What inexpensive car comes closest to the Lotus Elise?

[Jack FFR1846]

The correct answer is:

Fiat X-19

/thread

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by GuppyCaptain

Agree with a lot of what Swinglo has to say. I'm curious what all the hoopla is over the BRZ/FRS? The thing's only got 200 HP and weighs significantly more than the Elige, right? Fwd or rwd?

Can someone who has one or has driven one comment on what makes them so special?

I know JWA has one. I've been seeing them a lot lately and while very Japanese looking, they are very sharp. My biggest concern is that the 'ricer' kids are going to get a hold of them and start bastardizing them.

I keep hearing about how it's an 'enthusiasts' car. I'm not sure what that really means. I'm also not sure there isn't a 'groupthink' mentality going on - 'well, Jezza Clarkson loves it, so it must be awesome'. I'd like to see that quantified. Why is it so good?

For me, 95% of cars just bore the piss out of me. They are just whatever. My financial guy has a Cadillac CTS-V. That's an awesome car. I know everyone loves to hate the Panamera, but a co-worker has a Panamera 4S. Was with him a few weeks ago and he picked me up in the airport and that car was FANTASTIC. Amazing luxury interior and just felt great. He's in Dallas and will be meeting me in Austin tomorrow afternoon for client meetings. I told him he's letting me drive the Panamera. He's also got a GT3RS, so he knows his Porsches!

The moral? People tell me I'm supposed to love the FRS/BRZ and hate the Panamera. I've yet to drive or be driven in a BRZ, but that Panamera was FANTASTIC and I'd gladly drive it as my daily.

[CMP]

get a moto.

[Notorious L.R.G.]

M100 Elan, of course!

$15k gets a pristine one....they are a blast, with the standard mods up to 200hp.

Runs with Esprits...same legendary Lotus handling!

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

M100 Elan, of course!

$15k gets a pristine one....they are a blast, with the standard mods up to 200hp.

Runs with Esprits...same legendary Lotus handling!

Would be interesting, but I just can't get over the fact that the M100's look like those Mercury Capri things:

[Notorious L.R.G.]

The tires look similar...

Head on, it looks like an Esprit...same designer, Peter Stevens.

[RoadDad]

Originally Posted by Butters

The Fiat 500 Abarth is actually quite fun!

But no where close to an Elise.

Originally Posted by njboy

Don't be closed minded.

Jay Leno burns rubber in a Fiat 500 Abarth

Sure thing pal. Have you driven one? Would you like to drive mine? I've "burned rubber" in a base model Civic hatchback... that doesn't mean it is close to an Elise.

[RENDERMAN]

The only good thing about the fiat Abarth is the italian chick, she can slap me anytime she wants!!

"What are you looking at? Uh!? What are you looking at?! Are you undressing me with your eyes? Poor guy… you can’t help it? Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning? Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?”

[RENDERMAN]

Originally Posted by SwingLo

Would be interesting, but I just can't get over the fact that the M100's look like those Mercury Capri things:

More like this bad boy here...

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by RENDERMAN

The only good thing about the fiat Abarth is the italian chick, she can slap me anytime she wants!!

"What are you looking at? Uh!? What are you looking at?! Are you undressing me with your eyes? Poor guy… you can’t help it? Is your heart beating? Is your head spinning? Do you feel lost thinking that I could be yours forever?”

Interesting fact - that 'Italian chick' is actually Romanian! Her name is Catrinel Menghia and she's insanely beautiful. She speaks PERFECT Italian too.

Che cosi guardi, eh?

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

The tires look similar...

Head on, it looks like an Esprit...same designer, Peter Stevens.

I just don't see it. Perhaps the same 'design language', but it looks like half an Esprit. I really do think it looks like that Mercury Capri thing. The owner of a local restaurant has a blue M100 and I never even noticed it until my son pointed it out.

[GuppyCaptain]

Originally Posted by Notorious L.R.G.

The tires look similar...

Head on, it looks like an Esprit...same designer, Peter Stevens.

The Elan is a good looking little car DESPITE its resemblance to the Mercury Capri. Now that orange Esprit in the photo above...........

Does anyone know if they actually made them in that color?

[GuppyCaptain]

Oh, and actually the head-shot above of the Elan? Well, it looks like a second gen MR2 that was mated with an NSX.

[451]

I took part in the Everydaydriver.com comparison between the Elise, FRS and Hyundai Genesis 2.0 RSpec Nismo TRD Chuck Foose Edition and got to drive the FRS and Hyundai on the PCH up by San Luis Obispo and Big Sur, lots of great twisties when you can get away from the Griswold family trucksters.

That said, the FRS handles *really* well. On par with the Elise? No, but not world's apart either. To me at least, the Elise (and the fun of it) is that 100% connected-to-the-road handling. The FRS was about 90-95% of the way there in handling and that was *with* electric power steering (or hydraulic, whichever).

The shifter feel was awesome, but understandable given the tranny is right underneath the console unlike our machines where there's a long lanky cable to the back.

Power was what was lacking in the FRS. That extra 800+ pounds could really be felt when you layed into it in certain spots. With a supercharger or turbo and 250-300HP that thing would be pretty damn sweet.

It's not horrible power-wise, just a little below what I'd want from it. Pretty much exactly what one of the everydaydriver guys said about it too, great handling, needs a bit of power.

[gooberschnot]

I have both an 87 mr2 na and an elise. For normal street feel but without the top end, these cars feel very much the same in terms of balance, steering feel, quirks...

[dstevens]

The Elise is an inexpensive car...

[RENDERMAN]

You think $65K is inexpensive?

[JWA]

If the million car mag reviews praising how fun the BRZ/FR-S is to drive don't convey the appeal, then you really need to go drive one to see if it floats your boat.

It is not crazy fast, but it is a ton of fun to wind out with a very willing motor. There's a lot to be said for a proper road car, which is a point that I think it lost on a lot of people. The requirements for fun on the street are very different from those to be fast on a racetrack. Fast is most certainly one type of fun, which is why I own a 260, but a balanced car with a nice stiff chassis, low center of gravity, good power delivery, great gearbox, and communicative steering that lets you "drive" the car, versus simply mashing a pedal, is incredibly fun in a daily driving situation.

I've said before that after years with Elises, Evos, and STIs the BRZ reminded me of the simple joy of a good second gear corner. It's an instant classic to me.

[aschen]

Id love to have a BRZ for a daily driver, but Ive vowed to myself to run my wagon into the ground. If they ever do an STi version I might have to rethink my oath.

[scapamouche]

Someone mentioned F5... Wait till next year, and the 818 comes out: MR layout, 818Kg, 02-07 WRX donor car: Lighter than Elise, More power out of the box (with WRX potential for MUCH more) and wishbone suspension, for ~$15k if you've got the mechanical skill to build from the kit.

Sounds great! Gotta wonder just how good the handling will be, but I am very optimistic, myself...

www.factoryfive.com/kits/project-818/