Orange 2005 w/19,000 mi.

I have been saying for a while that this will be my next car, and they are now getting down to my price range.

I had the car for 30 mins, by myself, backroads and highway. I was truly amazed at just how raw of a sports car it really is. It is a "toy" in every sense of the word, built for nothing except to be driven roughly from point A to B. You would thing I was driving an Enzo down the road the way people were staring.
The saleman straight up told me not to buy any mechanical parts from lotus. All things mechanical share the same part # as toyota, lotus just marks them up. For example, a spark plug from Lotus cost $150, the same part from Toyota is $10.

Now it is just a matter of pulling the trigger. I still need to do some research to make sure I won't get raped on my car.

Needless to say, if you ever get a chance to get ahold of one of these, don't let it pass you by.

write more!!! i want one really bad in a few years!

what year is your roadster? If you're rocking an s54 I'm really suprised you'd consider the jump, then again the lotus is a totaly different animal. I always say screw practicallity, I'll be practical when im 50, so go for it and enjoy what is essentially the most performance and head turning for the dollar with a closed cockpit.

WRITE MORE!

-Spargo

write more its always nice to hear a lotus story

I've driven one as well and it was pure automotive bliss

Orange 2005 w/19,000 mi.

I have been saying for a while that this will be my next car, and they are now getting down to my price range.

I had the car for 30 mins, by myself, backroads and highway. I was truly amazed at just how raw of a sports car it really is. It is a "toy" in every sense of the word, built for nothing except to be driven roughly from point A to B. You would thing I was driving an Enzo down the road the way people were staring.
The saleman straight up told me not to buy any mechanical parts from lotus. All things mechanical share the same part # as toyota, lotus just marks them up. For example, a spark plug from Lotus cost $150, the same part from Toyota is $10.

Now it is just a matter of pulling the trigger. I still need to do some research to make sure I won't get raped on my car.

Needless to say, if you ever get a chance to get ahold of one of these, don't let it pass you by.
$150 for a spark plug? -hard to believe.

Orange 2005 w/19,000 mi.

I have been saying for a while that this will be my next car, and they are now getting down to my price range.

I had the car for 30 mins, by myself, backroads and highway. I was truly amazed at just how raw of a sports car it really is. It is a "toy" in every sense of the word, built for nothing except to be driven roughly from point A to B. You would thing I was driving an Enzo down the road the way people were staring.
The saleman straight up told me not to buy any mechanical parts from lotus. All things mechanical share the same part # as toyota, lotus just marks them up. For example, a spark plug from Lotus cost $150, the same part from Toyota is $10.

Now it is just a matter of pulling the trigger. I still need to do some research to make sure I won't get raped on my car.

Needless to say, if you ever get a chance to get ahold of one of these, don't let it pass you by.
Someone is trying to clear out Toyota parts...:devillook

i couldve sworn lotus was owned by jaguar which is now owned by ford??

I was one of the first in the U.S. to get an Elise. It was very reliable and overall a fun car. I missed torque (and comfort) so I switched to a Z4 M Coupe. Between the gearing/6100 rpm cam change over it got tiring to drive near limit or any distance on the highway. I ended up trailering it to track events because it's unbearable on highway trips for a lot of people. I am not by any means trying to change your mind but want to point out a couple of characteristics quite a few owners experience. It's also really expensive to insure. My current insurance company wouldn't even cover it so check into rates before you bite the bullet. I miss the amazing steering feel but my lap times in the M Coupe are 2-3 seconds faster (Road Atlanta) since the Elise falls on it's face above 110mph. It's rated to have a top speed around 150 but it takes 5 miles to get there. At Low speed tracks (Barber) it was absolutely amazing. Checkout www.elisetalk.com (http://www.elisetalk.com) for some great info and people.

Here's a video from VIR
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7246828176413010086

Orange 2005 w/19,000 mi.

I have been saying for a while that this will be my next car, and they are now getting down to my price range.

I had the car for 30 mins, by myself, backroads and highway. I was truly amazed at just how raw of a sports car it really is. It is a "toy" in every sense of the word, built for nothing except to be driven roughly from point A to B. You would thing I was driving an Enzo down the road the way people were staring.
The saleman straight up told me not to buy any mechanical parts from lotus. All things mechanical share the same part # as toyota, lotus just marks them up. For example, a spark plug from Lotus cost $150, the same part from Toyota is $10.

Now it is just a matter of pulling the trigger. I still need to do some research to make sure I won't get raped on my car.

Needless to say, if you ever get a chance to get ahold of one of these, don't let it pass you by.


but a used one with like 15k miles for low - mid 30's

tons for sale

Be careful near the limit in corners. The Elise is very unforgiving, especially if you don't get your braking done before you start turning. That hunk of metal behind you likes to swing around without warning. I learned a lot from having mine but 2 weeks after I sold it it was wrecked.

Look here from some deals:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=94

i've always heard better things with the b18c5 elises that came before they were fully shipped over.

what year is your roadster? If you're rocking an s54 I'm really suprised you'd consider the jump, then again the lotus is a totaly different animal. I always say screw practicallity, I'll be practical when im 50, so go for it and enjoy what is essentially the most performance and head turning for the dollar with a closed cockpit.

WRITE MORE!

-Spargo

the PO of my car bought an Exige to replace the s52 M coupe.

Which is why I got it for such a good price.

They really are amazing little cars.

One of the few cars under 100k on my list to drive that I have not driven! I love these things! I am a big believer in the lighter the better!

I was one of the first in the U.S. to get an Elise. It was very reliable and overall a fun car. I missed torque (and comfort) so I switched to a Z4 M Coupe. Between the gearing/6100 rpm cam change over it got tiring to drive near limit or any distance on the highway. I ended up trailering it to track events because it's unbearable on highway trips for a lot of people. I am not by any means trying to change your mind but want to point out a couple of characteristics quite a few owners experience. It's also really expensive to insure. My current insurance company wouldn't even cover it so check into rates before you bite the bullet. I miss the amazing steering feel but my lap times in the M Coupe are 2-3 seconds faster (Road Atlanta) since the Elise falls on it's face above 110mph. It's rated to have a top speed around 150 but it takes 5 miles to get there. At Low speed tracks (Barber) it was absolutely amazing. Checkout www.elisetalk.com (http://www.elisetalk.com) for some great info and people.

Here's a video from VIR
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7246828176413010086

I agree about the comfort part, now way to really gain that in an elise, however I think it is worth noting that a Forced Fed turbo kit solves many of the low end torque / top end acceleration issues.

Elise + turbo = epic win