I got a call from Lotus about the elise coming in next year. ( I requested info on importing it from them a year ago and told them to contact me when they get everything legalized in the USA.)

Should i keep the g35 coupe or sell it and get the elise? They told me MSRP for the 2004 elise is $37,500...

I love the G35 but its so hevy and not as much fun as it it driving the lotus.

Then again i like the practicality of the G...

So i'm not sure on what do to??

What i'm looking for?
I'm looking for a car i can enjoy for daily driving and some road trips but also take to auto cross and rip apart some m3's and porsche's...

 

Will this model actually have a LOTUS engine or the same Integra TYPE R engine they are currently using in order to import it?

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

I also heard that the car is one of the most balanced available for corning. However from the pictures I've seen I think it's a little too small and lacks the functionality couple with looks that I looks for. To each his own though.

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

Awww man that new Elise is a beauty!

 

The Lotus Elise is cool and all, but you have to be a hardcore driver to drive a Lotus Elise as your daily driver everyday. Does it even have A/C?

 

the us elise is coming with a toyota celica 190HP motor and a red line at 8350! the car is going to be about 1900LB and the tranny is from toyota as well (6speed*)...the US elise will have a stereo system and upgraded window mechanism to electric. Also will feature some more saftey than the British version.

They told me to come and take a test drive when they get them in and i will never want to drive another car again. The lotus is very small i'v seen the new ones in person and i must say they are a tight fit but the reward is the best handling.

 

Traditionally Lotus cars are among the least reliable on the road. That may have (hopefully) changed, but I'd think carefully before making a switch. What you gain in driving fun may be more than offset by spending too much time in the service bay. Speaking of which, do you have a nearby Lotus dealer? Caveat Emptor (buyer beware)...

 

I dunno man about payin all that cash for a Lotus that doesn't even have a LOTUS engine in it. I have heard that the european model will not pass US spec an has all kind of emission issues. I'd stick with the G, you get almost the same corning with plenty of straight ahead speed and functionality, looks, and cheaper repair costs. In my opinion the scale is tipped way onto the G side. Peace.

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

well lotus claims all problems are fixed all problems...
there are a few lotus dealers in the NJ area and the elise out handle's the g35c in everything...i dono how u can say its almost the same...

but im considering all the pros and cons

 

Everybody has their priorities. I am stating simply that mine and maybe alot of others are not handling only. The cars are two totally differant classes and so comparing them is kind of a moot point don't you think? The Elise is a better handling vehicle but in my opinion it's not like it's a super car or anything. It doesn't even have AWD which makes for much more fun. It just happens to have great RWD handling, a near perfect weight distribution, and flat corning characteristics making it perfect for the twisties. Since I spend 5 percent of my time in the twisties this is not worth trading such things as A/C, a radio, and a back seat for, (I could be wrong about the radio). But yes to concide your point the Elise is much better in the handling Department. I'm just thinkin there are alot of other great handling two seaters that you may not have to give up so much. The S2000 is a fabulous car, in fact I almost bought one. It has a much better engine, better looks, (again opinion), and I'm sure will be cheaper to service and more reliable. There's just alot of differant factors that add up for me. But on the other hand you would be one of very few to have a "rare" car that's still not that expensive. Guess it comes to your priorites, if it's gonna sit in the garage until the weekend, which is what my priorities are for two seater roadsters, then I say go for it. What ever makes your clock tick. Another thing I was thinking of though. From what I understand the Elise is manual only and I am wondering what a burden that would be as a daily driver in NJ. I live here in LA and my 6MT though I love her can get tiresome in bumper to bumper. Good luck.

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

Screw the elise buy a 2002 or 2003 Corvette ZO6 for about the same price, not only will it outhandle it...it will smoke the ish out of it too.

Life is too short to argue on the Internet!

04' 6MT Coupe (on order)

 

z06 will not smoke the elise on autocross...NJ driving i spend most of my morning in traffic about 4 hours a day ...but i dont mind it at all if i do buy the elise i'm also buying a 91 jeep to have as a commuter car i'm not taking the elise into the city.....elise USA spec does have air conditioning / radio and cd/ and 4wd is not more fun than rwd it just depends on pref.