Discussion
The forums seem to be getting a little heated, what with hueandcry's controversial and temporary move to Saab, as well as the battle between a Honda'd Elise and a SC'd VX220; What is faster round a track? So I put forward to you a more subdued thread of discussion ... What first made you want/knew you had to own a Lotus, or specifically, the car you drive now? 
I have always had a goal to own an Elise since 1997, which happened to be my first year of secondary school. A Norfolk Mustard Yellow S1 pulled up outside the school gates to collect a girl who was in my class ... Everyone crowded around in awe ... The design was so radical (Well it was to an 11 year old!) in comparison to the other euroboxes parked beside. Roof down n' all - It was then I promised myself I'd own one at some point in my life!
Sadly at that age it is frowned upon to drive in real life so I had to settle for a virtual alternative. Need For Speed 2 was an excellent driving simulation and it had a large range of cars to choose from, including the Esprit V8 and the Elise GT1. I know it's sad, but the internal shots of the car in-game are a perfect replica of the actual car ... I used to spend hours racing the GT1 on the computer looking at the rev counter and speedo - To now see the very same dials on my way to work is a little surreal
So ... err ... yeah! Over to you
I have always had a goal to own an Elise since 1997, which happened to be my first year of secondary school. A Norfolk Mustard Yellow S1 pulled up outside the school gates to collect a girl who was in my class ... Everyone crowded around in awe ... The design was so radical (Well it was to an 11 year old!) in comparison to the other euroboxes parked beside. Roof down n' all - It was then I promised myself I'd own one at some point in my life!
Sadly at that age it is frowned upon to drive in real life so I had to settle for a virtual alternative. Need For Speed 2 was an excellent driving simulation and it had a large range of cars to choose from, including the Esprit V8 and the Elise GT1. I know it's sad, but the internal shots of the car in-game are a perfect replica of the actual car ... I used to spend hours racing the GT1 on the computer looking at the rev counter and speedo - To now see the very same dials on my way to work is a little surreal
So ... err ... yeah! Over to you
Ever since I saw the S1 for the first time in 1996 I wanted one.A couple of years later I was at a motorsports event and got as few laps as co-pilot with a driver that knew his stuff.It was amazing 
Took me a lot of years to save up to get one ( since we have the world's highest tax on cars) ,but now it's finally mine
Took me a lot of years to save up to get one ( since we have the world's highest tax on cars) ,but now it's finally mine
I had never owned a car, only used motorbikes, couldn't get the point of a car at all.
Then one day I edged between the traffic and ended up at the front of the queue...where a S1 was beside me.
That was it. I had to get one. Sold the bike and bought a S1 within months, haven't looked back.
Funnily enough, the same raw aggression feelings the Elise gave me - the very reasons I took to bikes when 17 - have also shown themselves true when driving it. The Lotus drives like a motorcycle and needs to be driven as one - right down to realising other car drivers will not notice you at junctions or roundabouts.
Only thing I don't like so much is the name 'Elise'. Nice story behind it, but way too girly and soft for me. Luckily, everyone and their dog call these cars 'THE Lotus'. Phew!!
Then one day I edged between the traffic and ended up at the front of the queue...where a S1 was beside me.
That was it. I had to get one. Sold the bike and bought a S1 within months, haven't looked back.
Funnily enough, the same raw aggression feelings the Elise gave me - the very reasons I took to bikes when 17 - have also shown themselves true when driving it. The Lotus drives like a motorcycle and needs to be driven as one - right down to realising other car drivers will not notice you at junctions or roundabouts.
Only thing I don't like so much is the name 'Elise'. Nice story behind it, but way too girly and soft for me. Luckily, everyone and their dog call these cars 'THE Lotus'. Phew!!
Grew up with a photo of my father's old Lotus Elise hanging on my wall. This did it for me, and I've wanted a Lotus since I was 4. was determined I was going to have an Esprit (hence the nickname, which I've had on the internet since the mid-late 1990s), but was very interested in the Elise when it came out. Never realistically thought of owning one until just before I got mine. Weighed up what mattered to me and found that in fact the Elise suited me as a car far better than the Esprit ever did. A month later and I had one in the garage.... a tradition I've continued with the Exige.
I will never be without a Lotus in my garage from now until the day I die, that's the one non-negotiable thing in my life.
I will never be without a Lotus in my garage from now until the day I die, that's the one non-negotiable thing in my life.
When I was a kid I was obsessed by the Lotus F1 Team. Glory days of Andretti & Peterson in the 78, Elio D'Angelis, Senna & Mansell in the black and gold JPS's & knowing all the history & heritage of the team during the Clark & Hill years. I too also lusted after an Esprit throughout my teenage years & still do.
The Elise encompasses all the Chapman ideals in a world where all sports car just seen to be dull, overweight, unimaginative lumps. I will never not have a Lotus in my garage.
