'06 Elise or '07 MX-5? - Page 4 - LotusTalk

cdn_alien · 05-03-2008, 09:59 PM

Wow. That's my sentiments exactly. I sold my '90 Miata when I moved to another city. I regretted it, and bought a '99, but the driving experience in the '99 just wasn't as nice as the '90. Maybe the leather seats, power locks, and A/C in the NB just dulled the experience?

To the OP, just a simple test drive in the Elise will decide it for you. If after a test drive, you don't start losing sleep or buy an Elise on the spot, then the MX-5 is for you.

zimm · 05-04-2008, 06:57 AM

Well everyone, thanks for the advice on this thread- hope it helps others too.

I test drove not 1, but 3 different MX-5's. What sold me was the ride, the extra practicality, and the price. I also won't miss the HP since this is a commuter foremost.

Ride: Most of the San Diego highways and roads are not what I would call smooth. Lots of grooved concrete, drainage gullies at every intersection, etc. The MX-5 with stock suspension actually soaks up a lot of that without being overly spongy. If I ever need to tighten things up more, there's always the mazdaspeed spring/dampner/swaybar package. I'm happy with handling as is.

Practicality- it is a heck of a lot easier to get in and out of. The top goes up and down in 2-3 seconds from the driver's seat, pretty slick. Big trunk (holds golf clubs or groceries).

Price- I found a '07 touring in my favorite color (galaxy grey) with 20k miles (high, but under warranty for another 16k), for $17,500 which was under wholesale and only $300 over what dealer paid for it. I think I got a pretty good deal.

Bavarian Motorist · 05-04-2008, 07:54 AM

Congratulations

You must have driven a sport pack Elise which has higher spring rates.

Definitely test drive a "base" Elise and see how that is.

So no Elise?

Green Ghost · 05-04-2008, 09:11 AM

If you have a truck (F250 a real truck) and a 2nd car, get the Lotus.
You have no reason not to.

You can now start going on the fun drives with all the different groups. They really are fun get-togethers. Get it and go to Monterey for the race. Don’t know if I can make that one or not as of now.

Welcome to fun, you will get one.

Kevin

DuffMan · 05-04-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Ghost

If you have a truck (F250 a real truck) and a 2nd car, get the Lotus.
You have no reason not to.

You can now start going on the fun drives with all the different groups. They really are fun get-togethers. Get it and go to Monterey for the race. Don’t know if I can make that one or not as of now.

Welcome to fun, you will get one.

Kevin

But he doesn't have a second car from the way it sounds, and driving a huge truck daily is about as practical as driving the Elise daily. Congrats on the Miata, and I hope you do end up getting those stiffer springs. They really do make a difference.

John Stimson · 05-04-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrodek

I've not driven an MX-5, but I have owned an Acura RSX, and Nissan 350Z, and test driven a Corvette & BMW M Roadster - and I can say the Elise is a special car.

Many people feel the same way about the MX-5 in comparison to cars like that. Since you haven't driven one, you don't know for sure that it's a "normal car".

Mark16q · 05-14-2008, 10:03 PM

I had an '01 MX-5....loved it. But wanted more power so got an '04 S2000 and loved that too but it was a bit soft handling and many $'s for any major improvements. So got the '05 Elise. Fantastic car, most fun I have ever had at speed and amazing on the track. But sold it and got a '95 Miata and loving it too.

These are all great cars and very special in their own way. If $'s didn't matter, I'd have a Lotus for track days, a Miata for beautiful commute days, and my Fit for good mileage and shleping stuff. But $'s matter, and I haven't found time for the track...so it's a Fit and Miata for now. In my perfect world I'll add a track specific Exige someday...gotta have goals.

As many have said in this post...drive them all and you'll know what makes sense for your situation.

Mark

sopcich04 · 07-17-2008, 11:29 AM

mx-5 take that ****ty motor out and drop in an LS1, weighs less and gives u better balance. but most people here shy away from hp/tq

njcu · 07-17-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6_speed

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

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

I agree 100%. After I test drove an Elise, I was addicted, that was it.

Bavarian Motorist · 07-17-2008, 12:25 PM

I would like an NC as a beater car!

