2005 vs 2006 Elise

[roray]

What are the differences between 2005 vs 2006 Elise.
Require info prior to purchase.
2005 is $5500.00 less.

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by roray

What are the differences between 2005 vs 2006 Elise.
Require info prior to purchase.
2005 is $5500.00 less.

There are many threads covering this, but to sum up:

'06 is drive by wire.
'06 offers traction control and LSD as options. Now, '05's can be reflashed and harnessed for traction control. LSD is also an option from Lotus Sport.
'06 has LED taillights, so no reflectors on rear panels, also, rear panels have different shape (ovular vs. circular) ventilation holes.
'06 has the more comfortable Probax seat. Now available as a retrofit from Lotus Sport on '05's
'06 has optional cupholder
'06 has slightly different instrument cluster.
'06 has daytime running lights
'06 has different color options. GG and STI slightly darker shades.

I think that about sums it up. I'll add if I can remember anything else.

[MattG]

Look through this same section (New car info...) of EliseTalk a bit more and you'll find quite a bit on this.
Here's a good summary:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14500

New colors:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13202

Other:
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20115
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17710
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16931
http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14718

[roray]

Thanks for the info.
Is it worth spending the additional $5500.00 for the 2006?
Also I heard there is a difference in the brakes as the spongy pedal in 2005 has been solved in the 2006.

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by roray

Thanks for the info.
Is it worth spending the additional $5500.00 for the 2006?
Also I heard there is a difference in the brakes as the spongy pedal in 2005 has been solved in the 2006.

Well, IMO, the LED's taillights and Probax seats are must-haves. Many would disagree. The LED's will run you about $1200 installed, $1000 if you DIY. Then you'd want to change the rear panels - about $400 + labor. Not sure what the Probax retrofits will run. I've noticed no real difference in the '06 brakes, but one thing I forgot to add was the improved pedal placement in the '06 - no need for the heel and toe pad. Blondie has pointed out that the '05 manual has directions for adjusting the pedals for better heel-n-toe. The determining factor for me would be the LSD + TC. Expensive retrofit in the '05. Not sure if you save money by buying the '06. My best advice: Call the expert, who happens to be in your neck of the woods. Abe Reyes, Lotus of South Bay (310) 939-1854. He's the only person I'd buy a car from ever again, and he know this car.

[goelise]

Don't mean to hijack, sort of related question..

Anyone know if 2006 side mirrors are exactly the same a 2005? For those thinking of multivex mirrors. The site only goes up to 2005.

[CarNut]

Originally Posted by roray

Also I heard there is a difference in the brakes as the spongy pedal in 2005 has been solved in the 2006.

The pedals are redesigned for 2006 as part of the change to DBW. The new arrangement allows easier heel-and-toe and the spacing is better for slightly larger shoes. I never noticed a spongy brake pedal on either 2005 or 2006. The 2006 pedals don't look as good, but I like the spacing better.

[CarNut]

Originally Posted by goelise

Anyone know if 2006 side mirrors are exactly the same a 2005? For those thinking of multivex mirrors. The site only goes up to 2005.

I ordered a set of multivex mirrors for my 2006 and they fit just the same as the 2005s, which is to say they protrude from the mirror housing a bit and they leave a bit of the original mirror exposed around the edges. Not major issues, but the fit appears to be the same for both 2005 and 2006.

[mini63]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Well, IMO, the LED's taillights and Probax seats are must-haves. Many would disagree. The LED's will run you about $1200 installed, $1000 if you DIY. Then you'd want to change the rear panels - about $400 + labor. Not sure what the Probax retrofits will run. I've noticed no real difference in the '06 brakes, but one thing I forgot to add was the improved pedal placement in the '06 - no need for the heel and toe pad. Blondie has pointed out that the '05 manual has directions for adjusting the pedals for better heel-n-toe. The determining factor for me would be the LSD + TC. Expensive retrofit in the '05. Not sure if you save money by buying the '06. My best advice: Call the expert, who happens to be in your neck of the woods. Abe Reyes, Lotus of South Bay (310) 939-1854. He's the only person I'd buy a car from ever again, and he know this car.

