2005 vs 2006 Elise

[Alan Smithee]

I'm also debating on whether to go with a new 2005 or a new 2006. The 2005 I'm considering has TC and LSD, so that isn't an issue. Nor are the seats; I find the 2005's just fine, and the car will never be used as a long distance cruiser. I prefer the reflector-less 2006, but that's not a deal breaker for me.

My concerns are with the DBW throttle: First of all, do the late 2005s with TC and LSD have DBW? 2nd, has there been any driveability problems with the DBW throttle? Every late model car I've owned with DBW has had an artificial, non-linear, and not particularly responsive throttle feel. On a 'pure' car such as the Elise, this would drive me crazy. Should I be concerned?

Also, how intrusive is the traction control?

[wew]

Colin would probably roll over in his grave listening to you guys talking about LED tail lights as a must have. For God's sake the Lotus is a supercar that was meant for driving. Not for leather diamond cut consoles and LED lights, headsets for the radio and cushy seats. What the matter have you guys gone soft? Go out and buy a Z350 if you want creature comforts. As for me the 05 for 10k-15k less in depreciation than an 06 suits my driving desires just fine.

[Elise8206]

Buy the 05 model and save all for mod

[Baysailor]

Originally Posted by wew

Colin would probably roll over in his grave listening to you guys talking about LED taillights as a must have. For God's sake the Lotus is a supercar that was meant for driving.

The LED taillights are a safety feature, pure and simple. LED taillights illuminate over 20% faster than normal filament bulbs. LEDs also have an almost instant on (full intensity) versus the slower heating cycle that is required for the filament to come up to full intensity. The reaction time this affords those behind you equates to them being able to stop 25 to 30 feet sooner (based on 60 MPH) in a panic stop situation. When you consider that the odds are your Elise will already be able to stop MUCH quicker than what ever is following you, that 25 to 30 feet can make a significant difference. The LED configuration on the 2006 Elise/Exige is also much brighter than the standard taillights on the 2005 Elise, there by commanding more awareness of the drivers behind you.

I drive my Elise more than the average person. It is my daily driver for both around town and long trips, in that, I am always amongst much larger vehicles and am glad that I have the factory LED taillights.

As to the other differences between the 2005 and 2006, there can be many variances from one individual to another. I put several hundred miles on 2005 trying to decide if I could tolerate certain issues (all size based). I am very tall for an Elise driver and have a large foot. The pedal box spacing/placement and the ProBax seats of the 2006 made a big difference as to my overall comfort. Sure, I could have modified a 2005 to accomplish the same things, but for me, it was worth the extra money to just have it already done.

I too noticed good improvement in the feel of the brakes from the 2005 to the 2006.

[MotorCade]

I can't argue that it lights faster, quantitatively speaking, but realistically, we're talking milliseconds here. The average cell-phone talking, make-up applying, kids in the backseat, eating breakfast, etc, driver isn't going to know the difference. I mean, really... I consider myself a decent driver, and I know I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Milliseconds. It's just marketing hype to cover the fact that Lotus did something because people think it's cool, instead of only doing things that are essential.

Brake feel, on the other hand, is a more valid argument.

Cade

[rnr]

Originally Posted by Alan Smithee

My concerns are with the DBW throttle: First of all, do the late 2005s with TC and LSD have DBW? 2nd, has there been any driveability problems with the DBW throttle? Every late model car I've owned with DBW has had an artificial, non-linear, and not particularly responsive throttle feel. On a 'pure' car such as the Elise, this would drive me crazy. Should I be concerned?

Also, how intrusive is the traction control?

1) DW is 06 only
2) I have almost 12k miles (3 AutoX and 4 track days) on my 06 and have not had any problems with the DBW. In fact the DBW should be more responsive that a cable throttle not less.
3) The TC is pretty much unnoticable unless you really really mess things up. It merely cuts fuel and does not apply the brakes like some BMW, porsche systems.

[Baysailor]

Originally Posted by MotorCade

I can't argue that it lights faster, quantitatively speaking, but realistically, we're talking milliseconds here. The average cell-phone talking, make-up applying, kids in the backseat, eating breakfast, etc, driver isn't going to know the difference. I mean, really... I consider myself a decent driver, and I know I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Milliseconds. It's just marketing hype to cover the fact that Lotus did something because people think it's cool, instead of only doing things that are essential.

That is the whole point... it is not something you consciously think about, it is something you react to.

As far as you not being able to tell the difference between the two... I bet you can. There are lots of cars out there that have LED based third brake lights and regular filament based brakelights. Next time you are out, look for several like this and watch as they brake, you will definitely see the difference in how quickly the third brake light illuminates compared to the two normal brake lights. Just make sure the third brake light is LED based.

Here are a couple of studies:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/chem...p/an1155-3.pdf
http://www.visteon.com/utils/whitepa...02_01_0379.pdf

And don't forget the over all difference in intensity between the two setups on the Elise.

