What inexpensive car comes closest to the Lotus Elise?

[jbs986]

Originally Posted by me73

The driving experience of a Boxster is VERY different from the Elise, unfortunately. The 9x6 and later cars are luxury sports cars, GTs, which is in stark contrast to the Elise.

The 914 is a much better Porsche correlation. Although I still think the SC 911s were also very similar in the level of information that comes from the car.

I never said it handled the same as an Elise, I said it was close to it.

[me73]

Originally Posted by jbs986

I never said it handled the same as an Elise, I said it was close to it.

And I never said anything about handling.

[scapamouche]

Originally Posted by RENDERMAN

My friend you'll never build that car for $15K realistically a turn key car you're looking in the low $20K at best, I've built a kit Cobra and my numbers where way off, as a matter of fact last month I almost went into business with my friend (he would finance I would build the car) when we did the final numbers he backed out of the deal..

True enough... but a guy can hope

I'm sure mine would be more yet since I know I'd break stuff and have to buy more parts, plus who wants to stay stock when more power is so easy on the EJ20...

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[komiko]

i'm going with the 1980 Chevy Chevette! They broke the mold with that car....

[jbs986]

Originally Posted by me73

And I never said anything about handling.

True,But the original poster did ask what car comes closest to the Elise in terms of handling feel and response.

[squidward]

Originally Posted by jbs986

True,But the original poster did ask what car comes closest to the Elise in terms of handling feel and response.

I sure did!


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[ee.engineer]

mr2, then swap out the 1zz for a 2zz

[WERM]

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?

It's 200HP and around 2750 lbs. It's significantly heavier than the Elise, but it is a modern car with all the latest safety and conveniences while still managing to be the lightest regular production RWD coupe in the US Market. It feels way lighter and more nimble than every other contemporary car I've driven, although I haven't driven the Abarth and it's been a long time since I was at the helm of a Miata.

It's essentially a clean sheet design, not adapted from some coupe or sedan platform and suffering from compromises (high cowl, sedan driving position, etc.) as a result. It's basically built from scratch to be a sports car...pretty rare at it's pricepoint. Plus, the combination of RWD and a flat-four lets it have the center of gravity height of a supercar.

They are super fun to drive. (I'm a superfan, if you can't tell.)

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by WERM

It's 200HP and around 2750 lbs. It's significantly heavier than the Elise, but it is a modern car with all the latest safety and conveniences while still managing to be the lightest regular production RWD coupe in the US Market. It feels way lighter and more nimble than every other contemporary car I've driven, although I haven't driven the Abarth and it's been a long time since I was at the helm of a Miata.

It's essentially a clean sheet design, not adapted from some coupe or sedan platform and suffering from compromises (high cowl, sedan driving position, etc.) as a result. It's basically built from scratch to be a sports car...pretty rare at it's pricepoint. Plus, the combination of RWD and a flat-four lets it have the center of gravity height of a supercar.

They are super fun to drive. (I'm a superfan, if you can't tell.)

Does it 'feel' slow? By all accounts, it's a slow car (by modern standards) but that's deceiving. Our cars aren't super fast, but they 'feel' faster - perhaps faster than they are.

My Moke is dead slow, but with no roof/doors/glass anything to speak of, 30 mph feels like 80.

So, does that overall handing/feel etc translate into the car feeling faster than it is?

[JWA]

It doesn't feel slow. It is very fun to wind out and the engine is very responsive. It just doesn't feel powerful fast. I never find myself thinking that it feels slow, nor that it feels fast. It's just so right that you simply enjoy it.

You're on the road all of the time - look me up if you're coming through the area and stop by to drive it some time.

[Nydus]

Those are some interesting descriptions for the FRS. I had been wondering the same thing as Jeff. Before he realized i was in love with my lotus to be, a friend suggested looking at the FRS. it looked pretty cool (not KG Exige cool, but pretty cool) but on paper it just seemed so ordinary. I'm not surprised to hear that it has a little of the intangibles to it

Maybe ill take advantage of the Lotus's inflated perceived value and take a test drive at a dealership :P anyone with a lotus can just go and buy an FRS on a whim, right?

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by JWA

It doesn't feel slow. It is very fun to wind out and the engine is very responsive. It just doesn't feel powerful fast. I never find myself thinking that it feels slow, nor that it feels fast. It's just so right that you simply enjoy it.

You're on the road all of the time - look me up if you're coming through the area and stop by to drive it some time.

I'll take you up on that Josh. I'm in sales and when I actively working a deal, I tend to be in that area a lot. For example, Kohl's has been a client forever and there were times when I was in the Falls of Menomonee for like 10 days straight!

Was up your way on Monday - 68 degrees! I actually saw, on 43S, a 'caravan' of cars including a KG Exige, a 430 and a Maybach 63!!!

