1991 Lotus Elan vs. 1974 Mercury Monterey

To start off, 1991 Lotus Elan is newer by 17 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1974 Mercury Monterey. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1974 Mercury Monterey would be higher. At 5,769 cc (8 cylinders), 1974 Mercury Monterey is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1974 Mercury Monterey (163 HP) has 3 more horse power than 1991 Lotus Elan. (160 HP) In normal driving conditions, 1974 Mercury Monterey should accelerate faster than 1991 Lotus Elan. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1974 Mercury Monterey weights approximately 933 kg more than 1991 Lotus Elan. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1974 Mercury Monterey is rear wheel drive (RWD), it offers better handling in dry conditions; in addition, if you are looking to drift, it will be much easier to do with 1974 Mercury Monterey. However, in wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1991 Lotus Elan, being front wheel drive (FWD), will offer much better control with better grip. 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, 1974 Mercury Monterey (383 Nm) has 240 more torque (in Nm) than 1991 Lotus Elan. (143 Nm). This means 1974 Mercury Monterey will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1991 Lotus Elan. 1974 Mercury Monterey has automatic transmission and 1991 Lotus Elan has manual transmission. 1991 Lotus Elan will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1974 Mercury Monterey will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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