Why not wait grasshopper?
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Where oh where do you get this stuff!!
What indication do you have from ANYONE that the US market is a "low priority". The final waivers were not even approved from DOT until Feb., Lotus has spent millions to get the car importable to the US, they spent a few hundred thousand for the LA show etc., they had some of the major players at Lotus there with the cars. Two odd years ago they said the cars would be here in April, at a price of $38,500, now the cars will be here in May-June and priced @$40k.
The fact that the UK and Oz got the toyota powered car three four months early I see as a good thing, this might cut down on customer complaints here, by working the bugs out first.
Ridiculous!
The seven is in no way comparable in this instance, it's imported to the US as a component/kit car sans engine.
I'm sorry but statements like you made I find quite annoying in view of ALL the work the Lotus people have done to get the car here, go buy a Honda.
Chris
What indication do you have from ANYONE that the US market is a "low priority". The final waivers were not even approved from DOT until Feb., Lotus has spent millions to get the car importable to the US, they spent a few hundred thousand for the LA show etc., they had some of the major players at Lotus there with the cars. Two odd years ago they said the cars would be here in April, at a price of $38,500, now the cars will be here in May-June and priced @$40k.
The fact that the UK and Oz got the toyota powered car three four months early I see as a good thing, this might cut down on customer complaints here, by working the bugs out first.
Ridiculous!
The seven is in no way comparable in this instance, it's imported to the US as a component/kit car sans engine.
I'm sorry but statements like you made I find quite annoying in view of ALL the work the Lotus people have done to get the car here, go buy a Honda.
Chris
Well If I was a passenger in your imported car, I would hope you could get one earmarked for Europe with a left side drive. Btw, no airbags if that sorta thing bothers you. I would guess this misadventure would cost major $ and hassles with dubious residual values.
The Elise is IMHO a toy car, so I do not see its arrival as anything more than myself being 8 years old again on Christmas Eve. Sure I want it sooner, but now I will have the summer to ride my bicycle more with the hope to lighten its load when it does arrive
I agree with Chris, why not let others be the beta testers and work out any residual bugs that might be in the new engine transplant? Plus lots of cheaper alternatives, perhaps not quite as fun, but avail like S2000, Mazdaspeed turbo Miata, Boxster....
The Elise is IMHO a toy car, so I do not see its arrival as anything more than myself being 8 years old again on Christmas Eve. Sure I want it sooner, but now I will have the summer to ride my bicycle more with the hope to lighten its load when it does arrive
I agree with Chris, why not let others be the beta testers and work out any residual bugs that might be in the new engine transplant? Plus lots of cheaper alternatives, perhaps not quite as fun, but avail like S2000, Mazdaspeed turbo Miata, Boxster....
Well, to start the 111R doesn't have the air bags or required side markers. In other words doesn't meet safety standards. Doubt Lotus USA would cover it under warranty. If someone really wanted to take this path there's alot of unknows that will have to be figured out. IMHO not wroth the hassle, but if you don't want to wait you'd at least be spinning your wheels trying to figure out the pro & cons.
Sownman said:
Glad Im with LOA. Mwhahhahahahha.
Dont worry folks. Be happy. It will be here soon enough.
Well sometimes Chris when you put up an public internet site you get opinins that differ from yours, and some may just annoy you.zvezdah1 said:Where oh where do you get this stuff!!
What indication do you have from ANYONE that the US market is a "low priority". The final waivers were not even approved from DOT until Feb., Lotus has spent millions to get the car importable to the US, they spent a few hundred thousand for the LA show etc., they had some of the major players at Lotus there with the cars. Two odd years ago they said the cars would be here in April, at a price of $38,500, now the cars will be here in May-June and priced @$40k.
The fact that the UK and Oz got the toyota powered car three four months early I see as a good thing, this might cut down on customer complaints here, by working the bugs out first.
Ridiculous!
The seven is in no way comparable in this instance, it's imported to the US as a component/kit car sans engine.
I'm sorry but statements like you made I find quite annoying in view of ALL the work the Lotus people have done to get the car here, go buy a Honda.
Chris
As to where I get my "low priority" opinion I already stated it, but for your sake I'll repeat and try to expand a bit. The Elise has been kicking around Europe for several years, but bringing it here was not a priority. It's been kicking around Oz for several years but bringing it here was not a priority. Lotus found an engine that would allow them to bring it here, but has decided to introduce that product in Oz and UK first, once again sign we are not a priority. They have also decided it is more important to produce a S2 Exige with that powerplant before they build the Fed Elise'. I hate to repeat myself so much, but another indicator of our lower priority. Get it yet ?
Now I can be patient and wait for anything but air, food, and water. What I would like is the straight scoop on how long I'll be waiting. I would like the estimate to be at least accurate within a few months. I didn't get that from MINI and now I'm not getting that from Lotus. I don't see why a bit of dissent is so troubling to you, are you afraid Lotus will see an "ungrateful Yank" and pull the whole deal ? Heck yu're with LOA you'll probably have a car later today.
