RE: US Elise Confirmed
Discussion
Think what you want, my friend. All I know is that I have my deposit on it, and I'll take whatever Elise I can. Either way, it will be better than anything else we can get here.
You obviously are going to be nitpicky about it 'til the end, so I'm guessing you're not going to get one, no matter how it arrives here.
BTW I take it you're British, or have owned an Elise before. Because, personally, I've never driven one, and will take it as is (from reputation alone). You obviously have had your "perfect" one, and are appalled by what Lotus has decided (are forced) to do.
Say, it says on your info that you're from Chicago? When did you move there from the UK?
You obviously are going to be nitpicky about it 'til the end, so I'm guessing you're not going to get one, no matter how it arrives here.
BTW I take it you're British, or have owned an Elise before. Because, personally, I've never driven one, and will take it as is (from reputation alone). You obviously have had your "perfect" one, and are appalled by what Lotus has decided (are forced) to do.
Say, it says on your info that you're from Chicago? When did you move there from the UK?
If anyone from Lotus is reading this - please don't add a bunch of extra weight. If I wanted a comfy roadster I have plenty to choose from right now.
I have a deposit in and I'm betting that Lotus will do the right thing and keep this car the way it was intended - light and nimble. Of course like Washington said, 190+ HP is great.
Also, don't mess with the suspension - I'll just have to change it back right after buying it!
Thanks.
I have a deposit in and I'm betting that Lotus will do the right thing and keep this car the way it was intended - light and nimble. Of course like Washington said, 190+ HP is great.
Also, don't mess with the suspension - I'll just have to change it back right after buying it!
Thanks.
I haven't heard anything about the suspensions changing anywhere....
Where have people heard that? Besides PistonHead and Autoweek that is. I don't really trust AutoWeek's article. And Pistonhead pretty much base it's article off that one....
slade: You put down a deposit? Yay! You got MSRP, I hope...
Where have people heard that? Besides PistonHead and Autoweek that is. I don't really trust AutoWeek's article. And Pistonhead pretty much base it's article off that one....
slade: You put down a deposit? Yay! You got MSRP, I hope...
Saw this in a British mag today...........
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But the Yanks don't seem to have fully grasped the concept of the purist sports car – the US Elise will have air-conditioning, softer suspension and leather seats as standard.
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Perhaps they should send potential owners on a sports car orientation course - they are paying enough for one to be thrown in free {there I go again....hee! hee!}
Johnny
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But the Yanks don't seem to have fully grasped the concept of the purist sports car – the US Elise will have air-conditioning, softer suspension and leather seats as standard.
#####
Perhaps they should send potential owners on a sports car orientation course - they are paying enough for one to be thrown in free {there I go again....hee! hee!}
Johnny
Washingtonlee- you got a deposit down on a car where you don't even know what engine it's going to have? I hope you can pull out if its 120hp and 150 lbs heavier.
Which dealer did you go to? I'm looking at the one in Thousand Oaks, which is fairly close to my work... but I'd like to put down a smaller deposit than 3k if I can help it...
for me its also dependant on what TVRs plans become.
Which dealer did you go to? I'm looking at the one in Thousand Oaks, which is fairly close to my work... but I'd like to put down a smaller deposit than 3k if I can help it...
for me its also dependant on what TVRs plans become.
Washington....totally with you. I think you've made the right choice for the right reasons.
Lotus will NOT, I am sure, produce a car which is smashed by the critics. It may have many customer service flaws (and I mean MANY) but making sports cars is their speciality - and something we all can only comment on.
If it's heavier, they'll add some more power. And everyone here, as has already been pointed out, has got info from one of the most unreliable rags on the planet.
Oh, and on an earlier subject...if you watch the 'Clarksons top 100 cars' vid, you'll see what happens if a standard elise meets a standard Honda S2000....magazine figures seem a little out to anyone else?
Night
Lotus will NOT, I am sure, produce a car which is smashed by the critics. It may have many customer service flaws (and I mean MANY) but making sports cars is their speciality - and something we all can only comment on.
If it's heavier, they'll add some more power. And everyone here, as has already been pointed out, has got info from one of the most unreliable rags on the planet.
Oh, and on an earlier subject...if you watch the 'Clarksons top 100 cars' vid, you'll see what happens if a standard elise meets a standard Honda S2000....magazine figures seem a little out to anyone else?
Night
Englishman:
Yes I plunked down 3k and I'm not sure of the engine yet (since no one is allowed to say). Beyond a doubt it will be more than 120hp though. Lotus isn't so stupid as to put a watered down version of the Elise here. It would be their ruin. Numbers that I've been getting is more of 190+hp. Whether or not this will become reality, we'll just have to wait and see.
