no matter how much you mod the Z if you like the elise you're going to keep wasting more money on the mods.

i would sell the mods you have, trade the Z in and dont look back. you only get a few chances in life to buy these cars so get it while you can. lol

The biggest question remains unasked. We all know that Lotus uses a modified Toyota powerplant to power this fine automobile, but for me the important question is whether the Mazda Miata team had any input on it's door design.

For 37k I would defiantly be in that Elise. It’s not like the Z is a whole lot more practical regardless. With either car I’d have to purchase another automobile just to haul stuff like by bike and food from time to time. I think a better comprise would be a used Porsche Cayman S (14cubic ft space) but the Elise would obviously be more race car / pure like.

wow, I just talked to my insurance lady.

Only $24 more a year than the 370z. LOL

finally got around to taking some pics.

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...7/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...8/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...9/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...0/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...1/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...2/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...3/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...4/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...5/original.jpg

so you did get it !!!
congrats man
shes a beauty!!

im picking up a S240 next year WOOP!

Very Nice! :tup: Give us some of your impressions now that you've driven it a bit.

Sweet Ride. :tup:
Enjoy that beauty!

Love to hear your review of the car...

so hot.

Congrats on the awesome new ride! :tup:

Well, I'm back with another 370z, sort of...

I went into a Lexus dealership to look at a '99 SC300 to do a 1jz swap into, and saw a like new 09 370z touring, with wing in Graphite. It seriously looked like new! Not a single flaw anywhere.

So I ended up buying it for my GF. :-)

I still have the Elise, but now it's in storage... garage is too small. :-(

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...5303/large.jpg

Wow, is that ever an old joke. I didn't think people still referred to that.

Dude, you can fit the Elise right there between those two! Plenty of room...

I thought the Z was pretty small and then a few days ago I was at a light and there was an Elise beside me. Felt like I was driving an H2 next to that thing.

but look how much longer the supra is compared to the 370z. the rears of the cars are lined up.

LOL! the elise is tiny. Here's my old Z when I was trading it in...

http://www.pbase.com/mattjkphoto/ima...5/original.jpg

I don't even know where to start my response. First off, are you aware of the responsibility of having a Lotus? You can't park it on the street, you can't just take it to any random shop unless you want it dropped off a lift. You will lose storage and luggage capabilities. The Lotus does not have a trunk, it has a small area that I refer to as the "storage space." It is very stiff, tires are expensive if you indeed on sticking with the semi slicks. The clams are fiberglass, crack it and you're looking at a BIG repair bill.

With all that said, there is a big reason that trumps any and all cons that can be mentioned. It is hands down the best feeling car I have ever driven. Sure a TT/SC Z will put out big numbers but it will never ever feel like a Lotus. You are "jacked into" the car, the steering is pure bliss. The Z will never be on the Lotus level, it isn't designed to. The Lotus is a street legal race car, it is meant to push the limits at the cost of sacrificing all creature comforts. Most people can live without those comforts but I can, and I'm thankful for every day that I own and drive my Exige S.

Last point, and if it seems like I'm gushing over the Lotus, I am, its that spectacular but ONLY IF you get the supercharged version, be it the Exige S or Elise SC. Otherwise it will feel underpowered and you will end up craving an S/C in the near future, which is readily available in the aftermarket but an added hassle.

If you can handle the responsibilities, stiff and uncompromising ride and love driving, get the Lotus. Otherwise, don't do it, its not for everyone. Oh yeah, this is the last thing that mattered to me but the "Wow factor" can't be ignored. People will drive foolishly upon seeing you, you will always see heads turn and cameras come out, it can get old fast. I hate being asked "how much?"

It's still worth it IMO but then again I'm a car freak purist who drives a camry or X5 on those other days.