McLaren, 911, Corvette, Lotus, & GR86 – What’s the Price of Driving Fun? | Everyday Driver

Its amazing how timeless the elise looks. It really doesn't look like its any older of a design than when it was new.

Being a former owner of an Elise, a 911, and current owner of a C8 convertible, I’ll say this: The Elise was great for what I bought it for. I wanted an outlandish, purpose built, drivers sports car — and that’s exactly what the Elise was. Fun to drive. People loved talking to me about it. And a truly rare car on American roads. The downside was it was aging and repairs on a foreign 18 yr old sports car were not going to become less frequent or less expensive. Plus, it really was like a skate board with an engine. You feel EVERY crack in the road, every pot hole, and every pebble. My 911 was a manual 996, and I never really bonded with it. Was pretty bland and vanilla. Underpowered. Boring interior, and bland exterior, despite having factory aero kit. But this was a 99, so the newer models are much better. The C8 is a sports car that rides like a luxury sedan but drives like a sports car. Has loads of tech with the 2 LT pkg, has 495 HP, and the hard top convertible retracts with a tough of a button. Amazing looks and a full factory warranty was too much to pass up. People love this car and approach me all the time to talk about it. But these guys are right in that it feels very much like a luxury car when driving it. If there’s one thing I can say for certain, it’s that life is a series of trade offs, and it’s difficult to have everything. Enjoy what you have until it’s time for the next chapter.

Quote of a lifetime "I hate being susceptible to expensive things"

the fact that the GR86 is even in this list should tell you all about the car

I'm SO glad you guys made this fantastic video. I don't think you guys get the attention you deserve. A fully produced, well thought out, full comparison of modern cars, for FREE on YouTube. Please don't stop making videos for us car people!

Own a 911 and it is still not enough to force me to sell my Gr86.

Everyday Driver continues to be the upper crust of car content because you guys do SO well describing the experience of actually driving and living with the cars you have.

I love that you guys have put some emphasis on price and how a high price tag can take away from the fun of driving and owning it. It’s the reason why I’ve had my 2009 cayman for 10 years now. I absolutely ring its neck on track, take it on skiing holidays and summer trips all over Europe. I don’t worry about depreciation or wether I can afford to bin it hehe

As a 2nd gen BRZ owner, my choice for pure fun would be the Elise. The reason I bought a BRZ instead is the lack of any refinement with the Elise means I wouldn't want to drive it on regular roads, not even to get to the track or to the mountains or even occasionally to work. Maybe that means I'm getting old but having a basic baseline of comfort and refinement is important to me even for a weekend car. So I got the BRZ and am loving it so far. Great balance of lightweight driving enjoyment and refinement. I'd also consider something like a Cayman GTS 4.0 as a more expensive expression of that same concept.

Todd is 100% on point on the Elise. Pure driving enjoyment and nothing else. What I would love to see is him being able to drive a S1 Elise since they’re old enough to legally import in the US and do a comparison with his US spec S2!

The paint on that artura is stunning.

Thanks guys. No one does car comparisons like you do. You make it fun, and real, and really fun! I think my two favs are the 86 and the 911. Keep ‘em coming, guys.

I don't know why these guys don't have 1 million+ subscribers.. arguably the best in what they do and what WE want!

Being a Lotus Elise 250 Cup owner I can only say that the comments Todd and Paul make about the Elise are all precisely spot on! Love the videos and the reviews ❤❤

Balancing price, fun, and every day use, the GR86 wins for me. Thanks for including behind the scenes footage at the end, appreciate it!

My 2nd gen BRZ is my overall favorite car for daily use and spirited driving. I’ve owned corvettes, mustangs, MANY GTIs, a couple MINIs, several E30s, a 135i (n54) and even a NA miata, my BRZ is still one of my favorites (right next to the e30s and 135i).

I own a 911T near same spec as the one in the video, and I can’t wait to also get a new 86. They punch way out of their class. Just because you may have the “dream car” doesn’t mean you also don’t list after “cheaper” options

Great video guys! 40 years of reading car magazines/videos etc, what a fresh take on auto journalism. Well done!

GR86- what a machine...well done Toyota and Subaru

The Elise is an 'affordable' supercar...i agree with Todd,it's pure driving engagement