Lotus Elise

[FedExMike24]

 
Well, If all is well I should be getting a good promotion at work tommorow. Lots more hours with a few more bucks extra an hour.  Ive been drooling over lotus for a long time.
The cars them selves arent that expensive. What Im worried about is the insurance and parts and whatever. Anyone have or know anyone that does own a Lotus Elise?
I went to the Formula One USGP this weekend and saw tons of them.. Now I REALLY want one 

Such pretty cars.

[Caffeine]

http://www.elisetalk.com/

If it isn't going to be your only car, go for it!  I would lean more toward something of proven quality, like an RX-8 or Nissan Z-car...or even a slightly pimped Miata.

[makenzie71]

An attack will put it to shame and it costs a lot less.

Ariel Atom will destroy either and cost less, too.

[LimaXray]

The point is, the Lotis Elise is a Lotis, it's low-end mid-engine super car... you'll turn a lot more heads, which is what it's all about 

Yeah, it's not the fastest car around, but it is a mid-engine car that weighs less than a ton, for about the price of a Corvette.  If you've never looked at one close, you should also note that there isn't much to the fit and finish, it's kinda bare and race-carish.  It would be an awesome second car, but for a primary driver it would probably suck. 

Anyway, I believe the powertrain is out of a Toyota Celica, so it should be fairly reliable and parts shouldn't be that difficult to come by or too expensive.  But just because it is a Lotis, expect to pay more accross the board.   

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

The lotus = my dream car...

There are guys out there who do wonders with elises, new engines, superchargers, turbochargers, larger brake packages, etc.... turn em into supercar KILLERS (right now, they're hot.. when this guy's done, they're AMAZING... comparable to the ariel atom, in performance, probably better).. I'll do a google, see if I can find the guy's name... when I read his specs, I bout crapped my pants.. if you get one.. PICS PICS PICS! =)

[roguegeek]

Drove one last year for quite some time and even got a fair share of track time with it. It's quite an amazing car. The reason you saw so many on the track was because it rides like it's on rails. Handling is really that good. And as far as reliability goes, they have a pretty damn good record and you can give a lot of that credit to the fact that it's powered by the Toyota MR2 engine. It's a great car. Can't say anything bad about it besides stuff like trunk space and what not, but then again, that's not why you buy that car. I say go for it!

[Simba]

Its such an nice car

Was driven around in one buy the mercideis bendz school instructior and it was a blast.

The car is useable in Canada as it has the toyota celica engine 2zz-ge a very popular and well known motor.
If you have the money buy one or if you dont look into a 1985-1989 Toyota mr2 is has very similar handeling chaerstics and are far less expensive.

[xeril]

not a mr2 motor. engine is out of a 7th gen celica (more specifically, the gts celicas).. main difference is tuning for the extra 10hp gain that the lotus' have. but definitely an awesome car. my dads really thinking about picking one up soon. big problem i've heard that they might have fixed is the AC problem.

[yamahonkawazuki]

something to think about on the engine

http://www.toysport.com/Technical%20Information/2ZZ-GE_tech_notes.htm

[FedExMike24]

They werent on the track, just saw them parked everywhere amongst the ferraris and Ford GTs. The track was being used almost non stop all weekend for Formula 1 and its three support races that ran at Indy.. I got my promotion so once I spend a little time in position Im going to head out to the dealer here in Richmond. Lucky such a small town has one. From what Ive heard not every city has a Lotus dealership. My manager drove an Exige (i think thats what they are called) all last year. belonged to a friend. Said the interior was super cramped and that all three peddals were super close together. that might take some getting used to.

Kinda getting excited about it.. My truck is paid off now so I could keep that as my daily driver and store the Lotus at my parents house. They have plenty of space in the garage and I know my dad wouldnt mind another nice car in there.. He drives an 05 BMW Z4.. About to upgrade to the M roadster.

BTW the BMW Sauber F1 Team is worth a look for major points next season. BMW is doing an amazing job considering this is their first season as a works team.. 5th in the constructors championship this season I belive.

[porsche4786]

I was kinda thinkin about one too, not quite yet, but in the future. Great little car, good MPG, reliable, 1900 lbs, 190hp, RWD. All works out to be one hell of a sports car. I hate when people say they are pretty slow in a straight line. But having 190hp and 1900lbs, it's actually pretty dang quick. Around 5 seconds 0-60 I believe. Or you could always go with the exige if you want to spend a little more money.

[baco99]

the Elise is a scream to drive, but a challenge to get in an out of.  if i had $50k buring a whol ein my pocket, i'd pick one up.  OR, i'd save another $30k and get a Noble.

[porsche4786]

Those cayman S's are nice too.... but if you want a family car get an RS4.