| Author | Message | ||
| Johnny Bravo (Ben) (Johnny_bravo)
Junior Member Username: Johnny_bravo Post Number: 102 Registered: 7-2003 |
I was under the impression that it was a different chassis, but did share a number of parts with the Lotus (suspension bits and whatnot). No wonder it's such a potent performer then with the Elise chassis.  Thanks for setting the record straight guys I could be wrong, but I could've sworn I read that GM (who apparently own Vauxhall) was considering bringing the VX220 over as a Pontiac at some point. It certainly doesn't fit in with the Pontiac lineup or heritage, but sure would be a great image car now that the F-body is gone (well, gone temporarily at least). | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 234 Registered: 10-2001 |
If you're thinking of getting one, be prepared to wait. Most dealerships, at least that I know of, have some pretty serious waiting lists. I have been in a few of the Mk I Elise's, and once you drive one, you'll be hooked. Also, the Opel Speedster is actually built by Lotus for GM. Through the whole process, Lotus learned a lot about quality controls, so expect the US Elise to help alleviate the perception of poor build quality in Lotus. | ||
| Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Intermediate Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 1033 Registered: 7-2001 |
I like it, but I can see what Mojo means about it looking a bit like a kit car. I don't really like the headlights myself. If I cover the headlights with my fingers, I like the car a lot more. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Senior Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 7033 Registered: 8-2002 |
The 340R definitely has a different look to it, but i still wouldn't mind takin a spin in one... The Elise is beautiful - especially in some of the pictures posted here...! The more and more i read about it, the more it seems like it's an awesome car... With regards to the Opel Speedster, i read somewhere that it's pretty fast - only costs something like $30,000... Is that true...? i have a 1:18 model of one, at home... i like it... Thought i've always like small, sporty compact cars, so it's no surprise... | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1537 Registered: 10-2001 |
The Opel shares the chassis with the Mk1 Elise . Lotus launched the Mk2 Elise becuase the Speedster was as good as the Elise for cheaper.. | ||
| Andrew-Phillip Goalen (Andrewg)
Member Username: Andrewg Post Number: 427 Registered: 9-2002 |
johnny, the vx220 shares its chassis with the lotus, all GM did was drop in a vauxhall/opel engine+transmission and add some new body panels, the interior is a little better equiped than the elise (carpet, radio, roof that doesn't leak etc...) | ||
| Johnny Bravo (Ben) (Johnny_bravo)
Junior Member Username: Johnny_bravo Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2003 |
I agree the Elise/Exige is a pretty sweet lil' car and really carries on the tradition of the nimble little Lotus roadsters of the past. The only one I've seen in person was a yella MKI at Summit Point several years ago and other than a few saftey bits it was bone stock and still posted lap times as fast as many of the heavily modded cars that were there. Freekin' tiny little thing though...my 6'5" frame doesn't stand a chance fitting in that cabin that's for damn sure  How does everybody feel about the Vauxhall VX220? It's in the same vein as the Elise (even shares a few parts), but I believe slighly larger and more angular in styling. A turbo'd version just became available too and I believe an "R" version (possibly for homoligation purposes) with even more power and slightly lighter weight is either out or on the way as well.  (this one has some sort of body kit on it, but it was the only pic I could find on my hard drive) | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1043 Registered: 6-2002 |
The Elise/Exige is bloody brilliant! A local F-chatter owns one, and tears it up with the 'big boys'. While I'm not betting on a 1/4mile time of 12 flat, it is damn quick and I hear it handles like a go-kart. They look very cook and purpose-built in person too, this is not a car you want to judge by the magazine photos. (I hate saying that, but true.) In person, there's always a new detial, curve, intake, line to follow, the car delights the eye. Best! Ben. | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Intermediate Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 1526 Registered: 10-2001 |
The Elise is one of the greatest car ever. The most fun i ever had behind the wheel was driving one on a track in France. This thing is so chuckable , so light and the brakes are amazing. Its not beautiful , its cute. I actually prefer the Mk1. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1561 Registered: 3-2001 |
...and all model year '04 Espirits will be built by the end of '03 when production stops. | ||
| Tom RM (Tgitom)
Junior Member Username: Tgitom Post Number: 191 Registered: 8-2002 |
A kit car???!!! Are you kidding? This car is outright brilliant! A purpose built car. And I think it looks great! Chapmans philosophy at its best!! And I love the Esprit to! There will be 30 04 Esprits built. | ||
| Andrew-Phillip Goalen (Andrewg)
Member Username: Andrewg Post Number: 425 Registered: 9-2002 |
as usual in th UK were getting screwed on the price!, $39,000 and thats if you pick it up from the factory!!!!! | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1334 Registered: 8-2001 |
For the price of the F40 you can get an Esprit, 340R, Elise and Exige . | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1560 Registered: 3-2001 |
Speaking of Lotus, if you like the Espirit you'd better buy one now. After 28 years, production stops at the end of this year. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 3292 Registered: 2-2001 |
I'd take an exige or maybe a 340R but I'd take an F40 first | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1333 Registered: 8-2001 |
Faisal has an Elise in the US- I'll try to get him to post in here.. | ||
| Ben Morrison (Datsun260z)
New member Username: Datsun260z Post Number: 39 Registered: 6-2003 |
Taek-Ho Kwon: I remember seeing at the AJC Auto Show here in Atlanta that the MSRP is estimated at $38,000 | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 513 Registered: 7-2003 |
Egg-zackly, Dan. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1498 Registered: 9-2002 |
One of our own local (bay area) FC members has one - an all carbon fiber exige. That thing, to say the very least, is absolutely, mind-bogglingly brilliant. Those who judge is superficially miss the point. Those who know better, respect it. --Dan | ||
| Mark (Marvellous_mark)
