[ChrisHebert]

hey guys, I just put in my order for the sports package elise.

Will I have limitied slip from the factory?

If not, I am considering giving up my #2 spot and sticking with my 99 Miata.

So, anyone know if there is/isn't LSD?

 

[mlk_f1]

No LSD will be available with any package.
I'll be more than happy to take your #2 spot!!
Which dealer did you leave your deposit with?

 

[zvezdah1]

LSD is a deal breaker for you???

You'll be able to buy one on the aftermarket, so what's the big deal.

Chris

 

[elise77]

hey guys, I just put in my order for the sports package elise.

Will I have limitied slip from the factory?

If not, I am considering giving up my #2 spot and sticking with my 99 Miata.

So, anyone know if there is/isn't LSD?

Chris, It is not dead yet. Lotus is listening to the Lotus community....please see the other thread... If we can show how many people are serious about ordering it we can get it....

 

[Brak]

LSD is a deal breaker for you???

You'll be able to buy one on the aftermarket, so what's the big deal.

Chris

I'm sure he wants to compete in SCCA Stock class. An aftermarket diff would bump him out of stock. For those of us who autox, that is a big deal.

 

[ChrisHebert]

yes. i want to stay in stock class (as I'm a horrible with a wrench).

I think the car will be unbelievable.. really. But I take solo racing in stock too seriously. (even though I only finished 20th in nationals in 2003! ..)

anyway, anyone interested in swapping a #2 spot for like a 2005 spot?

Well, as long as I can see Randy Chase or Pat S. drive the car - I'll have the information to make a decision.. so i'd almost be ready a few months after they get some national runs with R compound tires on it.

Randy/Pat - when are you expecting to drive the elise with Rcompounds at a national level race?

lata.

 

[Randy Chase]

I need to contact Symbolic about my place in line. It seems to move a little.

I really expect those in the front of the line will get cars around June (IMO). So I should get a car sometime this summer.

This means two things.

1. The SEB will not have enough time to make anything but a very conservative decision. We may be lucky and get classed in SS, but because of the time frame from car availability to Nationals in September, I now think that ASP may be a real possibility for 2004. Keep in mind that the SEB can change the classification of the car without member comment for 12 months. Then they will move the car to SS or AS depending on how well it works.

2. I will not seriously campaign the car nationally in 2004. Perhaps I will just stay with shifter karts for 2004. Maybe.

Now if I am wrong in my guess and the car is classed in stock right off, I might campaign it. I know Pat Salerno intends on trying. And there are some other good drivers also buying an Elise. But there are still some questions about tire fitment still. I tried to make a determination about that at the LA Auto Show, but could not. It looks like a real possibility to me that a 205 tire on the front may have a problem.

There will be one way to tell, put a 205 tire on the car and see if it causes a problem.

Anyway, I hope to see how well the car can perform in Solo2 by early summer. If the Elise ends up not being capable of winning nationally in stock classing, I will either just run it locally for grins...or Street Prepared with no intention of winning nationally. I still want the car.

 

[Robert Puertas]

I've been thinking about this alot.

The tire issue not withstanding, it seems reasonable to suppose that having a factory installed LSD will put us straight into SS. Whereas if the factory does not offer the LSD, we may have a shot at the Elise being classed in AS.

With the new Corvette C6 coming this year with 400hp, and the next Z06 scheduled for next year with 500hp. I might be willing to give up the LSD in exchange for AS classing.

What do you folks think?

 

[elise77]

I need to contact Symbolic about my place in line. It seems to move a little.

I really expect those in the front of the line will get cars around June (IMO). So I should get a car sometime this summer.

This means two things.

1. The SEB will not have enough time to make anything but a very conservative decision. We may be lucky and get classed in SS, but because of the time frame from car availability to Nationals in September, I now think that ASP may be a real possibility for 2004. Keep in mind that the SEB can change the classification of the car without member comment for 12 months. Then they will move the car to SS or AS depending on how well it works.

2. I will not seriously campaign the car nationally in 2004. Perhaps I will just stay with shifter karts for 2004. Maybe.



Rumor has it that conservative classing is SS...and wait and see.

The HUGE limiting factors right now for the car are the FRONT TIRES and a Limited Slip... Without a front tire and a slip...well, I have a street car without enough insolation... I am hoping because I want this car to be GREAT...I love the way it looks. I love the idea of light and nimble...but I am buying it to race. If it can not pull its weight in the class well, I need to be looking at a full leather interior of the vette. We know they are fast and proven.

LOTUS HELP US OUT.....PLEASE....I want to send vette home crying because a 4 cylinder KICKED THEIR BUTT...
Now if I am wrong in my guess and the car is classed in stock right off, I might campaign it. I know Pat Salerno intends on trying. And there are some other good drivers also buying an Elise. But there are still some questions about tire fitment still. I tried to make a determination about that at the LA Auto Show, but could not. It looks like a real possibility to me that a 205 tire on the front may have a problem.

There will be one way to tell, put a 205 tire on the car and see if it causes a problem.

Anyway, I hope to see how well the car can perform in Solo2 by early summer. If the Elise ends up not being capable of winning nationally in stock classing, I will either just run it locally for grins...or Street Prepared with no intention of winning nationally. I still want the car.

 

[John Stimson]

If the Elise gets put in A Stock because it can't put power down, I want no part of it. Iwould rather have a car with a slightly more restricted, but better behaved, performance envelope. Ha! I just called the S2000 well-behaved...

It seems like autocross is the perfect venue for a car that is supposed to excel at twisty, low speed driving. The spirit of the Elise is to go faster than more powerful cars by outhandling them. It would be a disaster if the Elise were not much faster than the current AS cars, which are larger and have the same or lower power/weight.

 

[ChrisHebert]

I've decided, i'm not buying the lotus due to:
lack of LSD & increased cost for options.

If anyone wants a No.2 spot in dallas, message me soon. (we'll have to change blue/lss/hardtop.)

good luck all (i know i might regret this and I REALLY hope the car is as wonderful as it could be)....


Go get em ya'll!!