Lotus Elise appeared to be the hottest star in 2004 LA Auto Show. Anyone has pictures of Elise from the show? What's your impression?

I'm looking forward to attending the show on Friday. :smile:

 

Oooooh! The Lotus Elise!!!!!! I LOVE that car!! It's on my list to be a new companion for Wanda, tee hee!

 

Before proceeding.
Attach your drooling bib now.
Proceed to drool uncontrollably.

Elise Racing green


_________________
Mele Kalikimaka & Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

 

Minihune, how much does the Elise cost?

 

$39,000

 

Really? That's all? I thought Lotus autos were more expensive (approaching $75K-$100K). But that's (relatively) affordable - closer to the cost of an option-laden Lexus.

Something to look forward to when I'm makin' money hand over fist.

 

Sigh. That car is so very sweet. Sometimes, I really resent my lack of saleable skills.

I read on the Webb Motorsports website that Randy intends to expand his business to cover this car as well. Cool!

 

You should get a hold of the Jan04 edition of Best Motoring video.
The GT drivers were doing back to back test drives on and off the course.

 

The new Elise owners are sure to complain about the lack of cup-holders.

Don't look to Consumer Reports to give this car a thumbs-up.

 

My old Elan+2 S/130 was saffron yellow. I miss that machine (well at least when it was running).

I drove a blue Elise in UK in 1998. It rocked on race track, but wasn't all that wonderful a road car. Think this will make a great third or fourth car for buyers.

Hmm, do I have 39K burning a hole in my wallet??

_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Consumer Reports would not know what fun was if it jumped out of the roomy boring interior of a reliable Toyota Camry and bit them in the a$$ !

I would do many unsavory things to get my hands on an Elise!

I think I will start visiting the retirement homes to figure out if I could bring some cheer and companionship to some lonely heir-less senior citizens

 

The Elise that's coming here has Toyota power, right? Should prove to be reliable... I believe they are offering a Touring version and a Sport version - supposedly the Sport version comes with adjustable coil-overs, I believe. From what I have heard, the American version is purportedly much more comfortable a road car...

 

well I doubt you fatties would want the Elise after you try to sit in it!

I'm 6ft tall 180 lbs and fit. I would not buy this heap.

The new Elise is not comfortable to climb in or out of, the steering wheel is not adjustable and it's a pig to drive. (drove it in Scottsdale while it made it's rounds)

The Engine is not TRD upgradeable, it will be Lotus only. The ECU is one of the "more" sophisticated bit's on this little waste of $. The ECU is programmed with 41 anti-bypass programs. Which is a smart move by Lotus, allowing only them access to the ECU.

There will be no MORE than 2400 per year in the US. If you have followed the progress and community built upon the anticipation of this car, you already know that they have 2 years worth, pre-sold.

I would disagree about it being the "hottest" car at the LA Auto Show tho...
the new Mercedes Vision was hotter.

The Mazda 3 was hotter and of course the STI and EVO8 had their moments.

-WCC

 

I saw the Elise at the LA Auto Show...I have to say its a lot better looking and lot smaller looking in person. Its pretty uncomfortable sitting in it but its a track car so what are ya gonna do...Its definatly affordable but its so limited that it would be very hard to get your hands on one. Too bad TRD parts wont work on it, theres so much you can do to that engine. I'd still rather have this then the MR-2.

 

WCC,
Thanks for the reality check. Looks alone may not cut it.
I guess I will have to love my MINI a bit longer then. At least it will take no big effort to enjoy my MINI and foresake the hassle of fighting for one of the few Lotus Elise that will be for sale in my area. I'd only be worried some bimbo would ding and scratch it when taken out into the public.

Too bad the Toyota Celica engine isn't TRD upgradable- that's how Lotus likes it and they frown on mods anyway.

 

Awww guys, why don't you ljust settle for this...

 

Just came home from a long trip (OH to L.A. to OR). Exactly 3400 miles on my odometer! :smile:

I finally had a chance to be close and personal with Elise. I must admit that getting in and out of the car can be quite challenging. Even with my size of 5'10". There's a big hump where the doorsill is. It would be easier to run, jump, and hope that you would land on the seat.

 

The Elise is a sweet car...but did you happen to notice how far you have to throw your leg to get in the car? The space between the floor and door is HUGE!!!!!Something I noticed, but certainly not an issue worth passing up a Lotus over.

 

If you have an interest in learning more about the Elise be sure to visit www.puresportscar.com as it is operated by a good friend of mine who has done a tremendous amount of research and information gathering relative to the North American-spec version.

Mark

 

>>The Elise is a sweet car...but did you happen to notice how far you have to throw your leg to get in the car? The space between the floor and door is HUGE!!!!!Something I noticed, but certainly not an issue worth passing up a Lotus over.

The lotus is not for the fatso or geriatric.

 

Incidentally, 6 ft. and 180 lbs. is a bit overweight. I should know, those are my proportions.

What exactly makes it "a pig to drive"? Perhaps the automotive press are heaping too much praise on it, with most saying that it's among the best handling cars of all time. Still, I can't imagine that it's not fairly impressive on the track...

I suppose that M3s and 911s are also pigs in your book?

 

The Elise is quite amazing as the pure sports car. I also think many, many customers will be shocked at how raw the vehicle is. From zero NVH engineering to an obnoxiously high-revving engine to exotic-car ingress and egress (read: difficult), this sports car is definitely not for the faint of heart, or the dreamer that thinks they can get away driving this daily.

That said, serious racers will absolutely hail the Elise as one of the hottest tickets in years. Be prepared to pay WAY over MSRP for years to come!

 

>>..... the Elise as one of the hottest tickets in years. Be prepared to pay WAY over MSRP for years to come!
>>


I placed a deposit for an Elise last summer. The contract indicates that it will be sold at MSRP. :smile:

_________________
04 IB/W MCS

 

um 180 at 6ft is not overweight. Proportionately it is medically perfect.

And as for being a pig to drive, it is only because of the response times and comfort factors. and it may have been the rover engine.

 

awww, how cute! WCC is now expecting the Elise to be comfortable! for his perfect proportions.