Too bad it's not as well made and reliable as the S2. I like the concept of the car to use a super lightweight chasis and a minamalist interior. It's very race car like.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1Y2KS2K
[B]
I admit, I MAY be misinterpreting what I've read here, but it does appear that there are quite a few cars which have not been tested by NCAP (National Car Assement Program) for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

It has been available here since about a year before the S. I test drove one when they first came out and fell completely in love.

Only problem was that this car is sooooo impractical. The early models only had manual windows, no stereo or A/C, not even lousy quality carpet.

When the S came out it offered the same performance with a lot more creature comforts at the same price. I was sold.

This is probably the only time you'll ever here some one say "I bought the S for practical reasons!"

 

For anyone interested in the link to the various Lotus Elise models, here it is: http://www.lotuscars.co.uk/template.cfm?na...e=lotcarsmodels

 

I drove an Elise a couple of times. Also a friend of mine had one for about 9 months. It looks great even though the inside is very sparce (ie. wind up Windows, no carpet etc..). Handled very well and was very much like a go-cart but the grip limits were not that much higher than MX5 (Miata). Though, unlike MX5, the Elise can get on power earlier and it has nice pull out of corners. Though, I really dislike the engine. It's very rough and Toyota Corolla feels to me like a sportier engine. Also, they are not that fast. With 2 people in the car it was barelly faster my '93 MR2 (non Turbo) ... actualy, over 140kph ther MR2 was a fair bit quicker. I really wanted one before I drove it but then it did not have enough power for my liking and the engine really turned me off - I didn;t feel like getting out of the MR2 for the Elise ... at least not while I had to pay 'extra' (Elise is here 1.5x the cost of MR2). I drove a Boxster (2.5L) at about the same time I drove my 1st Elise and I thought the Boxster was better in every respect - in fact I though the Boxster was the best handling car I've driven going back about years. I liked the handling better (felt like it had higher limits and still very predictable). Also, it wasn't really slower in the straighline than the Elise and over 120hph it was quicker. Over 150kph the Boxtser was a lot quicker than the Elise.

Though, if you have only one person in the Elise then it's a bit quicker ... still not something I'd call fast.

Also, there are Elises with better engines, but I haven't driven those, could change my mind about it. IMHO I'd say that the S2000 is just as much of a 'go cart' as the Elise but has higher limits and more 'comforts'. Also, the gearbox and engine in the S2000 are 10x better than what's in the Elise. Give me the Exige and I'm sure I'd be telling a differetn story.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by meat
[B]GTRPower

Thanks for chiming in.

 

I'm sure a lot of people would like to know more details about that "once-in-your-lifetime" exemption. Is there a website with this documented? Can you ask him which model that is, and what kind of performance he gets. Also, what mods are there to get the best performance, equivalent to the top-of-the range (excluding the M250)?

Last year, I enquired about importing an MG-F, but came up against a brick wall of red tape (silly things like, the airbags were not big enough to meet import spec!).

BTW. Tell Chris that his car looks sweet. (Personally, my favorite color for the Elise is teal.)

 

I'm driven a elise (120hp) in april. I (1.86m) have 30 sec to enter the car, a large person have not enough place. the engine is not very powerfull, the car haven't a powersteering, no brake assistent(?) and abs... but a ac

this ist the car after 1/2 (400miles) of his live...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1Y2KS2K
[B]I'm sure a lot of people would like to know more details about that "once-in-your-lifetime" exemption.

 

hey kids,

Here is some info from the NHTSA on importing cars that don't meet safety regulations. Pay special attention to where they say you can get around them by establishing "that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance."

Oh yeah, for cars that do meet US safety regs, I don't think you always have to crash them, just prove that you meet the regulations on features and specifications that are intended to improve safety.

from
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...owtoSD0002.html

---begin transcription---
The new rule to permit entry of nonconforming motor vehicles for show or display became effective on August 13, 1999. If you want to import a vehicle for show or display, you must apply to NHTSA for permission and establish that the vehicle is of such historical or technological significance that it is in the public interest to show or display it in the United States even though it would be difficult or impossible to bring the vehicle into compliance with the Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This provision is intended to facilitate the importation of a make or model of a vehicle which its manufacturer never certified for sale in the United States.

[....]

VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY

In determining whether a vehicle is eligible for importation for show or display, NHTSA will consider the following factors, among others:

1) Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year was manufactured and certified for sale in the United States.
2) Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year has been determined eligible for importation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593.
3) Whether the make and model of a vehicle is currently in production.
4) Whether production of the vehicle make and model was greater than 500 units.
5) Whether the vehicle is a kit car, replica, or special construction vehicle.

If the answer to items 1, 2, or 5 is affirmative, you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation. If the answer to item 3 is affirmative, NHTSA generally expects to grant permission for importation only to the manufacturer of the vehicle. If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

ON-ROAD USE

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12 month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle's engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. If the original engine in the vehicle will be replaced with a non-original engine to meet EPA requirements, it must be identified in your application since it may impact on the technological or historical significance of the vehicle.

---end transcription---