Lotus Elise *what a sweet car.

[NoToRiOuS1]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: faboloso112
for being quick and nimble...no porsche or vette can match it in terms of that...

914/6.

~120 hp (in 1970), 1,900 pounds, mid-engine, targa top. Kicked the crap out of 911s from that same period. Porsche didn't just match Lotus, they surpassed Lotus.

Not only that, but the 914 started every time and the electrical system worked.

ZV

i see we have a real car efficianado in the house. i bow to you...i dont know about the old school days of any vehicles. and obviously im not C/D's editor...or those types of people that have driven so many porsches, vettes, and ferraris that they can make a subjective decision on which cars are better. i, however, drive a boxter a few years back and it was very responsive and fast...then i drove a lambo diablo in NC a few years ago...it had a unique feel to it...cant put my finger on it, nor can i really describe how it felt...but when i drove the elise...it just felt SO much more responsive than any other car i have driven. i guess its also the thought that a 4-banger threw me from 0-60 in about 5 seconds.

oh and people...remember...everyone has diff opinions...some ppl prefer vettes and other american muscle such as vipers....others prefer european sports car. i have not yet driven a vette so i cant say much about it...but i have driven the elise and thats why im such a elise fanboy...maybe after driving a nice vette i might downright hate the elise...who knows...

 

[sygyzy]

It is hot indeed

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
It is hot indeed

So was it an April Fool's joke, or did you not decide to go for it?
Or did you?

 

Nice car, I personally don't like it.

 

[NoToRiOuS1]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
It is hot indeed

you said that the car lost a big chunk of the value...yet you would've paid 52k?
I thought 52k was pretty much what a fully loaded elise costs.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: tec699
For a little over $40k the Lotus Elise looks like a sweet deal. IMO, a couple of the drawbacks that I've found with the car are...

1) Why only a 4 cylinder? Seems kinda puny to me. I'm not a car buff so maybe someone could clarify that for me.

2) Compared to a Nissan Z the Lotus Elise just doesn't look that comfortable.

3) No automatic? Only stick!

The car looks like it's worth more than $40k. I'm suprised more people don't drive these cars.

Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

It is a sports car and was designed to perform...that is all. It is not very comfortable to drive on a daily basis though. I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver.

The 4 cylinder is plenty of engine for that car. It weighs just under 2,000 lbs so it doesn't need much oompf to make it go fast. In fact this car is almost as fast as a Corvette and handles and brakes better. The Lotus Elise can pull over 1g of lateral force in a corner.

No true sports car should have an automatic transmission.

 

[maziwanka]

ppl dont drive these cars because (1) they are heavily marked up (2) they come with the bare (and i mean bare) necessities

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
40K gets you a BARE BARE bones car, i would never ever ever buy one.

no carpet, no a/c, no NOTHING.

MIKE

You say that as if it's a bad thing!

 

totally uncomfortable
i'm 6'0, size 12 shoes
my knees were in the wheel and my foot was over the gas and brake at the same time
i had to take my shoes off to drive it
if the top wouldn't have been off, i would have been even more scrunched

if you're a smaller person, the car is a great value for it's price/performance ratio (for autocrossing)
i'd much rather have a Noble

 

[bracut80]

i am 5'5" and i am sure it will suit me just fine...

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: faboloso112

Originally posted by: sygyzy
It is hot indeed

you said that the car lost a big chunk of the value...yet you would've paid 52k?
I thought 52k was pretty much what a fully loaded elise costs.

I think you misread. 52k is the cost of the car - lost a big chunk of value - remainder of my loan on my car = still alot of money. I would have paid 52k - loss, obviously.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: tec699
For a little over $40k the Lotus Elise looks like a sweet deal. IMO, a couple of the drawbacks that I've found with the car are...

1) Why only a 4 cylinder? Seems kinda puny to me. I'm not a car buff so maybe someone could clarify that for me.

2) Compared to a Nissan Z the Lotus Elise just doesn't look that comfortable.

3) No automatic? Only stick!

The car looks like it's worth more than $40k. I'm suprised more people don't drive these cars.

Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

Junk...
40k will buy me a 500hp Shelby Cobra next year =P

no thanks keep that Euro go cart

 

[Apex]

When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

 

Originally posted by: Apex
When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

So what you're saying is that you pay much more, to get much less?

For 40K (minimum sticker price on elise) you could strip down and build up to near race specs any number of cars. I'm willing to bet that 40K will also build you a car that will blow the doors of an elise.

These cars arn't selling for a reason, they arn't a good value.

 

[Tea Bag]

Originally posted by: tec699

3) No automatic? Only stick!

BWWAAAAHAAAAAA!!! That made me crack up. I suggest you buy a Prius.

 

[Fritzo]

That first picture of the car is NOT worth $40000+....it's worth about $20. If you look close, it's a toy car

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex
When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

So what you're saying is that you pay much more, to get much less?

For 40K (minimum sticker price on elise) you could strip down and build up to near race specs any number of cars. I'm willing to bet that 40K will also build you a car that will blow the doors of an elise.

These cars arn't selling for a reason, they arn't a good value.

I'm saying that if you're buying the Elise simply for speed, there are better choices.

If you're thinking paying more and getting less, you simply do not understand what this vehicle is about. A Mercedes E55 will easily beat a Ferrari F355 down the quarter mile, while having more room for people, a bunch of cupholders, and in much more comfort.

For $40k, there's nothing new on the market that you could do anything to that would give the balance, poise, and road feel of an Elise.

They aren't selling (actually, their entire first year was sold out way in advance, and only now can people start walking into a dealer and pay MSRP and get one) because there's only a certain number of people in America who:

1. Have the kind of cash to buy one
2. Fit
3. Are interested in a driver's car

I would guess most people here in the States would simply be better served with a Porker 987, Corvette, or SLK.

 

[newParadigm]

Originally posted by: tec699
For a little over $40k the Lotus Elise looks like a sweet deal. IMO, a couple of the drawbacks that I've found with the car are...

1) Why only a 4 cylinder? Seems kinda puny to me. I'm not a car buff so maybe someone could clarify that for me.

2) Compared to a Nissan Z the Lotus Elise just doesn't look that comfortable.

3) No automatic? Only stick!

The car looks like it's worth more than $40k. I'm suprised more people don't drive these cars.

Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

The Elyse can be had for like 36k not 40, but u wer close

 

[Last Rezort]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Wow. Just wow.

You have to be like 15.

Viper GTS

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Wow. Just wow.

You have to be like 15.

Viper GTS

.

 

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex
When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

So what you're saying is that you pay much more, to get much less?

For 40K (minimum sticker price on elise) you could strip down and build up to near race specs any number of cars. I'm willing to bet that 40K will also build you a car that will blow the doors of an elise.

These cars arn't selling for a reason, they arn't a good value.

I'm saying that if you're buying the Elise simply for speed, there are better choices.

If you're thinking paying more and getting less, you simply do not understand what this vehicle is about. A Mercedes E55 will easily beat a Ferrari F355 down the quarter mile, while having more room for people, a bunch of cupholders, and in much more comfort.

For $40k, there's nothing new on the market that you could do anything to that would give the balance, poise, and road feel of an Elise.

They aren't selling (actually, their entire first year was sold out way in advance, and only now can people start walking into a dealer and pay MSRP and get one) because there's only a certain number of people in America who:

1. Have the kind of cash to buy one
2. Fit
3. Are interested in a driver's car

I would guess most people here in the States would simply be better served with a Porker 987, Corvette, or SLK.

I fully understand what this vehicle is about. I also fully understand it can be recreated for a better value.

I never said new car, I said taking a car currently on the market and dumping tens of thousands into it. Take a miata or s2000 and dump 30K into them.

 

[ElFenix]

a guy in my class had one.

and the 350Z isn't exactly noted for comfort

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: tec699
1) Why only a 4 cylinder? Seems kinda puny to me. I'm not a car buff so maybe someone could clarify that for me.

How much power does a ~1800 pound car need?

