Hey, thinking about a spring purchase

[--cresko--]

Hey Guys, I'm Nathan.


I am currently attending University of Alberta, and I am self-employed and starting to look at car options for this upcoming spring. Right now I am all over the map in terms of a summer car. I am currently gathering info on an 06 SL 500, 97 Viper RT/10, 06 Elise, 06 Exige and possibly a 348 Spider or TS. I am really leaning towards Lotus because of their looks, performance and reliability. I currently drive a Toyoto, and as far as maintence its been very easy and reliable. I would most likely purchase the car in the states, fly down in May and drive it back. So in terms of importing to Canada does anyone have any relative costs for both the Elise and Exige? In terms of the Elise vs Exige I am still undecided, I enjoy roadsters more than coupes, but how much better is the Exige in terms of performance? I could save 10-15k by going with an Elise, but that isn't a major concern as I would sell the car after the summer. I am just looking for some relative feedback in either models from owners. I am trying to "massage" all my options. Are these cars rain friendly? I would plan to do a drive to the west coast then back to my cabin in Southern BC. Also, any relative insurance figures (19 y/o, no accidents, one speeding ticket, license for 3 years).

Sorry for this big jumble of explanations and questions mixed into a ClusterF***, but I am trying to sort everything out.


Thanks,
Nathan

[AutoXJunkie]

My canadian buddy tells me that US Federal Elises / Exiges cannot be imported to Canada due to some quirk of Canadian law. Not sure if anyone here knows any workarounds.

I'd avoid the 348. Possibly the worst-handling Ferrari ever. And a maintenance nightmare, from what I understand.

If this is your first true performance car, I'd strongly recommend picking up an older Miata if you're leaning towards front-engine, or an normally aspirated MR2 if you're thinking rear-engine, and spend at least two years autocrossing it and doing HPDE events. I know from experience both as a student and as an instructor that it's actually very difficult to learn proper technique in a more powerful car (when I was 22, a trusted track rat persuaded me to sell my 300ZX TT and buy a Miata, and holy god was he ever right). So, I really recommend starting with a lower powered, more forgiving car, and work your way up, upgrading when you're consistantly dominating your class.

I see this all the time: people who jump right into corvettes, 911s, lotuses, and the like usually never seem to get very good, or at least, the process is much, much slower. You'll feel much better being the Miata driver pulling faster times than that guy in the Elise, than the Elise driver getting your ass handed to you by the Miata guy.

[--cresko--]

Thanks for the feedback, but I do have experience driving poweful cars. Learned to drive stick on a 540i. Not sure I'm going to track it. But I do have my mind set on a vehical like the ones listed above. Can anyone chime in on the importing?

[lotusforsale]

Originally Posted by --cresko--

Can anyone chime in on the importing?

From what's been discussed here many times, it does not seem like it can be done. At least not on the up and up.

Of course, you'll get lots of opinions here. I'm betting there is some government agency in Canada that could actually give you the definitive answer.

Good luck.

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by --cresko--

But I do have my mind set on a vehical like the ones listed above. Can anyone chime in on the importing?

Can US car be import in Canada now??

[ephc]

currently, you can't import an elise/exige from the states, check the link below.
totally sucks...not only from a cost point of view, but theres so many more available, different models, variations, etc

LOTUS - Section 3 - PASSENGER CARS - TABLE OF CONTENTS - Vehicle Importation from the United States - Vehicle Importation - Safe Vehicles - Road and Motor Vehicle Safety - Road Transportation - Transport Canada

[--cresko--]

Its stupid, but yet I can see alot of individuals jumping the line to bring back cheaper American cars. So to extend my list of cars I have also been looking at 2003-2005 SL 500s and Maserati Spyders. Can anyone provide some insight into these two?

[AutoXJunkie]

Originally Posted by --cresko--

Thanks for the feedback, but I do have experience driving poweful cars. Learned to drive stick on a 540i.

Heh, being familiar with driving powerful cars and being any good at it are two very different things.

But hey, it's a free country, so good luck with all that.