Fifth Gear Lotus Elise SC Review

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by loanshark

\The problem is people hating is something that is seen on all forums. The majority of people on here think Lotus is made by God for the driving Gods, and there is nothing better in the world. So to see a review that questions the car, questions these people's self esteem and their choice. People in general need validation for their purchases. So heaven forbid, someone bad mouths their car It is the same everywhere. Go on a miata forum, S2000 forum, Ferrari forum..so on...

[The Stig]

Oh, how the truth will hurt some here...
I agree... BMW drivers are the worst at this. They truly believe that God drove an E36 M3 and all BMWs fell out of God's a$$

I for one, like to take a car and make it my own. I never thought my standard Elise was the best thing since sliced bread but after making it the Spyder... basically 300 lbs lighter I was very satisfied... then add a supercharger and OMFG

Neil

[91MR2]

I love the Elise. Have not yet driven a SC one, but just like any cars, it has it's perks and downsides. While I think that review there was a little harsh, he's got to be saying it all for a reason. I'm sure he's a better driver than most people on this forum anyways, so...

[91MR2]

Originally Posted by The Stig

Oh, how the truth will hurt some here...
I agree... BMW drivers are the worst at this. They truly believe that God drove an E36 M3 and all BMWs fell out of God's a$$

One of the reasons I'll never own a BMW, and how I don't give a rat's d1ck about them.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by 91MR2

One of the reasons I'll never own a BMW, and how I don't give a rat's d1ck about them.

I am sure you can own a BMW and not be a prick... although it is very rare. I know a lot of people in Europe that own BMWs and are cool. I see some Lotus owners that are the same way. Like Ryan said above this blindness is in all car cultures. I think there is a major difference between a "Lotus enthusiasts" and a true "car enthusiasts" most people think they are "care enthusiasts".

To me that's like saying I love WOMAN instead of I love WOMEN.

Neil

[milehitom]

Originally Posted by 91MR2

I love the Elise. Have not yet driven a SC one, but just like any cars, it has it's perks and downsides. While I think that review there was a little harsh, he's got to be saying it all for a reason. I'm sure he's a better driver than most people on this forum anyways, so...

Plato can definitely drive-he's the British Touring Car Champion for 2001 and placed 2nd in the championship in 2006 and 2007 (IIRC). He's got a Porsche and Z4 at home, so he might be used to better ergonomics in his race car (a SEAT Leon) and more comfort in his road cars. Besides, the bloom is off the rose with our little car. It's time for reviewers to nitpick a bit. It's only natural.

Tom

[QuadCamSix]

While I agree with a lot of what he said in his review, it doesn't exactly make for good TV.
True Lotus for some reason cant tune acceleration enrichment correctly (what he is probably seeing as hiccups). It is also true that anyone over 6'3" really cant get comfortable in the car. But as a TV review it was poor. Anyone seriously interested in the car will go test drive it and find the foibles themselves. He does seem unusually whiny for a touring car champ and that just isn't good TV.

[91MR2]

Originally Posted by The Stig

I am sure you can own a BMW and not be a prick... although it is very rare. I know a lot of people in Europe that own BMWs and are cool. I see some Lotus owners that are the same way. Like Ryan said above this blindness is in all car cultures. I think there is a major difference between a "Lotus enthusiasts" and a true "car enthusiasts" most people think they are "care enthusiasts".

To me that's like saying I love WOMAN instead of I love WOMEN.

Neil

Ok, let me go further...I was never interested in any Euro-luxury cars to begin with. Big, heavy, lame-trimmed cars that cost a fortune mean nothing to me. All that, plus the stigma attached to *most* owners make them totally unappealling to me.

[CosmosMpower]

At least the battery didn't shoot out and crack the clam on his "track excursion" which is a surprise in itself.

[SteveLevin]

Originally Posted by milehitom

Plato can definitely drive-he's the British Touring Car Champion for 2001 and placed 2nd in the championship in 2006 and 2007 (IIRC).

And might have won in 2007 except that he was driving with badly burned hands from when he was testing the Caparo T1 and it caught on fire (literally days before the final race of 2007).

Steve

[XPcarguy]

Originally Posted by rnr

Any review which says that the elise seats and driving position are bad isnt any good.

