Talk me out of getting a Lotus Elise
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From: LittlecountrynamedBelgium
Originally Posted by ppark1229,Feb 14 2007, 08:38 AM
I'll take this one. 
He will not be using the car as a daily driver. As stated many times
moving right along...
I love the elise and would love to have it but it's quite expensive considering what it offers. I personally don't think the money is worth it BUT if your ego is begging you for a boost, get the lotus.
He will not be using the car as a daily driver. As stated many times
moving right along...
I love the elise and would love to have it but it's quite expensive considering what it offers. I personally don't think the money is worth it BUT if your ego is begging you for a boost, get the lotus.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents before I read all of the other answers. My mistake.
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From: Montreal
who cares life is too short. Try it out, you only live once!
If you don't like it just sell it in June-July.
You cannot buy 850 pounds less on a car, no matter how much HP you put in your S2000 you'll never have the same feeling as an Elise in braking and handling, let alone steering feel which is just amazing in the Lotus.
I test drove one, it is a bit tight but who cares, it's so much fun to drive.
I have to say I'm only 22 and if I was 40 years old with a wife and kids things might be different...But for now, if you're young ENJOY LIFE!!!
If you don't like it just sell it in June-July.
You cannot buy 850 pounds less on a car, no matter how much HP you put in your S2000 you'll never have the same feeling as an Elise in braking and handling, let alone steering feel which is just amazing in the Lotus.
I test drove one, it is a bit tight but who cares, it's so much fun to drive.
I have to say I'm only 22 and if I was 40 years old with a wife and kids things might be different...But for now, if you're young ENJOY LIFE!!!
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From: Woodland Hills
Originally Posted by Jacques79,Feb 20 2007, 11:04 PM
who cares life is too short. Try it out, you only live once!
If you don't like it just sell it in June-July.
You cannot buy 850 pounds less on a car, no matter how much HP you put in your S2000 you'll never have the same feeling as an Elise in braking and handling, let alone steering feel which is just amazing in the Lotus.
I test drove one, it is a bit tight but who cares, it's so much fun to drive.
I have to say I'm only 22 and if I was 40 years old with a wife and kids things might be different...But for now, if you're young ENJOY LIFE!!!
If you don't like it just sell it in June-July.
You cannot buy 850 pounds less on a car, no matter how much HP you put in your S2000 you'll never have the same feeling as an Elise in braking and handling, let alone steering feel which is just amazing in the Lotus.
I test drove one, it is a bit tight but who cares, it's so much fun to drive.
I have to say I'm only 22 and if I was 40 years old with a wife and kids things might be different...But for now, if you're young ENJOY LIFE!!!
Side note..if you're a tinkerer, you'll really love this car. Lots of room for adjustments, fine tuning, etc to personalize the car that the Honda didn't have. Granted, the Honda didn't need much, but I love wrenching and making something mine, and the Lotus is made for that.
Mark
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From: Montreal
Originally Posted by Mark16q,Feb 21 2007, 09:46 PM
You nailed it. I drove it and loved it. I loved my Honda. Back and forth in my mind for a few weeks. Test drove a used and new one. Researched the hell out of it, read every thread on Elisetalk, etc etc. Couldn't stomach the thought of losing 15-20k if I didn't like it, so bought used. Worst case...I'll sell it in a few months if I get sick of it. It doesn't matter what I buy...after awhile I'll want something different. I'm loving this car more by the day and glad I pulled the trigger.
Side note..if you're a tinkerer, you'll really love this car. Lots of room for adjustments, fine tuning, etc to personalize the car that the Honda didn't have. Granted, the Honda didn't need much, but I love wrenching and making something mine, and the Lotus is made for that.
Mark
Side note..if you're a tinkerer, you'll really love this car. Lots of room for adjustments, fine tuning, etc to personalize the car that the Honda didn't have. Granted, the Honda didn't need much, but I love wrenching and making something mine, and the Lotus is made for that.
Mark
how do you find the shifting in the Elise compared to the S2000?
From my test drive the shifter was pretty accurate aside from having long throws.
The engine sound is terrific in the Elise; exactly how the S2000 should of sounded STOCK!
I don't understand why everone bashes the Elise's torque: after 6000RPM I remember getting really pushed back in my seat, kind of like VTEC in the S2000 but much harder! How do you find the power?
Do you find the steering on the Elise too slow compared to the S2000's? (pre 2004 S2000)
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From: Woodland Hills
Originally Posted by Jacques79,Feb 23 2007, 12:20 AM
In a few years when a used 2005 Elise will become affordable I will be very interested. For now it's out of my price range, but what the heck:
how do you find the shifting in the Elise compared to the S2000?
From my test drive the shifter was pretty accurate aside from having long throws.