[mini63]

Originally Posted by wew

Colin would probably roll over in his grave listening to you guys talking about LED tail lights as a must have. For God's sake the Lotus is a supercar that was meant for driving. Not for leather diamond cut consoles and LED lights, headsets for the radio and cushy seats. What the matter have you guys gone soft? Go out and buy a Z350 if you want creature comforts. As for me the 05 for 10k-15k less in depreciation than an 06 suits my driving desires just fine.

Thank you! This LED thing is ridiculous. It's purely aesthetic whether these people want to admit it or not.

[MotorCade]

No offense intended, I just don't think it's that noticeable. I was behind Randy for a good bit of the drive back down to SD after WCLM, and he has the LED third brake light and normal taillights. (and the third brake light pulses!) I was watching this interesting setup for a while, and I couldn't tell any difference. Intensity... sure, the LEDs are definitely brighter, and probably would make a difference in attracting attention or in fog. It's the reaction time thing I have a hard time with.

Cade

[roray]

I bought an 05, Touring / Sport Pak / Titanium
Saved about $8k.
Ive been driving so sorry for being late getting back to everyone.
Thanks for all the feedback.

[charliex]

Originally Posted by mini63

Thank you! This LED thing is ridiculous. It's purely aesthetic whether these people want to admit it or not.

if i did my math right, 20ms at 60MPH equates to about 2 feet travelled.

its not aesthetic, its been shown time and time again that people react faster to LED's than incandescents partly the time, partly the more immediate contrast change.




congrats on the car.



another vote for probax too, ive had two pre 06 elises and one post 06 exige, and the probax seats are flipping awesome.

[habendanio]

I have an 05 and I thought all 05's have a third brake light that's LED. If your really need the 20% illumination, I think there are kits that you can just change the bulb. For me the 05's at a lower price is a better value for performance.

[charliex]

Originally Posted by habendanio

I have an 05 and I thought all 05's have a third brake light that's LED. If your really need the 20% illumination, I think there are kits that you can just change the bulb. For me the 05's at a lower price is a better value for performance.

pretty sure the 3rd brake light are incadescents

[ScubaJKD]

Went through the same process and purchased 06. Main reasons are shifter correction, pedal placement, and comfy seats. These are very function and ergonomic upgrades that made a lot of sense to me. Went 06.

[lotus54]

I have not tried the '06 seats, but I'll agree with Andy on the comfort of the '05 ones. We drove from Costa Mesa, CA to Port Angeles, WA picking the car up. No problems at all with the seats. Did some 800 miles per day or so.
But I am just the right size for Lotuses, all seem best fitted to someone around 5'8" to 5'10"

Mark

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.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Baysailor

The LED taillights are a safety feature, pure and simple. LED taillights illuminate over 20% faster than normal filament bulbs.
.

as an exmotorcycle rider/racer, one thing to remember about this car is it is extremely light. I have been able to outbrake or make up so much distance in braking points on most any car in the HPDE days. my set up is stock 05. remember if you can brake really fast, and regular street cars cannot do so as fast, given a person has equal reaction times. the lotus is going to get rear ended. Be safe, and dont trust people to stop as fast as you can. i got rear ended in a tacoma truck, by a 74 yr old idiot on meds. i was in agony for 2 years and effectively disabled from it. I love my lotus, even more so since its a trackday car only. I dont feel safe on the streets with the attention it gets, and "its" desire to make me speed; i do feel very safe with it on the closed course, and the braking might be one of my favorite things about this car.

[Abe]

Originally Posted by mini63

Thank you! This LED thing is ridiculous. It's purely aesthetic whether these people want to admit it or not.

Have to chime in on here and say that you are totally wrong on this matter, whether people want to admit it or not Yeah, the LED lights look better, atleast in my opinion but, don't confuse the issue. Doesn't matter if YOU, a Lotus driver can brake or see them the same, we are talking about the average drivers on their cell phone, putting make-up on, smoking a cigarrette and drinking coffee all at the same time. That's who the LED's were intended for and just because you (not naming any names) can brake safely
against non-LED lights, doesn't mean the rest of the world can. Look, I'm not saying to buy the '06 versus the '05 but, to say that the LED's are "purely aesthetics" is rediculous. Buy the '05 and with ALL the money you save, think safety first and maybe install some LED tail lights before do any mods that would likely be "purely aesthetics"

[Elisium]

This argument is pointless.

The center brake light on the '05 is LED. (Manual page 158)

[bowmanian]

there is a lot to be said ,and value down the road, for a first year issue.my dad bought a first issue elan and decided to sell. we took a lot of great vacations off of that transaction.

[charliex]

Originally Posted by Elisium

This argument is pointless.

The center brake light on the '05 is LED. (Manual page 158)

good to know, someone on here said they were incandescents, last time it came up.

imagine reading the manual!

according to studies a 3rd LED brake light alone will help reaction times, I still prefer the whole LED taillights, I think they are more visible in daylight too, whether its enough of a difference i don't know.

i'm sure its another one of those carburettor vs EFI type things, one day people will say i remember when all these were light bulbs.