DB6 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 (edited) I have had my 7 for a while and have had an offer(from some miles away) to trade even out on an 06 Elise(4 k miles and with all options incl traction),I have never driven an Elise and am looking for input from those that have driven both cars. Note: I know these are dif cars and I am not looking to stir the pros and cons of either, I am just at a situation where I might just do it, cuz "a change is as good as a rest". Thanks Edited April 4, 2009 by DB6 woooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 well i own both! i have owned a 2006 lotus elise for over two years and in the past few months i bought a 2003 caterham super seven dedion. i am about to get the seven transported to me from new york in the next couple weeks, so i'll get my first drive of a seven then. i'll let you know how the seven compares to my elise once i get some good driving in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Pros and cons with the Elise?, any problems, likes , dislikes.. etc? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 David. Here's one comparison: http://www.nextautos.com/issue-4/philosophy-exam-part-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 I own a Caterham and have driven three different Elises, two on the track and one on the street. I also got a ride in a 2-11 on the track. Here are my impressions of the Elises. As difficult to get in and out of as a Caterham. More refined than a Caterham but you lose some of that elemental sports car feeling of the Caterham. You get many things not available on the Cat: A/C. windows, doors, weatherproof and so on. They really are two different cars for different purposes. Try to get a long test drive before you make a decision you might regret. The Elise I drove on the road was fun but after only 50 miles it was starting to feel uncomfortable. I would no more consider driving it cross country than I would the Caterham. This might not be a problem for you if you are much younger than I. I drove the two Elises on the track back to back with my turbo Miata. Neither Elise was as fast as the Miata and my lap times in the Elises were better than when they were driven by their owners. I wouldn't have traded my Miata for an Elise at that time even if I didn't have to pay any difference. I'm sure others will have much different opinions of the two cars but you need to get some seat time in an Elise before you can make an informed decision. If you buy one and don't like it, you can always sell it and get another Se7en. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 And here's a comparison of an Elise and Caterham that also includes an S2000, Miata, and FFR Cobra: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/convertibles/2004_caterham_seven_superlight_r_vs_factory_five_racing_mark_ii_roadster_honda_s2000_lotus_elise_mazdaspeed_mx_5_miata_comparison_test/(page)/1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 i love my elise. that may be because it is by only car that i have owned besides my lincoln continental, which is my beater. i love how it is unlike any other car and is extremely fun to drive. i love every second i have in the car and it always makes me smile. i love it enough to not care that much about the strange rattles, squeaks, leaking windows, HUGE blindspots, cheap plastic interior, worthless radio and AC..... the list can go on for a while. But i would never sell it. Its too much fun! Can't wait to add my Caterham to the garage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flibbie Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 My son bought a new 05 Elise and now has 26k miles on it. We have driven from Naples, Fl. to the ToTD twice. About 2,300 miles round trip on back roads. With dining room chair cushions from KMart, the ride is comfortable. Without them the seats are very hard. All maintenance is done at dealer. Without modification to the undertray, it must be removed to change engine oil. Dealer charges $100 for oil change. A/c repair was covered under warranty twice (would have been over $2,000 without warranty). Radio plays techno pretty good for him, not me. In south Fl we get ALOT of rain in the summer and no leaks with either hard or soft top. Tires are a little expensive and can be worn out in less than 10k. One benefit of owning an Elise my son really enjoys as a single guy is the car is a chick magnet. I just finished assemmbly of my Super Stalker in Jan. Now have about 1,500 miles in it. My car is 1560# vs Elise 2020#. My hp is about 260 vs Elise 190. As expected, I smoke him on acceleration and cornering. The Elise is speed limited to about 145. Don't know what my top end is yet. My steering is much heavier than his especially at slow speeds. Ride quality in both cars is very similar. You feel every "cat's eye", crack in pavement and jolt on every bump. As I am using "Brooklands" style windshields, I have no top so entry/exit is easy. With the top off the Elise entry/exit is O.K., with either top on, it is awkward for me. My son just laughs at me. (I'm 63 he's 29.) Gas mileage for both ranges from 31-32 down to about 20-22. The only concern I have with the Elise is I have heard if you lift off after entering a turn a little too fast, the car will spin-out like a Porsche. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Thanks to all for the input. Here were my thoughts on a 7 v Elise..., I have a really nice 85 Cat 7, love it, but I live on the Oregon coast and I feel like I can only drive so far from home due to being on a elastic band,"and. these ramblings.....>>> 1: zero wet/security protection..(yes, I do have every wet and cold weather option available for this car , so I have the right to stand by that). 2: I smile for the first 15 mins then start to grin and bare it. 3: I have grit in my hair. 4:my ass hurts 5:worry about where I can park it 6:am I really getting this old? 7:"Good evening Officer" 8:not a chick magnet for me (but this may be due to item 6). 9: my ass hurts 10:I am getting rosey cheeks from driving in the cold and I have lost 3 hats in 2 months. Damn I will miss the sound and smell of the old Xflow in the morning, throbs like a Spitire(not the Triumphant one either) So, this is the basic Elise, it has to be more liveable than an 85 7 with bench seats right??