The engine sound is terrific in the Elise; exactly how the S2000 should of sounded STOCK!
I don't understand why everone bashes the Elise's torque: after 6000RPM I remember getting really pushed back in my seat, kind of like VTEC in the S2000 but much harder! How do you find the power?
Do you find the steering on the Elise too slow compared to the S2000's? (pre 2004 S2000)
how do you find the shifting in the Elise compared to the S2000?
From my test drive the shifter was pretty accurate aside from having long throws.
The engine sound is terrific in the Elise; exactly how the S2000 should of sounded STOCK!
I don't understand why everone bashes the Elise's torque: after 6000RPM I remember getting really pushed back in my seat, kind of like VTEC in the S2000 but much harder! How do you find the power?
Do you find the steering on the Elise too slow compared to the S2000's? (pre 2004 S2000)
Shifitng feels nothing like the Honda, but I've not missed any shifts and it isn't bad. It's just not like the Honda. When I tracked the rental Lotus, the shifting was great actually, and very positive.
The sound is wonderful, though mine is a bit too loud. It has the Lotus stageII exhaust and can drone a bit with the top up. But what a sound when it's revving, even b4 the 2nd cam
And I too don't understand the torque bashing, if Honda drivers are indeed doing so on the little Lotus. imo, acceleration from low rpm's is better in the Elise than the Honda. The lightweight is deceiving...you getting going fast. For normal spirited driving, I rarely hit the 2nd cam...it just doesn't need it. In straight line acceleration I hit it all the time and it's fantastic. The car is extremely quick in lower gears and a blast blowing thru the rpms.
Steering is night and day. No power steering, so very direct. A bit difficult until you're rolling, but not a big deal. Once you're moving, if you want to turn hard, you gotta pull hard on the wheel. For normal street and freeway driving, it's fine. Many magazines have described the steering as being a direct connection to the driver...it really is. You get out whatever you put into it.
I do miss the quick top up and down and ease of getting in and out. But otherwise loving every day in my little Lotus
Mark
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From: Montreal
Originally Posted by Mark16q,Feb 23 2007, 10:16 AM
Used ones are getting to be pretty affordable, and generally have very low miles. And mine came with an extended warranty that Lotus was giving out, so it was worth saving v. buying new imo.
Shifitng feels nothing like the Honda, but I've not missed any shifts and it isn't bad. It's just not like the Honda. When I tracked the rental Lotus, the shifting was great actually, and very positive.
The sound is wonderful, though mine is a bit too loud. It has the Lotus stageII exhaust and can drone a bit with the top up. But what a sound when it's revving, even b4 the 2nd cam
And I too don't understand the torque bashing, if Honda drivers are indeed doing so on the little Lotus. imo, acceleration from low rpm's is better in the Elise than the Honda. The lightweight is deceiving...you getting going fast. For normal spirited driving, I rarely hit the 2nd cam...it just doesn't need it. In straight line acceleration I hit it all the time and it's fantastic. The car is extremely quick in lower gears and a blast blowing thru the rpms.
Steering is night and day. No power steering, so very direct. A bit difficult until you're rolling, but not a big deal. Once you're moving, if you want to turn hard, you gotta pull hard on the wheel. For normal street and freeway driving, it's fine. Many magazines have described the steering as being a direct connection to the driver...it really is. You get out whatever you put into it.
I do miss the quick top up and down and ease of getting in and out. But otherwise loving every day in my little Lotus
Mark
Shifitng feels nothing like the Honda, but I've not missed any shifts and it isn't bad. It's just not like the Honda. When I tracked the rental Lotus, the shifting was great actually, and very positive.
The sound is wonderful, though mine is a bit too loud. It has the Lotus stageII exhaust and can drone a bit with the top up. But what a sound when it's revving, even b4 the 2nd cam
And I too don't understand the torque bashing, if Honda drivers are indeed doing so on the little Lotus. imo, acceleration from low rpm's is better in the Elise than the Honda. The lightweight is deceiving...you getting going fast. For normal spirited driving, I rarely hit the 2nd cam...it just doesn't need it. In straight line acceleration I hit it all the time and it's fantastic. The car is extremely quick in lower gears and a blast blowing thru the rpms.
Steering is night and day. No power steering, so very direct. A bit difficult until you're rolling, but not a big deal. Once you're moving, if you want to turn hard, you gotta pull hard on the wheel. For normal street and freeway driving, it's fine. Many magazines have described the steering as being a direct connection to the driver...it really is. You get out whatever you put into it.
I do miss the quick top up and down and ease of getting in and out. But otherwise loving every day in my little Lotus
Mark
Beautiful car!
The only thing that frightens me is the body; what's the deal with this. I mean if I get a bump on the doors or something not too important do I have to change the pannels still?