I'm sure the tuner shops like AMS will start creating stuff that will make the FRS/BRZ go bonkers!!!

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by Nydus

Those are some interesting descriptions for the FRS. I had been wondering the same thing as Jeff. Before he realized i was in love with my lotus to be, a friend suggested looking at the FRS. it looked pretty cool (not KG Exige cool, but pretty cool) but on paper it just seemed so ordinary. I'm not surprised to hear that it has a little of the intangibles to it

Maybe ill take advantage of the Lotus's inflated perceived value and take a test drive at a dealership :P anyone with a lotus can just go and buy an FRS on a whim, right?

Well they are what, like $25K? Pretty much on the 'lower' scale of new car prices these days, so any dealership shouldn't have a problem with someone wanting to test drive them. Now test driving a GTR? That's a different story.

But we've all had our issues. I remember the guy at the Porsche dealership (the one next to FVMC) NOT letting me test drive a Cayenne about 4 years ago. I specifically told him - 'my lease on my other car is up next month'. Today is Tuesday. It's lunch time and I'm away from a meeting. I've done the research, I know the inventory. I'm looking at the Cayenne, the X5 and the RR Sport (all dealerships right by each other). I'm driving them now and coming back after meetings around 3pm to buy one of them' And the guy STILL wouldn't let me drive it. Keep in mind, at this point, I'm like 38 years old and wearing a dress shirt and pressed slacks.

I went to the BMW dealership across the street. Sales manager GAVE me the car and said 'drive it back to your meetings and around town for the afternoon'. Bring it back late afternoon and we'll see if you like it.

I bought the X5.

[ZAMMY1]

You should have taken it to the same salesman and shon it to him, with your paperwork.
maybe also his boss.

[GuppyCaptain]

Originally Posted by ZAMMY1

You should have taken it to the same salesman and shon it to him, with your paperwork.
maybe also his boss.

EXACTLY! That's exactly what I would have done, but then I do have a vengeful side, too. Still the guy sounds like he was a complete douche.

Anyway, regarding the FRS/BRZ...........how many more model years before they turbo that thing. It's inevitable, don't you guys think?

For those that have driven both, how does it compare to the non-STI WRX?

[vincesf]

Originally Posted by ee.engineer

mr2, then swap out the 1zz for a 2zz

I had a 2002 MR2 Spyder, and it was actually a very good car. Imagine owning a mid-engine convertible for just north of $20,000. If the car had a 2zz, it would have been a keeper. However, engine swaps in California are a nightmare, having gone through the process with my Monster Miata, I would not recommend it to everyone.

vincesf

[scapamouche]

Bringing the Elise doesn't always work... Back in 07, the wife and I drove to the local Mistu dealer in the Elise to try out an Evo and got the "you must commit to buy before you can try it" line, 3 YEARS after the car was released. Then we went across the street to the Subaru dealer where the salesman said "what? You're autocrossers? Lemme get the keys, you guys are always so fun to go with!"

I don't have an Evo today, even though I tend to think it's a better car...

Originally Posted by SwingLo

But we've all had our issues. I remember the guy at the Porsche dealership (the one next to FVMC) NOT letting me test drive a Cayenne about 4 years ago. I specifically told him - 'my lease on my other car is up next month'. Today is Tuesday. It's lunch time and I'm away from a meeting. I've done the research, I know the inventory. I'm looking at the Cayenne, the X5 and the RR Sport (all dealerships right by each other). I'm driving them now and coming back after meetings around 3pm to buy one of them' And the guy STILL wouldn't let me drive it. Keep in mind, at this point, I'm like 38 years old and wearing a dress shirt and pressed slacks.

I went to the BMW dealership across the street. Sales manager GAVE me the car and said 'drive it back to your meetings and around town for the afternoon'. Bring it back late afternoon and we'll see if you like it.

I bought the X5.

[Wellzy]

First I would like to say the abarth is junk. My friend had one it was just terrible, was like driving a small car that felt like an SUV.

So I have read thought this thread and not scene were anyone noted about the mini. The mini is fast and handles well out of the box. There is a great deal of after market support. Take a stock mini and a few mods and you have something. My last car was an 09 JCW factory, with coil overs, camber plates and a sway bar the car can hang with a lotus. Put a revalution mini works tune on the stock JCW then you get startling speed bumping the hp to 255 and 275 troq. Oh and lastly depending on year an s is going for 10 to 24 k. And it is not a Miata.

[MTLDean]

Another awesome car was the first-gen Mazda 3 GT with the upgraded 160 hp engine. Handled like a dream. Was relatively light, quick, spacious, and was infintely more tossable around corners than anything this side of an M3. I loved it to death and, other than the Elise, have yet to drive anything close to that price point that compares.