Elise

[Fishstix]

I didn't really know where to post this...

But I need some opinions. I've been geared towards buying the EVO X for some time now, saving all my money and such, but I completely forgot about the Lotus Elise.

First of all I thought this car was ridiculously expensive and only available in Europe since I've never seen one and I thought Lotus was just another one of those Euro-only cars. Then I went on auto trader to find 2005 & 2006 models selling between $32k-$36k! That's the same, if not less, than the EVO X GSR. It puts out about the same power as the Si. 1.8 Liter 190 HP, but 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.

So what's wrong with this car? I have never seen one on the road and no one talks about them.

[bluesunit]

They are a toy car.

I don't mean that in a bad way, they just aren't meant to be a daily driver.

One of the guys I autocross with has one. The suspension is abusively stiff, there is only room for two people and a briefcase, the A/C is crap, it probably isn't all that safe, and you'll bottom out on any good sized pothole.

However, it's a freaking blast to drive.

[Izzy]

I see a few, but they're not exactly DD-material, as bluesunit says. Everytime I do end up seeing one, it's always the weekend going north towards canyon-country.

It's more of a weekend fling in the canyons then a drive home.

An Evo-X is more suitable for everyday tasks. That said, an Elise is still one of my favorites, and very easily within the top 10 of my all-time.

[t85konrad]

i have seen a few here in chicago but ya overall nota good daily driver

[discobiscuit]

its a good car, but why is it cheap? because lotus wanted to reach out to more customers with their elise, by throwing a 1.8l toyota (if i am not mistaken) engine in it, and its a 2dr coupe rather than a4door like the mitsu/wrx. They wanted people like you to think about it when considering buying a 30-40k car.

[20strong]

They are 2 seaters.

[Fishstix]

Hmmmm... well I'll have to look into this further. An EVO is an EVO... only a few people own one around my area, but this thing is rare and sexier than the evo.

[Izzy]

Hell yeah it's sexier than an Evo.

[habitat]

19 years old... mid engined car... be careful out there... If you can handle it, it'll be a blast to drive. You'll get there quick, and it wont hurt the pocket gaswise. Just do yourself a favor lay off those powerslides... VVTL-i + mid engine = vicious SNAP!

[civicmarc]

THey are the ugliest cars on the market in my opinion. With out a doubt get the evo X.

[ELDUU]

love the Lotus Elise

[cderalow]

lotus are great cars, but they run the squishiest/grippiest tires possible.

most elise/exige owners get less than 10,000 miles on these tires (especially the rears), and at 200-250 each, it's tough to stomach $1k worth of tires every year in a DD situation

and as stated above, suspension = harsh, low ground clearance, two seats, 0 trunk space...

it's not a good daily.. for a weekend car, certainly

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

elise is great. but you should definatly go sit in one before you think about getting it as a DD. creature comfort is almost nothing and they are small. its track car status....definatly take it out for a long test drive before you purchase one. if you really want one and were going to spend the 45k+ on an EVO, get the elise and invest the rest of teh money you would have spent on a reliable beater that is practicle...

[Fishstix]

Originally Posted by NIGHTHAWKSI

elise is great. but you should definatly go sit in one before you think about getting it as a DD. creature comfort is almost nothing and they are small. its track car status....definatly take it out for a long test drive before you purchase one. if you really want one and were going to spend the 45k+ on an EVO, get the elise and invest the rest of teh money you would have spent on a reliable beater that is practicle...

evos start at $33k. the closest elise being sold is 200 miles away so i'll have to take a trip sometime.

[NIGHTHAWKSI]

didnt know the evo was so cheap. well then. its teh better decision rather than teh evo

[bluesunit]

Let me also mention that my friend broke his bottom splitter in half from a cone strike. The entire body is made of fiberglass.

Even new, the cars were $43k ish, which is pretty cheap for what you get. I was also under the impression that they were much more expensive. The reason that you are seeing Elises going for $30k now is that the new Elise comes supercharged from the factory. A lot of the Elise fans are now trading up.

[galaxygrey13]

Get the Evo its more convenient. What if. What if you go out one night and pick up two lesbian chicks and they want you to take them back to your place? How are you going to handle that?

[0720Steve]

if you can do it......do it

[civsnake]

It's really about the experience. The two cars are completely different.

The Elise is a perfect sports car and track killer. It's incredibly light and handles amazingly well. No crazy techno-gadgetry, just engine-driveline-wheels-tires-road. I guess you could call it more pure.

The Evo is larger, more powerful, and much heavier. Instead of being minimal and simple it is highly advanced and complicated, although not in a bad way, per se.

The Evo will be more comfortable, no doubt. Also more useful. It will also hold up much better in poor weather due to all of its integrated traction control and handling systems.

It you only have one car, it should probably be the Evo. If you are looking for a second car and enjoy sport car tradition when you drive, consider the Elise.

BTW, I live in SoCali and see these things all the damn time. They're much more popular around here because you can drive them year round.

[SoCal07Si]

Get an Exige, if ur gonna do it, do it right