...and her name is Elise

[the1sen]

i don't mind keeping it clean. the car reminds me of a Motorcycle more than a car - so it is a joy to clean it. something i'm looking forward to.

I am going for a ride :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Here are some more photos from today...

[the1sen]

just got back and all I can say is WOW.

Never put so many miles on a car so quickly. I am humbled.

I'm not sore, fatigued, or hurting. I really like the lumbar support too. Excellent on the Elise.

[Dragon]

You sir, appear to be just the kind of owner this car was made for..

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Dragon

You sir, appear to be just the kind of owner this car was made for..

I am indeed HOOKED. I can't hardly sleep. And I am making EVERY excuse I can to go for a ride to anywhere for any reason.

My wife really likes it too.

Hey, you know, I have a quick question... Just thought of it... I have a Zumo550 GPS from my BMW Motorcycle that I wrecked. It has the suction cup car mount. I use it for work quite often. I don't want to put it on the windshield in this car. I was thinking of getting something to mount it right below the HVAC controls.

Is there anyplace I can get a flat piece of aluminum drilled and routed so that it won't slice my fingers off? the suction cup is about 2" in diameter which means it would fit between the screws below the HVAC controls...

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Congratulations again!
I'll be zipping around over the next few days too... the weather is so perfect now... 72 & sunny! Perhaps we'll cross paths somewhere.

Also, we have a local Lotus group that meets for dinner in Scottsdale once a month on the 3rd Thursday (two weeks from tonight) at
The Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
8668 E. Shea Blvd. (NE corner of Shea and the 101)
Scottsdale AZ

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by 2006PolarBlueElise

Congratulations again!
I'll be zipping around over the next few days too... the weather is so perfect now... 72 & sunny! Perhaps we'll cross paths somewhere.

Also, we have a local Lotus group that meets for dinner in Scottsdale once a month on the 3rd Thursday (two weeks from tonight) at
The Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
8668 E. Shea Blvd. (NE corner of Shea and the 101)
Scottsdale AZ

Thanks so much for the invitation. If I can get time off from work, I will join you guys. What time does everyone gather? Anyone in the group handy with machining Aluminum for my little GPS project?? LOL

[Dragon]

I modified my mount and put it here... RHD EU model interior is much different than the FED model.

My GPS by the way is also also detects radar and laser. It also gives me verbal warnings when traffic cameras are coming up and when I'm approaching areas that are known places the cops like to set up speed checks. Another cool feature is that it also detects police radio and cell phones here in Japan. If the signal is strong meaning they are nearby It will tell me "Police cell phone" or "Police Radio"... You of course need to understand Japanese or you'd have no idea what it's saying.

Yes I know my interior is messed up and there are some wires dangling atm..

[2006PolarBlueElise]

Time: 7:00 pm to ? Although we usually get there a little earlier to check out the cars and chat in the parking lot. If you attend, you'll have the opportunity to pose the question to whatever members are present and perhaps you'll at least gather some additional information.

[cdn_alien]

Originally Posted by the1sen

Thanks so much for the invitation. If I can get time off from work, I will join you guys. What time does everyone gather? Anyone in the group handy with machining Aluminum for my little GPS project?? LOL

You might be in luck. One of our LOOP (Lotus Owners of Phoenix) members has a waterjet cutting machine. He cut a sheet of aluminum from an Autocad file for another member and he turned it into a one piece steering wheel to replace the wooden wheel on his Elite. I must say, it was very professionally done.

I can provide you with their emails, or better yet, come to the next LOOP meeting.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by cdn_alien

You might be in luck. One of our LOOP (Lotus Owners of Phoenix) members has a waterjet cutting machine. He cut a sheet of aluminum from an Autocad file for another member and he turned it into a one piece steering wheel to replace the wooden wheel on his Elite. I must say, it was very professionally done.

I can provide you with their emails, or better yet, come to the next LOOP meeting.

I think I will

I had the plate made today at a place in Mesa with a Waterjet machine. It was $20 and works well - but now that I see the potential of the Waterjet, I am going to do some measurements of my own and draw some stuff up in Illustrator to have cut out... Anyone have any requests?

The bracket I had made is awesome. It's 1/8" Aluminum, and it fits perfectly under the screws for the center HVAC control console. I'll take some photos and post them up tomorrow. It might work for a Radar Detector too, but I don't think it would be high enough. It would probably good for track running instruments as well and anything else that you don;t want to mount on the windshield.

With the Stage II exhaust I can't hear my GPS, but I can see that my Speedo is only off by about 4-6MPH, and I can get an idea of directions for now...

Dang, I went for a 2 hour drive tonight and that Stage II just DRONES and DRONES - I have never seen the appeal of a fart can on a car until the Lotus - However the Stage II is not for me and my driving.

Oh, and tonight I had my first SPIN in the Elise... on my favorite road. I took a left hander and stomped it coming out of the turn and the rear broke loose and spun me round and round and round ... it was scary. Was it my bald rear tires or was it too much gas, or maybe a little too tight of a turn? My Miata never did stuff like that, so I'm sure it's just operator error and the fact that I need to learn some more about the mid-ship engine driving geometry & techniques...

