Anyone here have a experience with owning a Lotus Elise/Exige and a 360?

I've had a couple of Exiges Mk1 and 2 and also an Elise but not super charged. I also had a Noble GT03 last year but to be honest the 360 is a much nicer car to live with.
Where the performance in the Elise finishes the 360 is just getting started!, its much like a grown up Elise but with a proper engine you don't have to work it so hard to get the best out of it.
The Noble again is a good car but to be honest the major draw back is sort of kit car build quality and detailing although they are probably quicker. I spent many weekend taking split exhaust manifolds and screwing bits back on my car which isn't very reassuring.
360- it's a good step up as long as you expect the extra cost!.

Enjoy

Steve

 

I had an 05 elise..

I have a 360 now..

I Still miss the elise.. it was a go kart.. the 360 is clearly heavier and faster.. but it's not that far a departure.. I think if you got a 911 turbo you would feel very different..

the 360 and elise both feel nimble at speed.. and they are both drivers cars.. had to gone to a gallardo or 911 turbo or something of that nature it would have been adfferent story..

I think you will feel ok with your purchase

 

I had the 360, then the exige, which is IMO more fun on the track. The 360 is a much better street car, handles well, easy to get in and out, lots of fun, has radio, good looks, lots of space, ok on the track. Definitely an all-around better car. But nowhere near as much fun on track.

So I wouldn't consider it an upgrade, depending on your priorities.

Of course this argument can be taken infinately, ie get a z06, porsche, etc.

Always refining my garage. The 360CS, and the exige, are keepers. If I *had* to lose one, well, sorry lotus its been fun.

 

I had an '05 Elise but sold it just before my 430 came in 8/05. To be honest, I just didn't warm up to the Elise. It was great for about 20 minutes but then my back hurt, my ears rang and my teeth rattled. It was pretty cool on a track day, but the lack of torque really hurt IMO and I didn't think the handling was as good as it should be with the light weight, very stiff suspension and sticky Yokohamas. The Lotus makes Ferraris seem downright practical overall. You get what you pay for. A 430 is vastly more car in every way. Currently I use a Cayman S as a daily driver and sometimes track car. IMO, it is a much better choice for about the same money as the Lotus. Still, I would not mind have an Exige SC as a track day only car.

Dave

 

I owned an S2 elise and a 348 at the same time. Then sold the elise to buy a 360. Then sold the 348 as never used it and just used the 360. The 360 is a fantastic car and I am sure you will be very happy with it.

I miss the elise. The 360 is a great car and is both more comfortable and more usable. The exhaust noise is world better than the elise!!!!!

However the elise handle's way better in "the real world". It's as near to a Kart as you are going to get on the road. (As you already know). You just feel you are going so fast in an elise. The 360 doesn't impart such a "connected" feeling.

The running costs are also worlds apart............

 

I have the rear 3 feet of an Elise in my kids room as a toybox.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/lotus-elise-my-condo-toybox-79275/#post1365566

And, the 360 rear panel w/ taillights I'm using to replace the factory ones in my Lancia.

Both have a nice butt.

 

Neat!

Re: the 360 and the Elise... I've driven both somewhat extensively. It's a matter of priorities, like so many car decisions. If what you like about the Elise is its purist, track-day, hard-edged handling and enthusiast charm, the 360 is not the car. The 360, while not luxurious, is nowhere near as racer-friendly as the Elise. However, it's still a monster, it's a blast to drive, it's much faster, and the exhaust note is in a new world.

I'd consider the 360 a grown-up Elise: the boyish charm has worn off and it's grown into an adult, but it retains the same basic formula.

 

Agree! Sold my 06 Elise a while ago which I loved as it reminded me so much of my long gone Dino 246. Bought 03 F1 and have not really looked back.
Docf

 

Picture of both.
Docf
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Have an Elise with a bunch of go-fast bits (including a SC)..yes its hard core but, absolutely brilliant. I will never (and I mean never-ever) sell it.

360/430 are more GTs vs the Elise. Not a bad thing 90% of the time...
I am going to ADD a 430 Spider to the mix soon....going in, I know its more of a cruiser.

Elise's are dirt cheap to buy (less than $30k)...maintain (Toyota everything)...and modify.

Top off...beautiful day...curvy road...nothing comes close.

(at least from what I have driven etc)