The Elise encompasses all the Chapman ideals in a world where all sports car just seen to be dull, overweight, unimaginative lumps. I will never not have a Lotus in my garage.
My girlfriend had suggested we get an Elise 2 years ago. At first i dissmissed the idea as i wanted/needed something that was capable of doing 25k a year without any compromises but then thought id give it ago. It was probably the best decision i have ever made when it comes to buying a car. We owned it for 18 months & covered almost 30k & enjoyed almost every moment of ownership.
I read the first drive review in Car, back in 1996 and was seriously impressed with all the positive reviews about it. I never really got the chance from there until on Sunday, after a particularly heavy night out, a friend of a friend who was staying with us pulled up in his Purple S2. I had a good look around it and he offered to take me out in it. So, off we went, but he drove like a granny, putting it down to the hangover from hell. I was pleased, but not all that impressed, although I did like the styling and the fact that it was something different to my then Mk1 MR2.
But we drove back to my friends house and as we were getting out, the sun came out. He took the roof off and threw me the keys and said "just be careful of the brakes. No servo".......and went inside. I went in after him and said "Are you coming"? He said "No, my head is spinning. Just have fun.....".......
I was gobsmacked! But fair enough, thought I would give it a go..............
And from that moment on, I was utterly, totally hooked! It was like nothing I had EVER driven before. Nothing.
I stayed out for three hours!!!!!
I got back and vowed to myself and my then girfriend that I would have to have one. This was back in 2000-2001.
A few years went by and I still couldn't afford one. Then, the girlfriend of 9 years decided she wanted out and left me. I was utterly, utterly torn to pieces. My life was turned upside down. I had to sell the house. I had to move. I lost a lot of friends and became very depressed. But, I ended up with a bit of money in my pocket at least, so I thought "F**k it, if I sell the Roadster and use this money, see what I can get"......
Within four months I had purchased an Atlantis Blue Pearl S1 in 111S trim with the standard engine and was utterly, utterly in love with it. Its now the car that num2uk on here owns. Hope he is still enjoying it! By some of the posts, he is! A lot!
Must be all the money I spent on it........... ;-)
I miss it so bad. So bad...............
Ahhhhh......one day, another will be mine........
But we drove back to my friends house and as we were getting out, the sun came out. He took the roof off and threw me the keys and said "just be careful of the brakes. No servo".......and went inside. I went in after him and said "Are you coming"? He said "No, my head is spinning. Just have fun.....".......
I was gobsmacked! But fair enough, thought I would give it a go..............
And from that moment on, I was utterly, totally hooked! It was like nothing I had EVER driven before. Nothing.
I stayed out for three hours!!!!!
I got back and vowed to myself and my then girfriend that I would have to have one. This was back in 2000-2001.
A few years went by and I still couldn't afford one. Then, the girlfriend of 9 years decided she wanted out and left me. I was utterly, utterly torn to pieces. My life was turned upside down. I had to sell the house. I had to move. I lost a lot of friends and became very depressed. But, I ended up with a bit of money in my pocket at least, so I thought "F**k it, if I sell the Roadster and use this money, see what I can get"......
Within four months I had purchased an Atlantis Blue Pearl S1 in 111S trim with the standard engine and was utterly, utterly in love with it. Its now the car that num2uk on here owns. Hope he is still enjoying it! By some of the posts, he is! A lot!
Must be all the money I spent on it........... ;-)
I miss it so bad. So bad...............
Ahhhhh......one day, another will be mine........
After a string of so called "sports" cars that were more GT's or just big engined saloons I thought "sod it" and opted for two cars, one for fun and one for work and family. Since then the work and family car has become a work car for the wife and I now have an Exige as my main car. Not an issue 95% of the time except for days like tomorrow when I shall take the train to Birmingham tomorrow as I don't fancy 7 hours in a car in one hit.
When I was about 9 I was playing Outrun on an arcade machine and was driving the Elan. I am rubbish are computer games but I was caning this one in the Elan, bombing it past the palm trees (well, fake ones). And I loved the car. So I always said I would buy a Lotus when I could. I saved up for a while and got her.
I bought my first one as i thought it would score me more sex.
...unfortunately, that didn't work as everyone thought i was a complete dick... it always amazes me how people can accurately judge your character when they can't even see you hidden down behind the wheel of a sportscar.
i bought a saab convertible and everyone wanted me... boys as well as girls.
...unfortunately, that didn't work as everyone thought i was a complete dick... it always amazes me how people can accurately judge your character when they can't even see you hidden down behind the wheel of a sportscar.
i bought a saab convertible and everyone wanted me... boys as well as girls.
The Bumblebee said:
When I was about 9 I was playing Outrun on an arcade machine and was driving the Elan. I am rubbish are computer games but I was caning this one in the Elan, bombing it past the palm trees (well, fake ones). And I loved the car. So I always said I would buy a Lotus when I could. I saved up for a while and got her.
That was a convertible testarossa wasn't it ? You need to keep on saving for a while 
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