Regards
Steve
Sown,
Outside of the first three months or so, as far as I know, NO dealers know the rest of year's allocation.
Lotus is still on for doing 2300 or so cars the first year, this number has been pretty stable and consistent for some months, you'll get your car, just hang in there.
Besides, even though the wait "before the official announcement" doesn't count, I'm told the deposit lists helped show that LCU could deliver buyers.
If you waited 14 months for a mini??? How long would you be willing to wait for an elise?
Chris
Who sure feels like the 26 months he's waited so far was a real wait even if not fully under the umbrella of the official announcement
Outside of the first three months or so, as far as I know, NO dealers know the rest of year's allocation.
Lotus is still on for doing 2300 or so cars the first year, this number has been pretty stable and consistent for some months, you'll get your car, just hang in there.
Besides, even though the wait "before the official announcement" doesn't count, I'm told the deposit lists helped show that LCU could deliver buyers.
If you waited 14 months for a mini??? How long would you be willing to wait for an elise?
Chris
Who sure feels like the 26 months he's waited so far was a real wait even if not fully under the umbrella of the official announcement
The dealers should get detailed allocation numbers at the dealer meeting in two weeks. I would at least hold out for that much longer. According to the numbers my dealer gave me for the first batch of cars coming to the US, it looks like there will be a very large variation between different dealers. Fortunately the one I'm buying from has been selling a lot of Esprits.
I also got on the waiting list in October '03, and I'm expecting to get a car this summer (spot #17).
I also got on the waiting list in October '03, and I'm expecting to get a car this summer (spot #17).
From a EU customer point of view, Sownman seems to have some right complaining about some sort of delay in the Lotus queue.
Still he has to admit the following:
1) Lotus' loyal customers live in Europe, and Oz.
2) Lotus made a huge investment to secure the Toyota engine and create a car having as primary target an entirely new market like the US.
3) US market have very aware and conscious customers. Having realised your purchasing power, US customers can sink such niche companies in no time, if they're given a faulty product . On the contrary, EU Lotus customers may excuse some birth problems, (and some may even be proud that the co-develop such gems you'll receive later on!!!..) and look after dealers' assistance in much closer distances!!!. I've the only 111R for the next 2-3 months, and I live just 15 mins from the dealer...It's a difference, isn't it?
I admit you'd feel crazy if I tell you that I basically had the chance to take the car the same day. I only had to wait for standard procedures to complete...But sometimes, patience rewards you multifolds. You'll feel that by the time you'll get this toy car. As GabbaGabbaHey said, that's the correct term for it.
Btw GabbaGabbaHey, bikes and 111R seem to behave the same in cornering. (look at my thread on 111R impressions). So the more you practice correct cornering on your bike, the more you'll enjoy your toy .
4) Having invested so much for the US market, your participation in the waiting list is our promise that this company will stand on it own feet and continue to have such kind of freedom to create this sort of dream cars, and have the neccessary funds to develop more like this in the future.
Stay where you are, don't be disappointed with waiting time, and you'll feel what I felt and wrote in another thread!
Have fun.
Still he has to admit the following:
1) Lotus' loyal customers live in Europe, and Oz.
2) Lotus made a huge investment to secure the Toyota engine and create a car having as primary target an entirely new market like the US.
3) US market have very aware and conscious customers. Having realised your purchasing power, US customers can sink such niche companies in no time, if they're given a faulty product
. On the contrary, EU Lotus customers may excuse some birth problems, (and some may even be proud that the co-develop such gems you'll receive later on!!!..) and look after dealers' assistance in much closer distances!!!. I've the only 111R for the next 2-3 months, and I live just 15 mins from the dealer...It's a difference, isn't it? I admit you'd feel crazy if I tell you that I basically had the chance to take the car the same day. I only had to wait for standard procedures to complete...But sometimes, patience rewards you multifolds. You'll feel that by the time you'll get this toy car. As GabbaGabbaHey said, that's the correct term for it.
Btw GabbaGabbaHey, bikes and 111R seem to behave the same in cornering. (look at my thread on 111R impressions). So the more you practice correct cornering on your bike, the more you'll enjoy your toy
.4) Having invested so much for the US market, your participation in the waiting list is our promise that this company will stand on it own feet and continue to have such kind of freedom to create this sort of dream cars, and have the neccessary funds to develop more like this in the future.
Stay where you are, don't be disappointed with waiting time, and you'll feel what I felt and wrote in another thread!
Have fun.
Hi Snowman
What do you mean with low priority?
The US production has it's own line in Hethel. Just this curious regulations and your 'normal' behavior to sue for damages has the development of the US version slowed down
And don't forget godd things take time
Piple
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