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Originally Posted by andykeck
Here's my request for Lotus. There are a great many requests in this thread for things that individually seem reasonable enough, but if taken in sum make it seem that we're asking for a larger, plusher more tricked-out car. If that's where the market takes the mid-level car and the Esprit replacement, fine by me. If Lotus offers some of those options for the Elise, again, fine. But I'd like for there always to be available the bare-bones, spartan, no-nonsense Elise that I love. I have little interest high-quality materials or more comfort, I want low mass, simplest solution stuff. Like the recent review of the S2 Exige said, "Small, tight and angry". Indeed! Give me that.
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The first M3's (E30) were great, they were improved upon for a few years then went plush. Nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with making money.
Proton/VW(Lotus) wants to gain market share. The M3 created a raw car that appealed to true drivers, others wanting to be associated with the buzz don't want to suffer in order to have fun.
This suffering wakes the senses and creates adrenaline junkies. Adrenaline junkies are fun and exciting, women hate boring, boring guys want the women so they buy the same toys.
It is obvious that the Elise provides what it intends to both crowds.
The Elise wasn't allowed in NA, this is such a rare opportunity to own a basically Euro spec Elise.
The driver mentality in Europe is so different from NA, first of all they know what a passing lane is for, roads are way more fun and they have never been terrorized by really big trucks driven by suburbanites. (Arnold buys Hummer, Hummer1 sells, consumers say things............ H2 then H3 are built which have nothing to do with a Hummer.)
IMHO
The Elise will evolve and take the M3 and 911 route it is inevitable. If Lotus is to succeed it will need more mainstream drivers, if it stays as is it will dwindle since the 2 year exemption is soon over. The newly compliant Lotus will never be the same animal as the MY05/06.
Elise's success can open up doors for the Alfa/Renault and many more fun to drive cars.
In NA most people (present company excluded) take the same approach to driving as they do to Martial Arts. Too many law suits, to get better you have to learn how to fall, but if you sue after your first fall the instructor will have to roll you in bubble wrap and send you home.
I love you Lotus
Oh yeah
Louder horn
More functional side mirrors (curve em baby)/Smaller rear view mirror
Front clam undercarriage protection thingy
I lived in England, why do you use sun visors again?
Option to have (track pack) rear brace added without getting TrackPak