Hey everyone,

I am sort of new to S2000s and am interested in purchasing one. I am looking at the Lotus Exige too. I was wondering if you guys could give me an unbiased list of pros and cons of each and which one would be better to invest in. (Performance, Handling, Maintenance, Upgrades, Parts Available etc)

 

If you are trying to figure out if you can afford an S2000, might as well cross off the exige or elise.

 

cuz we all know about the exige?

 

I don't even know what a exige is

 

If you can afford the Exige then get it! If you can't, get an S2000.

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/general-discussion-debate-40/2006-s2000-vs-2005-lotus-elise-%5B-would-you-pick-%5D-1584942/

 

I looked at an Elise before I got the S and after the first time getting in and out of it I was at the Honda dealer.

 

id LOVE to have a Elise. Im a small guy, big guys beware lol

 

Yeah. You will be able to find an S2000 for less than half of the price of a used Elise; the Exige is even more than the Elise. Maintenance etc will be more expensive for the Lotus (Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious lol). Another thing to consider is the fact that the Elise/Exige both have fiberglass bodies. Even minor accidents will be expensive.

 

Get an Exige. If you have isues running it as a daily driver then pick up a $500 Civic shitbox to roll around on when it's not the weekend.

2¢

 

is this for dd or weekend?

 

i currently own an S2000 and cant wait to upgrade to an elise/exige

an oil change will run you about 300 dollars at a dealer just be aware of that, do lots of your own research on the car, especially buying a used one. elise/exiges have alot of common problems, so make sure you know what your getting into.

other than that, an elise/exige will outperform the s2000 in everyway except comfort and price.

 

Well...the Elise/Exige is a lot more of a toy than the S2000 ever was. The S2000 has an actual interior, AC, Power windows, Power steering, Power mirrors, seats you can sit in for a while without becoming shorter from spine compression, a trimmed center console, etc. The Elise is a box you sit in.

English chassis design is great. Anything the english do with intricate moving parts ends up exploding, however. So Lotus made the awesome decision to use a solid *** Toyota engine.

Maintenance is DEFINATELY going to be more of a pain in the *** on an Elise.

The S2000 is just a more liveable car overall.
It's also more mod friendly if you want to personalize it.

I'm assuming either will be used as an Image car, though? The Elise makes you look much more sophisticated driving around town...err...till someone looks inside it.

The Elise/Exige is a MUCH better track contender than the S2000. The S2000 does do well at the track, though...and will get you there and back in comfort.

So it depends on what you want out of the car.

Interesting Elise facts: They don't come with a standard LSD. It's an option.

They used to come stock with R compounds. Not sure if they still do. But you really should keep R comps on there to maintain the chassis balance.

 

elises are nothing by toyota motors if im correct...

 

^??

 

How many Honda's do you see vs. Lotus?
DD-S2000
Weekend-Lotus
Just whatever you want to use it for.

 

elises are nothing by toyota motors if im correct...

 

yes you are right .. they feature a motor simular to the celica GTS, which is why most people K-swap it

 

i believe the lotus is about $50k US and s2000 brand new if any left is about $35k US...

get an S2000 brand new if possible and take the $15000 you saved and get rims, turbo kit, Hardtop, and then take the remaining money and go to the bank to get it changed to all $20's and then go outside after your purchase and make it rain all over yourself inside of your S2000!!!

but on an honest note, get an S2000 and save your self trouble with maint. and $$$

 

think of an exige as an extreme S2000 - lighter, less practical, smaller etc.etc., but faster, better handling, much more of a go kart. A good friend of mine has an Exige in the UK and you absolutely will need a second car. The S2000 is easily a DD if you want it to be, the exige isn't

 

^ this.

 

I wouldn't say most people, as it's not exactly a bolt in affair.

 

BOOOO i say buy a clean low mile AP2 and drop the difference in price into the car. You should poop on Exiges with a s/c, suspensions, wheels/tires etc. ya? Thats what i'd do. Plus you could blow up the motor once and still break even in price. Whats an Exige now 55k?

 

exige s > s2000 hands down.

 

i would hate my life if my s2000 was my dd.