The new Lotus and the G have totally different goals. The Elise is basically a roadster for weekend fun, and the G is a luxury sports-coupe. It's compared to BMW 3s, Acura TLs, and the Mercedes C class (among others). The Lotus' competition is more akin to the S2000, 350Z, and the Lexus SC.

Decide if you want a backseat or not, then how much you want to spend, and the decision will be pretty easy.


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

I don't see how you can put S2000 and 350Z in competition with the Lotus, when they are in the same category as the G. Just because they don't have a backseat, it doesn't mean they can be put in the same category as the Lotus.

G35 Coupe. Diamond Graphite, Graphite, Premium and wheel and Tire package. Zaino Baby.

 

Hmm. The part where the Gcoupe didn't pull was a bit off for me. Even with many ppl, I find my car is great. If you thought it didn't have enough pull. Drive a track options 350z and TRY to notice a difference...

My Asian friends and I fit fine in the back. 5'6 and under, with plenty of legroom, legroom which is non-existent in the BMW 3-series or Lexus SC430.

So, I don't know what you're looking for but: go drive the MT version and tell us what you think.

If you find that it still isn't enough power, why don't you go look at the new 5.45i - MT. V8 4.4L, 4 doors to fit the salesman, your friends, and some. It also comes with more than a sample of luxury, oh I didn't mention the price tag. I'm sure you'll pay double the Gcoupes price. kthnxbye.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

I can see his point about not seeing the pull he expected from the line for 280 hp/270 torque in the 5AT because I experienced the same thing when I test-drove a couple of those. Maybe it was just due to the cars not being broken-in yet, but it definitely did not feel like it had much torque off the line. However, when I drove a 6MT, it felt like a whole different car and I loved it; after that, I was sold! Like others had mentioned, test-drive a 6MT before you make a final judgement; that is, unless you absolutely have to have an automatic, but I don't think that's even an option on the Elise, is it?

2004 6MT (Silver/Willow), premium & aero packages

My old ride (I still miss her; put a lot of pride and joy into it): http://www.n-body.net/registry/john95ga/

 

It's hard for me to believe a 280HP car can NOT feel powerful, but I guess this is the most powerful car I've bought yet, so I don't know what to compare it to. Perhaps you should wait for the new SVT Mustang Cobra or the new Corvette. I do think the next-gen SVT Cobra will make a very compelling alternative to the G.

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Vanity Plate="HOTNESS"

 

Yea, I am wonder what this guy is used to driving if he feels the G wasn't powrful enough for him? I'm a "dyed in the wool" V8 guy. I'm used to driving V8's (BMW 540) and muscle cars, and I find I am perfectly happy with the G35 5AT. It's actully the only 6 cylinder I have ever liked. I have found it is also plenty powerful even with passengers. Great engine and transmission.
I think he would go for another test drive!!!

 

The AT computer on the G35 comes with a very conservative setting from the factory. It takes a couple thousand miles and several resets to loosen it up, and the engine gets more powerful over that period as well. I'd say my AT is a solid .4 seconds faster at 5k miles stock than when I bought it. You also may have driven a car without LSD (some ATs come that way), which means it was relying heavily on electronic traction control and was cutting into your power.

Also, here is a picture of the entire interior of a Lotus Elise:


That's it, the whole thing. There isn't even a real armrest, let alone a cupholder. And it's not an optical illusion, the passenger's space is actually 1/3 smaller than the driver's. Now personally, I LOVE the Elise. It's the most hardcore RWD street racer out there. But it ain't no luxury car. I am definitely planning to keep a look out on the used car ads once they hit our shores, because there are definitely people signing up to buy these cars who don't have the slightest clue what they're getting into.

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

 

my auto does seem kinda slow. I dont know if its just because i only have about 1500 miles.kinda disapointed.

 

ohh i know why!!
it's time to reset your ECU!!!
since you got 1500miles, you just probably finished break in period... those ECU sucks up a lot of power during break in... i strongly suggest you to reset your ECU and see what happens... i personally didn't believe this either but after i resetted OH MY GOD hello to my lost power
if your car still slow after ECU then it's bcuz you are adapted to 180hp already and it's time to mod your engine!!

 

180hp?how do i reset the ecu?

 

lol i just little over exxagerated to 180hp from 280hp but you get the idea... i experienced that my gas mileage was really good around 21.5MPG in city driving b4 ECU reset but after resetted the ECU i gained a lot of power but my MPG went down to 17.1-17.6 around there ever since and i have 3k miles on my g... go to FAQ& DIY section for ECU reset procedure... BTW i reset my ECU every moring b4 i drive... always in best shape and i don't care about gas mileage anyway...

 

I drove to Phoenix from LA (4 hrs) in my coupe with my Asian friend in the backseat and he said it was fine.

Btw this "Asian friend" is 6'2" 220lbs.

Although I would recommend keeping your backseat friends away from greasy hair products-- you will end up with gel on your window.

 

This shows how important 'need' is to buying a car. Cookielover wanted a toy car - even the coupe version of the G35 is not a toy car.

I don't mean anything bad by saying an Elise (or an S2K) is a toy car - I just mean that they are zero-practicality, fun cars to drive. They are both either light (the S2K) or ridiculously light (the Elise), so smaller engines can power them to high speed. They both handle superbly - the Elise has been rated as one of the world's two best handling cars by Motor Trend - the other is the 600K Pagani Zonda.

The Elise is a bargain at 45K or so nicely optioned (if your dealer doesn't gouge you that is.) But don't expect it to be anything but a weekend warrior for AutoXing and spins in the countryside. It's tiny, the passenger accomodation (singular) is spartan to say the least, and there are few dealers in the USA. I have read that some of the dealers have long waiting lists for the car, and are demanding above-MSRP prices for the car with 5K deposits required to hold a place.

And don't expect the Lotus to be anywhere near as reliable as an Infiniti - it's not meant to be a workhorse - it's a thoroughbred. Expect tantrums from it - you'll need to baby it.

If I had another car, sure I would entertain the notion of a Elise as a weekend warrior/AutoXer (you are going to humiliate people in this car.) But since I don't the G35c is just fine by me. It's fast enough (not enough power? hmmm, somebody has a serious jones for acceleration), handles well enough (for a bit of a fatty), and is luxurious and practical enough while having reliability and the Infiniti dealer network backing it up (considerably larger than the Lotus network.)

Oh yeah, I know how the two friends would fit in the Elise - but I don't think they want to know!

- Riff

G35C BS/GR/PREM/PERF/NAV/AERO/XM
Chicago Region SCCA
Tri-State Sports Car Council
Soon to come ... Tein Shocks w/EDFC, Stillen Sway and Big Brakes!

 

Hey Riffster, nice to see you. Always nice to have another "voice of reason" around here...

 

My AT coupe definitely "loosened up" around 2,000 miles and feels a hell lot faster off the line then when I bought it.