Did anyone consider buying a Lotus ?

cave vulture · 06-10-2009, 02:36 PM

I actually would have shopped the Lotus Elise, but the nearest dealer is 40 miles away.

StevieG · 06-10-2009, 03:11 PM

I looked at the Elise SC. Test drive was fantastic. The car is so visceral...tons of feedback, great steering feel, and very quick. Besides the price differential, the one thing that held me back from a purchase was concern about reliability. I know the engine is Toyota sourced, so that shouldn't be an issue, but having spent some time on the Lotustalk forum, it seems like ownership of this car is going to involve a few more trips to the dealer than I would expect from the 370z. Still, if I found a used one at a reasonable price, I would consider it as a third car.

Chupacabra · 06-10-2009, 03:54 PM

I denied the car as a daily driver, simply based on the fact that at 6'2 its a pain to get in and out of.

imag · 06-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Agree with above comments. Would love an Elise/Exige as a third car.

What I really want is a Caterham CSR. I will own one of those someday...

Looking forward to the new Esprit as well - hope they don't pork it out like the Evora. It will probably be too many $$ for me though

Forrest · 06-10-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cave vulture

I actually would have shopped the Lotus Elise, but the nearest dealer is 40 miles away.

whats wrong with you, that you cant drive 40 miles? its less than a hour drive?

The nearest nissan dealership is 55 miles from me, and since they suck i drive the extra 10 and go to a real good one.

SoCal 370Z · 06-10-2009, 06:13 PM

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.

cave vulture · 06-10-2009, 06:15 PM

The Nissan dealership is 3 miles away. The Lotus 40 miles away. Just couldn't see myself driving 80 miles round trip for routine service. Plus, as stated above, dependability with the Lotus could be an issue.

SoCal 370Z · 06-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cave vulture

The Nissan dealership is 3 miles away. The Lotus 40 miles away. Just couldn't see myself driving 80 miles round trip for routine service. Plus, as stated above, dependability with the Lotus could be an issue.

It would have been the best 80 mile driving experience of your life. When you drive one you simply do not want the driving to end.

import111 · 06-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Too much $ for me. 370Z was at my price cap.

CBRich · 06-10-2009, 08:41 PM

Costs a good amount more and even as a weekend car it's just a little too rough for me. I don't like to be punished when I'm joyriding.

k20z3 · 06-10-2009, 09:26 PM

Alot of people may not know, yes its toyota based, but since I had a celica

the engine is a souped up 2zz_Ge (Celica Gt-s engine) Matrix S edition!

CBRich · 06-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Yep, Celica GT-S Engine but mounted in the right place and with a thousand less pounds to haul around. Would have been better with a K20 though.

Wally · 06-10-2009, 11:32 PM

I have this as a my dedicated track car my advise buy the the car nothing better on the market

BanningZ · 06-11-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieG

...I know the engine is Toyota sourced, so that shouldn't be an issue...

Quote:

Originally Posted by k20z3

Alot of people may not know, yes its toyota based, but since I had a celica

the engine is a souped up 2zz_Ge (Celica Gt-s engine) Matrix S edition!

I'm a Celica owner as well. The Elise had a 190hp Toyota/ Yamaha engine 2ZZ-GE. Yamaha is key here. This engine was also found in the T-sport which America did not get. The 1zz was not Yamaha based, and was one of the poorest moves Toyota ever made with the Celica. Joint ventures on engines make all the difference.
That's why I think the new AE86 will do well

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRich

Yep, Celica GT-S Engine but mounted in the right place and with a thousand less pounds to haul around. Would have been better with a K20 though.

500lbs not a 1000lbs

The Elise is a fun car but I agree with others before, that thing just beats the hell out of you. That and modding the the suspension is a huge no-no, so that sucks that you have little options there.

joeyz10 · 06-11-2009, 12:53 AM

I had an elise for three years and never gave me any problem. Drove it like there is no tomorrow all the time. The only thing I didn't like was it always appears too small although handling was better than 911

06-10-2009, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
cave vulture Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 427 Drives: 370z tour,sport,auto Rep Power: 16	Did anyone consider buying a Lotus ? I actually would have shopped the Lotus Elise, but the nearest dealer is 40 miles away.

06-10-2009, 03:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chupacabra Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Weston, Florida Posts: 477 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z s M6 Rep Power: 200	I denied the car as a daily driver, simply based on the fact that at 6'2 its a pain to get in and out of. __________________ Where are my aluminum pedals?

06-10-2009, 06:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	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. __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!! Last edited by SoCal 370Z; 06-10-2009 at 06:15 PM.

06-10-2009, 09:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
k20z3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Denver CO Age: 33 Posts: 2,146 Drives: 2006 Civic SI HFP Rep Power: 405	Alot of people may not know, yes its toyota based, but since I had a celica the engine is a souped up 2zz_Ge (Celica Gt-s engine) Matrix S edition! __________________ 2006 RALLYE RED HONDA CIVIC SI HFP Clint's Helpful Photoshop Hints!

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06-10-2009, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
StevieG Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 15 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	I looked at the Elise SC. Test drive was fantastic. The car is so visceral...tons of feedback, great steering feel, and very quick. Besides the price differential, the one thing that held me back from a purchase was concern about reliability. I know the engine is Toyota sourced, so that shouldn't be an issue, but having spent some time on the Lotustalk forum, it seems like ownership of this car is going to involve a few more trips to the dealer than I would expect from the 370z. Still, if I found a used one at a reasonable price, I would consider it as a third car.

06-10-2009, 04:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	Agree with above comments. Would love an Elise/Exige as a third car. What I really want is a Caterham CSR. I will own one of those someday... Looking forward to the new Esprit as well - hope they don't pork it out like the Evora. It will probably be too many $$ for me though

06-10-2009, 06:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
cave vulture Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 427 Drives: 370z tour,sport,auto Rep Power: 16	The Nissan dealership is 3 miles away. The Lotus 40 miles away. Just couldn't see myself driving 80 miles round trip for routine service. Plus, as stated above, dependability with the Lotus could be an issue.

06-10-2009, 06:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	Too much $ for me. 370Z was at my price cap.

06-10-2009, 08:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	Costs a good amount more and even as a weekend car it's just a little too rough for me. I don't like to be punished when I'm joyriding.

06-10-2009, 10:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	Yep, Celica GT-S Engine but mounted in the right place and with a thousand less pounds to haul around. Would have been better with a K20 though.

06-10-2009, 11:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
Wally Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin Posts: 32 Drives: 370Z, Sport Package Rep Power: 16	I have this as a my dedicated track car my advise buy the the car nothing better on the market

06-11-2009, 12:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
joeyz10 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 248 Drives: 09 370z AT/ RRSS 08/ Rep Power: 16	I had an elise for three years and never gave me any problem. Drove it like there is no tomorrow all the time. The only thing I didn't like was it always appears too small although handling was better than 911