Lotus Elise NOW or Ferrari 360 F1 next year

Getting the Elise now and selling it for a 360 is out of the question ?

If yes, then wait the driving season and treat yourself with a Modena !

 

Unless you have terminal cancer, I can't see a quandry here. Elise-360, 360-Elise, hmmmm...
360!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You could alwasy argue that the Elise isnt an exotic because it costs under 100k... haha, then get both. And buy her something she wants to shut her up.

 

The Elise is a fantastic car, but it comes with the Lotus depreciation factor - which seems greater than other makes. You will get the joy out of the Lotus, but not the resale value after that year. The last year 360's are still holding their value well and the earlier ones appear to holding their own. Hold off and wait patiently for the 360.

 

Getting the Elise now would be pointless.

I am an inpatient man, but if I had the opportunity to own a 360 in just a year, I would walk everywhere from now until then...by foot.

A year goes by way to fast...just wait for the 360.

 

Get a used Elise now for the mid $30k's, then sell it next year when you're ready for the 360. Even if you have to wait a few more months for a 360, at least you have something in the meantime. Lotus might not be as prestigious, but from what I've seen and heard they are a blast.

 

ditch the wife and get them both.

 

I’ve had/have both and of the two the Lotus was more fun on the road. The Ferrari was more useful in the parking lot, so your choice should reflect whether you are focused as being a driver or an owner.

The Lotus has both balance and grip, the 360 has far more grip than balance.

The Lotus is badly built around a solid engine and drive train, the 360 is well built but has engine and drive train design flaws (clutch, cam belts).

The 360 is better looking and has far more ‘bling’ factor.

You can pile up the Lotus and not care about the financial consequences.

Women can get in and out of a 360 without splitting a skirt. No one can get out of the Lotus (with the roof in place) without looking like an add for chiropractic help.

I’m a driver, so I prefer the Lotus, but that’s just me. And don’t worry about the weather - the wipers on both work quite well.

 

Two very different cars... I'd say the Lotus is exotic in its construction/rarity (price to me isn't very useful in classifying a car as "exotic"), and I can't think of anything better for the track. As someone who constantly gripes about how big and fat cars have gotten (even Ferraris - the 355 was last really lean, athletic-looking one, IMO), I love the Lotus philosophy: no massaging headrests, no i-Drive, no paddle shifters.

That said, it is a kind of deprivation-mobile, and whatever you weigh now you need to lose 7 lbs to get comfy in one. I had one on order before I had any seat time in the car, but canceled my order. The g/f never would have ridden in it, and the thing makes my 328 feel like a limo on the freeway. Consider the Elise a very practical motorcyle.

The 360, obviously, has the glamor and guts of a Ferrari. The Lotus is cheap inside, the 360 is opulent. And don't tell me a Toyota-Lotus four sounds like a Ferrari eight. So, is the car for hardcore driving or dry-weather cruises and social stuff?

If you buy an Elise lightly used, as Ryalex said, you won't have to pay the dizzying depreciation. A nice Elise for $35K-ish is a deal. Then you should be able to sell it without taking much of a hit next year. 360s are getting cheaper by the month, so IMO you could continue to watch those prices fall to sub-$100K while you make up your mind. In fact you could save half the cost of your Elise just by waiting for 360s to drop a bit more over the winter.

I would expect a few dealer trips for quality issues with either car. That's how it goes.

 

I had an Elise for 13 months. Great car, great handling. In terms of that car in Seattle during a wet winter...forget about it!. I had the performance suspension on mine and it was a diaster in the wet. My advice would be to wait for the 360, you'll be much happier.

 

Nothing unusual about living in Seattle and being a Ferrari enthusiast. We have an very active Ferrari club here and some of the most noted historic Ferraris and their collectors lives here.

Even though it's a fine car, I say skip the Lotus. Get the Ferrari later and join the NWRFCA now.

 

360, of course. How is that even remotely a question? (The only question would be why you're getting the F1 gearbox, and not a real one).

Alternatively, get a storage locker somewhere, buy both, and don't tell the wife.

 

I had an Elise for a while with all options. It was fun on a short, twisty track, but even there, the lack of grunt was disappointing. I have found I can overtake the Lotus on straights with my STI even though the acceleration numbers are very similar. On the road, it was a great car for about 20 minutes. The handling is great, the steering sharp, etc. Very raw, involving car to drive. But soon after that, I'd notice my teeth rattling, my back aching, my ears ringing, etc. For buyers who will only use them on the road or just a few track days, I would recommend against the sport suspension. They still handle great without it and is easier to live with. In the end, I just couldn't seem to really bond with the car. Ferraris are more useable, and as someone else pointed out, new Elises depreciate pretty rapidly.

Dave

 

I'd wait and get a 360 since that's what you really want.

 

I'd go to www.Lotuschat.com and ask them there...... (sic)

 

Get rid of the wife and buy both. If that does not work, get rid of the wife and buy the 360. Either way the 360 is the way to go!

 

i think this makes best sense.

 

Patience is a virtue...

 

The Elise is my second car of choice. If I had not bought the Ferrari I would have a Lotus right now. Love the Elise w/ a higher "fun factor" than a Ferrari of any nature at a fraction of the price. Just like my Miata...But then again, it ain't a Ferrari. It's a dilimma.

 

I drove a friends Lotus from Baltimore to Ocean City, MD. I was alone, and got a good feel for pretty much all the car could do. I am familiar with many of the back roads in southern Maryland and Delaware, so it was a good chance to open it up. Turns came and went, the straights passed by very quickly and I was left very nicely surprised. It is like driving a Boxter S with a little more power, and not as much over steer. This is a car that out-handles most anything built, with maybe the exception of an Atom. It is a very rough drive. NOT for those who have a spine or long legs. But - A DRIVERS CAR. If you like the drive and are not interested in little luxuries, like upholstery or might-not-die-if-you-hit-a-tree'ness - this is the car for you. I'm not saying don't buy it, but the esteem of a Elise does not match the Prancing Horse.

Ive never driven a 360, but have been driven in one. It was impressive - very impressive. The sound alone is enough to convince me to buy. It has much, much more power than the Lotus, and handles at about the same level. To be honest, it is a very big step up. The Elise is a GREAT drivers car, however the Ferrari is in its own league.


Regards,
-Jon

 

Well iam not an owner myself of either but I have been around the both of them long enough, If I had a choice like that, I think I could wait until next year.

Go for the F1, trust me it will be worth the wait and you will not be disapointed.