Lotus Elise - Anyone else LOVE them?

[tehpronking]

I think the Elise is one of the most impressive cars out there, both judging from looks and performance. Anyone else really like them?

[todd]

Well, I don't know really anything about them at all, other than thats the car I use in Sega GT2002 on X-box, because it sticks to the road like nothing else in the game So yea, I like them

[hirosada]

I love the new Elise, Toyota engine and all. After reading all the reviews and such, I'm impressed and wanna take one out for a run. Everyone keeps gushing about the handling and the pure drivers expirence. Of course with a car that handles that nice, I wouldn't doubt I'd wreck it.

[wrongfullyaccuzd]

Don't forget the great price! Beautiful car.
A friend's dad is going to get one, I can't wait to drive it!

He's pretty far down on a big ass waiting list, though.

[powerclown]

There were a couple of these cars being detailed at a detailing center I took my car to last week. Pretty cool car on the outside, extremely small inside. Very sparse, bare aluminum beams, struts and bars everywhere inside. Tiny steering wheel, really tiny, not much bigger than a dinner plate. Low, low profile tires; it probably handles like a go-kart.

[jamessh1]

i'm also thinking it handles like a go-cart. probably some of the best stop and go performance and the thing probably handles like its on rails through the twisties. the rear (or is it mid) vvt-i engine is a high revving banshee, probably sounding intense inside and outside of the car.

[madsenj37]

I want one.

[Asuka{eve}]

I saw a british video testdriving a lotus excige and have it out run a Apache Helocopter

[KirStang]

I think it weighs around 1,800lbs? And it has 180hp from a Toyota I4..

I'd love to drive one, but i'd afraid what would happen if i got in to an accident

[Scorps]

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by Asuka{eve}

I saw a british video testdriving a lotus excige and have it out run a Apache Helocopter

That was on the our (the UKs) top gear program. A most humourous review of the Exige. Great car.

Worked with a girl a few years back who had the (older, obviously) Rover engined Elise. It was totally out of this world on handling. Thats just from colleagues that she took out for a drive.

In the UK at least though, we have a hugely better version - the Vauxhall VX220. 2.2 liter engine, either 145 bhp or a 200+ bhp turbo version. Which totally smokes the Toyota engined Elise. For me at least, they look better as well.

I also seem to remember seeing something about a V6 version being thought up as well ....

[Willravel]

I love the idea of a car under 200 hp being able to embarass most everything on the street. Horsepower and torque are overrated, espically in this case.
I'm lucky to live in an area with several Lotus owners who love to cruise the downtown area.

[twilightfoix]

man, i was a fan of the elise way back when it looked like this



and the new one looks even better



reviews from various magazines such as: MotorTrend, Car & Driver, etc. all say that the Elise is probably the most enjoyable car to drive cause it's small, light and the only way it's gonna spin out is if you force it. so the car can do just about every crazy trick you want it to do. man i need ta get me one of those.

[hubie]

I very much want to own one. The problem is, nearest dealer is in Chicago, and the going price to get on the waiting list right now is eight grand! I have been watching some trade papers and ebay of course.

It is a luxury car, for it has almost zero practicality. It does however, fill the void of someone who is no longer able to risk life and limb aboard a motorcycle!

My current car is a Mini Cooper "S". Great car, but Im thinking the Lotus would be even better.

[Esoteric]

I think they're nice as hell, I'd like to drive one.

[Serpent]

Originally Posted by Asuka{eve}

I saw a british video testdriving a lotus excige and have it out run a Apache Helocopter

If it was topgear it was an elise, not an excige..

[Asuka{eve}]

They also start at $40,000. Isn't that great!!! how does the Elise compare to the new Corvette. Also does anyone know the price tag on the Esprit?

Im pretty sure it was an Exige

[BoCo]

Yeah, it's one of the best sports cars out there because it follows the right recipe:

Light weight
Compact
Mid-engine
Rear drive
Minimalist interior

[castex]

Yes! Me! I LOVE them

[castex]

Asuka, the Esprit is no longer made. Second hand they go for anything from £5,000 up to £40,000. You do the maths...
To compare an Elise to a Vette would be to compare an otter to a walrus. Sort of, anyway. The Elise would accelerate slower above, say, 50 mph. Top speed must be 30+ mph down on the chevy. It has less room for people, much less for luggage. It uses less petrol, has no fancy HUD or satnav. Electric windows are a recent development, and add weight so should be avoided if poss. in the pint-sized Brit.
The Elise is about feeling. Turn-in.
The corvette - and I love corvettes - would feel wholly ponderous after a drive in the lotus. Horses for courses...

[nomorensx]

I think the Elise is cool. It's supposed to be a great track car.

