'06 Elise or '07 MX-5?

[tvacc]

Originally Posted by 6_speed

If you get the MX-5, you'll always flirt with the Elise. Not true the other way around.

Never were any truer words spoken. We have both as well. Well my son has a Miata, but we all share the cars in our house. The Miata is nice to tool around in and fun. When I want to do serious back road driving...I take the Elise. When I want to run over for ice cream...or dinner...I take the Miata. When I want to get the fastest way from Point A to Point B on the back roads....I take the Elise.

[MTribe]

Geez, just typed a long response and the site crashed... another year of lurking of me.

I totally agree with the flirting comment, too. From a practicality standpoint for you, it sounds like the Miata is the way to go. But you'll always wonder what the elise is like. It really *is* that much different than other cars, and other cars have felt overstuffed and blubbery to me after the elise, which many have said before me.

Personally, I'd say get a used elise in a muted color, make yourself sign a contract with yourself (seriously) that says you understand that driving it means some scratches and dents, and on your death bed you won't regret a single time you drove it or made the choice to get the elise. Then, if it bothers you too much to drive the elise, at least you'll always know what it was like and probably achieve greater satisfaction from the miata.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Don't take everyone so seriously who says parking the Elise is a no-no. I've always parked it and had nothing happen. You just have to park strategically. Park at the end of a lot of into a corner where only one side is exposed to another car. Don't parallel park for very long and if you must parallel park, make sure you have clear view of the car in case anything happens. Look, we all have insurance, right? It's not the end of the world if the Elise gets a crack by chance.


In my many months of ownership and many times of parking everywhere, I've never had an issue, so the chances aren't extremely high depending upon where you park.


As for which car, the Miata is a great car as well as the Elise. I wouldn't go for the hardtop because it adds something like 75 lbs to the weight. Not worth the extra money (4k-5k?) and weight. If you NEED a hard top, a factory hardtop cover is still available according to my dealer, so that's always an option.


Depending upon your budget, you might look at Porsche Boxsters (987). They go for right around what an Elise of the same year does. They're quick, fun, get very good fuel mileage, comfy, perform well, can be driven EVERY single day, have a lot of trunk space, and are reliable. They're absolutely excellent cars in every way and I bet your wife would love it because 85% of the car is bio-degradable, thereby helping the environment

Just a thought...

[Black&Gold]

That phrase about always flirting with an Elise is SOOO real. I drove the new MX-5, a Porsche Boxter S, a BMW Z4, and a BMW Z3 and an Elise two years ago. I bought a used Z3 with a 2.8. I think it was the second best looker of the bunch; the Lotus is far away the best looker. The Boxster S was the best performer as a daily driver, but the Z-3 just looked So much better, and cost a bunch less, just like you're thinking. I thought the used Z-3 was comparable to the new Mx-5 and it cost even less. It was a great compromise. Notice I said was... I sold it, and am currently building a garage and looking for my first Elise. The thought and test drive experience never went away.

[goelise]

I test drove a lot of cars when i was in the market for a new 'fun' car. The 350Z, MX-5, Evo and Sti, and even the Z06 but once I test drove the Elise and it also helped that my wife saw one on the street being driven by someone, thats all it took.

I have had the car for almost 2 years now and have had no regrets and have not even thought about the other cars.

I hope, that whatever you decide on ...will leave you satisfied and happy.

[FLuXeXigeS]

Originally Posted by 6_speed

If you get the MX-5, you'll always flirt with the Elise. Not true the other way around.

+1

and +1 with BM parking strategically

also if the elise really isnt gonna cut it, get an s2000 or the sky redline, and maybe even a MR-S (2zz swapped) but NOT a miata...

[Chris D.]

[quote=6_speed;996213]Speaking as a previous owner of a NB Miata and a current owner of a 2006 Elise, do NOT test drive an Elise.

Once you test drive an Elise, there is no going back

QUOTE]

LOL. Now that is sound advice. Be careful what you test drive or you will end up with a garage full of toys.

[Hello Kitty]

Sounds like a cost issue to me. Low cost is the only thing you like about the miata. So how about you buy the cheapest lotus on cars.com or autotrader.com. Then if you get a door ding, you wont kill yourself.

[Bavarian Motorist]

My friend with an NB Miata is desperately saving for an Elise now He has driven my car many times...



Well, take that for what it's worth..

[estabahn]

My plan is:

1. Keep my my Low miles '96 Miata R package
2. Keep Jeep (parts chaser, home depot hauler)
3. Buy an 05 Elise (the perfect toy)

That will give me the practical fun car (1), The practical not-fun car (2). And the car I'll really want to drive every day (3) but can't because of practical considerations (bad parking situations, Colorado winters etc).

Does that give you any ideas?...

[FLuXeXigeS]

cars.com: 2005 Lotus Elise

Cars For Sale: Car Details - AutoTrader.com

eBay Motors: Lotus : Elise (item 380021854979 end time May-17-08 09:54:36 PDT)

your welcome

[Bavarian Motorist]

The Autotrader one is listed as "Theft Recovery" so you might be able to get it for less

[Black&Gold]

The E-bay one is also on Auto Trader at the same price

[zimm]

Wow, thanks for the advice again. Like mentioned, the only pull for the Miata for me would be getting one for half the price of the Elise. Oh, and I like flipping the top up in 2 seconds. Other than that, I'm all about the Elise. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get one, but being newlyweds and getting our first home together- of course I'm exploring having a lower monthly payment.

I'm believe in using my toys, not saving them. I had a brand new STI and had no problems with 5500rpm clutch drops at the drag strip, or burning the new tires off at the autocross school day. I did almost cry when my sister shut the garage door on the $800 trunk lid that I just bought and had painted to remove the hideous wing it came with. But door dings are just life- I'm cool with that.

I'm pretty sure I'll still get an Elise, just have get a few ducks in a row before the "green light" on my sports car. Probably looking at July/August now :-(

It'll be my daily driver, but I'll still have my big monster truck if needed, or could take the hybrid if parking is tight- like going downtown.

[FLuXeXigeS]

hey hey it was just a suggestion

[Bavarian Motorist]

I am a fan of NCs without power-assisted steering but the NBs should NOT have it. I'm not sure if it was an option or not on NCs, but it is really over-powered and unnecessary.

[Hanzo]

So did you test drive the miata?

[exarkun1178]

every car ive had, within a month i was looking for my next. not so with the elise. its been over a year and my eye has not strayed.... ive looked for a mate for the elise, but not a replacement...

[TorsinADoc]

You should also drive an S2000. For what you want it for I would probably go with the Mazda or the S2000.

[Vampyre]

without even reading it...
Get the MX5!!!