • AMEN!! and WELL-SAID. n/m, Stealthbomber, Wed, 24 Dec 2003 08:43:04
      • Re: In a straight line, yes, GM, Mon, 22 Dec 2003 20:15:38
    • I'd buy one... long, Jordan, Sun, 21 Dec 2003 10:29:19
      • There both great!, Joe , Mon, 22 Dec 2003 20:44:56
  • Re: stage 3?, kevin90 900t, Sun, 21 Dec 2003 07:42:11
    • "straight pipe for life"?, AdamB , Sun, 21 Dec 2003 13:01:01
  • Re: Viggen dyno results w/SQR Stg III, Dr Boost, Sun, 21 Dec 2003 00:53:02
  • Re: Viggen dyno results w/SQR Stg III, ckpaden, Sat, 20 Dec 2003 14:23:17
    • I think Frank had 198whp and 230 or 240 ft-lbs n/m, Steve88SiS, Sat, 20 Dec 2003 21:50:57

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