2) Compared to a Nissan Z the Lotus Elise just doesn't look that comfortable.

It's supposed to be lightweight and uncomfortable.

3) No automatic? Only stick!

Ahahaha!!! omgwtfbbq

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex
When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

So what you're saying is that you pay much more, to get much less?

For 40K (minimum sticker price on elise) you could strip down and build up to near race specs any number of cars. I'm willing to bet that 40K will also build you a car that will blow the doors of an elise.

These cars arn't selling for a reason, they arn't a good value.

I'm saying that if you're buying the Elise simply for speed, there are better choices.

If you're thinking paying more and getting less, you simply do not understand what this vehicle is about. A Mercedes E55 will easily beat a Ferrari F355 down the quarter mile, while having more room for people, a bunch of cupholders, and in much more comfort.

For $40k, there's nothing new on the market that you could do anything to that would give the balance, poise, and road feel of an Elise.

They aren't selling (actually, their entire first year was sold out way in advance, and only now can people start walking into a dealer and pay MSRP and get one) because there's only a certain number of people in America who:

1. Have the kind of cash to buy one
2. Fit
3. Are interested in a driver's car

I would guess most people here in the States would simply be better served with a Porker 987, Corvette, or SLK.

I fully understand what this vehicle is about. I also fully understand it can be recreated for a better value.

I never said new car, I said taking a car currently on the market and dumping tens of thousands into it. Take a miata or s2000 and dump 30K into them.

Have you ever asked anyone who has owned both? There are plenty of people who have poured lots of money into those cars and it doesn't match the experience of the elise. It's a completely different experience. Just take a quick jump over to EliseTalk.com and search. There's a bunch of them who have had very very seriously prep'd Miatas, MR2 Spyders, S2000's, Porsche GT3's, RX7's, and others.

 

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Apex
When it comes down to it, the Elise really isn't about speed. It can get to 60 in mid 4 seconds, but there are plenty of ways to go faster with less money and more comfort.

It's built to give you the most elemental driver's experience available this side of a Caterham. Nothing is going to give you this kind of driving experience.

Let's face it. These days, good automatics will give you very close to the performance of a stick. Check out the numbers on an auto corvette compared to a manual one. The difference is the driving experience. Do people care? Very few do, that's why the vast majority of corvettes sold in the USA are auto.

So what you're saying is that you pay much more, to get much less?

For 40K (minimum sticker price on elise) you could strip down and build up to near race specs any number of cars. I'm willing to bet that 40K will also build you a car that will blow the doors of an elise.

These cars arn't selling for a reason, they arn't a good value.

I'm saying that if you're buying the Elise simply for speed, there are better choices.

If you're thinking paying more and getting less, you simply do not understand what this vehicle is about. A Mercedes E55 will easily beat a Ferrari F355 down the quarter mile, while having more room for people, a bunch of cupholders, and in much more comfort.

For $40k, there's nothing new on the market that you could do anything to that would give the balance, poise, and road feel of an Elise.

They aren't selling (actually, their entire first year was sold out way in advance, and only now can people start walking into a dealer and pay MSRP and get one) because there's only a certain number of people in America who:

1. Have the kind of cash to buy one
2. Fit
3. Are interested in a driver's car

I would guess most people here in the States would simply be better served with a Porker 987, Corvette, or SLK.

I fully understand what this vehicle is about. I also fully understand it can be recreated for a better value.

I never said new car, I said taking a car currently on the market and dumping tens of thousands into it. Take a miata or s2000 and dump 30K into them.

Have you ever asked anyone who has owned both? There are plenty of people who have poured lots of money into those cars and it doesn't match the experience of the elise. It's a completely different experience. Just take a quick jump over to EliseTalk.com and search. There's a bunch of them who have had very very seriously prep'd Miatas, MR2 Spyders, S2000's, Porsche GT3's, RX7's, and others.

No I havn't, have you? Are you an active member of that forum or just dropping links?
I really don't care enough to dig through an auto forum.

I still fail to believe you can't put the money into another chassis and make it perform like an elise. What about all thoes kit cars out there?