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Old 09-03-2004, 08:06 AM   #143 (permalink)
martinm1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 53
I got the car last Saturday and am having a blast with it.
First impressions:
* It is really small; i owned a Miata as my first sports car and this is REALLY small. You look at the bumpers of almost any car or truck in traffic--takes a little getting used to, but it is really fun on an open road.
* Amazingly compliant over rough roads for being so stiff--quite a decent ride
* the car feels very solid; no rattles--way different than an old euoro version one that I drove
* the stage 2 exhaust is really loud; my wife claims that it does not sound as loud as the 99 esprit that I had, but is seems louder--maybe because you are so close to the engine; the "pops and sputters" in the exhaust tone are really fun; coasting down a hill in gear gives that burbling sound that is not dissimilar to the one that my 355 spider had--kinda fun
* as everyone has said, the car is just a blast to drive; so much grip; it is exactly what it has been billed to be and what others have commented on--that is what makes the car so special
* it does get an amazing amount of attention: I went to see the new 997 at a Porsche dealer and the staff all wanted to see my car; I was sitting behind a beautiful 911 c4s at a light and a group of hs guys were stuck in traffic on the other side--completely ignored the c4s and were hooting and hollering about the elise--this aspect of course is not always a lot of fun unless you like that sort of thing
* stereo sucks as has been stated--radio is OK and that is all I really listen to anyway; the Maserati has an awesome stereo so if I want tunes then I have a choice
* I agree with others that the shifter housing and emergency brake area feel a bit on the cheap and fliimsy side--feels strange to have the whole thing move when you shift.

Enough for now, the car is just plain fun to get into and drive
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