Potential Lotus owner questions.
Discussion
CNN had a spot about the Lotus and Ferrari and I was startled to learn the Elise runs in the mid forty to fifty grand price range and I like the Toyota engine. Would like to know how often it needs servicing and if I could take it to my local Toyota dealer for oil changes because from where I live I would have to drive 150 to 200 miles to a Lotus dealer for repairs or service. Basically, is it an expensive car to own? I read the Toyota engine is 190 HP hand built, but is it like the 1.8 liter engine in other Toyotas?
I'm a senior citizen and only put 10K miles a year on a car so wouldn't need servicing that often and I don't drive hard and it would be babied. We had a 05 T Bird and it was a wild car, sold it to a friend and now want another sports car. We paid $42K for the T Bird with the hard top and the Lotus isn't that much more money and that is one beautiful car that will never go out of style. If I get the right answers I'll go test drive that beautiful lady.
I read an article that said many share my disbelief that it costs less than $50K and I can not understand why Lotus doesn't go on TV with an advertisement giving the price because it would sure raise some eye brows.
I live on the East coast in SC and my choice of dealers is Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL or Durham, NC and if anyone has experience with those dealers I'd like to hear comments. Thanks for your time and have a nice week. Huney.
I'm a senior citizen and only put 10K miles a year on a car so wouldn't need servicing that often and I don't drive hard and it would be babied. We had a 05 T Bird and it was a wild car, sold it to a friend and now want another sports car. We paid $42K for the T Bird with the hard top and the Lotus isn't that much more money and that is one beautiful car that will never go out of style. If I get the right answers I'll go test drive that beautiful lady.
I read an article that said many share my disbelief that it costs less than $50K and I can not understand why Lotus doesn't go on TV with an advertisement giving the price because it would sure raise some eye brows.
I live on the East coast in SC and my choice of dealers is Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL or Durham, NC and if anyone has experience with those dealers I'd like to hear comments. Thanks for your time and have a nice week. Huney.
I would suggest going straight there and test driving it. The thing about Lotus cars (all of them really) is once you have tasted them you either love them or they're not for you.
There are a few things to consider here:
Driving position and comfort- they are a rougher ride than an American sports coupe due to they're suspension setup and the seats have only the minimum padding.
manual gearbox- don't mean to insult you but the majority of Americans probably don't use these.
minimal trim inside- bare metal and NO cupholders.
On the plus side:
You will never drive a road car that will give so much feedback to the driver, handle as well or turn so many heads.
You really cannot decide until you have driven the thing, you may love it or you may simply not be able to live with it for some reason or other.
Incidentally, the engine is the Toyota lump out of a pretty normal Toyota coupe so you won't have reliability issues and servicing should be straight forward. Check with the dealer though ;-)
Regards
Dom
There are a few things to consider here:
Driving position and comfort- they are a rougher ride than an American sports coupe due to they're suspension setup and the seats have only the minimum padding.
manual gearbox- don't mean to insult you but the majority of Americans probably don't use these.
minimal trim inside- bare metal and NO cupholders.
On the plus side:
You will never drive a road car that will give so much feedback to the driver, handle as well or turn so many heads.
You really cannot decide until you have driven the thing, you may love it or you may simply not be able to live with it for some reason or other.
Incidentally, the engine is the Toyota lump out of a pretty normal Toyota coupe so you won't have reliability issues and servicing should be straight forward. Check with the dealer though ;-)
Regards
Dom
I live in Atlanta and purchased my Esprit from the Lotus dealer in atlanta. Also my car has been serviced only at that dealer for the the last two years. Services are semi-expensive; alot more expensive than a ford but reaosnable for the Lotus. The esprit is around $500 every 6000 miles and about $1,000 every two years (major fluid flush but no clutch or brake changes).
So far I really haven't had a serious problem with the service and the dealership is friendly and clean.
Issues:
It always takes at least one day for the service on the Esprit... Elise might be easier and quicker... check dealer
I'm around 210 lbs and 6 feet tall and had a hard time getting into the Elise. I'm sure once you get used to the car it gets easier. My wife liked the Esprit but not the Elise becuase of the size and issue of getting in and out. I would recommend driving an Elise because it is smaller than the T-bird and the "truck space is limiting.
I would buy an Elise tomorrow but would NOT give up my Esprit.
just my 2cents
JoeyO
2001 V8
So far I really haven't had a serious problem with the service and the dealership is friendly and clean.
Issues:
It always takes at least one day for the service on the Esprit... Elise might be easier and quicker... check dealer
I'm around 210 lbs and 6 feet tall and had a hard time getting into the Elise. I'm sure once you get used to the car it gets easier. My wife liked the Esprit but not the Elise becuase of the size and issue of getting in and out. I would recommend driving an Elise because it is smaller than the T-bird and the "truck space is limiting.
I would buy an Elise tomorrow but would NOT give up my Esprit.
just my 2cents
JoeyO
2001 V8
Thank you both very much for your valuable input and from what I read you are both correct. I checked with a dealer and decided not to pursue it because if the cockpit is smaller than a T Bird then we can't use it and we're both senior citizens and have back issues so must have soft, adjustable, comfortable seats. Cruise control is another must have and I didn't see any reference to it, yea or nay. Didn't realize the trunk space was so small because we take a lot of things with us when we travel.
I have a 06 Honda Civic LX sedan 140 HP and absolutely love it and wifey has a big, comfy luxury car. I'm excited about the new 197 HP Civic Si Coupe that should be out around Christmas and umpteen reviews I read all say it is confortable, fun to drive and really rocks. Old geezer like me, 190 HP will probably give me all the thrills I need. Honda engine will crank out the same HP as the Lotus but probably tuned different. Nice thing is the LX comes with all the bells and whistles as standard equipment, ABS brakes, side air bag curtains, etc, and I was surprised Honda stepped up to the plate and put 16" GoodYear Eagle tires on it for $17,850. which includes $500. shipping. Si nicely equipped with auto tranny should run around $23K much easier to swallow that $45K for my Lotus dream car. http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/f
>> Edited by Huney on Friday 4th November 11:13
>> Edited by Huney on Friday 4th November 11:17
I have a 06 Honda Civic LX sedan 140 HP and absolutely love it and wifey has a big, comfy luxury car. I'm excited about the new 197 HP Civic Si Coupe that should be out around Christmas and umpteen reviews I read all say it is confortable, fun to drive and really rocks. Old geezer like me, 190 HP will probably give me all the thrills I need. Honda engine will crank out the same HP as the Lotus but probably tuned different. Nice thing is the LX comes with all the bells and whistles as standard equipment, ABS brakes, side air bag curtains, etc, and I was surprised Honda stepped up to the plate and put 16" GoodYear Eagle tires on it for $17,850. which includes $500. shipping. Si nicely equipped with auto tranny should run around $23K much easier to swallow that $45K for my Lotus dream car. http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/f
>> Edited by Huney on Friday 4th November 11:13
>> Edited by Huney on Friday 4th November 11:17
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