New from Queens, New York

[johnsantucci12]

Hi my name's John Currently a professor at CUNY queens college, Simply i need a fun car for my weekend's but my budget is only around 50k? I was very interested in a Z4M but i found out a new model line is coming out and i cannot wait that long. Than I heard about Lotus from my colleague, surprisingly i never heard of Lotus . Never really seen it around my area. So im just curious on what you guys think of it as a weekend car? I want a real sports car that's very cheap on price, since my budget is low . I did some research and I see that many people have gotten New Elise's for around 50 and i see used ones ( 15K miles 2005/06) for around 28grand. How do you guys like the elise?? yes I've heard from many people that it is a crappy toyota engine already but who cares. But how about the quality?? some people told me that it only belongs in the track and its not a good weekend car to have fun in because the interior is really cheap, its uncomfortable and quality is just cheap. Basically they said it ONLY belongs on the track. is that true?? Because im not going to really track it, just a nice sunday ride to eat,shop etc.

[Aedo]

Many people own them and don't track them! But it is a spartan car and it is a real sports car - brings a smile to my face every time I drive it (and that's every day ). The key though is that it is a very personal thing - I cannot advise you to buy it or not as I'm not you - the only way you will know if it is for you is a test drive (take your check book though - at the end you may want it NOW).

Read more on this site - there is loads of useful info - but a test drive is the only definitive answer!!

Good Luck!

[RichS]

If you like driving more than you like comfort then get it. If you don't, don't. <- This is VERY important.

If you do buy, I'd STRONGLY suggest used. That way if you don't like it, you can always turn around and sell it in a few month without much of a loss.

Based on your criteria above, I'd strongly suggest getting a nice used Miata. Much more practical, much cheaper.

[johnsantucci12]

Originally Posted by RichS

If you like driving more than you like comfort then get it. If you don't, don't. <- This is VERY important.

If you do buy, I'd STRONGLY suggest used. That way if you don't like it, you can always turn around and sell it in a few month without much of a loss.

Based on your criteria above, I'd strongly suggest getting a nice used Miata. Much more practical, much cheaper.

why a miata when i can get a used lotus for the same price (i just saw one for 28grand?? isn't lotus known for its low budget sports car (for people like me who cannot afford a porsche or BMW M/MB AMG)?? i mean lotus is obviously no mercedes/bmw/porsche but at least its as fast as them(at least some of the models (non amg's, M's or turbos) , and i guess i dont need the luxury of mercedes/bmw/porsche since i can only afford either luxury OR sport and lotus covers just sports. Ill go in for a test drive this weekend oh and the GAS MPG is just way better than those bimmers and benz's a friend of mine has a m6 and he gets 10mpg

[Bavarian Motorist]

My friend's GF is a student at your school. I can swing by and you can drive mine if you like to see what you think, or you can head to Manhattan Motorcars for a test drive



Ask for Don Ackad the sales manager. Great guy.

[RichS]

A used Miata (think $10K or less) makes a great weekend car. It's a LOT of fun. You said 'Sunday ride to go eat and shop'. The Lotus is a bit extreme for a 'Sunday ride to go eat and shop'.

If you said '100 mile Sunday drive through the mountains and canyons, the twistier the better', then I would think that a Lotus would be a great car for you. But you didn't.

Please don't take offense to this. Also don't think that the Miata is a 'chick car' or anything like that. I REALLY loved my Miata. But for me, a Miata was too big and heavy, so I needed a smaller lighter car. The Lotus was that car. I also track my car quite a bit. As in at least 2 days a month. Over the last 5 weekends, I've spent 8 days at the track. For me the Lotus is the perfect car (although I'll admit that I've been thinking the Lotus is a bit big and heavy and it might be time to go lighter/smaller [211? Seven? Locust?]).

So based on a single post on the internet... My recommendation is a Miata.

Good luck in your search.

[RichS]

Also, a Lotus is quite a delicate car. Fiberglass bodies don't seem like they would hold up as well in Queens as a metal skinned car.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Based on your post, sounds like you ought to try a Porsche Boxster S. Not sure why you think of Porsches as luxury cars. They're sports cars. Not hardcore at all, but well-performing sports cars. Who says you can't have comfort and sport? Drive a Porsche... (sounds like I'm advertising for them).


If you want a sports car you can go shopping with on a Sunday, a Boxster S or 911 cabriolet is your best bet. A Lotus is not...

[RichS]

Miata if you want to have practical fun. Porsche if you want to have 'hey look at the dude who spent 50K on his car' fun. Both are fun, it's just that the Porsche is more expensive. If you feel the need to spend 50K, then I'll agree with BV, get a Porsche Boxter S.

And you are right, I would buy a used Elise before I would buy a new Miata at 28K.

Again, if you change your post from 'Go for a Sunday ride' to 'Go for a Sunday drive', then everything changes.

[Vampyre]

Get a Porsche, you will find it better for what you do...

[MidasHands]

If it sounds like the guys here are trying to discourage you from getting one it is only because we want to help you make the right choice.

We have seen many people buy these cars only to turn around 2-3 months later and sell them because they don't have all the comforts that you would expect. Examples:

- Cupholder is an option
- Getting in and out of the car with the hard or soft top on is difficult unless you are small
- Only the drivers side seat moves and it is manual not electric. Plus it only goes forward and back.
- The radio sucks
- Most of the interior is plastic.

There are lots more things but those are just a few.

