Help me Choose 1
 

Quick question to all. Please respond with opinions. If given the choice between taking a 2002SE and having it professionally rebuilt for turbo at the 270hp/250tq wheel HP level, and then dialing in the suspension and aero on your own vs. purchasing a 2007 Lotus Exige S. Which would you do. I left out the details just to keep it simple.

I don't know what elises go for in the americas, but there's no way I'd ever pay ~20k+ for a plastic box w/ british engineering.

Turbo that bish

+1111111

After searching Lotustalk and some major cities on CL, I'm finding that a 2007 S goes for aout $35k... some a bit more, some a bit less.

With that kind of money, you can have either a 2007 Lotus Exige S, or you can...

Turbo your 2002 to 250whp with one of the proven offerings from Begi or FM, and use it as your DD... plus build an all-motor NA track car... plus buy a hauler for it... plus the truck to tow it... plus a couple years worth of track-days.

^this. x100000

Depends on what you're going to use the car for and how much garage space you have. The 2 options don't seem to be similar in price though.

I have been working with BEGi and we have the build to approx 12k for motor and turbo. That does not yet include exhaust, clutch, suspension, safety, radiator, wheels & tires or aesthetics and aero, rough est 10k. Paid 12k for the car in 2007 so thats 24k. Add it all up thats around 34k, right around the market value of the Exige. I know lots of you guys have successfully built cars sitting at the 270hp/250tq mark. Will the 34k Miata take an Exige? The big quandry is that they are both in the same $$ ballpark.

What?

$12k for a built motor and a turbo set up? and then an extra $22k for misc. stuff? You may want to recalculate your figures and maybe look at other options.

You can talk to the baller-absurd flow track gods of the forums for advice and other options. I don't think I'm being optimistic by saying that you can drop 15k on a very well rounded track set up.

Have you talked to trackspeed engineering??? Don't pull trigger until you do!

buffon01
10k for misc stuff. 12k for motor rebuild and turbo kit. Already paid 12k for the car. 34k. Im going to go over my quote again and make sure my numbers added up right. Your saying 15k for a complete setup, help me please. The motor build even left quite a bit on the table for the sake of cost savings. I don't remember motorbuilds being that expensive either back in 2000 and 2001. I wonder if i shoudl just Rebello rebuild it for that kind of coin.

djp0623
I talked to Andrew yesterday (I think). They are not doing any labor work until the summer.

I don't maybe I'm getting to old for this stuff. I grew up modifying cars in the Bay Area until I left for the Army in 2005. I supppose it was just easier to do based on the geography, car culture and attitude. Ever since I have tried to get back into it around 2007, it's been a struggle for me. Relationships with shops were easier to make back then, instead of all this forum talk, majority of the tuners met up at either the BART stations in their areas or we all met up at the Krispy Kreme. Talked cars, shot the ----, visited families. It's just not the same anymore. Do this build, buy the Exige or just hang it all up......

At this juncture are you a DIY guy or are you a buy and ride guy? The answer to that can help make your decision easier. The forum thing may not be for you, but if you stick around enough you'll find out that there is a lot of track support from the members here.

I vote for building a badass car. However, you need to make up your mind about what you really want.

At this current state in time I don't know. I guess I've de-evolved to a buy guy. I used to be DIY, although I've never put a. engine together, had the convenience of being mins from Rebello Racing, PR Motorsports, Sanderson Headers, WeaponX, OBX and many other well known places. Let me ask you a question. Is $8k a reasonable amt. of $$ for a built motor and Garrett based turbo kit looking to push 270hp/250tq to the wheels?

I'm assuming you intend to sell the 02 miata in your sig to partially finance your potential Lotus purchase. If you assume a 12k purchase + 12k mods + 11k misc? into the miata, it's sunk cost will = the lotus purchase.

You have to consider that in the 5 years since you bought your car it has depreciated and may be worth 6-8k (guess). This makes the Lotus even more expensive as you will have to make up the depreciated value of the miata with cash to equal the Lotus purchase price.

As others have said there are substantially cheaper ways to make the power you are looking for from the miata and do it reliably. The 8k is 5k for turbo stuff and 3k for engine? If so that seems in line with what shops want if they are setting you up with everything.

If you want a simple opinion I'd do the miata because I imagine it would be more fun and comfortable (though get you less admiring glances) than the Lotus.

Well that depends on what are the components you have in mind. However, 5-8k seems reasonable. I'd recommend you build your set up with v-bands (if you decide to go with the build) to avoid stuff coming loose in under stress. Contact Tim at Absurdflow, or Artech. Maybe the members near you can point you to a good shop for your motor.

I agree the 4-6k difference in the Miata's value does bump the cost of the Lotus up a bit more. I guess the substantial areo and use of carbon makes that a bit more reasonable. The Miata has given me 4 years of trouble free service though...Priceless

That would've been my guess as well regarding the build and initial cost for the power package. As with every build there will be much more to do down the road, I just have to wonder if my initial injection of $$ is substantial or out of line. If you have a shop in mind that you think may have an interest in the build, put me in touch with them.

Please point me in the right direction. I thought 8k for a built power package was reasonable. If not let me know. I've been in touch with Abe about the exhaust and he has my word, that portion of the build belongs to ARTech.

I'm probably going to call Rebello Racing tommorrow and get a rebuild quote from them. If I'm going to spend that kind of coin, might as well go with a proven performer.

I have a good mind to just piece this thing together like the old days and assemble it minus the engine myself.

Just to clarify the 8k was earmarked for a built engine and turbo kit.

Well what I mean is that I'm in the boat (no pun intended) that you could get a very good bottom end for $3k. The supertech piston/M-tune Rods combo (~$770) is rather popular amongst budget builds. I don't know if you want to go with $900 rods and $900 pistons (figures are completely arbitrary). I've also seen people that deal directly with the machine shops (honing, boring... etc) and take all the components ready to be assemble to an engine builder. Which should charge per hour, I suppose, thus lowering the cost.

There are some "how to" and "recommendation" threads regarding building motors floating around the forum. You can save cash by going over them. I think that the 8k figure is a bit inflated, but I'm broke as ----... so yeah.