I got to see one of the Elise's at a show here. Not a hardtop like the one in Ru's other thread (can't remember where it was...and you know Ru's been everywhere). Your butt is about a big stone off the ground. Hit a speed bump and you might leave your @$$ on it. Very Spartan interior, not too many frills.
Good news: My friend took some pics of it.
Bad news: He's off to Samoa for work and won't be back until July 22nd.
If anyone has a memory long enough, bring this thread back around that time and I'll see if posting some pics will be possible.
Definitely wasn't the Exige, not a hardtop. Also wasn't a ragtop.
Open roof from A pillar to just in front of the B/C pillar. I am not sure what Lotus was thinking of putting in there (metal hardtop section or glass).
Getting old and memory fades faster than it used to. Resurrect this around the 22nd and I'll try to get some pics of the Lotus posted. He's also got some shots of a Murcielago, Gallardo, Diablo.
Ru, you've gotta see the Murcielago....the ENTIRE back half of the car is engine [jaw]. Until you see it in person it does not really sink in.
I've seen it in person and it is quite amazing. The else I believe has a type of t-top ... it has a soft roof thats removable for that section you described. I haven't seen the ones in america in person yet so that might have a removable hardtop. This is all kinda foggy ... brit ... your expertise is needed here
It's already one sale and starts at like 40k I believe ... good luck getting one though ... I'm guessing there's a waiting list http://www.lotuscars.com/
It does seem high at first but then you see the performance specs on the lil thing and everything seems right with the world again ... it's definitely a weekend car though ... can't imagine driving it everyday to anything but a track
Although it's got good specs, it's just so Spartan. How can it cost that much money?
My point is that there isn't anything that really separates it from other cars except the weight. Add more weight and it's Celica (with Celica performance), except it still has less interior ammenities than the Toyota.
If Brit is checking this out, I am not degrading your car. The Elise is great, just too expensive in my opinion.
You're paying mostly for that wonderful Lotus space frame chasis ... the thing is freaking glued together ... literally. 190 hp and less than 1 ton ... much better than a Celica. It's a very no frills sports car. Think of the M3 CSL ... you're paying more for less ... same with the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. Lotus doesn't make the nice base then go spartan ... it just starts that way. They already conceded by putting in electric windows and a few other goodies for us Americans ... I'm guessing american people, being as full of complaints as we are, will bitch and moan till Lotus starts putting in leather and seat warmers and electric seats and such ... of course this all will defeat the purpose of buying a Lotus in the first place.
Would ya listen to me ... I'm going all brit here []
Look, everyone, Lotus cars like the Elise are what they are. It is the Elan reinvented. Small, spartan, quick, grippy and very exclusive. Race bred through and through. Stop whining about the price. These are largely hand-made cars, and not many will be made because Lotus simply doesn't have or possibly even want the manufacturing capacity of Infiniti, for example. Its performance is world class -- on a par with cars that cost FIVE TIMES as much. It'll eat your G for lunch and spit out the pit. We've been through this before. Some of you like this car, at least in concept, and might even buy one one day. Some of you are simply too soft to own this vehicle. None of you have driven one. I suspect that, once any of you do, your appreciation for things Lotus will take on a whole new dimension. Myself? I don't have to wonder what driving a Lotus is like. G's are nice for what they are -- a mass-produced 911 wannabe. They are not, however, in the same league as an Elise.
You're paying mostly for that wonderful Lotus space frame chasis ... the thing is freaking glued together ... literally. 190 hp and less than 1 ton ... much better than a Celica. It's a very no frills sports car. Think of the M3 CSL ... you're paying more for less ... same with the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. Lotus doesn't make the nice base then go spartan ... it just starts that way. They already conceded by putting in electric windows and a few other goodies for us Americans ... I'm guessing american people, being as full of complaints as we are, will bitch and moan till Lotus starts putting in leather and seat warmers and electric seats and such ... of course this all will defeat the purpose of buying a Lotus in the first place.
Would ya listen to me ... I'm going all brit here []
Brit I agree with you 100% that the Elise is a great car and that it would kill our G's on the track.
The G is not made exclusively for the track, it brings us the best of both worlds. On an extended drive I think that my kidneys will love me more for driving the G than the Elise.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Hot new Lotus Rumors
]
