Re: Re: Re: Spotted on the Pa Turnpike!
GabbaGabbaHey said:
Why did you trade in the Ferrari? Kinda curious how much you got for it. Please when you get over 600 miles, it would be cool to hear a comparison to your old ride.
Well, I've put on 350 miles in a few days.
First, I've always preferred light sports cars. My first car was a Triumph Spitfire...great fun but a total P.O.S. When the Elise first appeared in Europe a few years back I knew I'd want one as soon as they came to the US market.
After progressing through a series of Porsches from early 911 models through a 996 TT, what I realized is that the modern, heavier sports cars are quite insane when driven anywhere near the limit on local roads. There's a lot of technical innovation in tires/suspension and high horesepower to compensate for curb weights well above 3000 lbs., but the speeds at which driving fun begins are best reserved for racetracks. And the weight they have gained over the years really takes something away from the road feel that lighter cars used to offer.
The 355 is a beautiful car, with more "direct" handling and less bulky than a 996 TT, but it's still 3300 lbs with 385 HP. If I had to travel longer distances it would be far preferable to the Elise, but that's not what I use it for.
Sure, the Elise has incredible limits but because of its agilty it is a lot more fun to drive because you can use that agility on a winding public road.
The first link I am aware of when driving is the steering. The biggest disappointment I had with the Ferrari was a light-effort power steering that is put to shame by the Lotus. By the same token, the Elise makes every other car on the road feel like a bulky delivery van in comparison. I've driven Formula Fords at some of the race schools and the immediacy and feel of the Elise is the closest thing to those race cars. The Ferrari feels like a lumbering giant next to this car.
I think it's obvious to all of us that the Elise has rewritten the rules of the sports car game. Lotus has managed to go back to the original premise of the European sports car in the face of modern requirements. An outstanding achievement.
Ron Dargenio