05-03-2008, 09:59 PM	#61 (permalink)
cdn_alien Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 212	Wow. That's my sentiments exactly. I sold my '90 Miata when I moved to another city. I regretted it, and bought a '99, but the driving experience in the '99 just wasn't as nice as the '90. Maybe the leather seats, power locks, and A/C in the NB just dulled the experience? To the OP, just a simple test drive in the Elise will decide it for you. If after a test drive, you don't start losing sleep or buy an Elise on the spot, then the MX-5 is for you. __________________ Current: '06 Chili Red Elise, '06 Infiniti M35 Sold: '03 Nissan 350Z , '00 BMW 325Ci, '99 Miata, '90 Miata

05-04-2008, 06:57 AM	#62 (permalink)
zimm Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 31	Well everyone, thanks for the advice on this thread- hope it helps others too. I test drove not 1, but 3 different MX-5's. What sold me was the ride, the extra practicality, and the price. I also won't miss the HP since this is a commuter foremost. Ride: Most of the San Diego highways and roads are not what I would call smooth. Lots of grooved concrete, drainage gullies at every intersection, etc. The MX-5 with stock suspension actually soaks up a lot of that without being overly spongy. If I ever need to tighten things up more, there's always the mazdaspeed spring/dampner/swaybar package. I'm happy with handling as is. Practicality- it is a heck of a lot easier to get in and out of. The top goes up and down in 2-3 seconds from the driver's seat, pretty slick. Big trunk (holds golf clubs or groceries). Price- I found a '07 touring in my favorite color (galaxy grey) with 20k miles (high, but under warranty for another 16k), for $17,500 which was under wholesale and only $300 over what dealer paid for it. I think I got a pretty good deal. __________________ Should have an Elise this summer '03 Ford F250 4x4 turbo diesel- pulls the boat '07 BMW R1200S sport bike- selling for car

05-04-2008, 07:54 AM	#63 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rye, NY Posts: 8,355	Congratulations You must have driven a sport pack Elise which has higher spring rates. Definitely test drive a "base" Elise and see how that is. So no Elise? __________________ Driving a Lotus Exige with sticky... performance tires on icy roads or in standing water is about as much fun as walking a high wire treated with WD-40 - Car & Driver BWR supercharged... I suppose I "got the power" now??

05-14-2008, 10:03 PM	#67 (permalink)
Mark16q 2 seats max Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Agoura Hills, CA Posts: 460	I had an '01 MX-5....loved it. But wanted more power so got an '04 S2000 and loved that too but it was a bit soft handling and many $'s for any major improvements. So got the '05 Elise. Fantastic car, most fun I have ever had at speed and amazing on the track. But sold it and got a '95 Miata and loving it too. These are all great cars and very special in their own way. If $'s didn't matter, I'd have a Lotus for track days, a Miata for beautiful commute days, and my Fit for good mileage and shleping stuff. But $'s matter, and I haven't found time for the track...so it's a Fit and Miata for now. In my perfect world I'll add a track specific Exige someday...gotta have goals. As many have said in this post...drive them all and you'll know what makes sense for your situation. Mark __________________ '95 Miata M Edition. '05 Arctic Silver..Nitrons, Arqray Twin Muffler, SectorIII bar, carbon console and shift knob, Schroth harnesses, GUT spoiler, tie rod reinforcement, and lots more....Sold

07-17-2008, 12:25 PM	#70 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rye, NY Posts: 8,355	I would like an NC as a beater car! __________________ Driving a Lotus Exige with sticky... performance tires on icy roads or in standing water is about as much fun as walking a high wire treated with WD-40 - Car & Driver BWR supercharged... I suppose I "got the power" now??

05-04-2008, 09:11 AM	#64 (permalink)
Green Ghost Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: orange county Posts: 717 Images: 13	If you have a truck (F250 a real truck) and a 2nd car, get the Lotus. You have no reason not to. You can now start going on the fun drives with all the different groups. They really are fun get-togethers. Get it and go to Monterey for the race. Don’t know if I can make that one or not as of now. Welcome to fun, you will get one. Kevin

07-17-2008, 11:29 AM	#68 (permalink)
sopcich04 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 33	mx-5 take that ****ty motor out and drop in an LS1, weighs less and gives u better balance. but most people here shy away from hp/tq

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