Anyway, even though I still smell gas (or something) BADLY and it burns the hell out of my eyes, and even though my HVAC doesn't work AT ALL, and even though my steering wheel is cocked to the right, I am thoroughly enamored with the car, and all it's quirks!

It's the best motorcycle I have EVER owned. Owner satisfaction is 5 Stars, despite the quirks! I can hardly sleep!!!

My wife thinks I am a little kid.

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by the1sen

Anyway, even though I still smell gas (or something) BADLY and it burns the hell out of my eyes.

You need to figure out what is doing this... Fire Bad!!!

[IXLR8]

Originally Posted by the1sen

Oh, and tonight I had my first SPIN in the Elise... on my favorite road. I took a left hander and stomped it coming out of the turn and the rear broke loose and spun me round and round and round ... it was scary. .

The Elise has blind spots that most other cars dont have.
I'd recommend acclimating for some time, before one see's what it'll really do.

Also in your trial , you may have noticed that the car is rear end heavy, and it WILL take you for a "spin"

This is both good and bad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,good on the track, bad on the street.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Dragon

You need to figure out what is doing this... Fire Bad!!!

I totally agree... Dealer is aware and will address when they put new tires on. Fire VERY bad.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by IXLR8

The Elise has blind spots that most other cars dont have.
I'd recommend acclimating for some time, before one see's what it'll really do.

Also in your trial , you may have noticed that the car is rear end heavy, and it WILL take you for a "spin"

This is both good and bad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,good on the track, bad on the street.

I agree also - I think I am going to the driving school in NV to learn how to flog it before I do any more driving like that.

The road I went on is secluded, but still treacherous. It was fun, but I am glad to be going up to the school...

[cdn_alien]

The1sen,

Let me guess, would your favourite local road be Tortilla Flats? It's my favourite.

If you're going up to Pahrump, NV, take the two-day course. You'll get lots of track time on the second day. I only did the one day (it's was gratis, and part of the Lotus promotion at the time). I didn't want it to end. It's a really nice track, lots of runoff space, well suited to Lotus cars, i.e. not too long a straightaway. I am jealous.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by cdn_alien

The1sen,

Let me guess, would your favourite local road be Tortilla Flats? It's my favourite.

If you're going up to Pahrump, NV, take the two-day course. You'll get lots of track time on the second day. I only did the one day (it's was gratis, and part of the Lotus promotion at the time). I didn't want it to end. It's a really nice track, lots of runoff space, well suited to Lotus cars, i.e. not too long a straightaway. I am jealous.

Tortilla Flats and South Mountain are both beautiful roads. Secluded, low traffic, and very dangerous... Should have been a little more careful but it's ok. I know now... I will go back with a different objective and enjoy myself!

I am looking forward to the NV Pahrump School. Will do the 2 day course if I can afford to!

Did your car have the stock exhaust when we visited?

[cdn_alien]

Yes, I did.

Regarding your spin, I bet the rear tires were heat cycled out. They get really slippery when that happens. Good thing you're getting new tires.

[the1sen]

Well, it turns out that there are quite a few OTHER things wrong with my car...

They are inspecting the gas / antifreeze smells right now.

Apparently, my front clam is defective. There is a piece glued to the bottom of the clam to hold in the front headlights and the glue has eaten the fiberglass away to the point of rippling it. We thought it was an issue with the Star Shield, however, it isn't. After Andy contacted Lotus, they immediately recognized the issue, told him what is wrong, and are now sending a new front clam out this way. They'll be replacing the Star Shield too when the new clam gets painted.

My new rubber has been installed. WHOOO HOOO!!! no more spinning spinnies...

The stock exhaust is back on there (I like the Stage II but it hurts my ears badly @ highway speeds)

Andy is out testing the gas smell and the Antifreeze smell right now. He says that he didn't find any coolant or gas spilled and the coolant level has not changed, so It is probably something minor. When the front clam gets replaced, he says he will have a much easier time diagnosing the issue if he finds anything after his drive.

I am so grateful I got a car with a warranty still left on it! I will be purchasing an extended Lotus warranty in April before this one runs out.

By the way, this has in no way diminished my enthusiasm for the car. I am thoroughly enjoying my Lotus experience and I can't wait to get my car back!

[FloridaRob]

Congrats on your Lotus! I too just got an 06 Starlight Black Elise about 3 weeks ago. I'm loving it! I had a little bit of gas smell when I first drove it home but it went away shortly after. It wasn't so bad that made my eyes water or sting though. The only thing so far that I've had to do to mine is replace that factory battery with a better gel cell battery. The car starts and runs even better since I've changed that out. I really want to get my wheels powdercoated like that other pic in this thread. I'm just not sure how safe it is on these wheels and how hard it is to get these wheels off. I've heard these cars are a PITA to get lifted off the ground. Maybe I can do one wheel at a time. Anyway, have fun with that Elise and Motor safely!

[SharkDiver]

Thanks for the Stage II!!!! I really like the sound of it, sounds way more beefy and exciting. I'm driving it to Tucson tomorrow so we'll see how it drones on the highway. Good news about the free front clam too.