2005 Lotus Elise

[R32]

That sucks anlong witha long list of other thing like the skyline not in the us, s15 not in us, groundfighter nothing in 3years. and britney not being a playmate

[Onizuka]

The reason they use a Toyota engine is because one of the Lotus guys has a long friendship with a dude at Toyota. Otherwise a Honda engine would have been perfect. Anyway, if I got one, I'd want to get absolutely no options except for A/C and power brakes.

lol, where did you hear that story? Toyota even denide permission to use the motor at first. The use of toyota's engine can be accredited to Roger Becker, a "consultant for vehicle engineering" located in the UK. It wasnt even lotus's decicion to bring the elise here, it was its parent company Proton (malaysian car manufacturer).

[Onizuka]

That sucks anlong witha long list of other thing like the skyline not in the us, s15 not in us, groundfighter nothing in 3years. and britney not being a playmate

Skyline is in the US, only its re-badged the G35 sedan and coupe.

the silvia was discontinued in 2001, 3 years after the 240 was discontinued here, the s-series is dead.

give her career a few more years, im sure she will become despret and do some lude modeling

[R32]

poor poor poor poor skyline but the g35 is not a Gtr

[RMiller]

A 187 HP I-4 may not seem like a deal for $40k, but considering the car only weighs in at 1975 lbs. This 1.8 L engine will propell the car to the 1/4 in only 13.1 seconds, in stock form.

It seems like lots of the weight savings is also cost savings for Lotus. I realize the Elise has a very advanced chassis, but a Miata weighs about 2300 lbs, and has many more features. I also think the styling is a little overdone, although I do think it looks good. I think the thing that really bugs me is that this great $40k car has a celica engine in it. Nothing against that motor, but the car ought to come with an engine unique to the Elise that puts out more power.

[Twintip_yeti]

0-60 in 4.9 seconds is very quick for a $40,000 stock car with race car handling, well it kinda is a race car. And the Elise isn't about massive amounts of power, its about being a super nimble and quick car that can hang with the best of them.

[EZcheese15]

Well, I just got back from the Lotus dealer. Finally had some spare time to run by there today.

I asked if they had any literature on the Elise yet, but they didn't. He did say that they ordered their demo car yesterday, which should be here in a couple months. He said that if I came back in in a couple months, I could take it for a test drive. Woohoo.

Also, he said they should get some literature (brochure's, etc) about the same time, in a couple months. Apparently they have over 100 preorders for that dealer right now, which means the first year is pretty much booked. Rumor on the Lotus forums is that each dealer has been allocated 10 Elises per month. The salesperson I talked to said that's a good estimate, but Lotus has not officially allocated *any* specific number to any dealer. He did however say, that Atlanta Lotus (the dealer I went to) is probably going to get more than any other dealer in the country, because apparently they are the largest Lotus dealer in the country (makes sense, since Lotus NA headquarters are near Atlanta).

Anyway, the final thing I asked him was what an estimated monthly payment would be if I put $10k down. (I'm assuming if I pay off my current car, I could get approx $10k for it). The amount he quoted me, for $10k down and a 72 month loan, is only about $100/month more than what I'm paying for my Sentra! Woohoo!!

Now I just need to get a job...or atleast, a full time one. Ofcourse, I've been saying that for months now

[fiznat]

you cant drive the elise to work though....

[Onizuka]

poor poor poor poor skyline but the g35 is not a Gtr

Nissan skyline = Infiniti G35

Nissan GTR = Infiniti GTR = Does not exist yet

[Onizuka]

It seems like lots of the weight savings is also cost savings for Lotus. I realize the Elise has a very advanced chassis, but a Miata weighs about 2300 lbs, and has many more features. I also think the styling is a little overdone, although I do think it looks good. I think the thing that really bugs me is that this great $40k car has a celica engine in it. Nothing against that motor, but the car ought to come with an engine unique to the Elise that puts out more power.

The 2004 miata weight only a few pounds shy of 2500 with 50 less horsepower than the elise, its ALOT slower. Even the 2004 mazdaspeed turbo miata doesnt have as much power as the elise. The bigger the firm, the better the engine is going to be. Does it bother you that the konigzegg(sp?) swedish supercar is powered by a ford V8? Its not the name that matters, its the performance per price, and the elise outshines all the compitition.

[BoostFab]

i seriously don't mind having one; i'm sure that motor has much potentials

[RMiller]

The 2004 miata weight only a few pounds shy of 2500 with 50 less horsepower than the elise, its ALOT slower. Even the 2004 mazdaspeed turbo miata doesnt have as much power as the elise. The bigger the firm, the better the engine is going to be. Does it bother you that the konigzegg(sp?) swedish supercar is powered by a ford V8? Its not the name that matters, its the performance per price, and the elise outshines all the compitition.