Just out of curiosity, why are the LED taillights "must-haves" in your opinion?

I went to the dealer determined not to even consider a leftover '05 (I wanted to order an '06) but after driving an '05, I couldn't rationalize spending $8,000 more for the so-called "improvments". IMO, the '05 seats are fine and perfectly comfortable and after talking with several people who I respected/trusted decided that I did NOT want the DBW for several reasons...and so I went with the '05. I could care less about appearance issues like LED taillights. I'll adjust the pedals myself and I saved thousands to spend on things like the Stage II exhaust and the Reverie CAI.

Unless you're an incredible driver, you'll never know the difference.

[MotorCade]

I'm one of those that disagrees. I don't really care for the look of the LED taillights. They do look good at night, but during the day, they don't look as classic to me as the 05 lights.

Like the rest of the differences, it's all personal preference. The difference in driving feel is extremely slight.

Cade

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by mini63

Just out of curiosity, why are the LED taillights "must-haves" in your opinion?

Three reasons. #1 - Many times brighter than the '05. #2 - LED's light up faster than light bulbs, translating to real stopping distance at speed on a freeway. #3 - I like the way they look better than the '05, and like the loss of the rear reflector from the rear panels. Once you've been rear ended (hope it never happens to you), #'s 1 and 2 become serious.

Originally Posted by mini63

IMO, the '05 seats are fine and perfectly comfortable

Uh, no they're not. They're a half-inch of foam draped over a fiberglass bucket. For the short term I agree they work, but trips over two hours begin to take their toll. IMO, repeated use leads to instant compression of the foam, which means that excitation loads are being transmitted directly up your back. Someone screwed up and placed the bladder for the lumbar support about seven inches too high. There's a reason Lotus made a change. As the car is my daily driver, I removed my '05 seats and replaced them with the Probax. No comparison.

Originally Posted by mini63

I could care less about appearance issues like LED taillights.

Like I said, it's more than an appearance issue.

Originally Posted by mini63

I'll adjust the pedals myself and I saved thousands to spend on things like the Stage II exhaust and the Reverie CAI.

Good idea! Again, Quinn has posted on this, and saved herself the expense of the h-n-t pad. (Which I happen to love, BTW).

Originally Posted by mini63

Unless you're an incredible driver, you'll never know the difference.

Not sure I understand what you mean by this. Which part of your comments has to do with driver skill?

EDIT: Just to make it clear, I DO NOT believe any of these items makes buying on '06 "worth it." I was simply pointing out the differences between the '05 and '06, and suggesting that all of these items may be added to the '05 as options.

[rwarden]

I went through the same decision process and bought an 05 just 6 weeks ago. The LED taillights are nice, but not must-haves. The biggest differerence is in the seats and pedals. Adjusting the pedals in an 05 is a real pain, but well worth it - I now have no issues with them. It would be really nice to have a Probax seat, but not worth the $6K I saved. Hope I helped.

-R Warden

[rnr]

The pedals on an 06 are also a little further to the left which makes it easier for people with big feet (I'm size 14) to drive the car. In the 05 demo car my foot was literally hitting the brake every time I tried to accelerate.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Uh, no they're not. They're a half-inch of foam draped over a fiberglass bucket. For the short term I agree they work, but trips over two hours begin to take their toll.

Gotta disagree here. I think this is something that can only be evaluated on an individual basis. I've done several 5 to 8 hour trips in my '05 and have honestly found the seats to more comfortable than anything else I've owned. It may well be that I have an identical twin living in the UK that works as a human seat mold.

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by andykeck

Gotta disagree here. I think this is something that can only be evaluated on an individual basis. I've done several 5 to 8 hour trips in my '05 and have honestly found the seats to more comfortable than anything else I've owned. It may well be that I have an identical twin living in the UK that works as a human seat mold.