[Kurant]

It's ugly as hell.

Drivetrain and performence numbers are incredible.. I'd hit it.

[1slOwCD8]

I like the look of the new one rather than the early model Lotus's. Id still drive either one though, thats for sure.

[madsenj37]

Has anyone seen the elise outrun a camanche helicopter? Do you know where I can get it?

[castex]

it's an apache

[madsenj37]

Sorry its an Exige that outruns the apache. Either way I want any products I can get my hands on from Lotus lately. Thats a sweet link castex.

[aliali]

I want one. Heard they are hell to get in and out of. True?

[bollocks]

Originally Posted by aliali

I want one. Heard they are hell to get in and out of. True?

Hell for someone the size of Jeremy Clarkson, not for me (5'11").

and, as previously mentioned, Vauxhall have an Elise clone, the VX220.



like the Elise its a fast little bastard too:

top speed: 151mph
0-60: 4.7 seconds
power: 200bhp
RRP price: £26500

[bodypainter]

A girl who posts on the SLK board I frequent recently traded her SLK32 AMG in on a new Elise and so far she's happy with the trade. Personally, I think she's more in love with the way it looks but that's her take.

For myself, I think it looks good and I'm sure it's a blast to drive but I'm not sold. I'd have to see it in person -- see the interior and general fit & finish -- before I decide.

[Serpent]

Originally Posted by bodypainter

A girl who posts on the SLK board I frequent recently traded her SLK32 AMG in on a new Elise and so far she's happy with the trade. Personally, I think she's more in love with the way it looks but that's her take.

For myself, I think it looks good and I'm sure it's a blast to drive but I'm not sold. I'd have to see it in person -- see the interior and general fit & finish -- before I decide.

how old is she got her phone number she live around here? heh..

[aliali]

It is a great car. Just got mine last Thursday. Not practical and, yes, hell to get in and out of. Comfortable once you get in and more fun than anything I've ever driven.

[bluehare]

in a word.
Yes.

[belkins]

Someone earlier made the comment about the older Elises having a Rover motor.

The Elises manufactured for the UK and Europe still have the Rover motor. The Toyota motor was installed in the Elise for the US market so it could pass emissions requirements and thereby be imported into the US as a street car.

Prior to that all the Elises in the US were strictly for track use and I'm quite positive they were never brought out on the road! Yeah, right!!!

[Spyder_Venom]

I have driven 3 Lotus's (340R, Elise, Espirit) - I would take ANY of them in a heart beat. Lotus has always made amazing cars and I would defently own one. There are several at the dealer by my house, ohh so very tempting.

[superman4]

I think they are a very sexy car.... much nicer to look at than the old Lotus

[castex]

Originally Posted by belkins

The Elises manufactured for the UK and Europe still have the Rover motor. The Toyota motor was installed in the Elise for the US market so it could pass emissions requirements and thereby be imported into the US as a street car.

Europe has the Toyota motor too, but you're right in that the US was the motivation for a change in motivation.

[belkins]

Originally Posted by castex

Europe has the Toyota motor too, but you're right in that the US was the motivation for a change in motivation.

I'm curious why Europe would opt for the Toyota motor over the Rover. I THINK the Rover motor is more powerful. Less expensive perhaps?

[castex]

The Rover K series has only 118 bhp as standard. They've tuned it up to 190 for the Exige and other variants, but this really is an ageing motor being stretched to (and beyond) its limits. Idle is lumpy; overall it's recalcitrant, too noisy, unreliable. The 'new' Toyota unit has c. 185bhp as standard, and makes for a much more convincing car all-round.

[jizzmasterp]

I would kill for an Elise, kill my credit rating.

[pants]

Guys, I was a proud owner of one Black Lotus Elise from 1999-2003. I sold my Red Mazda MX-5 and moved to a more a masculine number without killing my wallet and bank balance...
At the time it was a new roadster model in UK and hardly anyone owed one here ....it was affordable , easy to maintain, and was one mean 'mover'....she was nicknamed..'my other woman'..cause I would be spending all my casual time with her driving through country lanes and weaving through the city roads..
Naturally it attracted looks from everybody and anyone...it was a 'sex machine' on wheels...It gave me immense joy and thrill....I must have been complimented more times than I can remember...not to mention the number of girls I pulled....(thats another story for another forum site)

Times change...kids came along..and I needed a bigger motor...So in 2003 I had to part with my beloved...it was a sad day to see it being driven off by the new owner....I miss her everyday..

If there is anyone out there contemplating on whether to buy a Lotus or some other sports car....Go for the new Lotus Elise ...its a driving experience you will never forget..take it from me, I know..