I knew someone would remind me that a new Miata doesn't weigh 2300 lbs, but a mid-90's one does. You can probably get a 1996 Miata to handle much like a new Elise after cutting a few more lbs and working with the suspension. Then again, I've never driven a Miata or an Elise, I'm just thinking about their weight & size.

I do realize that the Elise is probably one of the best handling cars you can buy, but I still think it's overpriced and underpowered. (Please don't remind me that a Miata has less power, even the Mazdaspeed one.) If I wanted a lightweight, great handling car for $40k, you better believe it'd be a shelby cobra replica. My dentist has one and the thing is unbelieveable(plus registration is low and it's smog-exempt).

I do agree it's a great car, and I see why lots of people like it.

[EZcheese15]

you cant drive the elise to work though....

Why not?

[RMiller]

The bigger the firm, the better the engine is going to be. Does it bother you that the konigzegg(sp?) swedish supercar is powered by a ford V8? Its not the name that matters, its the performance per price, and the elise outshines all the compitition.

So does GM make better engines than anyone? Does Ford make better engines than Nissan? I don't think that generalization is very substantial. I guess the Elise's handling performance is top notch, but do you think it would beat a Z06/Evolution/STi/etc. on a track?

Don't pretend like that Swedish supercar's engine is one they just took out of a Ford and left stock. The thing makes 650 hp, that's unique.

Sorry to be so stubborn, but I think they should've gotten around 220hp out of that engine, put it in the car, and charged a few grand more. The car looks so cutting-edge--I think the engine should be more "on the edge" also.

[EZcheese15]

I guess the Elise's handling performance is top notch, but do you think it would beat a Z06/Evolution/STi/etc. on a track?

Yes, I do. *maybe* not a Z06, but even though, I wouldn't put the thought past my head.

[AREITU]

lol, where did you hear that story? Toyota even denide permission to use the motor at first. The use of toyota's engine can be accredited to Roger Becker, a "consultant for vehicle engineering" located in the UK. It wasnt even lotus's decicion to bring the elise here, it was its parent company Proton (malaysian car manufacturer).

I got it out of Car and Driver. Go check. I'll check again too.

[Onizuka]

So does GM make better engines than anyone? Does Ford make better engines than Nissan? I don't think that generalization is very substantial. I guess the Elise's handling performance is top notch, but do you think it would beat a Z06/Evolution/STi/etc. on a track?

Don't pretend like that Swedish supercar's engine is one they just took out of a Ford and left stock. The thing makes 650 hp, that's unique.

Sorry to be so stubborn, but I think they should've gotten around 220hp out of that engine, put it in the car, and charged a few grand more. The car looks so cutting-edge--I think the engine should be more "on the edge" also.

My point is that it would not be worth it for a small firm like lotus to develope their own motor, they would end up with an inferior product that costs more to make. The STI and EVO 8 are **** on a stick compared to the elise on the track, to put it lightly. They are both FWD encon boxes turned into street machines, the lotus is a race car put on the street. Balance can achive much more than just raw horsepower, and the elise is the oppitomy of that statment. You want more power out of it? most mods that work with the celica will work with this motor, 220hp is easily achieved.

[RMiller]

I hear you. I drive a Mustang and the thing feels like a boat. It's like mass understeer off throttle, then just awful oversteer full throttle. I think you're under-estimating the Evolution, but not the STi. The track type would probably determine the winner. I'd want one for 30k.

[Chingon]

well...if the a 2zz powered mr2 with 190 hp can beat a 350hp powered modded s15 both up and down the touge, I think the power is more than enough in an elise. Remember too that MR cars are not easy platforms. No one that I know of, and I'm pretty sure no one in these forums will be able to squeeze the full power and potential of that machine.

Remember too that the elises have gained popularity with their 140hp integra engines, and were killers in the tracks. Now with toyota's superior vvti system (screw vtec) this will by no means be an underpowered car.

Now remeber too, that toyota decided to drop the 1zz engine into their new mr2 w/only 140hp because they knew it was more than enough. they may as well could've dropped the 2zz in, but that would've meant a quick loss of clientele... Now imagine this beautiful engine mated with lotus expertise...? And what's so radical about the design? I didn't see much change from the last 3 years...

[Chingon]

I hear you. I drive a Mustang and the thing feels like a boat. It's like mass understeer off throttle, then just awful oversteer full throttle. I think you're under-estimating the Evolution, but not the STi. The track type would probably determine the winner. I'd want one for 30k.

huh? the sti will kill the current evo VIII in any shape or form..

NOte: I am not talking about all the special spec cars offered in Japan, just north america.

[Rockenreno]

huh? the sti will kill the current evo VIII in any shape or form..

