1981 Buick Estate vs. 2010 Lotus Elise
To start off, 2010 Lotus Elise is newer by 29 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1981 Buick Estate. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1981 Buick Estate would be higher. At 5,735 cc (8 cylinders), 1981 Buick Estate is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 2010 Lotus Elise (405 HP @ 7100 RPM) has 252 more horse power than 1981 Buick Estate. (153 HP @ 3400 RPM) In normal driving conditions, 2010 Lotus Elise should accelerate faster than 1981 Buick Estate. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 2010 Lotus Elise weights approximately 1 kg more than 1981 Buick Estate. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.
Both vehicles are rear wheel drive (RWD) - it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, both vehicles do the job better than front wheel drive vehicles. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 2010 Lotus Elise (459 Nm @ 4750 RPM) has 79 more torque (in Nm) than 1981 Buick Estate. (380 Nm @ 1800 RPM). This means 2010 Lotus Elise will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1981 Buick Estate.
Compare all specifications:
| 1981 Buick Estate | 2010 Lotus Elise | |
| Make | Buick | Lotus |
| Model | Estate | Elise |
| Year Released | 1981 | 2010 |
| Body Type | Station Wagon | Roadster |
| Engine Position | Front | Front |
| Engine Size | 5735 cc | 1800 cc |
| Engine Cylinders | 8 cylinders | 8 cylinders |
| Engine Type | V | V |
| Horse Power | 153 HP | 405 HP |
| Engine RPM | 3400 RPM | 7100 RPM |
| Torque | 380 Nm | 459 Nm |
| Torque RPM | 1800 RPM | 4750 RPM |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Drive Type | Rear | Rear |
| Transmission Type | Automatic | Automatic |
| Number of Seats | 5 seats | 2 seats |
| Number of Doors | 5 doors | 2 doors |
| Vehicle Weight | 1880 kg | 1881 kg |
| Vehicle Length | 5510 mm | 4882 mm |
| Vehicle Width | 1990 mm | 1915 mm |
| Vehicle Height | 1440 mm | 1354 mm |
| Wheelbase Size | 2950 mm | 2941 mm |
