[perryeyges]

This AM there were two guys mid 20's on bicycles oogling my Elise out in front of the Porsche dealership that I work at. One guy says to the other "dude, If I had 200 grand I would love to get one of these. They're bitchin." The other guy says "yeah I saw one at the San Francisco auto show, but how do you get in and oput of the fing thing?"
I smiled and walked past without saying a word

 

[MikeAR303]

The "wow you must be loaded" comments and "how much does it cost?" questions annoy me...

I just hate knowing that most of these people only appreciate the car because they think it costs $100k+. Usually when I tell them the base price is about $40k, they lose interest very quickly.

For the most part I just avoid conversations with people now to save myself from answering stupid questions... but I did meet a cool guy the other day who used to have a Europa.

 

[TimMullen]

Usually when I tell them the base price is about $40k, they lose interest very quickly.

Usually when I tell them the base price is $40K, they ask me where the dealer is located. I tell them, and point out that there is a long waiting list, but they are still interested.

 

[Surferjer]

Boy, when I tell people its 45K, they usually say "Where can I get one?" to which I reply with the waiting list....

I wish someone would offer me 100K for mine. SOLD!!

Then I'd buy two more!!!

 

[mikester]

I think that when the average person (who doesn't know much or anything about the Elise) discovers how much they cost, they're kind of amazed. I haven't found that people lose interest, if anything some start to think "geeze, I could actually afford one of these."

The other day at a local weekly car gathering (Crystal Cove near Newport Beach), people were flocking around one of the Elises, basically ignoring a very nice 360 right next to it (just another Ferrari ! ) Probably this is simply because the Elise is a rare sighting at this point and the 360's aren't but still it probably pisses off the Ferrari owners...

 

[eliseowner2b]

If I have a friend with me I usually tell anyone interested in the car that it's theirs. It's good for a laugh later, as long as they play along with it.

 

[raggedy1]

yeah, the "how much does it cost?" and "how fast is it?" questions are silly and getting old fast!

how fast is it? I don't really know how to answer the question since I think this car is all about handling and tactile sensations. I end up quoting some magazine figures but it seems silly doing so.

 

[EliseCat]

If I have a friend with me I usually tell anyone interested in the car that it's theirs. It's good for a laugh later, as long as they play along with it.

I have to agree, this is fun to do.

When I get my Elise I will certainly do this as well. As above, as long as the friend goes along with it, it can be interesting to see reactions. If the friend is understanding it makes them feel good too!

I don't feel one bit sorry for the "Ferrari Guys" that their cars get overlooked. A colleague of mine has a husband with a 355 Spyder and I will certainly be asking him to join me somewhere so we can see what the reactions are!! Can't wait!

 

[babak]

I don't feel one bit sorry for the "Ferrari Guys" that their cars get overlooked. A colleague of mine has a husband with a 355 Spyder and I will certainly be asking him to join me somewhere so we can see what the reactions are!! Can't wait!

Just remember:

 

[MikeAR303]

how fast is it?

At least they didn't ask you "What be on the dash?".

 

[fitfan]

..people used to wave and shout "I love your Ferrari!" at stop lights in my TVR??? If th oportunity was there, i all ways felt obliged to takl a bit and help them understand what they were looking at.. i mean, after all tvr's are way cooler than ferrari's!

 

[MickOpalak]

I don't know if this counts as praise or not, but yesterday on the highway I notice a 10 year old Honda Civic rapidly approaching me from behind. He was easily doing close to 100 mph, and I was doing about 80 mph. Just as he got to me he changed lanes and blew past me, letting off the throttle at that point so that I could hear his cool blow off valve go 'pop!'. He then slowed down below 80 so that I passed him. As he started to fade behind me, he flew by me again and disappeared into the distance. I don't know if this was an invitation to race, a compliment or what, but I didn't give into it.

BTW, the beautiful Civic had body panels in three different colors, with the the nose replaced with a body kit, still unpainted, of course. There was a tachometer on the dash big enough for me to read from behind him. He had obviously clipped a ring or two from each spring as the car ran lower, but bounced over every little bump like a Jack in the Box. And his 'custom' exhaust system comprised of a muffler welded directly to the 4-into-1 header and terminating roughly under the drivers seat. I don't know how he clears speed bumps. Apparently, everythiing else was stock, including the skinny tires and body panels borrowed from several other Civics.

There must be something about a nice car that forces ricer-envy.

 

[doma]

I got another appraisal today...
Coworker - "how much did you pay?"
Me - "they are under 50k"
Coworker - "really? I thought it would be around 100k"

 

[MikeAR303]

..people used to wave and shout "I love your Ferrari!" at stop lights in my TVR??? If th oportunity was there, i all ways felt obliged to takl a bit and help them understand what they were looking at.. i mean, after all tvr's are way cooler than ferrari's!

I went out for dinner Sunday to a place where my friend's girlfriend works...

While we were sitting at the bar, there was suddenly a big commotion amongst the employees and everyone started going outside. My friends girlfriend went back there, came back, and said "so all of the people who work here were just out there pointing at a 'ferrari'. Turns out the 'ferrari' was your Lotus".

I think people are just uneducated enough with cars (well... that's not the only thing) to think that every exotic is a Ferrari.