Consumer Reports HATES Elise!!!

[SKYVUE]

I was in the drug store today, picked up the Car & Driver (Exige S is on the cover) and I glanced through Consumer Reports 2007 Cars and I read the evaluation about 2007 Elise. The said (basically) the Elise handles (agility) no better than a Miata, and the Elise wildly goes out of control if the limits are exceeded. Also, CR said many bad, bad things about our Elises!

I'm thinking of writing a letter to the editor, but I think it won't do anything, anyway. I drive an '05 Elise and 06 Miata (MX-5) and the handling characteristics are obviously NOT the same. Why did they attack the Elise?

--SKYVUE/STARVUE

[Cardinal]

Because they don't get. Pick you battles, man. We know the truth.

[Mark16q]

When it comes to fun cars, I've always taken a 180 degree approach to CR opinion. Once again, it's proven reliable.

mg

[raggedy1]

who gives a shaet what CR has to say? Does your appreciation for your Elise lessen because of their write up?!?

[SKYVUE]

No, the CR write-up does not lessen my appreciation of my Elise. I think it could sway others from purchasing an Elise with bad information.

--SKYVUE

[Westrock]

Originally Posted by SKYVUE

Also, CR said many bad, bad things about our Elises!

I rented an Elise for a day and for $40K, its probably the worst quality vehicle you can buy in North America, I've been in cars 1/4 the price that were built better.

Its was still the coolest thing I have ever done. The car is meant for a very certain person and if your not that person your going to hate it. If you are that person you won't be able to resist

Everyone loves to look at and admire these cars, but I think every few could actually live with one of these. Thats probably why there are so many for sale with like 1200 miles and they can't move them off the lot for nothing.

[XPcarguy]

Like the others have said, "Consider the source." In short, CR doesn't have any competent drivers on staff. To be fair, I'm sure plenty of Elise owners are equally incompetent and wouldn't know the difference between the Elise and the Miata. But that doesn't make their statements less wrong. The Elise has gobs more grip, better transient responses, better brakes, and dramatically better acceleration.

But for the people that read CR for car reviews, their comments are pretty relevant. If you're a car nut with track experience, you probably don't care what they have to say. You're probably not looking for advice on *value*. You like what you want and want what you like and money isn't relevant. But if that's not you, then you probably have not spent money nor time developing your driving skills at the track. You probably value tires based on treadlife rather than grip. You probably hear "runs on 87 octane" and think "Sweet!!!"

So, my point is that if you read CR for car advice, take the car advice from CR and don't buy an Elise. If you prefer, say Evo, then take their advice and buy an Elise.

[raggedy1]

westrock hits the nail on the head. the elise/exige are very focused cars that will appeal to a small segment of drivers in the U.S.

It is sad to see so many Lotus cars with few miles for sale. Many bought sight unseen thinking the car looked exotic & cool. They had a rude awakening and quickly sold.

[XPcarguy]

Originally Posted by Westrock

I rented an Elise for a day and for $40K, its probably the worst quality vehicle you can buy in North America, I've been in cars 1/4 the price that were built better.

I heard the same thing from an Exige owner and friend of mine. He said it's not built with the same quality we're used to (both of Pcar guys). He said it was still the most fun he's ever had so I, like you, rented one for a day. I immediately cancelled my order for an 07 Boxster S and placed an order for an 07 Elise.

I see what you are talking about but think you're misspeaking a bit. The car definitely compromises on things that make it *appear* cheaply made. Like the way the the brake lever has no cover. You can see the spring. And the lever isn't held tightly. It sort of flops around a bit. So, since even Civics and Neons have this right, you assume it's a cheaply built car. But the things that count are build like a brick sh**house. The chassis is solid as hell and a good 5x more stiff and solid than your Neon. Perhaps a bit of hyperbole but definitely in the ballpark. Anyway, the point is that on the surface, the materials don't appear *nice* and the don't appear all that well attached. But the car wouldn't perform as it does if it weren't well built. If you looked at the brake calipers, brake rotors, suspension pieces, the enormous chassis rigidity ( look at those door sills - They're Functional!!!!) - then you can tell it's a much higher quality vehicle than any car under $10k. I'll go so far as to say even at $40k, nothing compares. If you are looking at cosmetics and non-critical parts, then yes, maybe a $10k car does compete.

[pip]

If seriously considering an Elise a CR article might have some tangential merit but to me it is like reading an article on ice-fishing when you are going after marlin.

[EliseCat]

Considering that they can't evaluate car seats correctly (wasn't there some
scandal with them or something???).......

how could they ever correctly evaluate an Elise??

I would hate to work at Consumer Reports.
Most of the people there must have their heads so far up their A__es
most of their lives.
I hate that publication.

[Lancia]

Consumer Reports is a fraud and I think it goes beyond incompetence to outright deliberate extortion from companies.
Notice they always go after small companies.
They are often caught faking tests.
Their methods have no validity.
I remember one test where they measured a small Exide battery against an extra large interstate and said the interstate performed better.
The Exide nearly did as well, even mismatched.
It wasn't even a good lie.
Nothing but outrageous crooks.

[raggedy1]

I did read their recommendations on front load washers and it helped sway my decision.
ended up buying an LG and so far couldn't be happier.

[mevistox5]

Originally Posted by mrluky

Heres a hint....Its consumer reports.