I have yet to see I single review where the STi is said to outhandle the EVO. It seems to be accepted that the EVO is the better track car of the 2 right now. Of course, the Elise will tear up either of them on the track... it will just come nowhere close in comfort :pface

That being said, I want all 3!

[Chingon]

I have yet to see I single review where the STi is said to outhandle the EVO. It seems to be accepted that the EVO is the better track car of the 2 right now. Of course, the Elise will tear up either of them on the track... it will just come nowhere close in comfort :pface

That being said, I want all 3!

HOt damn...I guess you are right...we got shafted with the sti model...again.

[MarkEmark]

Yes, I do. *maybe* not a Z06, but even though, I wouldn't put the thought past my head.

It'd absolutely RAPE the z06 in any type of autocross course/short track w/out long straightaways.

The video I was referring to in my previous post was a Z06 vs. the Elise (which was an older one with the 140 hp engine--but because it was race-prepped, i'll give it 190-200), and the track was a HUGE track with like 1/2 mile straightaways, and the elise almost passes him quite a few times. So on a smaller track w/o a huge straightaway, a good driver + an elise would easily give a Z06 a run for its money.

The elise's suspension is SO much more sophisticated than the miata, and any other sub 60k car out there right now-it's on par with the supercars from ferrari, etc. It truly is a work of art.One can't compare the miata to it just because they're both light--a 92 Honda Civic hatch is about 2000 flat--but weight means little when the car's chasis/suspension/balance sucks. The elise was built for one purpose-to be the best handling car in the world, a sports car without compromise (who gives a crap about the amenities of the miata)-and the goal has been met.

[EZcheese15]

I don't have a video of an elise vs. a Z06, but I do have one elise video. It's about 2 or 3 mins long, and it's an in-cabin cam in the Elise. Two people in the car. The elise is running with Ferrari's, Porshes, Vipers, etc. The elise destroys everything (looses in the straights, but annialates the competition in the corners). Althought, it is obvious the Elise driver is an EXCELLENT driver. He runs a perfect line all the time. Regardless, the Elise's suspension is superior to anything in it's price range, hands down.

I only said the Z06 *might* come close, basically becaue it depends on the track. But I agree with you, on small courses, the Z06 would not stand a chance against the Elise.

[Snarlynx]

the 1/4 time (on paper) is on par with the Z06, it wouldn't even be close... the elise would kill it. plus if power was still an issue, some lumpy @$$ cams I bet would be enough to beat a Z06 in any performace test.

the reason why a honda engine wasn't used? three characters: S2K.

I for one love a car that puts handling over brute force.

[Bubba1]

[quote=" Snarlynx

I for one love a car that puts handling over brute force. [/quote]Which is why you and many on this forum have a 240sx. Listen, the Elise is not a car built for mass-consumption. It's a true sports car in its purest form. Few frills, two seats, RWD and highly responsive. The lack of creature comforts may not make it popular as a daily commuter, but that's not to say it couldn't be used as one.

The measure of a sports car is not straightline acceleration, it's the driving experience. And I anticipate the Elise will be an absolute blast to drive. So who gives a crap whether it can beat a Z06, or Sti or Evo in a straight line. Want to know which one is quickest? It's the one with the best driver.

[MarkEmark]

To give everyone an idea about how sick the lotus' chasis is, go to these websites:

http://www.sandsmuseum.com/car....html

http://www.sandsmuseum.com/car...n.jpg

Looks like a full-blown race car to me...no miata will ever have a suspension setup/chasis like that...

[EZcheese15]

Which is why you and many on this forum have a 240sx. Listen, the Elise is not a car built for mass-consumption. It's a true sports car in its purest form. Few frills, two seats, RWD and highly responsive. The lack of creature comforts may not make it popular as a daily commuter, but that's not to say it couldn't be used as one.

The measure of a sports car is not straightline acceleration, it's the driving experience. And I anticipate the Elise will be an absolute blast to drive. So who gives a crap whether it can beat a Z06, or Sti or Evo in a straight line. Want to know which one is quickest? It's the one with the best driver.

:withstup

Anyone who knows me knows I want performance with no cost spared. This is exactly why I want an Elise. And as for the daily driver thing...yeah, a Maxima or something might be nicer. But I don't care. I can only afford one car (especially at that price), and an Elise will get me from work to back with no problems. It's got A/C, it's got a CD player, and it's got a seat. That's all I need for comfort

[Mr1der]

they have a hardtop or atleast a soft top right?

and assuming I could get in one, I'd daily drive it, imagine the freakin' fuel economy! let's see a Z06 get about 45 to the gallon:D

[EZcheese15]

they have a hardtop or atleast a soft top right?

and assuming I could get in one, I'd daily drive it, imagine the freakin' fuel economy! let's see a Z06 get about 45 to the gallon:D

Comes standard with a soft top. Removable hardtop is an option, at $1475.