[KevinC]

Absolutely, 100% impractical for any sort of daily driver use. Awesome machine on track day, and absolute torture chamber as a transportation device. Don't even consider it as a daily driver, you'd HAVE to have something else to drive the majority of the time.

[ward]

you'd better be young, flexible, single, short, have no need to carry anything to have an elise for a daily driver.


you would not be able to get a girl into that car, especially one in a skirt

not that I don't want one, but it'd need to be a 3rd car

[JJin909]

I have not driven Elise, not too many dealer , might visit one this weekend.

Sounds like a really fun car.

btw, I rather have a quick and fun car than compfy daily driver.

and re:Calvino , very interesting, I just saw the very same clip last night before checking out Lotus haha

[NFS]

Originally Posted by ward

you'd better be young, flexible, single, short, have no need to carry anything to have an elise for a daily driver.


you would not be able to get a girl into that car, especially one in a skirt

not that I don't want one, but it'd need to be a 3rd car

I think there are plenty of girls happy to jump into an elise - she'd have to be a 'game' sort - but those are the best

[enwhykiid]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Are you wiling to give up your 3.0 BMW engine for a 1.8L Toyota engine ? You are out if your mind my friend don't do it.

keep in mind that the series weighs almost 2x as much as the lotus--that little engine is more than enough to dust the 3 series--but on the other hand, the 3 is more comfortable and affordable --both price and maintenance +you have the reliablity of a bmw

[dejav0o]

Originally Posted by JJin909

I have not driven Elise, not too many dealer , might visit one this weekend.

Sounds like a really fun car.

btw, I rather have a quick and fun car than compfy daily driver.

and re:Calvino , very interesting, I just saw the very same clip last night before checking out Lotus haha

No doubt that the Elise is a fun car and if all you're looking for is fun, then by all means get it. But since you seem like you're looking on some bashing on the Elise, here's some key points.

The Elise is a pain in the ass to get in and out of. The sidewall is so thick, there's no way you could just slide in and and out. Once you're in there, if you're taller than 6', you'll feel like you're driving a go-kart with your knees pressed up around your chest. There's practically no trunk space, no padding in the seats, and if you ever plan on making it a daily commuter, I feel sorry for your tailbone.

But if you could look past all that, then the car is a blast...

[akhbhaat]

Originally Posted by zamboni

For that price I would go for an E46 M3 instead more fun to drive.

M3 more fun to drive than an Elise?

Thanks. That made my day.

The obvious practicality concerns apply, but I don't understand the maintenance/reliability complaints. Aside from ample amounts of relatively exotic materials (aluminum and the like - which are still found all over more mundane cars such as the 3 series), it's such a simple car; anybody could work on it with the right tools...and the engine is practically identical to the one found in the Celica GTS. If you're spending $150+ for an oil change or "tune up" on an Elise, you're getting roasted. An Elise is a car just like any other - I imagine that the exotic appearance and rarity it has causes it to suffer from grandiose versions of the same assumptions people make about cars such as your existing BMW. Some people look at me like I'm nuts when I tell them that I do most of my own work on my E46.

[porschegt3]

I've also suffered from the same delusions my friend, and let me tell you first hand. I've driven the Lotus Espirit and the Lotus Elise, as a matter of fact I had money on the Elise, but then I came to my senses. Here are a few bullet point, but simply my point of view :

1.) Overpriced - This is at best a $30,000 car but since of the exchange rate and lotus is trying to maintain its luxury image is sells for about $50,000 (trust me with all the necessary options, tax, out the door).

2.) Whimpy - The engine is whiney, zero torque, yes it does come to life at 6,500 but then you have to shift quickly thereafter. The only way to have fun is to drive it like you stole it.

3.) For a pure track day car its perfect, but it sucks around town.

4.) Very impractical, look silly getting in an out, especially with the top on.

5.) Too few dealers.

6.) Looks great from a distance, but its toy, a junkie one at that up close.

7.) Truly the polar-opposite of a BMW in every way.

