Back from Iraq...What to get: NSX, 355, or Esprit V8 - LotusTalk

shawncweed · 08-25-2008, 07:45 AM

Team,

Well I made it back...I have been home now about 2 months and just came off leave...I ended up getting a new car after all, and even surprised myself with the choice.

Didn't get the Esprit...the NSX...or the 355. Ended up getting a 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG with Renntech Stage 1 kit. Right about 515hp and 560 pound feet of torque. We traded our S2000 as a down payment, and was sad to see it go.

What made the choice for us was we were driving the S2000 down through the Florida Keys and my wife and I were thinking how nice it would be to take the kids along with us on these trips...so we saw the E55 AMG and drove it and it was mind blowing...without question the fastest car I have ever driven. we still have out Elise and I imagine we wont part with that for a long time. May get another toy like two seater down the way...maybe even an Esprit if it happens to cross our path at the right time.

Gotta go.

LTC Weed

RichS · 08-25-2008, 07:58 AM

Congratulations, both on the new car and on making it back from Iraq.

Shorty111R · 08-25-2008, 08:04 AM

Yes, welcome back.

Seems like you made an awesome choice. I've never driven an AMG car, only ridden in them, and they are phenomenal.

Glad to hear you still have your Elise too!

Bavarian Motorist · 08-25-2008, 08:12 AM

Should have waited for an Evora!!!

Minnis · 08-25-2008, 08:23 AM

Sir, Thank you for your service. I think you made a fine choice considering you still have the Elise. I have a few rotations to other sand box coming up soon maybe I'll see ya over there! It's good to see a LTC having fun.

shawncweed · 08-25-2008, 08:44 AM

Team...

Thanks for all the kind remarks...I really thought we were going to end up with an 2002 Esprit or 2002 NSX...we had pretty much written off the Ferrari for a couple of years...Where we live in Savannah, though, you just don't see many exotic cars.

The AMG was kind of in the back of my mind mostly because my wife is pretty practical and convincing here we needed yet another 2 seater car was a tough sell...Even I had to see her logic.

the AMG though is like a stealth bomber. It looks like an ordinary E class...and we furthered this image by removing the V8 Kompressor badges on the side. The only tell-tell signs is the single AMG badge on the back, and the AMG pressing on the break calipers and wheels.

The engine is a 5.4 liter V8 with an integrated supercharger with intercooler. with the pully upgrade I believe it is running 14-15 psi. I have never had a supercharged or turbocharged car before, and thought I would hear the whine, but it is imperceptiple to me. the interior is almost too luxurious...I was always a fan of the austerity of the S2000 and the Elise. The car weighs about 3900 pounds which is almost embarrasing. When you are driving it, it reminds me of that song..."Hot Rod Lincoln" It just pulls...and pulls...and pulls...

It is fun though...we took off the other day and my kids gasped and started giggling...pretty funny...

It's black...and we just got the windows tinted. We call it Attila and are trying to get a plate that says that...Our Elise's plate is "ZIPNBY"

Thanks Again...

S

08-25-2008, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
shawncweed Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22	Back from Iraq...What to get: NSX, 355, or Esprit V8 Team, Well I made it back...I have been home now about 2 months and just came off leave...I ended up getting a new car after all, and even surprised myself with the choice. Didn't get the Esprit...the NSX...or the 355. Ended up getting a 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG with Renntech Stage 1 kit. Right about 515hp and 560 pound feet of torque. We traded our S2000 as a down payment, and was sad to see it go. What made the choice for us was we were driving the S2000 down through the Florida Keys and my wife and I were thinking how nice it would be to take the kids along with us on these trips...so we saw the E55 AMG and drove it and it was mind blowing...without question the fastest car I have ever driven. we still have out Elise and I imagine we wont part with that for a long time. May get another toy like two seater down the way...maybe even an Esprit if it happens to cross our path at the right time. Gotta go. LTC Weed

08-25-2008, 07:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,182	Congratulations, both on the new car and on making it back from Iraq. __________________ 2006 Phantom Black Exige - Touring, LSD, Track Pack, Starshield, Multivex Mirrors, Valentine One in MattG's bracket, Painted Shift Knob, Bootie, Increased range of remote, Tinted side windows, Black Lotus Nose Badge, 4Tress Harness Bar, Schroth PROFI II ASM Harness, Trickster's Black and Silver Wheel Cap Inserts, Panasonic FX01 on a ChaseCam camera mount, Powder Coated Gas Cap Cover, Soft Top mod with Touring Soft Top, Lotus Track Toe Link, Carbon Fiber AC Surround, Voltphreaks battery

08-25-2008, 08:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Shorty111R MY car weighs 3166lbs Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 419	Yes, welcome back. Seems like you made an awesome choice. I've never driven an AMG car, only ridden in them, and they are phenomenal. Glad to hear you still have your Elise too! __________________ "Any car which holds together for more than a race is too heavy" - Colin Chapman

08-25-2008, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rye, NY Posts: 8,351	Should have waited for an Evora!!! __________________ 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??

08-25-2008, 08:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Minnis Air Power! Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 381 Images: 1	Sir, Thank you for your service. I think you made a fine choice considering you still have the Elise. I have a few rotations to other sand box coming up soon maybe I'll see ya over there! It's good to see a LTC having fun. __________________ Don Rosen Audi/Porsche Audi Brand Specialist 610-272-9200 x 170 sminnis@donrosenimports.com www.donrosenimports.com

08-25-2008, 08:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
shawncweed Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22	Thanks All... Team... Thanks for all the kind remarks...I really thought we were going to end up with an 2002 Esprit or 2002 NSX...we had pretty much written off the Ferrari for a couple of years...Where we live in Savannah, though, you just don't see many exotic cars. The AMG was kind of in the back of my mind mostly because my wife is pretty practical and convincing here we needed yet another 2 seater car was a tough sell...Even I had to see her logic. the AMG though is like a stealth bomber. It looks like an ordinary E class...and we furthered this image by removing the V8 Kompressor badges on the side. The only tell-tell signs is the single AMG badge on the back, and the AMG pressing on the break calipers and wheels. The engine is a 5.4 liter V8 with an integrated supercharger with intercooler. with the pully upgrade I believe it is running 14-15 psi. I have never had a supercharged or turbocharged car before, and thought I would hear the whine, but it is imperceptiple to me. the interior is almost too luxurious...I was always a fan of the austerity of the S2000 and the Elise. The car weighs about 3900 pounds which is almost embarrasing. When you are driving it, it reminds me of that song..."Hot Rod Lincoln" It just pulls...and pulls...and pulls... It is fun though...we took off the other day and my kids gasped and started giggling...pretty funny... It's black...and we just got the windows tinted. We call it Attila and are trying to get a plate that says that...Our Elise's plate is "ZIPNBY" Thanks Again... S

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