Hero

run a search on lotus talk forums. the guys that upgraded from an s2000 all say the same thing: i love my elise, but i miss my s2000. if something were to happen to my lotus i'd probably just get another s2000 instead.

something to consider ( as i was considering the same thing ). it's tough to beat everything the s2000 offers.

Ralleh

I think chicks dig the s2000 more than an elise, so that should pretty much decide it, wife or not.

Seriously though, with a 5 mile drive either car won't be really sufficiently warm to safely hang out around redline, so you'd probably be better off replacing the miata with an s2000. I would wager that there are far more people who regret getting the lotus vs the honda.

dammitjim

This is why I didn't get an Elise. It might be a better car, but it's not worth the price of entry to me.

PedalFaster

I imagine "chicks" would find riding in an S2000 more comfortable than riding in an Elise, but in my experience the Elise garners a thousand times more attention from both men and women.

fenixv8

the elise was my first choice until i test drove it and saw how not practical it was. Im happy with my choice

Tripleblackap1

They arn't really in the same price range. I picked up my ap1 with 53,000 miles and a bunch of tasteful mods for 12k. It was well taken care of and garaged its whole life. I had money left over to buy new wheels/tires and a stereo. Also the Elise is small. If you are small then its ok, but if you are average it is tricky to get in and out of. My buddy is 5'11" and 240lbs, and doesn't fit in it. Our friend has one, he is 5’5” 120lbs.

But ultimately it is your choice… Test drive both cars and make your own decision.

i_heart_my_DB8

I very much want an Elise, and wish I could have one for the same reasons you do: Focused, lightweight, pure driver's car.

However, every time I take the S2000 away for a weekend roadtrip, put a cooler with chairs and a beach umbrella in it, toss my guitar in the back for a drive out to a secluded spot, I'm so thankful for the S2000.

For ME, the Elise is TOO focused a car, and would require having another car. The S2000 is a perfect balance in my situation.

Read my Elise test drive HERE if you want.

Steponme

No, the Elise costs almost 50% more new (and new vs. used is non-applicable). Plus, the S2000 came out in '99 (when earlier S2000 owners bought them), at a time when the Elise wasn't really available in the U.S., until years later. In addition, there are plenty of posts about the Elise's hardcore persona, and some people don't like that too much when used daily; compared to other cars, the S2000 is hardcore enough already.

CKit

I don't need a "pure driver's car" to drive between a minivan and a pickup truck at 30 mph in a straight line....

Ralleh

Yeah but how many gals are gonna say, "that's a cute car" when referring to an elise vs an s2k? My gal thought an exige we saw was utterly hideous but loves the look of my car.