Great fun! Raw, delightfull driving experience. Stunning looks, (to me anyway). I even loved the sound. I'm getting one! For the price of a decent 328, there is NO COMPARISON. I'm still giggling from my ride last night!
Just wait until you get it on the track Join us over at Elisetalk... lots of info there http://www.elisetalk.com
C6, maybe, but 355, no way. I can't imagine buying a 355 with clear title for the price of an Elise. The C6, though, nice car as well.
haven't driven one, but recently had a great ride in one. i wouldn't go so far as to call it 'raw', it definitely had a 'processed' feel to it, but it's a fckg awesome little car. as for comparisons, there's nothing within the last 20 years, maaaaaybe the MR2 but i don't know those cars. the Europa comes to mind, and of course the X1/9, which is what i deem the Elise to be the spiritual successor to... 25 years more technology, 20% lighter, 20% stickier, 80% quicker, just as sexy... but as for raw, the X wins out by a long shot. a few pics of one last weekend amongst F, L, and P cars... http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59501
didn't get to drive or go in one but followed it and the track down the ol SE freeway would give the GT3's a run for their money
yeah downhill megatwisties i don't see it being beaten, but last time i was in Jon's GTIII i had to mig-weld my cheek muscles back into place.
Driven a vx vauxhall same chassis different engine,four cylinder turbo standard factory fitted. link http://www.vx220london.com/
If you can hold off on the elise for 6-8 months prices are going to drop real hard. I understand dealers are starting to get backed up with cars and traffic is WAY off. Take a look on line at dealer inventories and Ebay. With the price increase $48K is a lot of money for what you get. They over estimate the market for that car at that price.
I had the pleasure of driving an Elise as well and it is an amazing car. The steering's responsiveness is just incredible. I have absolutely no complaints abuot driving the car!
I have to agree. They will suffer precipitous depreciation once the buzz wears off. What does an M100 Elan sell for today, $14-18k? They have been under $20k for years, and sold for more than this car new, adjusting for inflation. $48k is too much for what the Elise is, low 40s is probably a more realistic price new. The dealer in St. Louis had four or five sitting outside on the lot last week.
I love these cars... but will be patient. Go over to the Elise boards and rear how unhappy the "nonenthusiasts" are with the car. You know, the ones that bought them as fashion accessories like the Beetle or MINI Cooper... but with a significant different... the Beetle and MINI are also practical and extremely well built while the Lotus is... umm.. a Lotus. Trim falling off, AC not cooling to Camry levels, etc. I think folks are going to drop these the minute their lease ends...if not before.... I see low mileage cars flooding lots and Ebay 20-24 months from now in the low $20's. I can't wait! ;-) Bill
My thoughts exactly! Im hoping they will be in the mid 20s to mid 30s range used by the time I graduate in 3 years.
I too am eagerly awaiting. For an enthusiast they make 'practical enough' regular transport when it is just yourself you need to move and do so joyfully.
having driven the elise two times..it would be a fun little weekend car for the twisties and the track...everyday car??? no way!!!! horrible seats..a chiropracter special...and with 1800bls weight, and a buck board ride, and very loud 4 cyclinder exhaust note,not exactly what i would use on my freeway commute to work.....at 20k , i would be a fun toy.!!!! i will be all over that....
my guess is that if you're waiting for these to drop to 20k it will be a long wait. There seems to be demand for the car; perhaps not at 50k, but let them fall to 35k, (I'm sure they will), and see how quickly they're snapped up. They handle with the enzo and out-turn the 360- 20k, I doubt it.
I think wholesale on the car is going to be $35K by mid summer. Every dealer has 4+ cars, I hear some have way more than that. The buzz has worn off and my local dealer says he doesn't even have foot traffic for the car. That car should have been $38K loaded up. I think $28K by the spring..
I love driving my brothers tweeked Elise so I thought I'd upload a picture I have of it. I've been trying to buy it from him for the last 3 months.......nothings getting him out of this car. It's also his daily driver, now that is commitment. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I didn't like the look at first but its really grown on me because it's different. It was done by Lotus at the factory and based on the 50th anniversary edition that was originally red with the gold and white. The performnce kit was fitted by a main delaer, not sure quite what it consists of (I think the air box, exhaust etc) but has boosted the BHP and exhaust noise. Total costs in the region of £4K. The first Elises have just dropped to £10K ish in the UK which, in the grand scheme of things, makes for a performance/handling bargain.
wow!!! A brand new, speced nicely Elise is £25 - £30K here. An Exige is a little bit more, although I've seen two used examples this week for under £20K.
