[Dan]

Manufacturers have an MSRP for accessories also, not just the car. Dealers can sell for whatever they want, above or below.

I was shopping for a car cover for my Miata. Called several local dealers, looked at remote dealers on the Internet. Price ranged from $125 to $213 for the exact same item. MSRP is $146.

 

[DetailersParadise]

Ok, I guessed right. FOD sent me an email explaining that $800 was my price installed. I tend to show up at the dealership as they are unloading new goodies. They are still learning the Lotus system as I am bugging them to sell me stuff. This was simply a case of growing pains. No harm, no foul.

Shay2nak-Yes, Canyon Carver works at FOD. Thier GG demo still hasn't arrived. I'm not sure where their current demo came from, but since it had just over 600 miles on the odo, I would guess auction.

 

[LotusLust]

I'm not sure where their current demo came from, but since it had just over 600 miles on the odo, I would guess auction. [/B]

DOOMED

 

[shay2nak]

Shay2nak-Yes, Canyon Carver works at FOD. Thier GG demo still hasn't arrived. I'm not sure where their current demo came from, but since it had just over 600 miles on the odo, I would guess auction.

that's odd, they bought one? thanks for the update.

 

[Stan]

I have about 1200 miles on my Stage 2 (about 2700 on the car). It quiets down a bit after it gets loaded up with soot/carbon. You can notice this by about 500 miles and it seems to be all done by about 1000 miles at which point things stabilize.

Just a point of reference, and this is normal for performance exhausts.

Jer and I had a chance to compare exhaust notes from idle side by side at the Aberdeen Autocross. Stage 2 sounds a bit deeper and louder overall but has the same basic signature underlying the sound.

Unfortunately neither of us got to see the other do their auto-x runs as we were lined up near one another. Hey John if you read this did you notice the two different exhaust sounds during our runs?

BTW if you remove the flap in the airbox it makes the intake sound louder and deeper according to the Celica folks - no real effect on output although some say doing so hurts the low end, others say no change there.

 

[J-Son]

driving

what is the longest trip anyone has taken so far in their elise....as far as miles driven?
after that trip...any back aches or gladness to reach a rest stop?

 

[khamai]

longest trips...

Randy - Atlanta to San Diego
also a guy from WA that picked up his car in NY and drove home

 

[Randy Chase]

2650 miles. Last day was 1500 miles and 19 hours. No back ache.

 

[GatorFL]

Uh, not sure if I'll get flamed for this but here goes...

Why can't you order the Stage 2 Factory Installed?

 

[zvezdah1]

Because it's probably not approved for road use, ie too loud to meet noise standards etc. Manuf. get around this by saying track use only and such.

Chris

 

[GabbaGabbaHey]

Ot.. but how did the demo perform in the thin air of Denver compared to other cars you've driven?

 

[DetailersParadise]

It's hard to tell, because the Elise is so light. It felt very quick. Much quicker than my TT, but I couldn't guess how much power I was losing because of the altitude.

I can tell you that my 180hp Turbo GTI could keep up with my lighter 240 hp S2000 at about 8000 ft. My guess is at about 5200 ft (Denver) we are losing power in the 20% range. I'm sure someone has a method more scientific than my guess.

 

[Canyon Carver]

I guess it's just me but I do not like the sound of the Stage2 exhaust. Everything Nick likes about it I dislike...whenever I drive the car it makes me want to put it in nuetral and coast. The resonance is terrible...alomost as bad as the Honduhs I hear everyday
I personally would choose the Stage 1 and be very happy.

 

[LotusLust]

2650 miles. Last day was 1500 miles and 19 hours. No back ache.

averaging 79 mph is a petty good feat on a 1500 miles drive! kudos

 

[MattG]

I got a ride in a stage-2 equipped Elise this afternoon, and while I agree with you that the resonsance is terrible at certain rpms, if you keep the car at other engine speeds the noise while cruising was pretty mild.

I'm anxious to hear a stage 1 for comparison, though. The stage 2 sounded great, but was a little more extreme than I think I want.

 

[Canyon Carver]

We had a customer sppreciation event @ Pikes Peak Intl Raceway lastweekend and I had a chance to drive the Elise on the roadcourse and was obsolutely blown away:bow: This will be the last time I complain about it but the sound of the Stg2... you MUST wear ear plugs with a helmet on

 

[Stan]

Maybe my Stage 2 is quieter or something. You can't even hear it at idle. Low restriction louder than stock exhausts need some time to load up with soot before the sound stabilizes. Mine is nowhere near as loud as you describe. I have about 2000 miles on it.