Yeah, at least were not mr or mrs average.....

[wrh3]

Originally Posted by Lancia

Consumer Reports is a fraud and I think it goes beyond incompetence to outright deliberate extortion from companies.
Notice they always go after small companies.
They are often caught faking tests.
Their methods have no validity.
I remember one test where they measured a small Exide battery against an extra large interstate and said the interstate performed better.
The Exide nearly did as well, even mismatched.
It wasn't even a good lie.
Nothing but outrageous crooks.

Yeah, I have the video where it took them a good number of times to get a Suzuki Samurai up on two wheels, my Samurai was raised with mud tires and I never came close to having it lift a wheel......consumer reports has no validity for me (BTW, I believe Suzuki won their battle in court after a number of years but now we are less one good import):
http://www.billswebspace.com/suzukiv...merreports.wmv

[Westrock]

Originally Posted by XPcarguy

He said it's not built with the same quality we're used to (both of Pcar guys). He said it was still the most fun he's ever had so I, like you, rented one for a day. I immediately cancelled my order for an 07 Boxster S and placed an order for an 07 Elise.

I see what you are talking about but think you're misspeaking a bit. The car definitely compromises on things that make it *appear* cheaply made.

You are exactly right. That was on Monday that I drove it, and already less then a week later I am finding a buyer for my current car....it moved me that much.

By quality I do mean "superficially". For the average American driver with American driving attitude and expectation of quality. Heres the things I saw that would make most poeple run (this was a 7000 mile 2005 that I drove)

• Lots of rattles & squeeks (no excess materials to absorb them)
• The driver side window had "fallen" down about 1/2" (common problem)
• The radio as a system was just terrible and completely unacceptable
• The plastic triangle cover on the top part of the seat belt came off several times
• Some weather stripping and seals were torn or fallen off
• The nature of the car does not "feel" fast because it doesn't toss you around. The engine doesn't over torque the car and it doesn't need huge clamping breaks to stop
• The passengers side seat is 100% unadjustable....Americans like bells and whistles
• The key fob was unpredictable (I could only get the doors to lock 1 of 3 times and set off the cabin alarm on myself once )
• I was unsuccessful at starting the car the first time about 1/2 the time
• $40K and its a completely manual labor soft top
• Spartan (bare) interior (which I think is badass personally)
• Fat and Lazy means you won't be getting in this car any time soon

Heres my anecdotal story I tell poeple to put it into perspective;

To enjoy this car you have to consider something. General Motors and Honda are car companies that happen to race cars. When they build a sports car first and foremost they have a reputation as a car company to uphold. So they make the car durable then they make it perform well. Lotus on the other hand is a racing company that happens to sell cars from time to time. As a result their cars focus on performance and everything else should be taken as extra. You got the engine, the suspension, and the way you interact with them. As long as those 3 things are working the car is doing exactly what it should be.

So with that being said, as a car guy with a passion for all things cars, driving the car was completely perfect. The engine and transmission gave me zero problems and thats what matters. If these cars had come with a Rover motor I probably wouldn't seriously consider buying one. But you know the Toyota engine and transmission are rock solid, and there just aren't many other "options" to break on the car. Its basically a project or a "tuner" car and I love those kinds of cars.

For the same price as a new Exige you can get a slightly used Esprit which has alot of the creature comforts and has the power. But I just don't trust that Lotus "quality" enough to have one of their engines in the car. Plus it doesn't have that rediculous look to it .

So to be fair, I think it would be within Consumer Reports right to recommend the Corvette, S2000, Boxster or even Miata as an alternative.

There are many alternative cars for the Lotus, but the Lotus is not an alternative for any car.

[riksche]

Well said Westrock! +1

[Tormac]

Every article in CR I’ve read concerning products that I have expertise in, it has always been apparent that CR really does not know what they are talking about.

CR is a group of tyros and neophytes trying to sell their advice to other tyros and neophytes who are not confident enough in their own opinion to know that they are being bs'ed.

[fastliz]

CR also tests washers, dryers, and toasters. 'Nuff said!

I remember when CR reviewed the Elise when it first came out. All of the negatives they listed were the exact reasons WE all LOVE the car.

The Elise / Exige is an extreme "niche" car. It is reserved for the hardest core driving enthusiasts. If you don't consider yourself a card-carrying member this cadre of car NUTS, then it is not a car for you. Even better... The Lotus Elise / Exige is not a car. It is an experience. If you want a car, don't buy it. How's that?

Mike

Mike

[FalconerHK]

Whaddaya expect from CR? This is an institution that wants everything to be more like Maytag washers: innocuous, reliable, efficient and boring as baby food.



First you have to consider the likely physique of the reviewer - the guy I saw on CR TV looked like Norm from Cheers +20 years and +20 pounds. Remember, these guys pitch a tent over Buicks and Cadillacs for a reason...

So from the time our Rubenesque "Consumer Reporter" gets over the charlie horse from shoe-horning himself into the Lotus (can you imagine the string of gosh-darnits and gee-minetties) and having his wide, pancake ass fall instantly asleep from his sciatic nerve being pinched between the seat bolsters, you can bet he's going to be less-than objective about a spartan, noisy and utilitarian go-kart for the thin and (relatively) affluent.

BTW I'd pay $500 for a DVD of the entire CR Elise evaluation process. Like that line from Zoolander "The files are INSIDE the computer!!"