Buying a Lotus Elise this summer...need some info.

have to disagree with you there - the chassis and crash protection in the Elise is extremely well designed as evidenced by drivers walking away unscathed from many significant incidents (one that immediately springs to mind is where an F430 crashed head on into an Elise when both cars came off the same corner at a track - both cars destroyed - Lotus driver walks away, the F430 driver suffered a broken leg).

The car was not, however, designed for simple and cheap repair as much of it is sacrificial (occupants are much more valuable than the car!).

 

...very true...

...GB, you're hearing our concerns, but i don't think you're really understanding them...clearly, if your father's let you drive for the past three years and is willing to buy you an elise, he feels you're responsible enough to handle it, but it's not irresponsibility that most of us are warning you about - it's inexperience...

...as noted above, even a minor collision in one of these cars can be brutally expensive, and until you've been driving solo for at least five or six years, you really don't have enough wheel time to avoid at least one or two collisions due to adverse circumstances in any car...as laudable as it is to drive safely and try to avoid them, the inevitable learning experiences of your first few years are an essential ingredient in making you a better street driver, and insurance statistics back that up...driving experience is hard-earned and there's really no shortcut around it: even after you get past the rougher early years, you can reasonably expect at least one more collision before you're thirty...

...taking out the elise as an occasional driver during your first few years mitigates the risk somewhat, but daily driving weekends and summers really doesn't at all...if you're going to do this, make certain certain that you approach the fundamental differences in handling a lightweight mid-engined raw driver's car with all due respect, and make certain that you can truly afford it - insurance and repair costs will be epic...

 

I got a 94 Trans Am when I was 17. It had 275 hp and 325 tq and was BLAST! I never hurt myself or anyoen else. If you are mature enough to take it eeasy and learn to drive the car you will be fine. Have a healthy level of respect and fear of the car and have fun.

 

interesting point about lotus sacrificing itself for safety of occupants. the accidents that ive seen did have severe auto damage but no drivers hurt. still think size of car is an issue since it will be at a disadvantage vs any other car except maybe a smart car.

 

I would go for a Mazda RX-8 instead. It is much cheaper, worlds more practical, proclaimed to be within the top 5 best handling cars in the world, repairs will not cost nearly as much, etc.

You will still be different, as there are hardly any on the roads (unlike the 350Z) and the engine is different from everything else out there. My RX-8 is my first car and I absolutely adore it. More than fast enough for someone in your age bracket while still being safe and luxurious (plus it fits 4 people).

 

+1 A lot of information there. I say just get it, tons of fun for the buck!

 

As someone who's been in a moderate front end crash with my Exige, I can second this. The cars are truly designed to sacrifice themselves for the occupants safety. They are very solid cars. A minor or moderate accident however can cost you tens of thousands. I was hit by a drunk driver in my Exige and the repair costs (without any frame or suspension damage) approached $30k. Not pretty.

As for a 16 year old owning one, I would wait about 5 years. The temptation to test this car's limits would be too great for a 16 year old.

 

I owned a 2005 Graphite Grey Elise and loved the car. Lots of fun (no torque) but a whole different experience.

My suggestion is go to Elisetalk.com and search for Wallaby. He was one of the first to get one and then went on to sell them in the Northeast. Great guy. Search for the wreck he had and show your dad. Sitting at a stoplight and rearended by a Ford 350 full sized van. Car safety was great but he nearly lost his life. Funny picture showed his battered car peaking out from behind the town's "welcome" sign. Might change your dad's opinion a bit.

As an aside, I got this today from my freshman daughter:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___BRAND-NEW-2009-KAWASAKI-NINJA-EX250R-BLACK-WITH-HELMET_W0QQitemZ270344429395QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item270344429395&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_8297wt_944

Pretty funny, huh?