Elise or Westfield?

[jamie2]

Hello again, since my last post I've seen one westfield and test drove an elise. Westfield was two litre pinto thing, live rear axle and no comparison at all. The build was quite poor and to my mind very dated. The guy had reciepts for over £11500 and was a mechanic. The lotus was magic to drive. Even though my hedge trimmer probaly has more power I reckon in real life driving would leave most westfields in its wake. I really wanted a westfield but was the car I saw a fair representation? I dont really want to drive a hairdressers car but from first impresions its going to take some beating. I want something wich can take bumpy twisty A roads better than my old quattro. Help!!

[Mark Stanton]

Perhaps you might see a wider selection & specification of cars at your local club meet      or maybe get along to the Exeter Show    

There's sure to be a Westfield out there for sale that'll beat an Elise        

Where's Westy .................      

[jamie2]

Am in the South of Scotland, half way between glasgow and carlisle. Sadly not many westfields or anything else for that matter around. no club activity in Scotland or anywhere close that I can see.  Is all the bodywork fibreglass on all models and do the IRS share the same chassis as those with live axles?

[steppenwolf]

Even though my hedge trimmer probaly has more power I reckon in real life driving would leave most westfields in its wake.

The one you saw must have been a very badly set up dog then!! A properly set up Westfield with only moderate power (i.e. less than that produced by a 2 litre Pinto) would trance an Elise in all but top speed - that is a function of aerodynamics, the Elise having good aerodynamics, the Westfield acting like a brick at speeds over 90 MPH.

If you really are looking for performance then you really should try some other Westfields - if you are after comfort then the Elise would be a better bet.

[Two Dinners]

If  you have the budget for an Elise you would be able to afford a very very nice Westfield the would blow the off and Elise  

[steppenwolf]

Is all the bodywork fibreglass on all models and do the IRS share the same chassis as those with live axles?

All the external panels are fibre glass (and IMHO, the better for it).

The chassis differs in design between the two types (at the rear only).

[Blatman]

And Elise external panels are made of what?

Answers on a piece of fibreglass matting to the above address.......

[Al Yupright]

Quite an interesting discussion this could be...

Cos you can get second hand Elises for 12K now. They're very pretty cars, and with a good driver they are VERY quick.

[windy]

Perhaps on a bumpy road yes the Elise has the edge but it will probably end up in the scenery at some point. There's no match for the sound of an injected Vauxhall valver in a westie though, especially through those tunnels to Le Mans.

Elise on a track you will run rings round in the Westfield whilst the Elise, if followed for any length of time, will be making crop circles in the adjacent fields.

Windy

[gregh]

I went through the same decision myself over summer. In the end I went for a 10K westie and a diesel tin top.

I think if I had to only have one car then it would have been an Elise.

I decided if I wanted 2 cars, then the 'weekend/track car' should be more aggresive, fun and  more powerful than an Elise.

then I worked out the costs of an Elise if something goes wrong and you need a new clam shell    

regards,

Greg

[Nick M]

There's no match for the sound of an injected Vauxhall valver in a westie though, especially through those tunnels to Le Mans.

And that, in short, is the best reason ever given for buying a Westfield (particularly one with a VX engine fitted !!    

As has been said above, a half decent Westfield (either an SE or SEi, wide or normal) will run rings around an Elise, will provide a more satisfying driving experience but, it has to be said, will be more tiring on a longer journey.

If you want one compromise car as a daily driver that's quick, get the Elsie.  If you want a pure toy then get a Westfield.  Preferably one with a decent engine, i.e. not a Pinto (no offence to Pinto owners, just that modern 16v engines are preferable in terms of power potential and smoothness IMHO).

[ricdiggle]

I want something wich can take bumpy twisty A roads better than my old quattro. Help!!

Seriously,

I'd buy an Impreza or an EVO 5/6/7.

I test drove an Elise for a good half day and loved every minute of it. I then went to drive an Impreza for about 10 minutes and bought it.

Granted, I sold it a year later and bought a Megablade.

Basically, the Elise was an amazing car but was about as quick as a tractor. The Impreza was just amazing but cost about 30% of my income to insure (as would the Elise)

The Westfield is just manic. It is intense in the extreme and blisteringly fast. But it is not an invicible B road blaster. The Impreza is, and I imagine the EVOs are even better.

I'm bound to get a roasting for this but by the sounds of it, that's what you're after.

If you intend to get on a track though it's a no brainer for the Westfield.

Hope that is of some use.

Richard.

[catflap]

Rich is right

I also had a scooby for the same reason, i wanted a country lane type blaster and it coped with it superb, in terms of fun though, a scooby comes high on my list of some of the most dull cars I have driven, not because its poor, in fact quite the opposite.

i sold mine for a megablde, and this thing is soooooooo much fun i cant stop grinning like an idiot (don’t say it) when i m driving, or rather when im riding it, ive even found myself laughing out loud on occasion (maybe relief as im still alive )

Its not too hot on very bumpy roads coz its not set up perfect, its all a little too stiff, hehe ive even got air several times chasing my mate in his very well set up westy that just soaks up the bumps.

It also looks like you saw a dog of a car, mine is very neat, minimal but neat.  Others I have seen have been remarkable build quality, all of the chaps I chatted to at dono have cars that looked picture perfect.

[Bananaman]

do the IRS share the same chassis as those with live axles?

This all depends on weather it was a wide bodied car or standard. Basically there are 4 Chassis (give or take V.minor bits)

SE = Narrow bodied/Solid rear axle

SEi = Narrow bodied/Independent rear suspension

SEW = Wide bodied/Solid rear axle

SEiW = Wide bodied/Independent rear suspension

You really want the SEiW with a 2L 16V engine for road use & some track use IMO.

I recon that you should be able to get a good one of these for £7500+ dependent on age & condition.

Have a look HERE or on the for sale section of this board room or Auto trader.

I recon that if you have £12K to spend that you will get a nearly new model in top condition.

What are you going to use the car for weekends 7 track days or is it for everyday use? If its the former then Westfield all the way, if its the latter maybe an Elise with a hardtop!!!  

Andy

P.S. Try a decent Westfield SEiW before you make your mind up, it's a great car & sooooooooooo much FUN    

[ricdiggle]

Catflap,

I'm glad you said that.

I loved the Scooby's invincibility but it was so boring.

You just cannot get it wrong unless you are driving like a total nunney.

Great car, don't get me wrong, just a tad 'sensible'

Richard