Hi all,

First post here. I've been lurking over the last few months and want to thank everybody for all the great info I've picked up from the forum. I currently have an 07 Exige S that I use for "spirited" weekend drives and the track but I'm thinking about picking up an 07/08 GT3 RS. Was wondering if anybody out there has driven both and give some driving impressions. I'd be using the RS for track work but also as an occasional daily driver. Thanks,

Tim

 

both as in RS vs exige S?
if so i had both.
exige is MUCH easier to drive fast than RS.
exige is more raw.
RS has lot more hp and tq but will feel like a pig compared to exige.
but is more useful day to day than exige.

if you have more specific Q, it may be easier to answer.

 

Im looking at picking up a used exige in the next year or two as the gt3 is still a few years away for me. I am more interested in the driving dynamics as it is hard to compare the two cars on paper. Which is more gives bigger smiles and i know that is a subjective question

I guess what I look for most now in a car is which one will reward me more when I drive it, because I am looking for something to actually DRIVE, not something with the most luxury, but what rewards the driver more

I know it ultimately comes down to driving both but i am curious to your thoughts on both because i see each as the last few remaining driver focused cars.

 

Thansk for the replies

Prodrive,

Agree with you about the Exige and GT3 being the last of the driver focused cars. Driving the Exige is a total sensory experience and when I finish a drive or a day at the track my ears are ringing ( I have a decat and a very loud exhaust), my fingers are buzzing and I can't stop smiling. I see the GT3 RS as a much faster, more refined version of the exige but it may not be as "fun". I've sat in one for a few laps and it is very fast and supremely competent. It does seem better for everyday driving (has a better stereo/sat-nav, etc) and is more of a "real car" . The one I rode it certainly did not have all the rattles and noises that my Exige has. If I had space in my garage I'd have both but right now I'm really wanting an orange RS

 

Mooty and I been talking about this at length - proper cars for track etc. Lotus is a blast on the track and cost next to nothing to maintain. RS has better refinement and "class" but it comes with a build in speed limiter AKA "it's an expensive car and I don't want to go too fast on rack as not to crash"

I can't count how many time I held back on the track with my RS fearing an incident which will cost boat load of $$$$$ to repair. Mooty is much faster on the track with his 6 GT3 compare with 7 GT3 RS due to the speed limiter mentioned above.

Hope that helps. I am thinking about a Lotus 260 S just for track and get rid of that speed limiter

 

Track insurance will remove the speed limiter for about $1000.00 per year for each insured $25000.00 worth of car value.

My speed limiter is not wanting to get hurt, I think the GT3 is safer and sturdier than the lotus.

 

Ive had 2 elises, and driven quite a few exige S' and recently picked up my first GT3 (996 though).

all i can say is if i could only have 1 car the Porsche would be my pick. if i could have both i think that would be great.

the Lotus' are good because they dont really have that much power so you can drive them at 9/10ths where as the porsche realistically will go as fast at 5/10ths IMO (comparing Elise to GT3 anyway). i guess the thing is its much scarier (for me anyway) to think about pushing my GT3 to 9/10ths is the biggest issue.

so i always tip toe in the GT3 around town, where the Lotus was more like a supped up small Jap car so can be hammered around town a little more.

make of it what you will, but those are just my feelings

cheers

Looney

 

That will be more than $5000 a year track insurance for a RS. Too expensive ... less gas pedal pressure is cheaper

Anyone interested in giving this Lotus a point by?



Here is another interesting creature ...



Lotus also offer the Exige Cup. Will it come to US?

 

I definitely understand the speed limiter factor especially with the RS and the rear engine layout. I would be curious to see the difference in driving style and confidence if you tracked the exige for half the day and then moved to the RS.

That black track prepped exige looks like a blast to drive on track.

 

Those are good points about the crash cost factor. I don't really worry about that in the Exige now but in a GT3 RS it would definitely cross my mind. Plus tires, brakes, etc are all a lot more money. I still want one though

 

That's what your E46 M3 is for

Actually, that's my master plan.

 

It's too hard for me to strip my "CSL" M3 for track ...