For those of us that have hung onto these cars driving is a passion. Its not about heated leather seats and in dash GPS. It's about feeling the road, hearing the engine and making lots of turns!

Bavarian was right - if you take a test drive you may want to write acheck on the spot. These cars are fun! But before you do take a step back and make sure all the other details about the car work for you too!

Just my .02 cents.

[Cali]

Since you already have a bad image of Lotus cars, you may want to look at your other options...

[jasper]

if you want a fun car to go out to eat and shop, get an old convertible cadillac
if you want a comfortable, reliable sports car to have some fun with, get an S2000
if you want a motoring experience, get the lotus - and take it to the track, at least once

[D713B]

I can't believe the responses right now. You are all pointing him in a different direction, Porsche, Miata etc. He's already heard all of the negative things from those who obviously don't own nor have ever driven an Elise or Exige. How about letting the guy know all the positives about the car and giving him a fair shake of pros and cons. I thought this was a Lotus forum, I would expect it's member to at least give the guy a fair shake.

Look if you're seeking a car that will bring a smile to your face every single time you drive it, then the Lotus is for you and I definitely suggest a nice test drive to determine that. If you crave all the creature comforts that come with a BMW or Porsche then the Lotus may not be for you. However I guarantee that if you're searching for a fun visceral driving experience you cannot find a better car for your price range. If that's what you're truly searching for you may be willing to make the minor concessions when it comes to "luxury".

[serpent]

DRIVE an elise and see if YOU like the car. If you like the car then get one, if not then dont.

According to your two posts i would say a lotus is not what your looking for...i'd say go for the boxter. The reason because i dont think you would get the point of a lotus...and i doubt you'd enjoy one as much either. No offense...and please correct me if i'm wrong.

[serpent]

Originally Posted by D713B

I can't believe the responses right now. You are all pointing him in a different direction, Porsche, Miata etc. He's already heard all of the negative things from those who obviously don't own nor have ever driven an Elise or Exige. How about letting the guy know all the positives about the car and giving him a fair shake of pros and cons. I thought this was a Lotus forum, I would expect it's member to at least give the guy a fair shake.

If he is not passionate about driving hes not going to like the lotus....thats all there is to it. The imperfections/non options on the lotus is what makes it perfect for a true passionate driver.

If he wants something comfy, fun, going out to eat on sundays...then s2000, miata, boxter, theres few more.

[D713B]

I don't think you realize exactly how many people have come over from the world of BMW, Porsche, Mercedes etc. after simply enjoying a test drive. The fact is, like this potential buyer, most people don't know a thing about Lotus and all it takes is someone explaining the purpose of the vehicle. Most people looking for a sports car are only open to the more advertised makes because that's whatt they've heard of and seen. Opening someone's eyes to something new is a different story as opposed to pigeon holing someone into a particular category.

Originally Posted by serpent

If he wants something comfy, fun, going out to eat on sundays...then s2000, miata, boxter, theres few more.

He already heard about the bare interior yet he was still motivated to visit the board for more information therefore I think he deserves to get what he is searching for and not have his mind made up for him.

[RichS]

Ride vs. Drive

Sums it all up. And BTW, there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that.

D713B, your buddy comes up to you and says "I'm looking for a 50K sports car to take a Sunday ride to shop and eat. Do you think I should get a Lotus?" What would you say to him?

Well the OP is our 'virtual buddy'. He came here asking basically that question. We said what any sane, rational person who owns the cars would say to their friend: "A Lotus probably isn't what are you looking for, have you thought about the alternatives?"

If that same buddy asked you "Hey, I love driving more than anything. Do you think I should get a Lotus?" Then we would all have a very different answer.

Get it?

[serpent]

Originally Posted by D713B

I don't think you realize exactly how many people have come over from the world of BMW, Porsche, Mercedes etc. after simply enjoying a test drive.

He already heard about the bare interior yet he was still motivated to visit the board for more information therefore I think he deserves to get what he is searching for and not have his mind made up for him.

i didnt try to make his mind up for him....simply told him to test drive it and see if he likes it.

I do realize how many people have come over from the world of BMW, Porsche, Mercedes....and i also know of people that bought the car and then sold it in about 2-3 months because it was not for them. We arent trying to discourage him...just telling him like how it is.

i am one of those bmw people (and other cars)....and yet i'm in the process of getting a new exige in march and then have a talk with my lotus dealer about geting a 2-11 to track.

basically if he's not passionate about driving...hes not going to like the car. The little things about the car is going to get to him and hes going to end up sellling it.

PS: look at the post above mine...summed it up nicely

[D713B]

I personally just think that instead of giving a fair description of the pros and cons the second someone comes in with anything other than I'm a track junkie attitude people dismiss their ability to enjoy a Lotus. I sold many a Lotus to people who had absolutely no intention of ever rolling onto the track or doing anything other than being seen in an "attractive" looking vehicle. He came here for information pertaining to the Lotus and I think that's what he deserves, both the pros and the cons and there are many of both.

As for what I would recommend to someone looking for a "sports car" in the 50k range for Sunday drives, why wouldn't I include the Lotus in a list of sports cars? You purchase a sports car for the driving experience so why not give them the full spectrum to choose from? Also in the same token of people trading in their Lotus because it wasn't for them I can assure you that just as many trade in the $100k+ Mercedes and Porsche's because it simply wasn't for them. So I believe everyone deserves both an equal dose of the positives and negatives when it comes to making a 50k purchase.