Yeah that had a lot to do with it. I was on a budget so I was never competing with anybody. but all the other owners out there were too cheap to fork over an extra $500 for a Power FC EMS or get complete tuning and they used to think turning up the boost via boost controller was the best solution. It also had to do with an inferiority complex.

 

Thats a pretty smart comparison to make. Is the 3rd computation taking into account the lower weight over the normal Elise?

 

I used round numbers. I didn't think the 9 lbs would change the lb/hp figure by that much

True that. But then my comparison to a Spec. Miata holds true as well. You could probably easily build a Miata that is just as much fun to drive on the street and canyons for about $10k. That's why this particular Elise doesn't make sense to me.

 

Still won't be the sexy piece of aluminum extruded exotica that the Elise is. I <3 that car, it is so special. Makes the S look like a Kia (and I love my S). I have never understood why so many people think the Elise is overpriced, have they seen it up close? Seriously IMO only a Ferrari/Lambo is a nicer piece of machinery, and they are a serious grip more change out of your pocket.

 

[QUOTE=Dr. WOT,Jun 9 2006, 12:42 PM] Still won't be the sexy piece of aluminum extruded exotica that the Elise is.

 

I guess it all comes down to what the buyer expects. A plush VW-type interior seeking buyer will see all those things you mention and say "CHEAP!!" I see them and say "YES!!" They think swiss cheese, I think Colin Chapman. The sexiest part of the car IMO is the raw aluminum tub visiable in the interior, expecially that backbone running right down the center. Yes, the body is hot too

I do agree about the nerdy little sister, much the same way the base Cayman is a detriment to the Cayman S. Here is a bespoke body type that while not the muscle king, has staked a claim to a certain niche. Then along comes a less powered version to make it that much more common, devaluing the whole lot.

 

A $45k car should NEVER use stickers to cover up holes in the interior.

If there's a hole there, show it off. Let the true nature of the car come out in the detailing. A great example of this is the detailing of the aluminum in the passenger footwell: holes = lightness. But I'm pretty sure the holes in question are not there for lightness

I believe a properly finished car can be both lightweight AND not look cheap. But then I am a buyer who expects a lot.

Lets not even begin to get into how Porsche has diluted (read: whored) their brand and core values... You're talking to someone who was disappointed when BMW introduced the a Non M-powered version of the M-coupe.

 

Pfft...K20A? 1ZZ? How bout this...

http://www.prototyperacing.com/f20kit.htm

 

Good point. There is now a kit to bolt in the K20 into the MR2 spyder which should also work in the 1zz Elise. The kit not including motor tranny and ECu is less than $2500.

 

I say woohoo. I could give a rats ass for the exclusivity of the elise. Exclusivity of the S is another story. Maybe we can import one for a minimal fee. I'm saving up for my k20 engine starting today.