I've only been studying up on the Elise for a relatively short time and only recently joined the list of hopefuls, and I'm already all twisted up in a knot. I can't imagine how you top ten wait list people are coping. . . I would have sought therapy by now.
The more I learn, the more I geek out. For me, beyond the basic specs, the most notable items are:
1. A factory tuned suspension for DOT R compound tires. This is huge. Few cars come to mind that have been tuned to this level: the BMW M3 CSL, arguably the Evo, and a handful of exotics?
2. Roll bar that appears to be robust enough to serve its intended purpose, permitting (safely) fitting of full-on race harnesses (which really shouldn't be used in most street cars w/o use of a full cage, or at least rear roll bar).
3. Mounting points for harness bar.
4. Track ready, or near track ready performance, right off the showroom floor (although I doubt stock pads can handle 100 degree + track temps that we see in these parts).
5. Cornerweighted from the factory.
6. Optimal handling with minimal front camber: 0 to 1 degree negative. This is a breath of fresh air from dealing with McPherson strut cars, which need quite a bit more camber for sticky tires on the track. . . moderate negative camber = better braking and far better wet weather traction, not to mention better front tire wear on the street.
7. Factory oil coolers.
8. Factory-designed stone chip protection for better-than aftermarket fit (I'm making an educated guess here).
These are all some of the subtle things that you really can't derive from the mags, but totally have me geeked out.
I can't wait to get this machine on the track.
And, I have a question.
It is possible to have the touring and sport packages, correct? This would mean I could get a BRG car, with Biscuit leather, along with all the handling benefits of LSS.
The more I learn, the more I geek out. For me, beyond the basic specs, the most notable items are:
1. A factory tuned suspension for DOT R compound tires. This is huge. Few cars come to mind that have been tuned to this level: the BMW M3 CSL, arguably the Evo, and a handful of exotics?
2. Roll bar that appears to be robust enough to serve its intended purpose, permitting (safely) fitting of full-on race harnesses (which really shouldn't be used in most street cars w/o use of a full cage, or at least rear roll bar).
3. Mounting points for harness bar.
4. Track ready, or near track ready performance, right off the showroom floor (although I doubt stock pads can handle 100 degree + track temps that we see in these parts).
5. Cornerweighted from the factory.
6. Optimal handling with minimal front camber: 0 to 1 degree negative. This is a breath of fresh air from dealing with McPherson strut cars, which need quite a bit more camber for sticky tires on the track. . . moderate negative camber = better braking and far better wet weather traction, not to mention better front tire wear on the street.
7. Factory oil coolers.
8. Factory-designed stone chip protection for better-than aftermarket fit (I'm making an educated guess here).
These are all some of the subtle things that you really can't derive from the mags, but totally have me geeked out.
I can't wait to get this machine on the track.
And, I have a question.
It is possible to have the touring and sport packages, correct? This would mean I could get a BRG car, with Biscuit leather, along with all the handling benefits of LSS.