Understood. Question is, how do they compare to the '06 seats? Also, is the car your daily driver? I noticed over time that the foam begins to lose it's cushioning quality and stays compressed. Most noticeable is when you switch over to the passenger seat. Eventually, I went to an upholstery shop and bought a square of foam to place under the pad.

[OneFastLotus]

I like the 05's just fine. We've owned both cars for 2 years now so we're well qualified to comment I'd think.

As far as the seats, my POV.... our dealer is 14 hours away (round trip) and we've taken 7 hour (straight through, no stops) trips in it no problems. I've made dozens and dozens of 4+ hour trips in this car, seats don't bother me at all, not in the least. The probax are nice, but I don't feel as though I have to have them.

Never been rearended so I cannot attest to LED's being safer.

Aesthetically I don't like the look of the LED's. For some reason I think they look cheap. Everytime we pass a car with LED's I feel compelled to comment on how much I hate them. I'm not sure why this is, I just really dont like them. This if course is just my opinion so please don't flame me for not liking them.

Edit to say, I also have LSD and traction control

[mini63]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Three reasons. #1 - Many times brighter than the '05. #2 - LED's light up faster than light bulbs, translating to real stopping distance at speed on a freeway. #3 - I like the way they look better than the '05, and like the loss of the rear reflector from the rear panels. Once you've been rear ended (hope it never happens to you), #'s 1 and 2 become serious.



Uh, no they're not. They're a half-inch of foam draped over a fiberglass bucket. For the short term I agree they work, but trips over two hours begin to take their toll. IMO, repeated use leads to instant compression of the foam, which means that excitation loads are being transmitted directly up your back. Someone screwed up and placed the bladder for the lumbar support about seven inches too high. There's a reason Lotus made a change. As the car is my daily driver, I removed my '05 seats and replaced them with the Probax. No comparison.



Like I said, it's more than an appearance issue.



Good idea! Again, Quinn has posted on this, and saved herself the expense of the h-n-t pad. (Which I happen to love, BTW).



Not sure I understand what you mean by this. Which part of your comments has to do with driver skill?

I appreciate your comments and can't really argue with you aside from the seats. I've taken several long drives with the '05 seats and I find them perfectly fine. I don't think that either of us are wrong. I think that many people are happy with their '05 seats and others prefer their '06 seats.

The LED's are very nice looking (I agree) but I don't think that they offer any real-world advantage other than appearance.

What I meant regarding the last comment is that I think that one would have to be a truly incredible driver to feel any "performance" advantage of an '06 vs. an '05. That's all that I meant. I guess that we weren't really even talking about that so perhaps it's irrelevant.

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by OneFastLotus

I like the 05's just fine. We've owned both cars for 2 years now so we're well qualified to comment I'd think.

As far as the seats, my POV.... our dealer is 14 hours away (round trip) and we've taken 7 hour (straight through, no stops) trips in it no problems. I've made dozens and dozens of 4+ hour trips in this car, seats don't bother me at all, not in the least. The probax are nice, but I don't feel as though I have to have them.

Never been rearended so I cannot attest to LED's being safer.

Aesthetically I don't like the look of the LED's. I see them on Geo's and Hyndai's and for whatever reason I think they look cheap. Everytime we pass a car with LED's I feel compelled to comment on how much I hate them. I'm not sure why this is, I just really dont like them. This if course is just my opinion so please don't flame me for not liking them.

Truth is, I never had a problem with the '05 seats until a couple of months ago. Just began to take their toll... but everyone is built differently, so hopefully it's just me.

As for the LED's being safer, I'm not sure, but the time to light is faster, which must translate to quicker stopping time at high speeds. The appearance thing is personal preference, no need to flame - a lot of people don't like them.

[teekster]

My late '05 came with the TC and LSD options.

[zvezdah1]

FYI my car is a sept 05 production 06 model and it has 05 seats, kinda disappointed but I did 1300 miles in 3 days two weeks ago, no comfort issues for me and I'm tall and scrawny (read that to mean bony).

The money savings is substantial, so if that's a big factor, go for the 05.
Chris