[atyclb]

2002 BMW M3

 

[grudkin]

Caterham 7
Used Porsche 993 or maybe early 996. 930 Turbo, boxsters
Ferrari 348 -- expensive to maintain

But really, Elise is so different from other sports cars available in the USA -- sort of half way between a Seven and a boxster, don't you think?

 

[ChrisB]

Qvale Mangusta. New 2001: $55K, Used 2000 w/7200 miles, $39K. Hardtop, targa (fits in trunk), full convertible, all in one car. 320 HP, 4.6L Ford SVT engine. Rare: only about 290 imported to the US. Interesting history: Built by Kjell Qvale & Alejandro de Tomaso in Modena, Designed by Marcelo Gandini (designer of the Diablo & Cizeta Moroda).

I took the used one for a test drive this past weekend. Certainly an exciting car. More practical in some ways than the Elise, but totally different in character. More comparable in character to a Corvette or Esperante. I'm sticking with the Elise, though.

 

[Derek]

Sure other cars exist but not many have the same presence of the Elise, much less in the same price range

 

[shinoo]

993 ('95-'98) coupe. A great sportscar.

A track-only Elise or Exige.

 

[Randy Chase]

I would go back to my original plan from 3 years ago. Find a used Exige.

 

[rijk365gtb4]

With the exception of the Caterhan and the Exige, there is no comparison between the Elise and all mentioned sports cars. Not even the Ferrari 348 comes close to the driving ecperience of the Lotus.

If you start a discussion like this, I would advise you to drive the Elise before you buy one.

 

[MickOpalak]

What are some other cars that you have\would consider aside from the Elise. Some points, to me, a realistic comparison means that it must be in the same price range as the Elise (ie 40-50k) These can be higher performance used cars, and sports cars.

I'll start it off:

97-99 911 Carrera or Carrera Cabriolet

Nah! That ancient rear-engined design wouldn't have nearly the handling prowess that the Elise has.

 

[MickOpalak]

2002 BMW M3

At 3400 lbs for the cabrio, it's almost twice as heavy as an Elise. No thanks!

 

[MotorCade]

The Panoz AIV Roadster. .97 Gs on the skidpad, 0-60 in 4.3, brakes from that speed in 114 feet... and it'll definitely turn some heads.

I'd probably be looking for one if the Elise wasn't around.

Cade

 

[atyclb]

At 3400 lbs for the cabrio, it's almost twice as heavy as an Elise. No thanks!

actually 3400 is for the coupe. the cabrio is over 3700

I was just listing a car that was similarly priced

 

[jdw5155]

Used 2002 Corvette Z06.

I know this is a completely different style of sports car but compared to an Elise there are few that truly compare apples to apples at even twice the money for handling, styling and performance.

 

[jml1952]

Porsche 1955 Spyder replica. For $25,000 (turnkey version) you can get a lighter, faster car than the Elise. And it handles well. But it's still a kit car.

 

[Derek]

Porsche 1955 Spyder replica. For $25,000 (turnkey version) you can get a lighter, faster car than the Elise. And it handles well. But it's still a kit car.

Yeah, and that means constant "Is it real?" questions and getting hosed on resale. I WILL NOT BY A KIT CAR... EVER!

 

[MarvinVA]

My question, I decide the rules

"With the exception of the Caterhan and the Exige, there is no comparison between the Elise and all mentioned sports cars. Not even the Ferrari 348 comes close to the driving ecperience of the Lotus.

If you start a discussion like this, I would advise you to drive the Elise before you buy one."

rijk365gtb4, with all due respect, there are similar threads in which your comment may be applicable. However, I started this thread and asked this question with the intent of finding any sports car in the the Elises price range.

To explain my reasoning. Unlike many of you, I'm a regular joe shmoe that's beginning to acquire the taste for car enthuthiasm. Before the Elise I only cared about brand name recognition, style, and luxury. As a matter of fact I was beginning to lose my interest in cars all together. As I've probably mentioned in other posts, I'll probably never even use the cars full potention. So, you'll excuse me if I still think like an uneducated car finatic and not concern myself with a true comparison in handling and performance and concentrate on things like the bottom line (price). After all it's my perogative.

Thanks to everyone else for entertaining me

 

[zvezdah1]

HI Adam,
It's probably been mentioned before. The downside with a used highperformance (say 348), relatively easy to find at a decent price however, the maintenance is as expensive as when it was a 90K car. Servicing issues/costs are a big factor on aftermarket for these cars.
Chris

 

[shinoo]

Maintenance costs? Guess that's why no one mentions the Esprit?!

 

[rijk365gtb4]

Marvin,

I wasn't trying to put you down, but I am concerned that a lot of people are buying into the Hype around the Elise.

I have owned several high powered sports cars and my complaint has always been that they are too good. To get to the exciting part of the car you have to do highly illegal things. This is why I have bought a Daytona. This car keeps you involved at any speed.

The Elise is the same way. There is a lot of "suffering" involved in driving the car, but you get awarded with a wonderful driving experience. It is not a pretty sight if you see me climb in and out with the top in place (OK I'm also 6'2" and 210LB). I cannot drive with my shoes on, the car leaks and it is a struggle to get the top up in the pouring rain.

If you go for a sunday drive, non of these issues might be a problem for you, but for a dayly driver, you have to consider the trade offs.

 

[jdw5155]

Rijk, that's an enviable stable of vehicles you have there. Pretty much covers the best in class for each type of ride. I'm guessing the Porsche mitigates the need for a sedan. Very nice.

Jim