Elise

[No_6]

The Elise seems to be a very popular car here in Seattle. Didn't see much of it two years ago, but since then, there has been a boom in the road-going population. They're cropping up all over the place. On the other hand, 7's have been on the decline in Seattle. I guess there's not much point to this topic, other than to say that the Elise/Extige is the most common Lotus I have ever seen on the street. The Elan is the second most common. I see Ferraris far more often than Esprits. I never see those around any more.

[Al N.]

While I appreciate the Elise for its role in saving Lotus' bacon, especially here in the US, I am a little down on this car (no offense to anyone who owns one - esp. Tony V!)

 

 

 

To me, the Elise is one garage bay away from a Boxster. And while both are perfectly pleasant cars with very high performance, there's just something about them that puts them in a softer category than a Seven.

 

 

 

They're just not "hairshirt" enough for me. And if I was going to go the Porsche route would much rather have a 1973 911S than a Boxster.

 

 

 

FWIW, in my neck of NJ, Elises are fairly common. I'm surprised to see a few women driving them around too. That's a refreshing change from the "car guy" stereotype.

[slngsht]

I see quite a bit of them here too. Happy for lotus.

 

 

 

At the last autox school I was at, Elises outnumbered all other cars... even more than miatas!

 

 

 

I've only looked at them casually, and the only thing I can pick on is that the engine bay does not seem particularly "home mechanic" friendly.

 

 

 

I wouldn't mind having one, but there is no more room for toys in our household. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/leaving.gif

[kreb]

My experience is that most owners are afraid to push them hard. At a Lotus club event at Laguna Seca, out of 25 or so Elises and Exiges only a couple were pulling decent lap times. I'd tend to attribute this to a bit of twitchiness and tail-happiness. Folks don't want to send their $50k toy into the wall. A good 7esque is a more stable car at the limit.

 

 

 

Oh yeah, it's also fun to watch folks fold their 50-something year old bodies through that door opening!

[slomove]

Hey, what is wrong with 50-something??? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cuss.gif

 

 

 

I fold myself into a Seven just fine   http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

[locostv8]

Oh yeah, it's also fun to watch folks fold their 50-something year old bodies through that door opening!

 

 

 

Careful what you say you'll be there someday.

 

 

 

Pushing 60 something.

[kreb]

   http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif OK, bad choice of words. How about "It was fun watching anyone who is over 5 foot five and doesn't practice yoga climb in"

 

 

 

(feeble atempts at humor here, nothing more)

[slngsht]

    http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif OK, bad choice of words. How about "It was fun watching anyone who is over 5 foot five and doesn't practice yoga climb in"

 

 

 

(feeble atempts at humor here, nothing more)

 

 

 

No worries man. I'm only in my late 30s, but my body is already starting to complain.

[77R500]

 

Oh yeah, it's also fun to watch folks fold their 50-something year old bodies through that door opening!

 

 

 

Its a funny comparison. My S1 Elise with the top on is harder to get into than my Caterham, so hard that I don't see how Lotus can sell them in the US and I'm skinny, but once inside the Elise is roomier all around than the Seven.

 

 

 

Anyone used to a seven considering an Elise should look at the S1 Motorsport variants that Lotus USA imported back when. Setup is important, but the driving experience will probably be more satisfying than the fed Elise.