motor

dingo · 08-25-2005, 04:13 AM

So these are the two contenders:

* 02/03 Subaru WRX

or

* 97/98 Lotus Elise (~120hp version)

I know the Elise is a little more expensive, but for the sake of this argument just disregard it.

If you had to pick one of them to buy and be your daily driver (and only car) which would it be, and why?

I have been set on a WRX as my next car, but a few comments by certain people have made me look closer at the Elise. I love its looks and relative exclusivity, and would be a great track car (which I would like to get involved in eventually).

However it has its negatives too, such as being less practical and uncomfortable.

Away you go......

Ghostbat · 08-25-2005, 04:34 AM

If it was going to be my daily and only car I'd definetely go for the WRX. In this comparison the WRX is the most practical and comfortabal car. Think you will get tired of driving an Elise everyday.

Mopsdrops · 08-25-2005, 04:43 AM

I would take the WRX STi, seems a better choise to me, very very fast and still comfortable, if I were you, chose the WRX

dingo · 08-25-2005, 04:49 AM

I am referring to the standard ~230hp WRX, not the STi.

TT · 08-25-2005, 05:02 AM

WRX all the way if it has to be your only car. I know a couple of Elise owners and all of them also have at least another car for daily use. If there are other cars in the family you can use whenever you need the volume, it's ok, but if you need to rely on your car alone, IMO the elise isn't a good idea

dingo · 08-25-2005, 05:11 AM

BTW - this is all still some time off, but just want to get some opinions in advance.

Originally Posted by goodduck

...more practical and relatively easy to tune if you wish to do so.
tough call tho.

true, but remember with the Elise you don't need to make huge HP gains since it weights so little. So if you can find 20-30hp it will already make a big difference.

Originally Posted by TT

WRX all the way if it has to be your only car. I know a couple of Elise owners and all of them also have at least another car for daily use. If there are other cars in the family you can use whenever you need the volume, it's ok, but if you need to rely on your car alone, IMO the elise isn't a good idea

Thats funny - I know two of them and both use it as a daily driver.

The yellow one I did a photoshoot with some time ago only keeps it in the garage on very rainy days.

I live with my brother so if I need a 'big' car I could borrow his in the worst case, or another option I considered was to keep my current car for those situations (I know that breaks my rules in the first post

).

SPEEDCORE · 08-25-2005, 05:47 AM

Since I have a MY00 WRX I will vote WRX.

Dont be fooled by ppl who own Elises that say they drive them as daily cars I bet they still have a 2nd car. The WRX does everything u want plus more and with only afew G's u can easily get STi performance. Also remember this is Oz not UK, Lotus arent cheap on parts and other factors.

I dont know wat job you do, but if you not making over $50k a year you shouldnt even consider a Elise.

Anyway what is stopping you from getting a Elise in afew years time with better income

I have had my WRX since new and its one of the best cars on the road, the only other car I would recommend is a S15 200sx if u want the coupe/rwd with sim money.

dingo · 08-25-2005, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by SPEEDCORE

Dont be fooled by ppl who own Elises that say they drive them as daily cars I bet they still have a 2nd car. ....

well I've met one of them and had a ride in his car, so he had no reason to lie to me back then. As I said he does use another car when its raining heavily - which admittedly wouldn't be a prob for a WRX.

Originally Posted by SPEEDCORE

I dont know wat job you do, but if you not making over $50k a year you shouldnt even consider a Elise.

Thats something I would look into more once I get closer to buying, but for now I am just assuming I can afford to buy and run either of them.

Originally Posted by SPEEDCORE

I have had my WRX since new and its one of the best cars on the road, the only other car I would recommend is a S15 200sx if u want the coupe/rwd with sim money.

I agree its a great car, and had a ball when I got to drive one.

But there is just something more 'special' about the Elise - that 'race car for the road' feel to it and its much less common (you see WRX's everywhere) .

RAMMIUS · 08-25-2005, 06:11 AM

The WRX , way more practical then the race track biased Elise.

corpse_grinder0 · 08-25-2005, 06:21 AM

wrx... there are 4 doors and a nice big trunk. well maybe not big.. but its there..... were talkin about your daily driver, not your track car. and you could have loads of fun in a wrx aswell at the track.

saadie · 08-25-2005, 06:25 AM

if u get the Elise ...... in the next rally u wouldnt be able to take pics

gucom · 08-25-2005, 10:58 AM

the WRX is one of the best practical all-weather fast cars you can buy...but still my choice would be E-L-I-S-E any time...its jsut such a beautiful pure sports car, its (one of) my favourite cars ever...chicks also love it

(although noticing how sporty (read: spartan) it is might not do you any favours

) but they love its looks...yes definately elise

adamwich · 08-25-2005, 11:41 AM

I would take the Elise! For the same reasons as gucom!

suqish76 · 08-25-2005, 11:41 AM

go the rex.
friend of mine has an 02 model as a daily driver and has been know to drive it hard, and he's had no problems with it.
good reliable car with possibility of track time in one simple package

Neema702 · 08-25-2005, 03:58 PM

this is just out of my own curiousity... why not a Evo?