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

My last car was an Elise. Absolutely loved it. It was the only car I never got tired of driving. I don't know about the daily driver issue, I work from home. Maybe I'm different but in my opinion the Lotus made trips more fun so I can't imagine not wanting it for my dd. You can get an '05 or an '06 relatively inexpensive right now. In fact, I was looking at an '07 Exige S last month that was 34k so it's not too far off of the 370z.

that happens when you are 1500 lbs lighter...pretty sure Marc Anthony (post-skeletor) would run rings around Star Jones..considering its about the same weight difference

Thought people might enjoy this review as well as the comments:

Review: 2009 Lotus Elise | The Truth About Cars

I was looking for a lightly used Elise S before I bought the Z. The biggest problem was finding them, and they always seemed to be on the opposite side of the country.

It corners like a go-kart, it really is a 2000lb work of automotive art. The only complaint you will hear from owners is the lack of straight-line power, 190hp even with the skimpy 2000lb curb weight just isn't enough to excite. There is a SC kit that I've seen, but I haven't driven a car equipped.

I never test drove one, but I definitely considered it. No LSD, oil starvation issues, and the fact that they are overpriced for a 10-year old chassis turned me away.

LSD can be added (it is now a factory option) and the oil issues can be cured for a price. But yes, it is a very expensive car considering what little there is to it technology wise (just a nice chassis).

That is a car begging to have Mazda's Rotary engine dropped into it.

The old rotary is actually too heavy to really be ideal - cast iron block and all. The 16X on the other hand - I'll be hoping they follow through on that.

Either way though, the Elise is designed to have a laterally mounted engine - basically a FWD engine and transaxle combo. Since all rotaries have been designed for longitudinal mounting (correct me if I'm wrong), it would be a long, strange road to get one in...