http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26651

It appears that Lotus will not import MY07 models until ALL of the 2006 models are sold. That doesn't sound to good considering dealers still have unsold 2005 models in inventory nevermind 2006 models.

IMHO, it don't look too good for Lotus in the US. Since use 05 prices have plummeted like a rock, maybe the idea of track toy for the Rich and being totally impractical for daily driving is havings its toll on sales?

edited: Thanks GBMINI!

 

Your link should be:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26651

 

those cars never really looked that appealing to me...

 

Agreed... great for the track.. but not practical for everyday use... thats if you can even fit...

 

Seems to me this is a chronic problem for Lotus. Lotus has always been about the cars, with sales and practicality only distant concerns. I can't recall a single car Lotus has ever made that was really every-day practical but it didn't keep them from being exciting, challenging, and rewarding vehicles.

It's almost a Lotus tradition to be teetering on the edge of fiscal calamity. I hope that they weather this storm like they have all the others, 'cuz even though I'll never be in the market for a Lotus I like the fact that they're out there building dedicated enthusiast cars and stretching the envelope.

 

i would trade my mini hands down any day for an elise. those cars completely rip it up on the auto-x course. stock.

 

The thing about the current Lotus offerings is the maintenance is not very cheap. Even if you can afford one, you'll be replacing the rear r compound tires every 6 months; and the fronts every year.

Lotus might be able to make a bigger splash into the US with the Europa S but even there, it will be competing with big hp rivals. Americans seem to like hp.

 

If the Elise had come in for $30K, maybe even $35K, they'd be whisking out the door. At $45-50K, there's just too many "real" cars to compete with. I had a brief bout of insanity where I considered trading my previous E46 M3 for an Elise as a daily driver, I'm so glad I came to my senses before doing that. When the used ones get sub $20K (which they will) I might have to reconsider getting one as a toy.

 

Actually, some ppl are complaining 2K - 6K miles maximum

 

when i lived in LA, my modded 98 Lude had tires replaced ever 3k miles
from carving the canyons. well, they weren't especially
expensive tires though. SP8000's $115 a pop + mount each.

 

Check this out... 2900 miles Credit to elisetalk



1000 miles

 

I just traded my MINI and picked up one of those unsold 05 Elises last week for dealer invoice. Getting in and out is easy and the boot is easily as large as the MINI's except the opening is much smaller.

The MINI is a great car, the weight of the steering, clutch and shifter are very similar to the Elise. I would say the Elise is twice as enjoyable to drive at half the speed to the MINI, it's been my daily driver, but I've avoided highways and taken the longer route everywhere.

Who cares about depreciation? You can't really put a price on fun and the Elise is a keeper.

And who knows, maybe i'll pickup an 07 MINI in a few years time.

 

You gotta respect a car company that sticks to what it wants to produce, rather than water it down for mass consumption. With the popularity of the Miata and the Sky/Solstace it would be easy for Lotus to sacrifice some performance for practicality.

 

it's not good news for Lotus. To think that <3000 cars a year oversaturates the market means that, well the market is tiny! And if the Exage/Elise markets are pretty much the same. Too many cars and not enough customers is bad news no matter how you slice it.

Matt

 

Saw a 04 eleise for sale this weekend at monterey. They wants 38k for it . Its still for sale

 

they'll be cheaper than an optioned Works car.

Matt

 

IMO, Exige is the exact same car as the Elise with the exception of various body bits that create a lot more downforce. 3000 Elise/year ... 300/Exige. They can't sell the 300 Exige.

I surprised more MINI owners who really car about a small, light car where handling is "everything" haven't bought more Elise. Used 05 Elise are now easily mid-30s ... less than an optioned JCW.

I think many ppl are waiting a year so 05s are two years old and price drops into mid-20s.

 

I saw an Exige on the freeway a couple of days ago. My SO flew by him and I came up close behind him. I could tell he said to himself, "WTF?? A MINI just passed me and another is on my a$$!" He sped way up and got off at our exit. He pulled away from me on the off-ramp, but I closed up quickly, and we all stopped at the light. He gave our MINIs a glancing over. I was on the walkie-talkie, telling the SO as all this happened, and proclaimed, "His car looks like a shoe. Granted, a fast running shoe, but still a shoe."

It's fun to play.

 

wow...lot's of street racing posts today.

IBFTL!

 

Hey now, I didn't say anything about racing or speeding, merely that increses in speed occured. It was on the up and up.

 

Batcat. You know that bumper sticker that says "Don't follow me on the curves, you WILL end up in the weeds"? Don't try following an Exige in the curves ... your MINI will end up in the weeds (if the driver is serious).

 

Ouch. Given that I drive a stock MCS and would rate my driving skills as "above average" but certainly not anything to brag about, I wouldn't dream of trying to follow. Besides, Malibu Stacy and I are cute, we don't need to be fast.

 

uhhhh huh!! sure! wink wink im just kidding too. wink wink.

 

Being cute counts FAR more than being fast

All MINIs are cute!!!

 

I'd definitely drive an Exige if I could get my hands on one for the price of a MINI. There's just no comparison. Lotus had always been about making the lightest, best handling car and stuffing a decent (light) powerplant in it.

I'll stick with my Europa...from back when Collin was the man and Lord Lucas reigned supreme. Well, at least when Collin was the man