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Lotus Elise comes to U.S.

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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 02:34 PM
  #1  
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Lotus Elise comes to U.S.

I think it will be awesome. Imagine the looks one will get. Not to mention its faster than a f-body.(in stock trim anyway )

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....article_id=868
Old Oct 30, 2003 | 06:54 PM
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Come on now.

Nobody has an opinion about a car that is smaller than a Miata, can take curves like an Audi R8 , weighs 1795lbs, and is capable of 12 flats's in the 1/4. I know it is a ridiculous price at $40,000 but I would drive it.
Old Oct 30, 2003 | 06:56 PM
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Hmm, I wonder if someone in the 6'5" range could even fit in one. I hope.
Old Oct 30, 2003 | 08:38 PM
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THIS CAR SUCKS

Originally posted by onyxblackz28
Come on now.

Nobody has an opinion about a car that is smaller than a Miata, can take curves like an Audi R8 , weighs 1795lbs, and is capable of 12 flats's in the 1/4. I know it is a ridiculous price at $40,000 but I would drive it.
Shut up, man. I'm telling everyone that THIS CAR TOTALLY SUCKS so that they will have low resale value and I can pick one up cheap in a couple of years.

Old Oct 31, 2003 | 09:17 AM
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OK. I might be convinced to pick up the one I have on order, despite my "no new cars" pledge.
Old Oct 31, 2003 | 09:01 PM
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Originally posted by onyxblackz28
Come on now.

Nobody has an opinion about a car that is smaller than a Miata, can take curves like an Audi R8 , weighs 1795lbs, and is capable of 12 flats's in the 1/4. I know it is a ridiculous price at $40,000 but I would drive it.

The 40k price tag isnt out of line considering the car's capabilities. Alot of the expense is in the alum chassis and the fact the prod.
run is low (10k units max)
Old Oct 31, 2003 | 09:24 PM
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LowTrac - page two last sentence: "The driving position fits anyone up to about 6 ft. 3 in. tall, but climbing into and out of the car takes a bit of agility, especially with the roof up."

Anyone else think an LSx with a Porsche gearbox might be wedged in there lol!!

Last edited by onyxblackz28; Oct 31, 2003 at 09:26 PM.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 09:53 AM
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Just 7 years late...

I remember when the Lotus Elise dropped in the UK - circa 1996. Considering that the C5 Corvette is of similar vintage, and soon to be replaced, its pretty obvious that this car is too little and too late for Lotus. It might have worked for $30k in the mid-90s, but with the current glut of roadsters they have to be joking at $40,000!

The new Lotus does raise some questions. How much does a used Acura NSX run? When will Toyota de-uglify the MR-S? Why does the Lotus get the full-bore 180hp engine from the Celica GTS/Pontiac Vibe GT, but the MR-S still has the wimpy Corolla motor?

Maybe the best question is why I'd bother getting an Elise instead of a Caterham Super 7?

If Lotus ever gets around to cramming their twin-turbo V8 into the Elise chassis, please give me a call.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 11:24 AM
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Re: Just 7 years late...

Originally posted by redzed
I remember when the Lotus Elise dropped in the UK - circa 1996. Considering that the C5 Corvette is of similar vintage, and soon to be replaced, its pretty obvious that this car is too little and too late for Lotus. It might have worked for $30k in the mid-90s, but with the current glut of roadsters they have to be joking at $40,000!

The new Lotus does raise some questions. How much does a used Acura NSX run? When will Toyota de-uglify the MR-S? Why does the Lotus get the full-bore 180hp engine from the Celica GTS/Pontiac Vibe GT, but the MR-S still has the wimpy Corolla motor?

Maybe the best question is why I'd bother getting an Elise instead of a Caterham Super 7?

If Lotus ever gets around to cramming their twin-turbo V8 into the Elise chassis, please give me a call.
None of current roadsters matches what the Elise delivers, certainly for the price (even the Caterham kit cars). You talk of the car being dated, but would consider an even more dated NSX? I agree, Toyota should put the better engine in the MR2 Spyder, but it still wouldn't approach the capabilities of the Elise.

There's good reason this car has such a strong following and I'd imagine Lotus will have no trouble selling however many units it brings in.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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I've seen some videos of stock elises in action. I must say that car performs exceptionally well even in its rover powered 130 HP trim.

I don't like it having a toyota engine, but I would still sell my first born for one.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 02:47 PM
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Talking Re: THIS CAR SUCKS

Originally posted by WERM
Shut up, man. I'm telling everyone that THIS CAR TOTALLY SUCKS so that they will have low resale value and I can pick one up cheap in a couple of years.

You are soooooo devious!
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 03:20 PM
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okay, I've now lost respect for this website. You guys are complete idiots.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 03:26 PM
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I think for $40k, Its a decent deal..

A Caterham Super 7 doesn't seem anywhere close to refined and comfortable as the Elise.

I was tempted to preorder one, but reality struck and if I got one, I'd be stuck trying to use it as a daily driver..a nd thats isn't very feasible, at least with my pocketbook. Can't imagine what insuranc would be, and hope no works ever needs to be done on it.


I remembe there was this one car mag that pitted the a whole bunch of cars, including the Elise and Z06 on a simulated roadcourse test.. The Elise would enter in the tunr like 15 mph faster than the Z06, but the Z06 would exit about 15 mph faster than the Elise.. the Z06 managed to barely beat out the Elise overall in time.

I think the quater mile time wil be closer to 13's.
Old Nov 3, 2003 | 04:57 PM
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Go here

www.lotuscarsforum.com

I am an active member, and if you like Lotus, it's the place to be.
After here that is
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 09:24 AM
  #15  
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Originally posted by Ken S
I think for $40k, Its a decent deal..

A Caterham Super 7 doesn't seem anywhere close to refined and comfortable as the Elise.

I was tempted to preorder one, but reality struck and if I got one, I'd be stuck trying to use it as a daily driver..a nd thats isn't very feasible, at least with my pocketbook. Can't imagine what insuranc would be, and hope no works ever needs to be done on it.


I remembe there was this one car mag that pitted the a whole bunch of cars, including the Elise and Z06 on a simulated roadcourse test.. The Elise would enter in the tunr like 15 mph faster than the Z06, but the Z06 would exit about 15 mph faster than the Elise.. the Z06 managed to barely beat out the Elise overall in time.

I think the quater mile time wil be closer to 13's.
Forty grand is still within sniffing distance of a basic Corvette. Since the Elise isn't a true roadster, the targa topped Vette will give you the same open air feeling.

Still, the Elise is in a different class, and a whole lot more exclusive. I might be tempted if I lived in the UK, but there again, you can also buy a TVR over there. And a Super 7 is still the ultimate driving experience... for people with tiny feet.

Any way, I hope Lotus stays in business. I also hope that someone at Toyota wakes up and realizes that the MRS is pig ugly and too pokey.



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