Really do yourself a favor and move on. I was obsessed with the car for over 3 years, until I actual got to touch and drive it. The thrill wears off very quickly. I think you'd have a lot more fun with something like an M-Coupe...trust me.

Hope that helps, let me know if you need any more feedback...I've been exactly were you are right now brother. Good luck, please let us know what you've done.

[Dleo]

Originally Posted by calvino

if you want a toy like the elise get an arie atom, now that's what I call a toy, faster than a enzo

:rocks:

[JJin909]

Originally Posted by porschegt3

I've also suffered from the same delusions my friend, and let me tell you first hand. I've driven the Lotus Espirit and the Lotus Elise, as a matter of fact I had money on the Elise, but then I came to my senses. Here are a few bullet point, but simply my point of view :

1.) Overpriced - This is at best a $30,000 car but since of the exchange rate and lotus is trying to maintain its luxury image is sells for about $50,000 (trust me with all the necessary options, tax, out the door).

2.) Whimpy - The engine is whiney, zero torque, yes it does come to life at 6,500 but then you have to shift quickly thereafter. The only way to have fun is to drive it like you stole it.

3.) For a pure track day car its perfect, but it sucks around town.

4.) Very impractical, look silly getting in an out, especially with the top on.

5.) Too few dealers.

6.) Looks great from a distance, but its toy, a junkie one at that up close.

7.) Truly the polar-opposite of a BMW in every way.

Really do yourself a favor and move on. I was obsessed with the car for over 3 years, until I actual got to touch and drive it. The thrill wears off very quickly. I think you'd have a lot more fun with something like an M-Coupe...trust me.

Hope that helps, let me know if you need any more feedback...I've been exactly were you are right now brother. Good luck, please let us know what you've done.

oh thank you very nice points. u just water down 50% of the fire burning me.

still burning a thou. if i can get even trade w/ some extra e90 parts, I think I will go for it.

if i have to pay extra, forget it. I still love my 330i 6spd Thanks !!!

[porschegt3]

Okay if we're talking about toys now....Ariel Atom is good....but...the WrightSpeed X1 is even better:

http://www.wrightspeed.com/

Yes, you can kick some butt, have a blast, AND save the environment....now that's really good. But if the Ariel is a bit too spartan then go for the Tesla (basically an Elise, much faster, and better looking IMHO):

http://www.teslamotors.com

Oh yeah, I forgot, the X1 will sell for around $120,000 and the Tesla will be around $80,000 never mind. You could always make an offer on one of these puppies:

http://www.gt3forsale.com

I heard the owner of the yellow one is very motivated

[backtofront001]

Originally Posted by ward

you'd better be young, flexible, single, short, have no need to carry anything to have an elise for a daily driver.


you would not be able to get a girl into that car, especially one in a skirt

not that I don't want one, but it'd need to be a 3rd car

Elise is dead sexy...A girl would look at it and instantly get in it cause they like sleek sports cars and she would have no idea that it is only like 45K.

But anyways, firstly I wouldn't want my Elise to be a daily driver...too uncomfortable and too much power for daily use (I have no mental restrain, so I go fast when I want to and that is all the time so I am worrying about the cops all the time instead of enjoying the car). Secondly, there is no way I'd want a used Elise because like numerous people said they are race cars and most people who buy them know its potential and what Lotus as a company stands for. So I would'nt want it used because the owner probably thrashed the car and I most certainly do not feel comfortable knowing that the car could have been improperly broken-in or driven extremely rashly or something like that. The 330 is nice man, when you have some extra funds to throw around, invest in an Elise or better yet an Exige

[porschegt3]

No arguing that the Elise is very sexy, and chicks definitely dig the car. But....and this is a big one...

I guarantee you the girls will break out laughing when they see you try to get in and out of the car

And when she finds out that her side is only 2/3 the size of the drivers side, and that the roof leaks when it rains, and man does it rattle. She will realize its more like a toy.

Trust me gentlemen, I speak from experience here.

[backtofront001]

Originally Posted by porschegt3

No arguing that the Elise is very sexy, and chicks definitely dig the car. But....and this is a big one...

