Does anyone have an Elise on order?

The Elise has been on the cover of EVERY car magazine I received this month (about five, but I've lost count). The newest Car and Driver is the first one I have seen with hard numbers.

0-60 in 4.4
1/4mi in 13.0

This is a much quicker car than I expected it to be, and no one questions its handling ability. It pulled 1.06 g's on the skidpad!!!

I am surprised I have not seen anyone on this site talking about them. Is anyone ordering one/ interested/ considering?

 

i am ... unfortunately not available in canada
Stupid canadian laws
but we have a refundable deposit on one

 

Hey Crim. Does your dad have any property in the US that he could "store" it at for part of the year and get plates there?

Craig - you wouldn't even get a targa car while living in Hawaii?? I guess the flash rainshowers kind of discourage that, and the lack of *really* good driving roads. It would be fun to boot along Kam highway in one, if there was no traffic.

How's the HI thing working out for you?

 

If they eventually bring the Exige here, I'll bite. Open air cars just don't do it for me.

Craig

 

I wish I did.....

 

Hi guys whats the problem with our little elise on the roads where you live,
is it a saftey/smog issue,know your getting the toyota engined one shiped over saw it at the motor show,wish theyd have stuck a different engine in it though,

cheers
Dale.

 

no ... no. The emisions are fine. the front fender is made from a lightweight material, just like the rest of the car. And in canada there is some regulation about it being able to withstand some speed without denting. in the U.S. it is lower. thus they can sell it there
you can change the front fender... to make it street legal, as if you were importing it, but it basically ruins the whole point of the car, and that is to be lightweight
same reason that they can't sell the new GTO here

 

also ... when we put our deposit down, in january... there was already a one year wait. even though the car hadn't been announced... some enthusiasts really want a jump on it... and from what i've heard, the car is worth it.

 

Vijeet thanks for that,so its a saftey object with the front fender,
shame realy its a beauty,

cheers
Dale.

 

Hell no, that's the best part--you don't have to worry about some expensive exotic motor. I've heard Lotus is going to be using a BMW engine in the next Esprit? Also a smart move I say. Purists may not like it, but it's great from a maintenance standpoint. Sales will be much better too.

I'd like to see the Elise vs the Noble.

 

You know the Elise would be totally irresistable except for the unfortunate (over) styled body. I'd love to have the car (a later day Dino) but at 46 yo I'm a little put off by all the ....ummm... body details.

 

Wait 12-14 months. You will be happy.

--Dan

 

Also, factory TRD s/c fits in the Elise and upcoming Exige. I am not sure how they will handle warranty, though.

--Dan

 

XS Engineering also has an 8psi turbo kit for the Celicas worth an extra 90bhp. However, I think the s/c kit, and it's bottom end would be much more fun.

Craig

 

I agree -- the design is way too cartoonish. But maybe it won't look so freaky in black!

I'm waiting for a less gaudy coupe version.

 

I've got one on order! But then I did read alot of comic books as a kid

 

No, no, it's our federal Transport Canada 5-mph bumper regulation. I have heard rumours about a group putting a deal together to officially import, sell and support the Elise in Canada.

Don't worry about the GTO. The Camaro/Firebird's a better car.

 

It does look like a Pokemon character from the front. I prefer the previous version. A fellow employee, or relo from the UK drove one around in SF for 6 months before he had to ship it back. It is a gokart with fenders !

 

Seconded!

 

Wait a second... They're bringing the Elise to America? How did I not hear about this? More info anyone? Suggested price range for a new one? When to expect them on the streets, etc?



-DC

 

Just a couple of sites off the top of my head.


http://www.pistonheads.com/lotus/default.asp?storyId=7810

www.lotuscars.com

Craig

 

The front and rear clamshells are so light you can pick them up with one hand each...

--Dan

 

I have no idea. You don't read car magazines, do you?

My brother in Denver ordered one when they were announced (maybe 9 months ago) and got in on the first batch, but deliveries have been delayed. They initially told him May, now it's October. Maybe they are pulling a Ferrari stunt and getting cars to higher-profile buyers that are not on the list, although this doesn't seem like the kind of car to appeal to athletes and celebrities.

The performance pretty much matches what the initial reports were, but the price has gone up. Kinda goofy looking in my opinion, and I would look for a year-old E46 M3 for the same money, but that's just me.

Gary

 

Manhattan Motorcars in NYC already had one sitting in the showroom as of June 21st

 

I saw a silver US spec Elise on the road last week, it's goofy looking(just my opinion). First off, it needs some wider wheels/rubber. I prefer the look of last year's Elise better.