Autoweek Article - Page 5 - LotusTalk

jml1952 · 12-13-2003, 07:37 AM

By the way, tidalwdave, I didn't intend to pick on you. Most of us have been guilty of some whining about one thing or another. My comment was meant to apply to the whole group.

If the federal Elise turns out to be too soft and you want something really raw, you might want to consider a kit car. There are plenty of choices out there, but I've driven a replica of a 1955 Porsche Spyder, and it is definitely rawer, not to mention faster, than the Elise. And cheaper. And less common. And you can get it painted any color you like. And it's just as low to the ground (you can easily step over the door rather than opening it to get in). Prices may have gone up, but Vintage Spyders was selling a kit for $9500 (some assembly required and you need to do some minor things like buying your own engine and painting the car). Chuck Beck was selling turnkey versions for around $25,000. The Vintage package weighs in at 1342 pounds (without the engine, I believe) and the car accelerates like a bat out of hell. Chuck was willing to put A/C into the car (what a sell-out guy he is!), but why bother, the car doesn't even have a top.

I love the Spyder, but it's really an expensive toy and not at all suitable for me as a daily driver. The Elise sounds like a dream come true.

MattG · 12-13-2003, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scot
The reviews so far HAVE stated that it is softer. Maybe they just mean its sprung lighter with different valving but the overall feel is similar for the new engine, but then again maybe they mean the rebound is turned down a bit to deal with american potholes.

I think you're probably on the right track there. Based on what I recall reading, when the S2 was released, reviewers described its suspension as being softer than the S1, when in reality, spring rates had increased. What they were experiencing was not a softer suspension, but rather, a better designed one. The only people who can honestly tell us if the US Elise has a softer suspension are the Lotus engineers themselves.

When I test drove the Euro-spec Elise, its suspension felt softer than my MR2, yet the car handled so much better. I loved it.

PurpleLion · 12-13-2003, 01:50 PM

Obviously the suspension is softer. That is necessary to match the cars competiton and to cater to American expectations.

If you think back, the 93 Mazda RX-7 had a very stiff stock suspension and a rock hard sport suspension for those who wanted it.

Big deal, I can not believe that a serious enthusiast, who plans to order this car, would consider not ordering the sport suspension. The normal 175 tires versus 195 tires? Translation = 175 stock specification tire in order to minimize the onset of oversteer and thereby prevent the uninitiated from gettting into trouble - but, at a cost of reducing the actual ultimate cornering potential.

The obvious point is that if you care about handling enough to worry that they have softened the car too much, just order the sport suspension.

Oh, with the RX-7 you could either get the sport suspension, or the sunroof and leather seats - either - or. What is your priority?

Iceman- · 12-14-2003, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Chase

Note the revised stereo placement in the middle. But interestingly, we see manual window winders on this car.

I hope that will be possible to have the car without Airbag and the orrible Opel Speedster steering wheel!

zvezdah1 · 12-14-2003, 04:10 AM

Ice,
Absolutely no chance of getting the car without airbags, it's a US safety requirement.

As to the steering wheel, not a whole lot of airbag steering wheels out there small enough for the elise. The face will be changed on the steering wheel probably with a lotus logo. I personally don't see a problem with the steering wheel.

You can always fit a momo or other wheel on after you get the car.

Chris

Iceman- · 12-14-2003, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zvezdah1
Ice,
Absolutely no chance of getting the car without airbags, it's a US safety requirement.

As to the steering wheel, not a whole lot of airbag steering wheels out there small enough for the elise. The face will be changed on the steering wheel probably with a lotus logo. I personally don't see a problem with the steering wheel.

You can always fit a momo or other wheel on after you get the car.

Chris

Sorry if i've not written first, i'm from Italy and i'm ready to get the new elise, i hope that there will be the chance to get the car without airbags.
I love the normal elise steering wheel.
Bye

zvezdah1 · 12-14-2003, 04:20 AM

I see,
That explains it> Where in Italy are you located?

I rode in the Motogiro d'italia on a ducati this past July 1600 kms from Bologna through the Dolomites, wonderful roads and the Italians were the greatest!!!
Chris

Iceman- · 12-14-2003, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zvezdah1
I see,
That explains it> Where in Italy are you located?

I rode in the Motogiro d'italia on a ducati this past July 1600 kms from Bologna through the Dolomites, wonderful roads and the Italians were the greatest!!!
Chris

Im' just from ROMA
Thank you for your consideration about us!

(sorry for my bad english)

frukio · 12-16-2003, 06:39 AM

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05420546

12-14-2003, 04:20 AM	#87 (permalink)
zvezdah1 eliseaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: georgia Posts: 6,773	I see, That explains it> Where in Italy are you located? I rode in the Motogiro d'italia on a ducati this past July 1600 kms from Bologna through the Dolomites, wonderful roads and the Italians were the greatest!!! Chris Attached Images

12-16-2003, 06:39 AM	#89 (permalink)
frukio Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Boston Posts: 96	autoweek link http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05420546

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12-13-2003, 07:37 AM	#81 (permalink)
jml1952 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westlake Village, CA Posts: 2,154	By the way, tidalwdave, I didn't intend to pick on you. Most of us have been guilty of some whining about one thing or another. My comment was meant to apply to the whole group. If the federal Elise turns out to be too soft and you want something really raw, you might want to consider a kit car. There are plenty of choices out there, but I've driven a replica of a 1955 Porsche Spyder, and it is definitely rawer, not to mention faster, than the Elise. And cheaper. And less common. And you can get it painted any color you like. And it's just as low to the ground (you can easily step over the door rather than opening it to get in). Prices may have gone up, but Vintage Spyders was selling a kit for $9500 (some assembly required and you need to do some minor things like buying your own engine and painting the car). Chuck Beck was selling turnkey versions for around $25,000. The Vintage package weighs in at 1342 pounds (without the engine, I believe) and the car accelerates like a bat out of hell. Chuck was willing to put A/C into the car (what a sell-out guy he is!), but why bother, the car doesn't even have a top. I love the Spyder, but it's really an expensive toy and not at all suitable for me as a daily driver. The Elise sounds like a dream come true.

12-13-2003, 01:50 PM	#83 (permalink)
PurpleLion Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 22	Obviously the suspension is softer. That is necessary to match the cars competiton and to cater to American expectations. If you think back, the 93 Mazda RX-7 had a very stiff stock suspension and a rock hard sport suspension for those who wanted it. Big deal, I can not believe that a serious enthusiast, who plans to order this car, would consider not ordering the sport suspension. The normal 175 tires versus 195 tires? Translation = 175 stock specification tire in order to minimize the onset of oversteer and thereby prevent the uninitiated from gettting into trouble - but, at a cost of reducing the actual ultimate cornering potential. The obvious point is that if you care about handling enough to worry that they have softened the car too much, just order the sport suspension. Oh, with the RX-7 you could either get the sport suspension, or the sunroof and leather seats - either - or. What is your priority?

12-14-2003, 04:10 AM	#85 (permalink)
zvezdah1 eliseaholic! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: georgia Posts: 6,773	Ice, Absolutely no chance of getting the car without airbags, it's a US safety requirement. As to the steering wheel, not a whole lot of airbag steering wheels out there small enough for the elise. The face will be changed on the steering wheel probably with a lotus logo. I personally don't see a problem with the steering wheel. You can always fit a momo or other wheel on after you get the car. Chris

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