Lotus Evora 400

[12,000 RPM]

I think you'd be pretty happy with an Elise.  Is it cheaper to go the Exocet route?

Elises have pretty bad shift action (but light) and the steering is heavy at low speeds (I've never driven a Z so I can't compare). 

Karts, Elises, and Atoms have ruined other cars' steering for me

Exocet just needs the new chassis ($7K) and an NA/NB Miata. Unknown is cost of assembly. It would probably be cheaper to buy someone else's project. Other unknown is getting it registered.

I'm guessing the Elise/Exige don't have power steering... gah that is a dealbreaker. No good in a parking lot

[Rich]

Exocet just needs the new chassis ($7K) and an NA/NB Miata. Unknown is cost of assembly. It would probably be cheaper to buy someone else's project. Other unknown is getting it registered.

I'm guessing the Elise/Exige don't have power steering... gah that is a dealbreaker. No good in a parking lot

No power steering.  But, no engine on the front wheels.  It's heavy at parking lot speeds, but completely bearable.  anything faster than 10-15 and it lightens up and you get everything coming through loud and clear. 

[CaminoRacer]

Power steering is completely unnecessary. Besides, I thought you were a gym rat?

Driving an Elise/Exige on the street is also fun because everyone thinks it's a Lamborghini.

[12,000 RPM]

I like to reserve my exertion for the gym

[Cookie Monster]

I don't think I could give up a motorcycle for an Elise/Exige.

[12,000 RPM]

I don't think I could give up a motorcycle for an Elise/Exige.

Because u have nowhere to park a car at work

I feel like an Exige could be as engaging as a bike.

[Cookie Monster]

Because u have nowhere to park a car at work

I feel like an Exige could be as engaging as a bike.

I want to rage quit my life when I hit bad traffic in a car.

[Payman]

I'd much rather build this than an Exocet...



http://www.greatbritishsportscars.co.uk/cars/zero-mazda/

[12,000 RPM]

Not a fan of the Cateram's looks, as great as I assume they are to drive

[Payman]

Not a fan of the Cateram's looks, as great as I assume they are to drive

Some exo-cars are cool, but in accommodating the front engine/rear drive layout of the Miata drivetrain, the Exocet looks "off".

[12,000 RPM]

It's the closest thing I can get and afford that approximates the Atom

[68_427]

Yeah the excocet is hideous.  Like an atom missing a chromosome.

[MX793]

I'd much rather build this than an Exocet...



http://www.greatbritishsportscars.co.uk/cars/zero-mazda/

+1.  Guy I autocross with has an older (late 80s) Caterham kit car.  Even with a wheezy old Ford Pinto motor, that thing hauls.  Sounds decent, too.

[BimmerM3]

If, God forbid, the S2000 ever gets wrecked but the drivetrain is still good, I could totally see myself throwing that engine in some sort of kit car. That engine would be sooooo fun in something crazy light like that.

[Raza]

I think you'd be pretty happy with an Elise.  Is it cheaper to go the Exocet route?

Elises have pretty bad shift action (but light) and the steering is heavy at low speeds (I've never driven a Z so I can't compare). 

Karts, Elises, and Atoms have ruined other cars' steering for me

Elise shifter is fine.

[Raza]

Exocet just needs the new chassis ($7K) and an NA/NB Miata. Unknown is cost of assembly. It would probably be cheaper to buy someone else's project. Other unknown is getting it registered.

I'm guessing the Elise/Exige don't have power steering... gah that is a dealbreaker. No good in a parking lot

It's a nonissue in an Elise. Really.

[Raza]

Not a fan of the Cateram's looks, as great as I assume they are to drive

You don't like the way the Caterham looks, but you're okay with the Exocet's looks? Takes all kinds, I guess.

[Raza]

If, God forbid, the S2000 ever gets wrecked but the drivetrain is still good, I could totally see myself throwing that engine in some sort of kit car. That engine would be sooooo fun in something crazy light like that.

I'd just get another S2000.

[SVT666]

You don't like the way the Caterham looks, but you're okay with the Exocet's looks? Takes all kinds, I guess.

Exocet looks like it's trying to be a Caterham crossed with an Atom, but it just fails. It looks odd. If I was building a kit car, it would be either a Factory Five Cobra replica or a Caterham.

[Rich]

Elise shifter is fine.

Depends on the definition of fine.  It's cable actuated, and sloppy.  Great steering > sloppy shifter for me, but for someone that doesn't care so much about steering it could be an issue.

[Raza]

Depends on the definition of fine.  It's cable actuated, and sloppy.  Great steering > sloppy shifter for me, but for someone that doesn't care so much about steering it could be an issue.

Granted, it's been many years since I've driven an Elise, and I wasn't nearly as well versed in manuals as I am now, but remember it being fine. Not amazing, but not anything so poor that it was worthy of note.

[12,000 RPM]

You don't like the way the Caterham looks, but you're okay with the Exocet's looks? Takes all kinds, I guess.

I would call the Caterham and Exocet equally ugly. Caterham is not a pretty car. Proportions are way off, details are either not good or nonexistent. Exocet is pretty bad too but it's dirt cheap and isn't trying to be James Dean. It is what it is without pretense which really appeals to me.

[BimmerM3]

Granted, it's been many years since I've driven an Elise, and I wasn't nearly as well versed in manuals as I am now, but remember it being fine. Not amazing, but not anything so poor that it was worthy of note.

Yeah, I don't remember anything specific about the shifter, which means it was perfectly adequate. But dear lord, that steering was telepathic.

[Rich]

When you're driving it on track it becomes apparent.  I didn't drive it on street so maybe it's smooth cruisin there.

[Raza]

I would call the Caterham and Exocet equally ugly. Caterham is not a pretty car. Proportions are way off, details are either not good or nonexistent. Exocet is pretty bad too but it's dirt cheap and isn't trying to be James Dean. It is what it is without pretense which really appeals to me.

The Caterham is pretentious now? It's a 60 year old design based on a kit car that came with disassembly instructions to get around English laws. How is it pretentious?

[MX793]

Exocet looks a little like a Super 7 with worse proportions.

[12,000 RPM]

The Caterham is pretentious now? It's a 60 year old design based on a kit car that came with disassembly instructions to get around English laws. How is it pretentious?

That it has a story and you know it pretty much speak to what I'm talking about. Exocet is just an ugly Miata based go kart. No H&H or pretense.

[MX793]

I'd wager one of the myriad Super Seven clones will cost no more than an Exocet.

The Super Seven isn't trying to be anything more than it is: a bare bones, light weight sports car.  The fact that the design hasn't changed much since the 1950s is a testament to just how good it was and is.

[Payman]

Brian Ball Motorsports is the US dealer for the Zero kit. Base kit $6799. Depending on NA Miata donor and options, it can be built for $10-15,000.

https://nebula.wsimg.com/81f4722f59d01cebdc2d9629c7708827?AccessKeyId=9EE7FE37AC32D1FBFCD9&disposition=0

[Payman]

This is how I'd do mine...