New member Username: Marvellous_mark Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2002 |
On my way to work today (in UK) i saw an Elise (quite popular over here - i see them more than TVR's, Ferrari's, and probably Aston Martins) and an Exige (rarer than rocking horse sh*t). The Exige saw me grinning as i let him through a tight road and then booted it past me - SUCH a great noise on the exhaust and they look very mean | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 2216 Registered: 11-2002 |
How much are these things? This would be a fun toy to have. Cheers | ||
| Thomas I (Wax)
Member Username: Wax Post Number: 507 Registered: 7-2003 |
Form follows function. It is also said, "Ugly girls fnck harder." | ||
| MFZ (Kiyoharu)
Member Username: Kiyoharu Post Number: 346 Registered: 2-2003 |
evo magazine from Britain did a feature on the Lotus Elise GT1 recently. That car uses the Elise chassis with the Esprit turbo-V8 engine. Looked like a real race car, supposedly the one they showed in the magazine was a converted race car IIRC. Personally, I like the Exige variation of the Lotus Elise. The 340R, the new Elise 135R and the Elise 99T "Senna tribute" shown doesn't excite me much. | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
Junior Member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 212 Registered: 4-2002 |
Wait till you see the Elise GT1... | ||
| Joseph (Mojo)
Member Username: Mojo Post Number: 348 Registered: 9-2002 |
Its just to goddy for my taste | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 967 Registered: 2-2003 |
The Elise is gorgeous to me and everything I want in a car. Then again, so is the Esprit (used)..  | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1331 Registered: 8-2001 |
It's quite the track car. The 177hp Exige (13 less then the US bound Elise) had no trouble keeping up with the Ferraris at the FCA meet August 3rd (2002).  | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 268 Registered: 2-2003 |
This car looks great! And if its performance figures are even close to what there predicting it will be one of the best peforming cars for the money (might even pass the vette in value) 39,000 estimated retail value. With only 3,000 or so a year sold in US you won't see it half as much as a porche boxter. | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1329 Registered: 8-2001 |
Mojo, if you knew anything at all about this car (or if you were a car nut)- you'd love it. The power to weight ratio, handling and reliability (with a Toyota engine) is AMAZING! Most of us have been drooling over this car since its inception. | ||
| Joseph (Mojo)
Member Username: Mojo Post Number: 347 Registered: 9-2002 |
My god Im amazed that some of you like this car. It looks like a kit car. Hello, don't you see it? | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 621 Registered: 11-2002 |
Kenny - keep in mind gearing. It can make all the difference. | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1328 Registered: 8-2001 |
12 seconds flat seems to be a bit optimistic- a 3000lb car with the same hp/lb ration would have 316.33hp- a BMW M Roadster has 315hp @ 3086lb and posted a 13.1 1/4. | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 267 Registered: 2-2003 |
Just read the new road and track issue they seem to love this car. Suppose to be one of the best handleing cars out there. Also suppose to do the 1/4 mile in 12 seconds flat. Very impressive! | ||
| Aaron Williams (Aawil)
Member Username: Aawil Post Number: 337 Registered: 8-2002 |
I love the elise in blue but that yellow doesn't look to great.The 340R is one of the coolest cars i've seen it's too bad someone can't build something like that in the 20-30K range.Here's a pic of a met. blue elise that was at new hope last year.  | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 615 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well, I'm wrong. It's not the elise with the "I" shaped chassis. I do know that the chassis I'm thinking of is a Lotus one, but can't remember which. Here's a pic of the Elise chassis: http://www.elises.co.uk/components/s1/chassis/ | ||
| Nebula Class (Nebulaclass)
Member Username: Nebulaclass Post Number: 614 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jordan - I agree that 190hp isn't much, but like you said, with only 1800lbs to lug around, it feels like 300hp. Also keep in mind that the Elise has one of the lightest and stiffest chassis' on the market. If I'm not mistaken, it's really nothing more than an "I" shaped system, with a fairly thick backbone topped on each end with a perpendicular bar. As far as I know, the Elise's claim to fame is it's amazing handling characteristics. | ||
| Dan Gordon (Ferruccio)
Member Username: Ferruccio Post Number: 266 Registered: 2-2003 |
I love them both as well! | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2137 Registered: 12-2002 |
Ive seen a few in person down in SoCal and they look great in real life...especially when driving on the street with normal traffic. 190hp doesnt sound like a lot...Hell, my mustang has that much, but when you get a car that is that light, it is a ROCKET! The Elise is a perfect beater for the race track. | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1326 Registered: 8-2001 |
Toyota engine= reliability... Much better then the Rover (?) engine they have in the UK. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1522 Registered: 1-2002 |
I love 'em both. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1559 Registered: 3-2001 |
Pretty cool car in person... saw one at Ferrari Los Gatos (or whatever it's called now) earlier this summer. I guess they've decided on the Toyota engine for the US. | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1325 Registered: 8-2001 |
Doesn't matter what it looks like if it weighs 1800lbs and puts out 190hp. With 5k worth of mods I bet you could get that car running with the F40! | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 924 Registered: 4-2003 |
I havn't seen R&T yet but I don't care much for the Elise looks, the 340R is, in my opinion, much better looking though less practical. Elise  340R  | ||
| Joseph (Mojo)
Member Username: Mojo Post Number: 345 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well the specs in road & track say only 190HP & 133lb-ft | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Intermediate Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 1202 Registered: 6-2002 |
Saw it at Scottsdale Lotus. Very cool car. Ive heard with something like 350hp, it becomes a Mclaren F1 killer. | ||
| Joseph (Mojo)
Member Username: Mojo Post Number: 344 Registered: 9-2002 |
Just got my road & track today Elise on the cover. My god thats ugly, It looks like a kit car. What are these people thinking? I guess somthing for everyone. |