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The Elise may be getting old, but it's such an amazing car
I've had my 2007 Elise since 2009 and I've been driving the hell out of it all these years. After baby came, and I didn't drive it much any more, I was thinking of getting rid of it, but just couldn't let it go. I've got more than 15,000 track miles on this car, and about 40,000 street miles, and took it to the track again, and man oh man, did Lotus build an amazing car. I still love the little thing after all these years, even though it's no longer as competitive with other road going cars as it used to be. I still managed to pass a Porsche GT2RS being driven poorly by driving at 10/10 and raging a little bit Anyhow, after 10 years of owning this car, I still love it. I'm attaching a couple of photos from a beautiful, green spring day at Thunderhill Raceway in CA, which is normally a dull dry hay color, and including a photo of the Elise's little cousin.
I think about selling mine every once in a while, but a short drive reaffirms how unique and irreplaceable (without a crazy budget) these little cars are.
Roger that. My re-affirmation was today at the Mazda dealership where I was picking up maintenance items for my wife's CX-5. A woman waiting for her husband in service remarked " what kind of car is that?" as I pulled up. "It's the prototype for the 2020 Miata!" I exclaimed. "They finally got it right!" she replied. "I can't pull your leg mam. This is a Lotus Elise and the style your admiring hasn't really changed in 25 years". She had no comeback as I entered the parts department feeling all satisfied with my car.
I have these thoughts while it’s in storage during the winter months.... but as soon as the spring/summer comes and get her out for a drive, it all goes away and back in my honeymoon phase. Love it when I can drive it, hate it when I can’t haha.
Glad you're still having fun! I have had mine only 6 years, but the only cars that have put as big of a grin on my face are the Porsche GT3 and S2000. You just can't beat the performance per dollar of the Elise/Exige!
Lotus have built a classic. Like the 7, the 111 platform will continue to be a fun car for decades with a bit more safety and practicality vs. the 7. My first one arrived in Nov 2004 and I've yet to get tired of it. Are there faster cars? Yes. Are there more exotic cars? Yes. But none match the overall fun sports car experience of the 111 platform. At any price.
Completely agree with this post! I have thoughts from time to time on replacing it, but short of spending 6 figures, I can't think of a car that would give me as big of a smile!
Had these thoughts... acted on them... returned to my old car (first in an elise, then to my actual old Exige... see signature)
I had Lotus 7s, drove friends other cars, and I just am in love with the way these cars drive, street, autox, and track. And for me, to be able to do all of that, under 2,000 lbs, with doors, a roof, a radio, and HVAC (not the best of either, but bare with me, I had Lotus 7s), it's amazing.
Dude, I love the your color!!! Is that Laser blue? BTW, I've had the same thoughts. Test drove more "comfortable sports cars" but nothing touches the magic of the Lotus... I know I know, sounds cheesy AS f$*&
A nice error in car business... what a fantastic car, and a very nice platform to be modified. And so cool to drive. I also own a Focus RS, considered like an extreme everyday car, and a fantastic car on track... and just so doll on track compared with the lotus.
Haha, my daily driver is a Focus RS too. It feels like driving a couch, despite moving pretty quick. I'm a LOT faster in the Elise around a track than the Focus.
I've have had my 2005 Elise since 2007. Haven't driven much lately, about 4 months - feeling a bit guilty. Busy with work, have take home vehicle, travels, and doing a lot of off-roading with my modified GX 460 - a total anti-Lotus beast and different thrills.
Recently, have fleeting thoughts of letting go my Elise but just not quite there yet. I've invested so much time, money, and energy making the Elise uniquely my own. And know that I will never get a chance to own/drive such an amazing direct-feel car again. However, whenever I got behind the steering wheel, the boyish grins and happy feeling consumed me all over again.
Thanks, I customized everything. The steering wheel is NRG flat bottom wheel 320mm but I also hammered and flattened the top also. Wanted an F1 look. Had Momo alcantara flat bottom before but it's either too big 350mm or too small 280/300mm. Also tried an all CF wheel but didn't really like it.
Thanks. Nicely done. I also like the carbon fiber one they have on their site.
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