I put forth that IF the Elise could have comfortable seats and a bit more interior space without ANY negative tradeoffs, even the factories at GM would be incapable of meeting demand. Perhaps 90% of all the sportscar enthusiasts that don't have an Elise but instead have an equal or more expensive alternative are in that boat b/c the car is entirely too small and uncomfortable for them.

To expect the motoring press to be blind to the Elise's shortcomings in ways that the readers and car buying public are not would be unrealistic.

The group of humans who look at a car's abilities through so narrow a scope that they can best be labeled apologists (and at worst nutty) is a wonderful group indeed. But they are also insignificant in terms of readership (or here, viewers) so I'm inclined to believe that any Lotus centric review would be irresponsible.

[spb37]

That time of the month?
He/She has a bright future at Consumer Reports

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by The Stig

I am sure you can own a BMW and not be a prick... although it is very rare. I know a lot of people in Europe that own BMWs and are cool. I see some Lotus owners that are the same way. Like Ryan said above this blindness is in all car cultures. I think there is a major difference between a "Lotus enthusiasts" and a true "car enthusiasts" most people think they are "care enthusiasts".

To me that's like saying I love WOMAN instead of I love WOMEN.

Neil

+1 That's a pretty broad brush with which you are painting, 91MR2. I now own a BMW and I don't consider myself a prick. Mind you, I constantly find myself saying 'Yeah, but it's no Lotus'. Still they do make a rather decent car that performs well, is involving (not Lotus levels of involvement), and does not forego any of the creature comforts. I love driving and I loved nothing more than getting into my Elise everyday - it was an experience as good the last day as it was the first and I'd like to have another first day. The BMW I'll admit I'm less enthused about; however, on crappy days or ones I feel like crap or the ones on which I just want to be coddled, I'll take the BMW any day. There are fewer things you find yourself going 'Why didn't they do _____ instead of that?' The headlights are heads above the Elise even after I installed HIDs. The stereo, I don't even have to go there. And the AC actually works. It's every bit as fast (at least in a straight line). Maintenance is included. I don't like the fact that they are ubiquitous and the rep that some BMW drivers have. However, I suspect that those drivers are the ones that drive it only for the letters on the badge and the ones that don't know their ABS from the whole on the ground.

[g and the sauce]

A person's opinion is just that- their opinion and everyone is entitled to one. I kind of like to hear the other side as opposed to only hearing good reviews.

My only problem with this review and with any negative review is when someone is trying too hard to show their point. There is no way that dude needs to bend over like that to see the heater control. Obviously he is exaggerating, I just don't know why someone would try to make a big deal out of something that really isn't one.

[Thomasio]

Has it been said yet? What a wanker! "Wah, wah, I don't fit... ergonomics... wah wah..."

[Jamolah]

I was surprised Jason Plato was complaining about the seating position and ergonomics of the car, considering he's a race car driver and is use to uncompromising rides.

Maybe he's gotten to use to his Porsche 911 Turbo.

[Hand_Banana]

Sounded like a decent review up until the part about ergonomics. I for one, would NOT buy the elise if the focus was on ergonomics and cost 20k more with heated seats, nav, bose stereo, blah blah blah. Its that focus on comfort that keeps cars like the VX220 Turbo or TVR T350C OUT of the US, making the elise/exige a car in a class of its own. At least in the US.

I'm not defending the elise cus its the greatest car on the road or because god sh!t an elise out of his @ss or because my ego needs to justify my purchase. I think it deserves more credibility because in the US the alternative is slim to none. Keep complaining about "ergonomics" and we'll just have to watch the Europeans have exclusive rights to these cars.

[slibo]

No offense to anyone... BUT... I've said this many times... ITS JUST A CAR... I passed on the baby lambo because it is... to be blunt... bore...ING! I don't know who this dude is... BUT I don't track my Elise... don't care, don't watch racing... I have a good friend real estate attorney/developer. Loves nascar... takes the Prevost and all. I'm like "no thanks".... BUT on the other hand I have things I'm very passionate about that, in all actuality mean about as much as this review about this car in regards to the GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS... IMO, This dude is in it to make money and controversy gets him paid attention too! And paid... hats off to him

[uclacyc]

I think that LuLu has a Elise SC, just a week old now. Maybe she can comment on the "holes."

[The Stig]

I agree... I think some of us need to build a bridge and get over it.

... unsubscribed

Cheers
Neil