I guarantee you the girls will break out laughing when they see you try to get in and out of the car

And when she finds out that her side is only 2/3 the size of the drivers side, and that the roof leaks when it rains, and man does it rattle. She will realize its more like a toy.

Trust me gentlemen, I speak from experience here.

Hey man. You did it all wrong!! The chick wasnt supposed to be your wife.

She was supposed to be driven to the bar and then back to your appartment and then never seen again.

[porschegt3]

Originally Posted by backtofront001

Hey man. You did it all wrong!! The chick wasnt supposed to be your wife.

She was supposed to be driven to the bar and then back to your appartment and then never seen again.

Opppsss, my bad. You're right, never mind.

[porschegt3]

By the way. Here is a good video showing how to get in and out of a Lotus Elise S1 (older model, but exact same size).

Please note that this guy is dead serious, and is trying to show you how to make it easy! Click on the link below, its really worth watching and its only 1 minute long:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...&q=lotus+elise

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by porschegt3

I heard the owner of the yellow one is very motivated

Sweet car man. If I ever got a 911 it would be a GT3 for sure.

[porschegt3]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Sweet car man. If I ever got a 911 it would be a GT3 for sure.

Thanks! Definitely best car I've ever owned...amazing fun to drive. I've got money on the new 997GT3 coming in August and a deposit on the new 997GT3RS coming march 2007.

Sorry, I know this is off topic...back to the main topic...the Elise....I'd much rather get an M3 or a Z3 M-Coupe or a Z4 M-Coupe than an Elise. I've owned two M5's and a Z3 M-Coupe, one of the most fun cars to drive ever (until I got the GT3).

The Z3 M-Coupe was not the fastest, nor was it the best built, but it was a blast to drive. Lots of torque and great balance. You could slide the car everywhere! I really wish I still had that ride

On the other hand, Elise's short wheel base makes it very difficult to handle at the limit. You cannot easily drive "dukes of hazard" style. First, there's too much grip, then there's not enough power to break the wheels loose, so instead you have to do the "scandivian flick" and lift off the pedal to unsettle the car and get it sideways. Sure the Lotus test drivers do it all day long, but us weekend warriors just look like fools. The M3 (and the M5 for that matter) on the other hand make it easy to look good and have fun while doing it.

The GT3 is another story....more like the Elise, except with a lot more torque over the ENTIRE powerband, not just the last few RPM.

Sorry, I'm really not into bashing the Lotus, I really do love the car. It's just way over-priced for what you get...really only a good alternative if you've got 2 or 3 other cars.

[porschegt3]

If you REALLY have your heart set on the Elise, then I would HIGHLY recommend a very suitable alternative:

Honda S2000

1.) Much more reliable
2.) More Power
3.) More space (actually something usable)
4.) Costs Less Money
5.) True convertible
6.) Easy to supercharge
7.) Its japanese, not english (sorry mates)
8.) Similar torque and powerband

The ONLY disadvantage is that there are a lot more S2000's on the street, and the Lotus is sexier, but who cares....we're real car guys aren't we?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by porschegt3

Thanks! Definitely best car I've ever owned...amazing fun to drive. I've got money on the new 997GT3 coming in August and a deposit on the new 997GT3RS coming march 2007.

I was going to ask if you were selling it to get a 997, but did not want to pry. Not one, but two, 997 GT3s. And one is an RS.

[porschegt3]

The August p-car is just to hold me over until the RS arrives. Lots of speculation on the RS, nothing firm yet, I hope I can get one...#3 on the list, but very few will be made for the US. But gotta have the orange!

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...t3-rs-revealed

Sorry guys, I do not mean to hijack this thread....

[backtofront001]

Originally Posted by porschegt3

The August p-car is just to hold me over until the RS arrives. Lots of speculation on the RS, nothing firm yet, I hope I can get one...#3 on the list, but very few will be made for the US. But gotta have the orange!

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...t3-rs-revealed

Sorry guys, I do not mean to hijack this thread....

The new GT3 is soooooooooo niceeeeee. Oh my God!!!! Porsche is amazing. Enough said. Why not the 997 turbo though?