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 every thing you said i have to agree with. i have also heard that letting off too fast will make you spin. my dealer charges $350 for an oil change! My son bought a new 05 Elise and now has 26k miles on it. We have driven from Naples, Fl. to the ToTD twice. About 2,300 miles round trip on back roads. With dining room chair cushions from KMart, the ride is comfortable. Without them the seats are very hard. All maintenance is done at dealer. Without modification to the undertray, it must be removed to change engine oil. Dealer charges $100 for oil change. A/c repair was covered under warranty twice (would have been over $2,000 without warranty). Radio plays techno pretty good for him, not me. In south Fl we get ALOT of rain in the summer and no leaks with either hard or soft top. Tires are a little expensive and can be worn out in less than 10k. One benefit of owning an Elise my son really enjoys as a single guy is the car is a chick magnet. I just finished assemmbly of my Super Stalker in Jan. Now have about 1,500 miles in it. My car is 1560# vs Elise 2020#. My hp is about 260 vs Elise 190. As expected, I smoke him on acceleration and cornering. The Elise is speed limited to about 145. Don't know what my top end is yet. My steering is much heavier than his especially at slow speeds. Ride quality in both cars is very similar. You feel every "cat's eye", crack in pavement and jolt on every bump. As I am using "Brooklands" style windshields, I have no top so entry/exit is easy. With the top off the Elise entry/exit is O.K., with either top on, it is awkward for me. My son just laughs at me. (I'm 63 he's 29.) Gas mileage for both ranges from 31-32 down to about 20-22. The only concern I have with the Elise is I have heard if you lift off after entering a turn a little too fast, the car will spin-out like a Porsche. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 every thing you said i have to agree with. i have also heard that letting off too fast will make you spin. my dealer charges $350 for an oil change! Insane ! But the Elise has to be a better day to day car right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNlotus Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 yeah it is in my opinion. during the summer i use it as my daily driver. the only days i don't drive it is when it is raining. Also the oil changes are easy to do yourself, just remove the undertray and everything is right there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Thanks to all for the input. Here were my thoughts on a 7 v Elise..., I have a really nice 85 Cat 7, love it, but I live on the Oregon coast and I feel like I can only drive so far from home due to being on a elastic band,"and. these ramblings.....>>> 1: zero wet/security protection..(yes, I do have every wet and cold weather option available for this car , so I have the right to stand by that). 2: I smile for the first 15 mins then start to grin and bare it. 3: I have grit in my hair. 4:my ass hurts 5:worry about where I can park it 6:am I really getting this old? 7:"Good evening Officer" 8:not a chick magnet for me (but this may be due to item 6). 9: my ass hurts 10:I am getting rosey cheeks from driving in the cold and I have lost 3 hats in 2 months. Damn I will miss the sound and smell of the old Xflow in the morning, throbs like a Spitire(not the Triumphant one either) So, this is the basic Elise, it has to be more liveable than an 85 7 with bench seats right??? Sounds like you are ready for a change and have convinced yourself of it. Go for the Elise. Don't keep the Se7en long enough to hate it. Or maybe you just need better seats in the Se7en. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 I do love the 7, but it can be hard love.Sadly I have limited funds so I have my old Ford beater and the 7, I just think that if I had something a wee bit more practical (only an Elise could be termed that next to a rollerskate) I would get more use out of it.As I said I have never even been in an Elise but have a friend of a friend letting me drive his Sat morning, so I guess i will see. The earlier multi car road tests posted earlier on this thread coincide with my own thoughts and options too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I do love the 7, but it can be hard love.Sadly I have limited funds so I have my old Ford beater and the 7, I just think that if I had something a wee bit more practical (only an Elise could be termed that next to a rollerskate) I would get more use out of it.As I said I have never even been in an Elise but have a friend of a friend letting me drive his Sat morning, so I guess i will see. The earlier multi car road tests posted earlier on this thread coincide with my own thoughts and options too. How tall are you? I ask because I'm 6'4" and I fit in my Seven better than I do an Elise. I certainly can't fit in an Elise with a helmet on with the top on the car. I really like the Elise and could own one...... if I could afford one. When I was looking for a car a number of years ago I was looking for a Seven or an Elise. The Elises have come down in price (used ones anyway) and if money was better might opt for the practicallity of one. But for now I'll just have to suffer along with the Seven and a Mini Cooper S as a daily driver I like my cars very much. dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-t Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Yes an Elise is a more livable day to day car. It does many things right and still has the quirky lotus personality. Sold mine because it is not a 4 wheeled motorcycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 David, i suspect u may also expand ur search. a cayman or boxster may be more comfortable despite the lower performance for your situation. performance AWD? turbo k20 Honda CRX? surprised that that the weather gear isn't up to snuff. while no where near resembling a tin top ability, it has worked OK for the times of severe rain on long trips (> 3hours) where other vehicles wheel spray made for white knuckle driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) Yeah, I hear all of your points, thanks again. Anyway I drove an Elise, this one had performance and handling mods plus nitrous, VERY quick car, and to be honest an absolute bitch to get in and then roll out of with the top in place,lol. I think I am going to have to give this more thought. Even the owner told me that on a Portland to Seattle run he started to hate the car, and he is 29 and fit. I am going to look at the Boxster S and a Honda s2000 too; at this rate I will probably end up with a Rav4. Edited April 4, 2009 by DB6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff7 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Honda S200 is a great car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 great motor too;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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