First test drive and I'm hooked - LotusTalk

happakidd · 10-12-2008, 08:16 PM

Been lurking for over a year and finally decided to make the hour drive to the nearest Elise for sale that I could find. Went by Napa Ford, to drive their '06 GG Elise. I'm hooked, that thing was a blast, too bad it wasn't in great condition (usual lotus quirks i've read about, and alot of them plus the paint was neglected, not just driven). The driver position is perfect for me (I'm 5'5") and the pedal position made H&T really easy (I have size 7 feet

). Car feels like it could use more power; didn't feel as fast as some of the others i've been looking at (although it is quicker in a straight line than anything i've driven up to this point). Somehow the "bad" things about the car (ingress/egress, buzzy powerplant, loose bits, lack of useful trunk) are charming in this case

. The amount of feedback makes it fun to drive and you actually feel comfortable in it at speed (testdrove a Z and felt like I didn't have great control over it; it was easy to get loose, which is why i think it "felt" fast). I can see how the second cam is addicting too. I think i'm in love.

I still have to get into an Exige S before I buy, but I've definately caught the lotus bug

Mr. Know · 10-12-2008, 08:22 PM

Don't drive an Exige S if you plan to buy an Elise.

shay2nak · 10-12-2008, 08:26 PM

"First test drive and I'm hooked"

that's what usually happens. LOL

happakidd · 10-12-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Don't drive an Exige S if you plan to buy an Elise.

Still on the fence, I can afford the Exige S, but I dunno if I'd need/want the extra power(still young enough to be stupid) for the extra $$$. I just don't want to be like many people on this forum that buy an elise just to "upgrade" later to an Exige S.

Mr. Know · 10-12-2008, 08:45 PM

Shoot me a PM, I'll see about getting you a test drive.

Bleu Omdurman · 10-13-2008, 12:45 PM

If you thought the Elise was fast, trust me, the Exige S will end up in your garage.

Glad you liked the car. My first drive an Elise was when I picked it up at the dealership in May 2005. I was giddy as a school girl.

3 years later, I still own a Lotus. I'm not sure I will ever NOT own one. They are that good.

I'll add this. put it on the track, and watch your money fly out the window. They are superb track cars. It is amazing how many "fast" cars you will fly by on the track in this car.

Enjoy, be safe, post pics when you get it!

Trevor

kestrel74 · 10-13-2008, 01:38 PM

FIRST mistake: You didn't consult us BEFORE you did an Elise test drive. We advise everyone to take their checkbook along with them......but if you're going to drive the S.........make SURE you take it.

LARRY · 10-13-2008, 01:46 PM

Lets see...you said: "the "bad" things about the car" (?????)

ingress/egress - You get good at it

buzzy powerplant Every hear a Porsche?

loose bits What loose bits? WTF?

lack of useful trunk Trunk is fine for what we need

PLEASE don't buy a Lotus.

You'll be griping about it here on Lotus Talk every five minutes.

Get an EVO. Really quick with a back seat and a TRUNK. And no loose bits!

Shorty111R · 10-13-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happakidd

Still on the fence, I can afford the Exige S, but I dunno if I'd need/want the extra power(still young enough to be stupid) for the extra $$$. I just don't want to be like many people on this forum that buy an elise just to "upgrade" later to an Exige S.

See if you can't snag a ride in an supercharged Elise. Not necessarily an Elise SC, but just one with a supercharger.

THAT is addicting.

But like I've told others (since I'm in the situation myself) Don't drive it, unless you can buy it, because it will HAUNT you until you can!

happakidd · 10-13-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LARRY

Lets see...you said: "the "bad" things about the car" (?????)

ingress/egress - You get good at it

buzzy powerplant Every hear a Porsche?

loose bits What loose bits? WTF?

lack of useful trunk Trunk is fine for what we need

PLEASE don't buy a Lotus.

You'll be griping about it here on Lotus Talk every five minutes.

Get an EVO. Really quick with a back seat and a TRUNK. And no loose bits!

LOL, I meant that for some reason these things all had an odd charm to them. I actually liked everything about the car, was just siting the typical things people seem to complain about. By loose bits i meant rattles, specifically the car I drove didn't seem to be well taken care of. I wasn't trying to complain, I was trying to say that I don't think any of these things are legit complaints. I'm gonna stay away from the Exige; I can put the extra money toward a tow rig for the other toy. But yeah, want one, dreamt about it last night....sad... hooked.... Was gonna test drive a vette but whats the point, I want an elise.

10-12-2008, 08:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
happakidd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rohnert Park Posts: 26	First test drive and I'm hooked Been lurking for over a year and finally decided to make the hour drive to the nearest Elise for sale that I could find. Went by Napa Ford, to drive their '06 GG Elise. I'm hooked, that thing was a blast, too bad it wasn't in great condition (usual lotus quirks i've read about, and alot of them plus the paint was neglected, not just driven). The driver position is perfect for me (I'm 5'5") and the pedal position made H&T really easy (I have size 7 feet ). Car feels like it could use more power; didn't feel as fast as some of the others i've been looking at (although it is quicker in a straight line than anything i've driven up to this point). Somehow the "bad" things about the car (ingress/egress, buzzy powerplant, loose bits, lack of useful trunk) are charming in this case . The amount of feedback makes it fun to drive and you actually feel comfortable in it at speed (testdrove a Z and felt like I didn't have great control over it; it was easy to get loose, which is why i think it "felt" fast). I can see how the second cam is addicting too. I think i'm in love. I still have to get into an Exige S before I buy, but I've definately caught the lotus bug __________________ In the market for a Lotus '88 Toyota 4runner DD '85 Toyota 4runner rockcrawler '92 Camaro pig

10-12-2008, 08:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,348 Images: 6	Don't drive an Exige S if you plan to buy an Elise. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook.

10-12-2008, 08:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,042	"First test drive and I'm hooked" that's what usually happens. LOL __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

10-12-2008, 08:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,348 Images: 6	Shoot me a PM, I'll see about getting you a test drive. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook. Last edited by Mr. Know : 10-13-2008 at 01:11 AM.

10-13-2008, 12:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bleu Omdurman More track time please. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,692	If you thought the Elise was fast, trust me, the Exige S will end up in your garage. Glad you liked the car. My first drive an Elise was when I picked it up at the dealership in May 2005. I was giddy as a school girl. 3 years later, I still own a Lotus. I'm not sure I will ever NOT own one. They are that good. I'll add this. put it on the track, and watch your money fly out the window. They are superb track cars. It is amazing how many "fast" cars you will fly by on the track in this car. Enjoy, be safe, post pics when you get it! Trevor __________________ Take my track day survey: here You should enjoy it. 10 questions. Now take survey #2 here Mods: TurboXS Intake, Ultra Disc Rotors, Adare Motorsports Racing Pads.

10-13-2008, 01:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,307	FIRST mistake: You didn't consult us BEFORE you did an Elise test drive. We advise everyone to take their checkbook along with them......but if you're going to drive the S.........make SURE you take it. __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

10-13-2008, 01:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,150	Lets see...you said: "the "bad" things about the car" (?????) ingress/egress - You get good at it buzzy powerplant Every hear a Porsche? loose bits What loose bits? WTF? lack of useful trunk Trunk is fine for what we need PLEASE don't buy a Lotus. You'll be griping about it here on Lotus Talk every five minutes. Get an EVO. Really quick with a back seat and a TRUNK. And no loose bits! __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 10-13-2008 at 01:52 PM.

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