Opinions on Lotus Elise?
05-10-2004, 04:03 AM
#21
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I was half-way interested in the Elise, however on reading about it, I've come to the conclusion that it's too small for me. I'm 6'3" 210 lbs and I have a hard enough time getting into and out of the S2000, and it's tight. I believe the Elise will be even more cramped.
And (no flames please), the C6 Vette for near the same price is a better all around car. I've driven a Z06 Vette with 405hp and 400 TQ, numbers the base C6 vett will match. As light as the Lotus is, it's power to weight and TQ to weight will be well on the shy side of the C6 (base).
The Elise will have acceleration on par with a 3.2L NSX or a STi. The C6 Vette will have acceleration on par with a 360 Modena or GT3.
At the track the Elise vs the C6 vette may be a toss up. However I've never in my life driven a car on the track. The Elise is a great street legal track car. The Corvette is a great real world car.
BTW I still love the Elise and I hope it does well, however for $40K, it would have been "the bomb" if it had had the (240hp) S2000 engine.
And (no flames please), the C6 Vette for near the same price is a better all around car. I've driven a Z06 Vette with 405hp and 400 TQ, numbers the base C6 vett will match. As light as the Lotus is, it's power to weight and TQ to weight will be well on the shy side of the C6 (base).
The Elise will have acceleration on par with a 3.2L NSX or a STi. The C6 Vette will have acceleration on par with a 360 Modena or GT3.
At the track the Elise vs the C6 vette may be a toss up. However I've never in my life driven a car on the track. The Elise is a great street legal track car. The Corvette is a great real world car.
BTW I still love the Elise and I hope it does well, however for $40K, it would have been "the bomb" if it had had the (240hp) S2000 engine.
05-10-2004, 05:10 AM
#22
Originally posted by neeks127
a 40k car deserves better than the 1800cc celica engine.
a 40k car deserves better than the 1800cc celica engine.
It clocked the 6th fastest time of all their cars on a wet track with stock tires that are far from being "all season"
!!!! That's faster than a NSX-R, 911 GT3, etc.
05-10-2004, 05:49 AM
#23
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It was only faster than the 911 GT3 and NSX-R because they were wet weather times.
No dis-respect to the Exige though because its an awesome track car. The new Elise 111R is a very good car and has actually been softened for the US market - its now got a std stereo carpets and I think even a/c. The original Elise came empty!
If I could have 2 cars = a weekend car and a week car I would have an Elise. But as it is I can only have one car and the S2000 is perfect for the job
No dis-respect to the Exige though because its an awesome track car. The new Elise 111R is a very good car and has actually been softened for the US market - its now got a std stereo carpets and I think even a/c. The original Elise came empty!
If I could have 2 cars = a weekend car and a week car I would have an Elise. But as it is I can only have one car and the S2000 is perfect for the job
05-10-2004, 08:27 AM
#25
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Its just not a day to day driver. If it had more comfort, im sure id of waited for it instead of my S.
I feel the toyota's engine is more then up to the task of pushing around the elise, It very well may not be a powerhouse in the celica, but the power/weight ratio cant be denied in this case. Be it as it may, Everyone will always want more power.
As for now, I love the looks of the elise, and i believe it will Do more then defend itself on an autocross course. I look forward to seing it, and taking it for a test drive.
I feel the toyota's engine is more then up to the task of pushing around the elise, It very well may not be a powerhouse in the celica, but the power/weight ratio cant be denied in this case. Be it as it may, Everyone will always want more power.
As for now, I love the looks of the elise, and i believe it will Do more then defend itself on an autocross course. I look forward to seing it, and taking it for a test drive.
05-10-2004, 04:59 PM
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Now hold on a second. I assume you are referring to the "well respected" R&T best handling test. That was about subjective handling. In that case sure, one might go with the Elise. But that doesn't mean it can hang with a GT3 on a track.
And I'm not being an Elise naysayer. I drove a Mk1 and absolutely love it. I think it'll be a killer auto-X car, probably eat the Z06 alive. And a great track car. But no, I don't think it will be competitive with the big boys on most tracks (assuming equal drivers and tires). I think the Automobile article gives a good idea of what would really happen there.
It all depends what you are looking for. If you bought the S2000 because you wanted the most pure, light-weight visceral sports car in the US, well, your new ride is here.
And Rai, I'm afraid yes, you are too big for it. I even found it hard to figure out how to get my 5'-6", 130-lb frame in and out of it!
And I'm not being an Elise naysayer. I drove a Mk1 and absolutely love it. I think it'll be a killer auto-X car, probably eat the Z06 alive. And a great track car. But no, I don't think it will be competitive with the big boys on most tracks (assuming equal drivers and tires). I think the Automobile article gives a good idea of what would really happen there.
It all depends what you are looking for. If you bought the S2000 because you wanted the most pure, light-weight visceral sports car in the US, well, your new ride is here.
And Rai, I'm afraid yes, you are too big for it. I even found it hard to figure out how to get my 5'-6", 130-lb frame in and out of it!
