Did anyone consider buying a Lotus ?
 

I actually would have shopped the Lotus Elise, but the nearest dealer is 40 miles away.

I looked at the Elise SC. Test drive was fantastic. The car is so visceral...tons of feedback, great steering feel, and very quick. Besides the price differential, the one thing that held me back from a purchase was concern about reliability. I know the engine is Toyota sourced, so that shouldn't be an issue, but having spent some time on the Lotustalk forum, it seems like ownership of this car is going to involve a few more trips to the dealer than I would expect from the 370z. Still, if I found a used one at a reasonable price, I would consider it as a third car.

I denied the car as a daily driver, simply based on the fact that at 6'2 its a pain to get in and out of.

Agree with above comments. Would love an Elise/Exige as a third car.

What I really want is a Caterham CSR. I will own one of those someday...

Looking forward to the new Esprit as well - hope they don't pork it out like the Evora. It will probably be too many $$ for me though :(

whats wrong with you, that you cant drive 40 miles? its less than a hour drive?

The nearest nissan dealership is 55 miles from me, and since they suck i drive the extra 10 and go to a real good one.

One of my best friends with far too much money had one and used to leave it with me when he felt like it. The car is unbelievable and one of the best driving experiences you will ever encounter. It is by far more connected than the 370Z. I can also say without equivocation that it will probably endure more abuse than a 370Z as my friend ran the living piss out of it on a nonstop basis—I mean flat-out serious abuse. It never gave him one problem.

The Nissan dealership is 3 miles away. The Lotus 40 miles away. Just couldn't see myself driving 80 miles round trip for routine service. Plus, as stated above, dependability with the Lotus could be an issue.

It would have been the best 80 mile driving experience of your life. When you drive one you simply do not want the driving to end.

Too much $ for me. 370Z was at my price cap.

Costs a good amount more and even as a weekend car it's just a little too rough for me. I don't like to be punished when I'm joyriding.

Alot of people may not know, yes its toyota based, but since I had a celica

the engine is a souped up 2zz_Ge (Celica Gt-s engine) Matrix S edition!

Yep, Celica GT-S Engine but mounted in the right place and with a thousand less pounds to haul around. Would have been better with a K20 though.

I have this as a my dedicated track car my advise buy the the car nothing better on the market

I'm a Celica owner as well. The Elise had a 190hp Toyota/ Yamaha engine 2ZZ-GE. Yamaha is key here. This engine was also found in the T-sport which America did not get. The 1zz was not Yamaha based, and was one of the poorest moves Toyota ever made with the Celica. Joint ventures on engines make all the difference.
That's why I think the new AE86 will do well

500lbs not a 1000lbs

The Elise is a fun car but I agree with others before, that thing just beats the hell out of you. That and modding the the suspension is a huge no-no, so that sucks that you have little options there.

I had an elise for three years and never gave me any problem. Drove it like there is no tomorrow all the time. The only thing I didn't like was it always appears too small although handling was better than 911