RicePimp

The elise is proabably the best handling car in the world. It's limits aren't particulaly high, but it's light weight make the s2000 a boat in comparison. Definitely not a straight line car but that is surely not the point of this car. Besides at its weight any increases in power make a huge difference and it wouldn't take much to make it faster than the s2000. And with it available here, doing just that is now an option. The only real issues in my eyes are the price and the reliability. The elise has become notoriously unreliable where it is already available. Also, for the price you are competing with many cars that are much more practical and useful on top of being sporty.

Mikey

I've always loved the Elise, and was elated and quickly *very* disapointed with the announcement.

Firstly, they're giving the US a softer suspension and a bevy of luxury (read Heavy) enhancements. The Elise weighs about 1600 lbs stock, well adding AC and leather and all that other junk is certainly going to add one to two hundred pounds.

And at 1800lbs, the US Elise is going to have to push 15lbs for every HP. By way of comparision the S2000 only pushes about 11lbs per HP.

Sure it will be go-kart fun to drive, but that old underpowered engine and a $40K price just doesn't do it for me. That and it's probably the biggest PITA (pain in the ass to put up and down the top) convertable manufactured today won't help sales.

The new (hardtop) BMW Z5 is supposed to weigh 900kilos (2000lbs) and have an S2000 replica powerplant (2.2 liter, 4cyl 240hp) and carbon metal matrix wheels. And only pushing 8lbs per HP, *that* would be one hell of a fast go-kart.

MarkS2K

It would be interesting to see if this really happens. The price tag seems a bit too high for the performance that you'll get out of the car. 120 HP sounds low, and with all the heavy enhancements they are putting on the car, it will not be a good performer.

CG

While I think a price of $38,500 is too high I'm afraid that Lotus will have no problem selling out of 2000 per year. There are many people here in the good old USA that have been dreaming of owning this car for years and I'm one of them. I'm not sure that I'd pay that much but if it has the reported 180 to 200hp and is still under 1900 lbs and is still a great handling car I might.

I want one even if I have to buy it used.

PHUNBALL

How right you are.... I replaced a 1995 S4S with only 22,000 miles on it with my TT. The TT is not nearly as fast, but it will get you from point A to B without any problems. Mine had a multitude of electrical problems(common of most British cars), cracked motor mounts, broken gears(transmission), etc.....

The performance was top notch, and it was gorgeous, but thats about all you can really say for it....

rahul

Why not just drop 50K or so on the modified Elise Type R?? I think that's a pretty phat ride all things considered. Honda reliability and the fun of an Elise. I mean...with the right cash...anything's possible, right??