Fastest ground coverer....

[MrKipling]

We're talking country lane here... this is something I'm planning on actually testing soon, so I'd be interested to hear what you lot think.

Exige S or Impreza STi?

I reckon that the Exige would be quicker than the STi.

[lightweight]

Exige for me

[Matra et Alpine]

hmm, country lanes with dips and brows ?
The Impreza .... better visibility lets you see further on the vanishing point and hence drive the corners faster, safely.
hmmmm, "soon" means the roads will still be muddy/greasy from winter salting ...so ... Impreza again due to grip.

Sunny day with failry flattish, not huge hedges country lane and it's the Exige

[MrKipling]

Very good points. I drove the new S on those silly semi-slicks they put on them in the wet on a track and I was amazed by how much grip they offered. Very hairy on standing water though.

Visibility will be an issue with the Lotus - I guess we'll have to at least find a wide range of roads. I feel a trip to the Peaks coming on!

I still have a feeling that in a broad range of conditions the Exige would ultimately come out on top...

[NSXType-R]

I would say the STI because of its all weather capability. Not to say that the Exige is slow though.

[ScionDriver]

Weight wins: Exige > STI

[whiteballz]

Sure footedness of the STI for me. I love the exige, but AWD and decent bump/damp control = win

[NicFromLA]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

hmm, country lanes with dips and brows ?
The Impreza .... better visibility lets you see further on the vanishing point and hence drive the corners faster, safely.
hmmmm, "soon" means the roads will still be muddy/greasy from winter salting ...so ... Impreza again due to grip.

Sunny day with failry flattish, not huge hedges country lane and it's the Exige

I agree. Great question either way.

[Ferrer]

Isn't enjoyment more important than outright speed?

I'd personally choose the Lotus regardless of it being faster or slower.

[Rotary.freak]

I think the Lotus would be a lot more exciting. By country lane you mean still paved right? Otherwise i think you'd be sorry for taking the Exige.

[Matra et Alpine]

If the road is greasy then the Lotus will be an issue as it will require constant feathering of the throttle and tippy-toe driving.
In thos conditions the Scooby is much more "fun"

[clutch-monkey]

on local roads the exige. on the roads you describe the sti

[Rotary.freak]

I would imagine the lotus would be very very expensive to maintain by the way. I think the STi would be more suited to you and it's still tonnes of fun. But then again depends what roads you drive on. If i had an Exige it would get only the best :P.

[clutch-monkey]

^ the lotus uses a toyota drivetrain. explain how that would be expensive to maintain, when even a porsche isn't

[NicFromLA]

Originally Posted by Rotary.freak

I think the Lotus would be a lot more exciting. By country lane you mean still paved right? Otherwise i think you'd be sorry for taking the Exige.

I can't speak to the Exige because I've never driven one, but I have driven the Elise and because the car doesn't weigh anything and the wheels are small, the ride really isn't that bad.