The Lotus Cars Community banner
  • Hi there! Why not register as a user to enjoy all of the benefits of the site? You may register here. When you register, please pick a username that is non-commercial. If you use a name that appears on any search engine commercially, you must pick another name, whether it applies to you or not. Commercial usernames are for supporting vendor use only. If you want to become a supporting vendor and grow your business, please follow this link. Thanks!

Is the Lotus Elise an Exotic Car?

  • Yes! It's an Exotic Car!

    Votes: 226 82%
  • No. It's not an exotic car.

    Votes: 49 18%

Is the Lotus Elise an Exotic Car?

27K views 145 replies 54 participants last post by  TheOrbAssassin  
#1 · (Edited)
I did a search, and it looks like no poll has been taken on this.

Is the Lotus Elise an Exotic Car?

Many claim it's not an exotic car because it's too cheap, or a number of other reasons, such as it's only 4 cylinder, too little power, cannot be compared to the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghinis.

Some say it is. After all, some exotic car dealership carries them. It even looks exotic, with it's lightweight materials, bonded aluminum chassis, and fiberglass body.

What is your take?
 
#12 ·
sndesign said:
I think if you ask Lambo, Ferrari or dare I say the P guys you will get a big NO
I think a number of the P guys don't consider their cars to be exotic unless they are much more exclusive. A similar question came up once on the Boxster board. Of course, Boxster owners never get any respect. Less so if you have that pinkish Boxster red carpet. Don't ask me how I know such things. ;)
 
#14 ·
Moto44 said:
If the reasons for not considering the Elise "exotic" include that it's not expensive or rare enough, then should the Lotus Esprit be considered exotic?
The Esprit is generally considered an exotic, as it's also known as a "supercar".

While I can see the Elise/Exige considered exotic, I'm not certain whether it too is a supercar. To me "supercar" implies exclusive performance, typically raw speed. However, if that extends to handling, the Elise/Exige belongs to very small club indeed.
 
#15 ·
cpforyou said:
Many claim it's not an exotic car because it's too cheap
Yes. "Exotic" implies the masses would have difficulty obtaining the item. Virtually anyone in the US middle class could own an Elise. For that reason it's no more exotic than a BMW M Coupe, IMO.

cpforyou said:
Some say it is. After all, some exotic car dealership carries them.
No. The brand is considered exotic due to the Esprit. Is a Mustang exotic because it's sold at the same dealership as the Ford GT? :shrug: Also, many "exotic" dealers carry Saab, Peugeot, and/or Audi... does that make those brands exotic?
 
#19 ·
transio said:
Yes. "Exotic" implies the masses would have difficulty obtaining the item. Virtually anyone in the US middle class could own an Elise. For that reason it's no more exotic than a BMW M Coupe, IMO.
I disagree. Many Americans could also afford an Ariel Atom, or an "exotic" motorcycle, yet they don't buy them because they're too extreme, or impractical.

The same is true about our cars. They have exotic looks and exotic performance. They're just not practical for 99.9% of the population's every day use. If they were, Lotus would be selling more than just 2-3 thousand a year.

I say, EXOTIC!...

Man law!

P.S. Where is it written that exotic means expensive? It's all about looks, performance and rarity. I see more Lambos, Ferraris and Aston Martins on a daily basis than I ever see Elises or Exiges.
 
#20 ·
I vote yes, it's exotic.

The motor and the price tag are the only things that might possibly prevent it from being lumped together with the Ferraris and Lambos (or Esprits for that matter) of the world. But I don't think those items prevent it from being exotic, they just make it an atypical exotic -- an exotic that does something a bit different. They don't all have to be stamped out of the same mold.

On the other hand. . . The other poll asked if the Elise is a "supercar", and I had to laugh. The concept of a supercar has become so inflated that they are rapidly going into self-parody. When you get into that realm, dollars and horsepower numbers are all that matter anymore, and the Elise falls far short in both.
 
#21 ·
From merriam webster on line dictionary:

1 : introduced from another country : not native to the place where found <exotic plants>
2 archaic : FOREIGN, ALIEN
3 : strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual <exotic flavors>
4 : of or relating to striptease <exotic dancing>
- ex·ot·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- ex·ot·ic·ness /-tik-n&s/ noun

I think it meets the definition #1 and 3, dunno about 2 - sometimes I think yes when you look at the a/c! ;) #4- definately not.,

I think too many people tie price as to determining exotic, don't necessarily agree, people have loads of different exotic things that are not expensive.
 
#22 ·
Gojira said:
it is the world's most affordable exotic-

Owners of more expensive "exotics" don't like to call it an exotic because it cheapens the stature of their car
Amen Yoda,
What kind of question is this? OF COURSE ITS EXOTIC! Just look at it. In no way does it fall outside the exotic category. Being expensive is not a prerequisite of exotics, they just typically fall into that classification because of low volume. I think the defining feature is that it is hand made. Just because they can hand make 2000 or more a year does not disqualify it. Not to mention it is also completely recognizable. There is no mistaking an Elise/Exige for any other car and it turns more heads any porsche could dream of. And one last thing...its exotic because by design it has taken itself out of the "practical" rankings unless used for its performance attributes. I know some use it as their daily drivers, but its not because its a comfortable ride to work. If you don't consider your Elise/Exige an exotic, sell it off to someone who will appreciate it
RUSH
 
#23 ·
zvezdah1 said:
From merriam webster on line dictionary:

1 : introduced from another country : not native to the place where found <exotic plants>
2 archaic : FOREIGN, ALIEN
3 : strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual <exotic flavors>
4 : of or relating to striptease <exotic dancing>
- ex·ot·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- ex·ot·ic·ness /-tik-n&s/ noun

I think it meets the definition #1 and 3, dunno about 2 - sometimes I think yes when you look at the a/c! ;) #4- definately not.,

I think too many people tie price as to determining exotic, don't necessarily agree, people have loads of different exotic things that are not expensive.

It could fall into #4. I've been propositioned for dirty things on the "hood" of my Elise...of course I wouldn't put my Elise through that torture
 
#24 ·
Ok let's look at he car for a second:
-aluminium chassis--- exotic
-bonded/extruded chassis---exotic
-mid-rear---exotic
-fiber glass body---exotic
-looks---exotic

Bottom line, I think this car is exotic. Think about it, not all exotic destination in the world are 50,000$ a night exclusive island in the pacific. Cuba is pretty much exotic and cost close to nothing to go there (if you're not from the US of course ;) ).

The Elise is the cheapest of the exotics.