Lotus Elise

[Exotica-Motorsports]

Hey guys,

I just bought this new Elise two months ago and I love the car but there was a few things that I thought could be changed. Let me know what you think about before and after.

[Seb]

Not bad, I don't think I've ever seen that on an Elise. I say go for it :grinning-smiley-003

[antinym]

I'm a big fan of the stripe.

Here's my car.
http://dwightrjohnson.com/car/exige/bigimages/Exige%20Wheel%20044.jpg

[pdisme]

Yeah, that gets my vote too; don't do it on deep dish wheels, definitely do it on regular!

[SweetDaddyDelicious]

Love it.

Best color too.

[AgentTripleX]

How did you paint your calipers? I want to do that. Did you do it yourself or send them out?

[Exotica-Motorsports]

I have a autobody background so I did the work myself. The paint is a three stage paint and is the factory Lotus paint. Paint the base, second stage pearl and then the clear. Looks much better than the factory natural aluminum.

[zeeshan66]

^ you got pm. love to know how they both compare the elise and the exige.

[Stryke]

You guys like the car? I had mine for 6 months and only drove it for 300 miles. Hated it and never wanted to take it out.

[pdisme]

You guys like the car? I had mine for 6 months and only drove it for 300 miles. Hated it and never wanted to take it out.

Uncomfortable? I've heard it has that issue for some.

[SuperVixen]

I drive mine every day. Have driven it from SF to LA and back a couple times. With a passenger one time too. I think it depends on you. Your body, your flexibility, your size, your need for comfort. I don't drink coffee so I don't need a cup holder. Personally, I love to be in control. I think the car has great handling, performance, and looks, all at a great price and is super low maintenance.

[Stryke]

My biggest issues were as follows:

Getting in and out-Probably the worst part for me. It was terrible and I got bruised a few times. My wife simply refused to enter the car and I don't blame her.

Underpowered-I think the car was wayyy underpowered. Felt very slow and sluggish. I think 300HP would do fine for it.

Image-The general consensus I got from most owners on ET is that they are so into impressing people with a false sense of having an "exotic" that they let people to believe the Elise is an expensive car. I was very turned off to be associated with the whole stigma of the car. I got the idea that it was many Miatta and S2000 owners who wanted Lambos or Ferraris and for financial reasons were trying to live that dream via this car. Just didn't feel right in every way. :(

[artherd]

I actually think the S1 Exige (aside from the sound, and the lack of a roof.) is very comfortable, the ride is actually quite compliant yet tight, like a really good full suspension mtn bike. I drive it at night, with the heat on.

Honestly, the crashworthiness is the biggest deterrant to driving it more. I cannot think of any other problems.

Ride height is low, this is a factor on CA's crappy roads, and is a problem with any exotic.

I try not to give much of a crap what anyone thinks about anything, but I do enjoy the nearly always posative reaction to the car, especially from kids! I enjoy telling people how little they can be had for, it really opens their eyes that "they too" can afford something exciting!

Honestly, other than that they are fantastic cars and feel great at 1/4th of the limit just driving flat and relaxed and ELEMENTAL feel of the road as they do closer to the limit. The pedals are positioned ideally for heel-and-toe, frankly it's what motoring should be.

[Pantera]

Uncomfortable? I've heard it has that issue for some.

You would have to be built like a supermodel to drive one.:lol2:

I have much more room driving the 2M4 than I did in the Elise. I do like the Esprit though those are more me.

[Exotica-Motorsports]

I absolutely love mine. I wanted a car that was just a race car for the street, hard to get in and out of, no extra crap and tough to drive and that is what I have. I can see that some people wouldn't like it. My brother has a Viper and my business partner has a Gallardo. Neither one of them like my car but I prefer driving mine over either of theirs. To each his own I guess. I have had the car since late May and I already have 6500 miles on it.

Getting the car on the track is amazing. I thought that it was slow as well until I took it to the track. I was passing 996TT and new Corvettes with slicks.

I am getting a 360 Ferrari next summer and I will still keep the Lotus. I am not using it as an entry level exotic but a great car in its own right.

[AS664]

Looks great Jason, did you do tinted tail lights? It would really like nice on it.

[Exotica-Motorsports]

Not a big fan of tinted taillights. Thanks Andrew.