Elan better than Ferrari

Post by: **richgilb** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:45 pm

I don't know why I feel the need to post this but I do. I have just been on a racing taster at Elvington in a Ferrari 360. I was really looking forward to it but worried that I would think my Elan would disappoint after the experience. What actually happened was that the Ferrari disappointed in everything compared to the Elan, with the exception of the brakes. It felt no faster, no noisier, not as exciting in the bends, the steering felt light and detached and the interior was bland, cheap even. Paddle gear change was also slow to respond to the changes.

What a letdown

But what great learning to discover that there is something so much more satisfying to drive than a modern day supercar - in the form of the old Elan.

Rich

Post by: **rocket** » Fri May 29, 2009 5:36 pm

I to love my elan...but no faster? o-60 in 4 point something and nearly 200 mph...

Ian.

Post by: **richgilb** » Fri May 29, 2009 5:41 pm

just the feeling.....it was a bit cocooned so did not feel as fast as I thought it would.

Post by: **rocket** » Fri May 29, 2009 5:47 pm

Sorry Rich i knew what you meant really..iv driven a few modern quick cars that leave me feeling disappointed,i completely agree with you.

Ian.

Post by: **adigra** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:25 pm

I couldn't agree more. I've driven a '89 911 Turbo across the same roads as I do an Elan Sprint, and even this "proper" old school Porsche was simply too effortless and unexciting at sane B road speeds. The Sprint on the other hand feels like an event every time no matter the speed. OK, I'm sure if I was brave enough to take the 911 into the socially irresponsible territory it would get very exciting very quickly, but I feel great pleasure behind the wheel of a "lesser" car more of the time. But I guess it all depends on what you're looking for in a car.

Adi

Post by: **lotus11_1** » Sat May 30, 2009 3:37 pm

With Elan, try a Dino 246 for a slightly better experience!

Happy elan-ing,

Mark

Post by: **twincamman** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:03 pm

the cost of Momma Bravos Gattuso oil to keep the Italian cars running is becoming prohibitive ----ed

Post by: **andyelan** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:24 pm

Hi Everyone

If there are any magazine type people out there, how about a series of road tests comparing non-alike cars. It would give those of us who haven't won the lottery a chance to see just how much we're missing out. Try these for suggestions

Lotus Ellite vs Ferrari 250SWB (last of the true dual purpose road/race GTs)
Lotus Plus 2 vs Ferrari 250GTE or Aston Martin DB5
and of course
Lotus Europa Special vs "Ferrari" Dino 206/246 GT

Not sure what to campare the Elan with, but for somthing obscure, what about a Toyota 2000GT

Andy

Post by: **adigra** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:29 pm

andyelan wrote:Not sure what to campare the Elan with, but for somthing obscure, what about a Toyota 2000GT

Cobra 289?

Post by: **andyelan** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:37 pm

Cobra 289?

Interesting suggestion but not exactly light and delicate or very subtle :wink:

Andy

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 5:55 pm

I've ofen thought that an A100 Alpine would make a nice Stablemate my S4 DHC; preferably the all singing & dancing variant (Metallic blue naturally) :roll:

A comparison would be interesting.
Also of great interest (to me) would be a comparison between 3 Lotus; the Elan, Mk 14 Elite & Elise
Cheers
John

Post by: **paddy** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:09 pm

D.J.Pelly wrote:Also of great interest (to me) would be a comparison between 3 Lotus; the Elan, Mk 14 Elite & Elise

There was a comparison just like that in one of the magazines about 3 months ago. Definitely two of the cars were the Elite and Elan. I can't remember what the third was, but quite possibly an Elise S1. I can't remember the magazine, probably not one of the "traditional" classic mags, maybe it was Octane.

Paddy

Post by: **richgilb** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:09 pm

lotus11_1 wrote:With Elan, try a Dino 246 for a slightly better experience!

Happy elan-ing,

Mark

Yes. I came away thinking I should have had a go in a 328...but the Dino is probably the one...next time maybe.

Post by: **andyelan** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:12 pm

Hi

It was a good article and was in Evo magazine

Andy

Post by: **GrUmPyBoDgEr** » Sat May 30, 2009 6:20 pm

paddy wrote:
D.J.Pelly wrote:Also of great interest (to me) would be a comparison between 3 Lotus; the Elan, Mk 14 Elite & Elise

There was a comparison just like that in one of the magazines about 3 months ago. Definitely two of the cars were the Elite and Elan. I can't remember what the third was, but quite possibly an Elise S1. I can't remember the magazine, probably not one of the "traditional" classic mags, maybe it was Octane.

Paddy

Yup, now you've reminded me, I remember that there was something around December 2008 in Octane (I think) Ta!
I tried to get a copy from GB but was let down by a "friend", who promised etc. etc.
(The Christmas Pud' never arrived either :cry:

)
Can anyone possibly help with a copy please?

Cheers
John

Elan better than Ferrari

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