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879 Posts
Hey Lotusheads,
Eric-the-Bastard here. After 10 years of thrills and heartbreaks :wallbang
in roughly equal proportion) of motoring around in a 1966 Jaguar E-type (XKE Data - 1E32177), I've decided to finally give up my anachronistic ways (carburretors, film, analog tape, etc...) and get a new Elise SC.
I took my first demonstration ride today in an SC model sans sport package at Newport European, courtesy of Kevin Smith. The car was nothing short of GLORIOUS. Yes the ride is considerably more choppy than the vintage Jaguar, but not harsh in the least. There were no rattles or vibrations (the demo had 1800 miles on the odo) and the sounds were fantastic. I thought I might find the 4 cylinder unpleasantly buzzy after so many years with the inherent perfect balance of a DOHC inline 6, but this was not the case whatsoever. It was silky and growly and the sound of the blower was uniquely satisfying. And when the second cam came in, WOW!
I though I would have mixed feelings and remorse giving up the E-type (I saved for 14 years to acquire it, mortgaged the farm for another 30 to restore it from the ground up and have put myself in serious debt maintaining it), but I find the Elise, like the Jaguar E-type has it's own unique blend of rarity, charisma, iconoclasm, heritage, speed and beauty. The mill may be somewhat pedestrian in origin and presentation, but it does it's work beautifully. It will certainly be a lifelong relationship.
...Now if I could only figure out what color to order!!!!
Cheers,
EtB
Sylmar, CA
P.S. Kevin and Newport European are a first rate operation. I was encouraged to use the car as intended and really take some time with it, so that I could get a solid picture of living with it. Kevin really knows the car and isn't the usual smarmy s.o.b. you find at most dealerships.
Eric-the-Bastard here. After 10 years of thrills and heartbreaks :wallbang
in roughly equal proportion) of motoring around in a 1966 Jaguar E-type (XKE Data - 1E32177), I've decided to finally give up my anachronistic ways (carburretors, film, analog tape, etc...) and get a new Elise SC.I took my first demonstration ride today in an SC model sans sport package at Newport European, courtesy of Kevin Smith. The car was nothing short of GLORIOUS. Yes the ride is considerably more choppy than the vintage Jaguar, but not harsh in the least. There were no rattles or vibrations (the demo had 1800 miles on the odo) and the sounds were fantastic. I thought I might find the 4 cylinder unpleasantly buzzy after so many years with the inherent perfect balance of a DOHC inline 6, but this was not the case whatsoever. It was silky and growly and the sound of the blower was uniquely satisfying. And when the second cam came in, WOW!
I though I would have mixed feelings and remorse giving up the E-type (I saved for 14 years to acquire it, mortgaged the farm for another 30 to restore it from the ground up and have put myself in serious debt maintaining it), but I find the Elise, like the Jaguar E-type has it's own unique blend of rarity, charisma, iconoclasm, heritage, speed and beauty. The mill may be somewhat pedestrian in origin and presentation, but it does it's work beautifully. It will certainly be a lifelong relationship.
...Now if I could only figure out what color to order!!!!
Cheers,
EtB
Sylmar, CA
P.S. Kevin and Newport European are a first rate operation. I was encouraged to use the car as intended and really take some time with it, so that I could get a solid picture of living with it. Kevin really knows the car and isn't the usual smarmy s.o.b. you find at most dealerships.
