Porsche 911 vs Acura NSX vs Lotus Elise?

Question

Which is the cooler car? The nicer car? The better performer?

When I say the Porsche 911 I mean the 996 or current 997 version. All have acceleration to 60 around the mid 4s. The NSX arguably have the best handling, but is no longer produced.

Your opinion?

Answer 1

First - to clear up the misinformation here. Porsche cars are not made by VW (Porsche has purchased a good size of VW in recent years, but they are an independant company with some historical/family ties to VW's origins and management). The Elise is a small car, but has not performed poorly in crash tests (and as for it's ability to avoid an accident in the first place, it would score quite highly).

The best performer of the group would be the Porsche 997. While the Elise is more of a "pure" sports car, and can offer a more direct driving experience, the 997 is a newer design who's edge in power is ultimately going to be too much for the lighter and more nimble Elise to overcome. While the Elise may overcome some higher powered cars based on handling and braking, the 997 has no major weaknesses in this area for the Elise to exploit. The NSX is a great car - and one that has always gone better than it's numbers might indicate; but in this group, it would be a definite third behind the newer designs. While the NSX is well balanced and a good handling car, it's age shows, and it is not the best handling car of this group (it could actually be the least in the area). Though all three offer good performance and would be alot of fun to drive around a track.

As for the nicest? All three cars are well built and have good attention to detail. The 997 (or 996) would be the most practical of the cars, having back seat space (cargo space really, or seating for small children), with the Elise being the least practical. But if you are looking for a true sports car, the Elise is by far the best. The NSX is more middle of the road, not offering quite the comfort or convenience of the newer Porsche, nor the outright "everything for speed" attitude of the Elise.

As for cooler? Will all be in the eye of the beholder. All three have excellent credentials, and look good both at speed and standing still. They will all draw some admiring glances and are fun to drive. Which is the coolest is ultimately which one you feel the coolest in.

Answer 2

Porsche 997 runs about 11.7 seconds 1/4 mile
NSX 13.1 1/4 mile
Elise 13.6
(all these are approximate)

If you ever saw Pulp Fiction, the NSX was the car Winston Wolf drove, which was a supercar back when it came out, and made the Ferraris set higher standards for their cars. It was a very nice car when it came out.
the Porsche 997 is MUCH newer of a car, the Lotus Elise is a small car with a very exotic look.

Performance, all around, I'd guess that the Elise runs very well in handling, yet the 997 is a very well-made car and probably runs just as well, the NSX probably lacks behind the 2 in handling.

The cooler car, I'd say the NSX because there is a lot standing to that name when you tell somebody its a NSX. Women generally differ in opinion and go for the cleaner/nicer looking cars as opposed to exotic looking.

The nicer car, I don't care for the 911 series too much because most people I see driving them are kids with too much money, but the 997 is very nice.

NSX < 997 > Elise , NSX and Elise being pretty similar


That's all opinion, personally I'm a chevy fan, and the C6 Z06 Corvettes are the beasts of cars right now, until the supercharged ls9 comes out.

Answer 3

Both the Lotus and the Cayman are beautiful cars. How about this question... what size are you? I'm 6'4" and, well... you've heard of 'big and tall' shops? I'm both! I can just barely get into the Lotus and that's using a crowbar and some grease. There is no way I would want to sit in that cabin for more than 1 track session. If you check ebay you will find lots of used Lotus that were purchased for daily driving and they quickly convinced their owners that they weren't well suited for it. Will your hot young date be able to get out of the passenger seat with her micro mini skirt wrapping up around her waist (or was that the idea)? The Cayman holds all of me securely in the seat. It has 2 functional 'trunks' and feels amazingly solid. In short: The Lotus is an amazing track car that is street legal. The Porsche is an amazing street car that you can take to the track. The decision is made by how you intend to use the car and what is most important to you.

Answer 4

If you want to be in an unsafe car that is smaller then the wheel of a tractor trailer than go for the Elise. It is probably one of the worse cars you could pick. I would go with a Porsche 911, even though it is made by Volkswagen which could lead to a lot of problems down the road. Or you could go for a used 2005 Acura NSX.

Answer 5

911 hands down, besides nothing can touch a porsche in handling, that's what they're known for. besides most anybody can buy an acura, sure it may be a different model, but really how many people do you know with a porsche?

Answer 6

Porche 911 !! When you tell someone or they see you, it is known as a person that has money car, and Porche's are just really nice and comfy and fast and handle anything you throw at them. I say go with the Porche.

Answer 7

best handling: elise
coolest: elise
most unique: elise
most reliable: porsche
most expensive: porshce
most comfy: porsche
most dangerous: elise (come on....with 2000 pounds, a great dane can bulldoze that thing)

Answer 8

My dick is big enough that I don`t need a high end sports car.