I'm sure the Elise is a fantastic handling car thanks to the super low weight (about 500 pounds less than a Mini). I hope the other sports car manufacturers will follow Lotus's lead, although they all seem to be heading in the other direction these days (ie, bigger and heavier and waging HP wars).

But I can't quite stomach the OTT styling. There was an article in Automobile magazine recently which showed the next Elise model which will be fully compliant with the regs (for 06?). Much better styling IMO! I think they'll be using the same engine so maybe they'll get most of the bugs worked out by then...

 

After all the problems with the Cadillac Catera (another Opel product) I doubt GM is willing to risk another possible sales and support fiasco. Those were truly *bad* cars. Jimbo

 

I for one, took the plunge and put my deposit down back in mid-April. That's also why I haven't been hanging out here as much as I would like. I've been checking out the Lotus sites to see what issues the early deliveries are having. It sounds like the early cars are having mostly electrical and air conditioning problems. Not too bad for a tiny company producing a totally hand-built car. I may be wrong, but I'm not expecting a lot of trouble out of the Elise. Of course I've been known to call a three-carburetor Ford flathead V8 reliable too. As for service costs, I've never taken any of my cars to the dealer for service, not even the MINI. Lotus owners will probably fall into two categories. The cost no object type, and then people like me who actually think greasy hands and busted knuckles are badges of honor.

The Houston Lotus dealer (Star Motorcars) is a top-notch distributor. There is no price-gouging or additional dealer profit. The price that Lotus sets is the price that Star charges. Even the $500 deposit is refundable if you change your mind.

The over the top styling didn't do much for me at first, but seeing it in person and driving the demo has changed my mind. The quirky details gives it a lot of character that a more sanitized and rational design would lose. Kind of like the not so logical but very cool placement of the MINI speedometer in the middle of the dash.:smile: For the record, mine will be retina burning Chrome Orange with the sport package. Only one more year of waiting before my name comes up on the build list!

DesignIt

 

I was out West last week (Arizona, Nevada, California) and over 8 days of driving the only MINI I saw was one parked on the Las Vegas strip---for rent!

But I saw a Lotus Elise (bright yellow!) heading for Hoover Dam. Quite a head-turner

 

Wow, this post has been exhumed! For the record, my Elise is still on order, but I now have a delivery date of "September". A very good test in patience.

I was at Texas World Speedway this past weekend and took this comparison photo of my Indi Blue MINI next to a Nightfall Blue Elise. The MINI looks huge in comparison in spite of the fact that mine has been lowered about 2".


Oddly enough, this Elise is one of two in the little country town of Magnolia, Texas. Mine will be the third.

John

 

Here in Hawaii the local lotus dealer had 3 in stock at the begining of our annual autoshow. All 3 sold during the 3 day autoshow. I sat in one to check it out. I'm a small guy (5'7" ~150lbs) and the elise was TIGHT getting into and out of. I lost a lot of lust after trying to get out of it.
The door sill that is normally at foot level in most cars is almost chest level in the elise. Imagine climbing out of your MINI through the window. The seats are like carbon fiber wrapped in cardboard that sit on the floor. It was cool but definiately only for the hardcore racer and "look at me" types. Not something I'd want for a daily driver. Weekends might be different..

OMG I just found an instructional video on how to get in and out of it!
http://www.cpdserver.com/elisetalk/video/inandout.wmv

 

MM, That video is a great find! The car in the video is a series one Elise that had a much higher door sill than the series two Elise we get here in the US. Still, it's a very tricky car to get in and out of. Maybe I watched too many Dukes of Hazzard episodes growing up, but I think it's kind of fun. Although I admit that sometimes I just go through the window opening of a spec Miata when I'm getting in.

I've heard the new Elise accurately described as "Today's Morgan". I think that's appropriate for all it implies...

John

 

Why are you waiting? From what I've heard, there is lots of unsold inventory around. You could fly out and drive one back for a nice one way road trip!

Unsold inventory on the ground also improves your chances of getting a better than MSRP deal with a little skillful negotiating!

 

There is an used Yellow Lotus Elise at the lot of the Collection's used car department that has been sitting there for about a month or so.

The car is located in Miami, FL.

 

You're correct on all counts. Unfortunately, I want a specific color (Chrome Orange) and options (hardtop and sport package). I also prefer to deal with our local Houston dealership (Star Motorcars) because they're one of the best Lotus dealers in the country. Even in the early days of Elise madness, they refused to do any price gouging, or take bribes for an earlier place on the waiting list. September isn't that far away now.

John

 

Well heck, I see loaded out american p/u trucks going for $40.000. If you can get the car for close to $40,000 I say its a good deal. I don't like the idea of the $300 oil changes, but $40,000 for the car seems like a bargain.

What other cars out there handles and performs as well for $40,000 new?

 

The MINI and for half the cost.

 

There is something about the proportions that reminds me of Mini Me

 

C4, do you really think you can stay with this car in the twisties? I thnk not

It would be fun to see ya try

 

Is this true? The engine is a bloody Toyota - why so much for an oil change?

 

I did a little research and it turns out that the oil change is complicated by the aerodynamic belly pan that runs the full length of the car. It appears that one of the aluminum panels which has a lot of bolts holding it on has to be removed in order to access the bottom of the engine. There are also a lot of other inspections that happen for the $300 cost. Here is the official Lotus checklist:

The 1000 miles service include:

- Cover seats, footwells, steering wheel and rear body
- Renew engine oil and filter
- Inspect engine & transmission for oil leaks
- Print 'Lotus Scan' Engine History Report and return to Lotus
- Check coolant level
- Inspect parking brake adjustment
- Check brake fluid level
- Check torque of rear toe link inboard fixing
- Inspect tyre condition & set pressures
- Check battery & terminals for security & condition
- Inspect operation of all lights.
- Inspect adjustment of hinges and latches
- Inspect wiper operation & top up windscreen washer reservoir

The 7500 miles service includes that minus the ECU dump, plus:
- Inspect air cleaner element
- Inspect auxiliary drive belt condition
- Inspect water radioator & oil cooler hoses & pipework for damage or leaks. Clean radiator &oil cooler finning
- Inspect brake pad thickness & disc condition
- Inspect brake hoses, pipes & hydraulic units
- Check security and condition of from & rear syspension inc. Free articulation of rear toe link ball joints.
- Inspect dampers for leaks and prformance
- Inspedt front and rear wheel bearings for play
- Inspect condition of drive shaft gaiters
- Inspect Steering ball joints and gaiters
- Inspect free play at steering wheel
- Inspect operation & condition of seat belts
- Lift footwell mats, clean & dry floor

Personally, if it doesn't void the warranty, I'll do all of the maintanence, inspections, and fluid changes myself as I've done on all of my cars including the MINI.

John

 

I'd do that as well. The underbody shouldn't be too bad. We also drive a Honda Insight which has an underbody clipped and bolted to the frame under the engine. It's not hard at all to get it off once you've done it a couple times.