If you already have a primary transportation, which car would you pick to be your "fun" car, a Lotus Elise or a MCW MCS? :smile:

 

I assume ur talking about a used Lotus because there is a big prive gap between the JCW and the Elise both new, is that right? If so I would have to say elise because it is supposed to be the quickest little race car. Since you dont have to worry about the practicallity of 4 seats (the mini) could be considered the more practical choice. Is this gonna be a track day car too?

_________________
Indi Blue MCS
White roof, wheels and stripes. Packages #1,2,3 (cept for the sunroof)
Its here now, finally and I love it

 

Elise. If you only wanted 1 car Elise, if you need two cars 2 Elises.

 

I'd have to say the Elise as well. There's nothing cooler, can't beat the price... and my primary car is already a MCS thats almost as fast as a JCW,

 

>>If you already have a primary transportation, which car would you pick to be your "fun" car, a Lotus Elise or a MCW MCS? :smile:
>>

Apples and oranges, IMO. A JCW MINI is designed to be a fun, somewhat practical, small FWD car for commuting. An Elise is meant to be a fun, relatively inexpensive RWD sports car. If I had a budget of $40k I'd probably go for the JCW because then there would be at least some money left over for track-time and DE's. :smile: But then again, for a mainly "track/fun car" I'd rather have RWD and would probably choose a track-preped E30 or E36 BMW over either.

 

no question in my mind.

elise.

 

Having driven the European version of the Elise, and owning a modified MCS, both cars can be classified as tremendous fun. The MINI is infinitely more practical than the Elise. But as a second car (read TOY) the Elise shines like no other. It is the all weather kart, or the four wheeled motorcycle. Similar to the MINI is its engine displacement, and actually down a bit in power as its normally aspirated, the Elise is not a dragster, what it is though is 100% handling. I drove one on a race track and had the "pleasure" of reaching the limits of adhesion in second gear. I makes wonderful circular doughnuts under full braking, in case you were wondering. Given $40k and a little more free time, I'd go for an Elise over the JCW MCS.

 

If you are a short person Elise, but if you are normal size that is 6"3" or taller it has to be the MINI.

 

For the admission price of the Elise, you can purchase 2 base MCS.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Elise but I still much prefer a JCW MCS over it.


I want to see the hefty markup from Lotus dealers when the Elise is launch in the US market. Cost of service, parts and insurance....don't even want to think about it...

Oh and I like the Opel Speedster (GM's German version of the Elise) much better than the Elise itself:

http://www.opel.com

 

I love the MINI. But for this question I would have to fall into the Elise camp. If you are not on the waiting list already you are in for a LONG wait for the Elise in the USA. Though the MSRP is under 40k there is talk on the Elise boards (Elisetalk.com) of dealers in some areas marking up the cars after people have placed a deposit on the car (shady I would think but not seeing the print I will not call it illegal).

 

I am not sure if comparing the MINI Cooper to a Lotus Elise is a fair comparison to begin with. Both cars through similar in driving fun and dynamics principles are very different in most other areas.

There is only one Lotus dealer here in Miami.....I am eager to see the markup they are putting on these babies...shall we say another $10K-$15K above MSRP?

 

I was really tempted to go to the Elise. But being 6'4, there is no way that I could comfortably drive this car

 

I really like the Elise, but I don't know if I can give up my MINI, especially after all the mods I've done. :smile:

 

>>I really like the Elise, but I don't know if I can give up my MINI, especially after all the mods I've done. :smile:
>>
When my number comes up I hope I can bring out a tear.

 

Lotus Elise...

 

The Elise handles better than any other car in its class (and most other much more spendy ones). It has a waayyyy better horsepower to weight ratio and is much quicker than a JCW MINI (4.8 sec 0-60 time, claimed!). At 39K, it's not cheap, but the fun factor makes it sound like it's easily the equal of a Boxster, a Z4 or an M3 and much cheaper than that lot. A simple fact remains: I love the way the MINI looks. If it's 2/3 or 3/4 as fun as an Elise, then I'd get the Works S first. The Elise is very insect-like in appearance, and doesn't immediately appeal to my eye. If I could have both, I'd be a fool not to get an Elise. Maybe in the next lifetime...

 

>>If you already have a primary transportation, which car would you pick to be your "fun" car, a Lotus Elise or a MCW MCS? :smile:


Since my MCS is my daily driver, and my "fun car," all in one, and I already have it, I would go with the Elise as a second car. But that's only because I already have my MCS, and I fear he might get jealous if I brought home another.

 

ELISE!!!!!!!!!

which is a "duh", cuz I've already got my daily driver

 

Dave, didn't you just buy your car?

If you're talking cost no option, there is no question - Elise. I would trade my MINI in a heartbeat for one of those.

 

>>Dave, didn't you just buy your car?

Yup, back in January! :smile:

 

isn't the Elise about $10k more than your average JCW car? If you offered me an Elise or 10k and and a JCW MINI, I'd probably take the MINI.

 

>>I'm appalled at how many of the MINI enthusiasts here prefer an Elise over a JCW MCS. :smile:>>

That's funny, I'm appalled that anybody would buy a JCW MCS!

 

>>isn't the Elise about $10k more than your average JCW car? If you offered me an Elise or 10k and and a JCW MINI, I'd probably take the MINI.

Good point!

 

A new Elise is $20K more expensive than a base MCS.

 

just as an FYI. I came across this thread on the Elise talk. It was kinda fun.
link to elesetalk

just in case I did not post the link correctly and you want to cut and past.
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...;threadid=2475