Cars > Challenges > “Mean Green Machine” Vs “Venom”

Shaggy

M–29
Louisville, Kentucky
United States

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Venom82

M–27
Modesto, California
United States

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2005 Lotus Elise 111R

“Mean Green Machine”

2006 MINI Cooper R50

“Venom”

No longer owned

Head to Head

About “Mean Green Machine”

UPDATE:
The Elise is no more. It was totalled in May of this year on some Indiana backroads. The short of it is that I came around an odd corner that goes hard left just as you crest over a hill. The car unweighted and went into a spin. No injuries but the car was considered a total loss. I now have an 01 BMW M3 but will probably pick up another Elise or Exige in the next few years.
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Bought this Elise in February of 2006 and have loved it ever since. In the past 10 months I've logged over 12,000 miles with the car and have had few problems with it.

You can see more photos (better quality) at my Lotus Elise Blog

I just updated the Gallery with some interior photos. The only difference in the interior now is the stereo is different. I replaced the stock Blaupunkt Acapulco with an Alpine CDA-9856. The exposed metal areas are (for the most part) the actual chassis/tub that the car is built around.

About “Venom”

This car drives and handles like a go-kart! Very quick and responsive to the wheel and pedal. I've put 6,500 miles on it so far.

If you so desire to see more pictures? Please visit my webpage: MINI Cooper

Specs for “Mean Green Machine”

Mostly stock 2005 Lotus Elise.
1.8L Toyota 4 Cylinder & 6 speed transmission
189 hp & 138 lb/ft
Mid Engined, RWD
~1980lbs
Unequal length wishbones
Bilstein dampers & Eibach springs
Lotus/AP-Racing twin-piston fixed aluminium alloy front brake calipers
Brembo single-piston sliding rear calipers
11.3" Cross drilled rotors

Stock Numbers:
0-60 --- 4.7 seconds
1/4 Mile --- 13.3 @ 102.9mph
70' Slalom --- 71.1mph
Skidpad --- 1.02g

Lotus Elise Blog

Specs for “Venom”

•• '06 MINI Cooper
•• 1.6-liter overhead cam (OHC), 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine (115 hp)
•• 5-speed manual Getrag transmission
•• MacPherson strut front suspension w/Multi-link rear suspension
•• 15" alloy wheels, 175/65R-15 performance tires
•• 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (front vented / rear solid
•• Sport Suspension w/front and rear anti-roll (stabilizer) bar

Factory Options for “Mean Green Machine”

-Touring Pack (power windows, extra insulation, different stereo)
-Hardtop
-Lifestyle paint (Krypton Green)

Lotus Elise Blog

Factory Options for “Venom”

•• Chili Red
•• Silver Top
•• Silver mirror caps
•• Silver swoop bonnet stripes
•• Space Gray / Panther Black Cloth
•• Premium pkge
- Multifunction Steering Wheel w/Cruise
- Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
- Automatic Air Conditioning
- On-Board Computer
•• Sport pkge
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Sport Seats
- Front Fog Lamps
- Rear Spoiler
- 16" Alloy Wheels 5-Star Performance Run-flat tires
•• Cold Weather pkge
•• Harmon/Kardon sound system

Mods for “Mean Green Machine”

-ForcedFed Carbon Fiber front Splitter
-Green Filter and modified airbox
-Sector111 Lidbone
-Alpine CDA-9856 with 3rd generation iPod attached
-Sector111 larger front tow hook
-Sector111 rear triangular tow hook
-Zoom Carbon Fiber wide angle rear view mirror

Upcoming modifications:
-Aftermarket header & exhaust
-Tri-Point Supercharger
-Aftermarket wheels
-HID's

If Elise/Exige parts weren't so damn expensive I'd have half the list installed already. Everything on the list will be on the car before too long though.

You can see photos and walkthroughs for the car's mods @ My Lotus Elise Blog