buy an Elise

[David]

I test drove a Lotus Elise today. My normal car is a Miata. The Elise is to the Miata what my SS2000 is to my old Virage. A whole lot more intense. Faster, better handling, and probably the hardest car to get in and out of that you can buy.

For those who don't know, the Elise is just under 2000 lb, and has 180 HP. All the power is between 6000 and 8000 rpm.

I could sell my 69 Lotus Elan Plus 2, and sell my Miata, and get the Elise to replace both.

My question is, is this a crazy idea?

[jphii]

No, it's not crazy, do it. I want one to replace the ole lady's Miata with, but I don't think she could squeeze her big azz into it.

[David]

There is probably as much room in the Elise as the Miata, but getting in is far more difficult. The legroom is a bit greater in the Elise. Width seemed OK to me, but I'm not that wide. I did not notice the seat being narrow.

What a car to drive. Reasonably powerful until 6000 rpm, and then a wicked rush to 8200. Shift and repeat.

I just found that the Elise is not on Transport Canada's list of cars that are eligible for import. My idea was to buy one in suburban Detroit and import it as used Elise's (and new ones) are $10,000 or more less across the river.

[RedAllison]

David I've never been in an Elise, looked a few over on the road and in parking lots and from what I've read about em they are a BLAST. (Lord knows with their power too weight ratio they should be a hoot!) But at 6'4" 240 I "wore" my Espirit and an Elise would be OUT OF THE QUESTION for me. I owned an 86 Espirit Turbo and while it wasn't a 200mph supercar it would run away in the twisties and braking from the Vettes, Countachs, Testarossa's etc... of the day. It had a GREAT power to weight ratio as well (was the 300hp 4cyl version instead of the later, heavier V8s). I shoulda kept that car, put new 18" rims with rally slicks on it and just drove it on pretty days. One night I got a lil "comfortably numb" at a buddies house and was runnin so damned fast and taking corners so quick that when I pulled into my driveway I had the city police chopper hoovering over my house! :eek: I quickly pulled it into the garage and went in the house to bed! :cool: It just would corner SO damned hard and quick, people who have never driven a monocoque chasis/mid engined auto like a Lotus just don't understand!!! ;)

GETUSUM, we aint gettin any younger!!!
RA

[The Big Al]

http://www.supphoto.net/galerie/photos/voiture_automobile/photographie/lotus_elise.jpg

[RED ALERT]

I could sell my 69 Lotus Elan Plus 2, and sell my Miata, and get the Elise to replace both.

My question is, is this a crazy idea?
If you are planning to use the car outside it's intended purpose (weekend warrior/track car) and looking to making it a daily driver/commuter, the novelty is going to wear off pretty quick.

As you have already discovered, unless you have the flexibility and a** of Nadia Comaneci, getting in and out of one is never pretty.
Additionaly,riding two in the cockpit is best done with someone you love and whom practices good hygeine.
If your a golfer, the clubs will have to be shipped to the course in advance as the trunk is about large enough for a pocket fisherman.
Also, fit and finish is typically British,(i.e. not "Job1") but it looks like you have prior Lotus experience and this car is a vast improvement over past products.
Having said all that, the drivetrain is Toyota, so reliability is fairly certain in that dept., it's unique looking enough to draw crowds and the car will handle better than you can make use of it.

If you decide to green light the purchase, set aside some money for a driving school. I assure you it will be dollars well spent and will allow to get the most out of this highly nimble car.

Good info here: http://www.elisetalk.com/
A respectible dealer (Chicago area) http://www.foxvalleymotorcars.com/
ask for Bill jr. if you call.

P.S. I installed a ForceFed turbo and upgraded cooling/oiling systems on an Elise last year.
I have been working on sportscars/exoctics since the early 80's and it was one of the funnest cars I have driven in a long time. Not bragging, but I don't impress easily anymore.

Good luck!

[snowmanmtl]

There is probably as much room in the Elise as the Miata, but getting in is far more difficult. The legroom is a bit greater in the Elise. Width seemed OK to me, but I'm not that wide. I did not notice the seat being narrow.

What a car to drive. Reasonably powerful until 6000 rpm, and then a wicked rush to 8200. Shift and repeat.

I just found that the Elise is not on Transport Canada's list of cars that are eligible for import. My idea was to buy one in suburban Detroit and import it as used Elise's (and new ones) are $10,000 or more less across the river.

John Scotti( lotus dealer) in Mtl. is importing them. They are street legal and I believe he will be getting the Exige s this year. There is an Exige Cup ( not street legal) in our local track club.

[David]

Bless their hearts, Transport Canada will not allow the Elise to be imported and converted to Canadian specs. The fellow I spoke to today blamed Lotus for telling them that it was 'impossible' to Canadianize the car.

A used US Elise would be a financial stretch. A Canadian Elise, much more money, is too much.

The Elise is not that much more wacko than my daily driver Miata, once I get in. There is a little more legroom in the Elise. At 6'2", that is welcome. The Elise trunk is as big as the Miata's.

Would getting in and out get old? I guess I won't find out, at least until the Canadian used prices drop. With my long legs and lack of flexibility I have to pull on my left knee with my hand to get my left foot into the Elise.

It's time to think about getting the Plus 2 Webbers re jetted for spring!

[snowmanmtl]

I don't know who you are talking to at Transport Canada, or what the glitch is, but call these guys. There are several being used on the track and street around here.
http://www.johnscotti.ca/pages/lotus.html

[David]

Oh yes, there are Elise's in Canada, but they were imported by Lotus. Regular guys cannot import their own Elise, except for track only use.

Luxury cars, and the Elise is a luxury, are much cheaper in the US these days. I could buy a used Elise for $10,000 less in Detroit than in Toronto, and Detroit is closer for me.