Did anyone consider buying a Lotus ?

webgirl · 06-11-2009, 10:43 AM

My last car was an Elise. Absolutely loved it. It was the only car I never got tired of driving. I don't know about the daily driver issue, I work from home. Maybe I'm different but in my opinion the Lotus made trips more fun so I can't imagine not wanting it for my dd. You can get an '05 or an '06 relatively inexpensive right now. In fact, I was looking at an '07 Exige S last month that was 34k so it's not too far off of the 370z.

gnarf · 06-11-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

One of my best friends with far too much money had one and used to leave it with me when he felt like it. The car is unbelievable and one of the best driving experiences you will ever encounter. It is by far more connected than the 370Z. I can also say without equivocation that it will probably endure more abuse than a 370Z as my friend ran the living piss out of it on a nonstop basis—I mean flat-out serious abuse. It never gave him one problem.

that happens when you are 1500 lbs lighter...pretty sure Marc Anthony (post-skeletor) would run rings around Star Jones..considering its about the same weight difference

imag · 06-12-2009, 10:33 AM

Thought people might enjoy this review as well as the comments:

Review: 2009 Lotus Elise | The Truth About Cars

ChrisSlicks · 06-12-2009, 10:50 AM

I was looking for a lightly used Elise S before I bought the Z. The biggest problem was finding them, and they always seemed to be on the opposite side of the country.

It corners like a go-kart, it really is a 2000lb work of automotive art. The only complaint you will hear from owners is the lack of straight-line power, 190hp even with the skimpy 2000lb curb weight just isn't enough to excite. There is a SC kit that I've seen, but I haven't driven a car equipped.

Slow*Jim · 06-12-2009, 11:05 AM

I never test drove one, but I definitely considered it. No LSD, oil starvation issues, and the fact that they are overpriced for a 10-year old chassis turned me away.

ChrisSlicks · 06-12-2009, 01:23 PM

LSD can be added (it is now a factory option) and the oil issues can be cured for a price. But yes, it is a very expensive car considering what little there is to it technology wise (just a nice chassis).

Lug · 06-12-2009, 04:03 PM

That is a car begging to have Mazda's Rotary engine dropped into it.

imag · 06-12-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

That is a car begging to have Mazda's Rotary engine dropped into it.

The old rotary is actually too heavy to really be ideal - cast iron block and all. The 16X on the other hand - I'll be hoping they follow through on that.

Either way though, the Elise is designed to have a laterally mounted engine - basically a FWD engine and transaxle combo. Since all rotaries have been designed for longitudinal mounting (correct me if I'm wrong), it would be a long, strange road to get one in...

06-12-2009, 11:05 AM	#20 (permalink)
Slow*Jim Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 29 Drives: 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Rep Power: 16	I never test drove one, but I definitely considered it. No LSD, oil starvation issues, and the fact that they are overpriced for a 10-year old chassis turned me away. __________________ "Racing is life... everything before and after is just waiting." -Steve McQueen

06-12-2009, 04:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 20	That is a car begging to have Mazda's Rotary engine dropped into it. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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06-11-2009, 10:43 AM	#16 (permalink)
webgirl Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 55 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	My last car was an Elise. Absolutely loved it. It was the only car I never got tired of driving. I don't know about the daily driver issue, I work from home. Maybe I'm different but in my opinion the Lotus made trips more fun so I can't imagine not wanting it for my dd. You can get an '05 or an '06 relatively inexpensive right now. In fact, I was looking at an '07 Exige S last month that was 34k so it's not too far off of the 370z.

06-12-2009, 10:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	Thought people might enjoy this review as well as the comments: Review: 2009 Lotus Elise \| The Truth About Cars

06-12-2009, 10:50 AM	#19 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	I was looking for a lightly used Elise S before I bought the Z. The biggest problem was finding them, and they always seemed to be on the opposite side of the country. It corners like a go-kart, it really is a 2000lb work of automotive art. The only complaint you will hear from owners is the lack of straight-line power, 190hp even with the skimpy 2000lb curb weight just isn't enough to excite. There is a SC kit that I've seen, but I haven't driven a car equipped.

06-12-2009, 01:23 PM	#21 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	LSD can be added (it is now a factory option) and the oil issues can be cured for a price. But yes, it is a very expensive car considering what little there is to it technology wise (just a nice chassis).