I live in Orange County, so my dealer is in Costa Mesa. I got them to write on the deposit receipt that it's fully refundable, and that I'll get it at MSRP. Also I get to choose the color. "Mama didn't raise no fool!"
Hrmmm.....GunMetal is looking good right now....
To be honest with everyone, I've never driven an Elise before. But the way I see it, even if they put in softer suspensions and whatnot, I won't know what I'll be missing, so no matter what, I'll most likely be happy with the US Version.
The Dealer mentioned that Lotus let Road and Track borrow/review the U.S. model, and that should be done within another 2 weeks? We'll have a better review (not based on rumors like Autoweek) in two months, I'm guessing.
Yes I plunked down 3k and I'm not sure of the engine yet (since no one is allowed to say). Beyond a doubt it will be more than 120hp though. Lotus isn't so stupid as to put a watered down version of the Elise here. It would be their ruin. Numbers that I've been getting is more of 190+hp. Whether or not this will become reality, we'll just have to wait and see.
I live in Orange County, so my dealer is in Costa Mesa. I got them to write on the deposit receipt that it's fully refundable, and that I'll get it at MSRP. Also I get to choose the color. "Mama didn't raise no fool!"
Hrmmm.....GunMetal is looking good right now....
To be honest with everyone, I've never driven an Elise before. But the way I see it, even if they put in softer suspensions and whatnot, I won't know what I'll be missing, so no matter what, I'll most likely be happy with the US Version.
The Dealer mentioned that Lotus let Road and Track borrow/review the U.S. model, and that should be done within another 2 weeks? We'll have a better review (not based on rumors like Autoweek) in two months, I'm guessing.
It is hard to believe that there would still be no decision on the engine yet IF the first roadtest by Road and Track is scheduled within 2 weeks (and reported 2 months later?).
I believe there is no link with GM's Saturn Sky (front-engined), but how about the comment on the engine:
"supercharged 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine...that generates 180 horsepower."? Wait a second...Esprit was 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine... What was the engine's max HP??
Soft suspensions: that's an easy fix. Getting an engine from a rediculous 120 HP to 195+ (drivable) is more expensive!
I believe there is no link with GM's Saturn Sky (front-engined), but how about the comment on the engine:
"supercharged 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine...that generates 180 horsepower."? Wait a second...Esprit was 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine... What was the engine's max HP??
Soft suspensions: that's an easy fix. Getting an engine from a rediculous 120 HP to 195+ (drivable) is more expensive!
I bow to your inside knowledge N/mare! Most of the comments above refer to Autoweek so both of these have a tabloid reputation then. I read on the net a road test of a Jensen Interceptor taken from MOTOR mag. in the 1970's. The integrity of the review and the engineering knowledge you needed to understand it was a breath of fresh air.
If you think about it I am sure Lotus will not compromise it's design integrity on the US Elise. We are looking at a storm on a tea cup here!
Johnny
If you think about it I am sure Lotus will not compromise it's design integrity on the US Elise. We are looking at a storm on a tea cup here!
Johnny
splashley: I really believe that introducing a 120 HP Elise would be a BIG mistake for Lotus. If they would use that as the initial offering, sure some will buy that car. But how would you feel if 9 months later the "real" product with 190 HP would be introduced.
I also do not understand why it takes Lotus until September 2003 to introduce the car. So much lot time and lost sales!
Anybody brave enough to speculate about the engine source?
I also do not understand why it takes Lotus until September 2003 to introduce the car. So much lot time and lost sales!
Anybody brave enough to speculate about the engine source?
How can we buy it when it is not sold here ...Daah! 
Well now there is a 135 bhp version which is equivalent to almost 150 bhp SAE that we use in the US. Since this will keep it up with the fastest accelerating cars on the planet and driving at 130 mph comes with hand cuffs...what more do you need?
Johnny
Well now there is a 135 bhp version which is equivalent to almost 150 bhp SAE that we use in the US. Since this will keep it up with the fastest accelerating cars on the planet and driving at 130 mph comes with hand cuffs...what more do you need?
Johnny
quote:
How can we buy it when it is not sold here ...Daah!
Well now there is a 135 bhp version which is equivalent to almost 150 bhp SAE that we use in the US. Since this will keep it up with the fastest accelerating cars on the planet and driving at 130 mph comes with hand cuffs...what more do you need?
Johnny
johny:
How are you getting your horsepower conversions???
We (U.S.) use bhp SAE, and the British tend to use bhp DIN (or PS).
135 bhp DIN = 133.11 bhp SAE.
So basically, the british horsepower, and our horsepower are roughly equal.
And as for not being able to buy one here, notice that this thread is about the Elise coming to the U.S. Duh!
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