Opinions on the: Lotus Elise.

[Ducati]

Well, I'm bored of my RSX and I went out looking for cars to purchase with my old man.

I saw the Lotus Elise. It's in my budget, not to many of them on the streets. Looks good.

What I dislike is the no trunk space - and the gas pedal is about 3/4'th's of an inch thick but all these can be changed.

Anyone have any experience owning the lotus elise?

Going to test drive one tomorrow.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

I wish I knew how a student could have a 40-50k price range.

[DEV0 E30]

My brother in law has one, I love the thing. He got the first shipment of the new body style, drove it across country - no problems. The Toyota 1.8 engine is reliable but could use some more oomph, but there are some supercharger kits being developed for it. He autoxs it aswell, I need to go to see what the car does at the limit.

Cons are, it's low to the ground, sometimes it gets too much attention, and trunk space is tiny. Pros are, it has incredible handling, 6 speed, 0-60 under 5, and no bs.

Yeah, 40K isn't that bad for the car itself. But for sharing it, your dad will probably not want to give it up. Ditto on student funds amazement.

http://blue-helix.com/~plug/elise_1.jpg

http://blue-helix.com/~plug/elise_2.jpg

[Ducati]

I wish I knew how a student could have a 40-50k price range.

*shrugs - born into it*

I went to a use lot dealer to see it, the dude wanted $47K for an 05 with curb rashed rims, and a dirty ass interior. I told him he's smokin some serious crack and left the lot.

I've seen some decent ones go for $42k-43k.

[DEV0 E30]

A lot of dealers are trying to get above MSRP, it is dumb.

[blunttech]

Well, I'm bored of my RSX and I went out looking for cars to purchase with my old man.

I saw the Lotus Elise. It's in my budget, not to many of them on the streets. Looks good.

What I dislike is the no trunk space - and the gas pedal is about 3/4'th's of an inch thick but all these can be changed.

Anyone have any experience owning the lotus elise?

Going to test drive one tomorrow.

id like to slap your parents. if youre a fucking student you shouldnt have an rsx let alone an elise. you should be driving an 86 es with curbed bottlecaps and busted fogs. go get a fucking job and buy your own car like 99% of everyone on here has.

[Digitalwave]

I'd say get into a lot of track days before your dad buys you a car like an Elise.

[DEV0 E30]

I'd like to say that both posts above me have made completely valid arguements.

[Jon325i]

Never drove one personally but I have talked to two Elise owners while at track events. Both gave me the same reason: great track car, pointless on the street.

Jon

[Ducati]

I don't recall saying my parents are going to buy it for me.

Thanks for the imput guys.

[325iCabrio]

I owned a similar car, a Toyota MR2 Spyder, and it was badass. I have never driven a car that handles that well, although BMWs come close. The Elise is a lot faster car, but the driving dynamics are the same. And there were a lot of guys on the Spyder forum who also owned Elises, and they loved them.

I would get more track time if you plan on AutoXing your Elise--driving a mid-engine car is a lot harder than a front-engined one, and the Elise is not as forgiving as my Spyder was. But, with that said, they're good cars, and if you like sports cars, the noise and comfort level of the Elise shouldn't bother you.

If I had your money I'd get a BMW Z4 M Roadster, an M3, or a used MB E55 AMG, but that's me.

[Ducati]

There's waaaaaaaaaaaay to many of those M3's Z4's and Benzs. I'll pass on those.

[blunttech]

I don't recall saying my parents are going to buy it for me.

Thanks for the imput guys.

for the record i wasnt dogging on you. it was more aimed at your parents.im sure youre a nice kid. i just dont understand a student having a car worth 50k. and if you can in fact afford that car with your own money id love to know what you do. like you said, you were born into it and i dont blame you. i would of taken an elise or equivelent from my parents at that age too. i just dont think its right.i mean where do you go from there when you get bored with that??

[325iCabrio]

There's waaaaaaaaaaaay to many of those M3's Z4's and Benzs. I'll pass on those.

Well, I live in Utah, and all I see everyday are SUV mommy mobiles, so M3s and Benzs are a rare sight here.

[AdironRider]

Id rock one any day of the week in cali. You could drive it year round and love every fucking second.