ooo that was one of my favorite things about first driving the MINI

 

That would be the first gen Elise for UK only, before they came over here on 05. I think that even had the smaller engine than the current Toyota engine

She (and they) weren't talking about oil but rain coming in through the ragtop. They all leak and its like "too bad, they all leak"

Thats why its a track toy. Nobody actually said they use them as daily drivers althought there is a contigent of owners on Elise Talk who swear they drive them every day.

Unfortunately, there probably a bigger contigent who thought they could live with one everyday and that is why there is a glut of 05s on the market.

From what I've read and you know how people love to add all their cars to their sigs, many ppl have higher end cars and just buy one for track days.

 

Oops

Does the 1/4" gap in my weather stipping count

 

Have a 04 stge 2 MCS which bring's smiles every day as I travel approx. 100mile/da roundtrip. Had three Loti in the past and swore would never have another! Made the mistake in telling the wife to never let me into another Lotus dealership as long as I lived. I payed the price of that remark approx. 3 mo ago when I fell in love with my 06 AZ Elise. True it is hard to get in and out, false that it is problematic, for me it is not a daily driver, but if you ever need to lift your spirit's it will comply! As far as smiles, they begin the moment you push the start button, and don't end for hour's after your drive has been completed. The car is a blend of my old Ferrari Dino 246 GTS and a Cart. For those that offer opinion's without ever having owned or driven, or experienced, shame on you as it's like telling someone about a great wine etc. without ever having experienced.

So to answer the initial question asked in this forum--yes there are a number of us that own both Mini and Lotus.

 

do they leak water even with the optional hardtop?
they rattle??? what could possibly rattle on that little thing? I thought everything was epoxy glued on them, lol!

 

Yep, the hard top leaks a bit, under the right conditions and there are a few rattly spots in the interior. An aftermarket exhaust with a bit more tone fixes it. Push the pedal on the right and you don't worry about the rattles.

 

I drove one about 6 mo ago and immediately "got it"..... it is an amazing car..... it is on a list that unfortunately is taking some time to get to..... as far as a daily driver.... before the "cam" comes on at about 5K it pretty docile and in fact kind of slow...... I don't think it would be tough in traffic at all.... shame to put on all those "junk miles" but hey, it needs to be driven......

AS pretty as it is when you stand next to it the proportions go all to hell and you see just how small it is...... by itself, I think it looks like it is a larger car...... it really is a go-kart

The 300 whp turbo kit must be rediculous.....

 

i love the little Lotus, other than the fact you gotta be a contortionist to get in and out of it...not much wrong with that thing, the toyota motor is a great idea and i do believe it gets in the mid to high 30's mpg on the highway?

they're getting 'cheaper' too...seen one or two sell for $30-32K on ebay with just a few thousand miles in them.
was there a big change in anything between the 05's and 06's? Other than drive by wire throttle and LED tailights?

 

NOOOOOOOOOOO...drive by wire ? I just hope they do it better then MINI did.

As for a bunch up for sale with 2k miles, you have to expect that with a car like this. Rich guy who thinks it looks good buys one and then decides he can't really drive a stick, it's too hard to get into, etc. Gives people who can't afford a $40k car a chance to buy one.

When they first came out, the dealer in town had one in the local mall. While I was marveling at the aero package and overall bare sportscar feel, others were exclaiming that it "only had a little 1.8L Toyota engine," and my personal favorite, the wife who told her husband she wants one and then him telling her that she'll have to learn to drive stick .

 

I have to say, inside and out, that the Lotus Elise is one of the most fantastic, impressive cars I have laid eyes on. In fact, if I were able to find one under $30,000 out here, I would jump on it like a fat kid on cake. Really.

I'm 20 and going to become a Foreign Exchange trader in Japanese markets, wish me luck so I make some decent green and buy one of these lil buggers.



*Of course, my Coopah is staying with me for life *

 

They are fantastic cars to drive - For speed add lightness (Colin Chapman). If they made one where you don't need be be a contortionist and under 6 ft tall to get in it, I'd probably buy one.

We also have the Vauxhall (part of GM) VX220 Turbo here, same chassis and suspension ,different engine with more power, not sure if you can get them in the US.

 

I liked the lotus I test drove a lot. But if you arent going to use it on the track its a waste of money I feel. ITs supposed to play on the track!

 

It feels good where ever you drive it. Sing along with me now......All I want for Christmas is my Lotus back..... It has been in the body shop since mid September. :impatient I missed all the nice fall driving and a two day weekend at the track.

 

I'm singing along...except mine ('70 Europa) is in the garage with a distributor problem and it's brake master cylinder is currently sitting on the floor waiting to be put back together after rebuilding (and the new primary seal doesn't fit in the bore ).

ok rant over, I just want to go for a drive :impatient

 

No, we don't get the "General Motors" versions of the Elise. The Vauxhall VX220 and the Opel Speedster (Sold in mainland Europe and elsewhere) are cheaper and better looking spin offs of the Lotus Elise.

Instead of getting the VX220/Speedster here in the States, we get the porky and a little mediocre RWD/front engined Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters. Great looking cars, but they are not match for the mid engine mounted and lighter VX220/Speedster/Elise.

Opel has gotten its own version for sale in Europe (Not sure about the UK under the Vauxhall brand name) of the Solstice/Sky roadster. The Opel version is identical to the Saturn Sky version of the car.

How much is the VX220 and what kind of engine does it have?

 

 

The Saturn Sky is the Opel GT overseas.

The Elise is on the short list of vehicles I want too, I also want a Defender 90, a diesl powered Dodge Ram, an AWD 1G DSM and a 67-72 911S

Oh to be out of the military and finished with college....probably still won't have enough money.

 

Why is it in the shop so long?

 

The new clam install and paint matching went beautifully. The problem has been the Starshield (protectant film). The shop couldn't find anyone qualified to install it. It is not an easy one. About the time we started asking on Elise Talk for an installer the shop said they had found someone to do it. Something went wrong, not sure what but it looks kind of like fingerprints under the surface of the film in about 24 or 30 spots. The film is now to be removed, hopefully not damaging the paint, and a new installer has been found. Soon, maybe.

 

It's a Lotus (Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious)

 

I don't even want to go there ...

At least they don't all use Lucas anymore

 

At least its not

FIAT (Fix It All the Time)

 

Ah, Lucas, the God of Darkness

 

that car's interior looks nice.

im not too fond of the exterior but if i lowered it and put on some
larger wheels wider tires and body kit it will probably look great, but then
that'll bog it down and then i'll get rammed by the true lotus
enthusiasts, right?

ie: there's no place for me. (scratching my head)

 

Mad Apple has been very dependable. The only trouble I've had with the Elise is trying to occupy the same time/space continuum with a medium sized dog. Unfortunately the dog earned his little angel wings and has gone on to doggie heaven. It was not a fun time for me as I really like dogs.

I have a habit of doing a mountain run on New Year's Day if the weather is nice. I am really hoping I can run in the Lotus.