Big car/small car
Discussion
Having nothing better to do midday today and having read about the launch of Toyota engined Lotus Elise in USA/UK I happened past the local Lotus dealer today to kick tyres and find out more. Without even being asked they offered me a drive (alone) on the spot and that's not an opportunity to miss on a sunny spring day! Holey moley that is a FAST car! Real licence loser! 6 speed box completely unnecessary but lifted straight from the Celica together with the engine. Can be driven moderately sensibly at low speeds but always wants to go quicker. Hence a quick stop to remove shoes and really drive a car that rewards sensitivity. At 6,500 rpm the engine comes on song (variable cam I guess) and the car just flies with gear changes keeping you in the 6,500 to 8,500 action zone. Fairly sensible ride/suspension set up and - wait for this - steering with feel! (unknown to c5 owners).
Having said that a 20 minute drive was quite enough and getting back in the Vette brought home what a fantastic car the C5 is, particularly the engine with real power available anywhere any time.
So set the cruise, turn down the A/C, turn up the stereo and enjoy that Vette.
Having said that a 20 minute drive was quite enough and getting back in the Vette brought home what a fantastic car the C5 is, particularly the engine with real power available anywhere any time.
So set the cruise, turn down the A/C, turn up the stereo and enjoy that Vette.
Ah, I'm with you on that one. I test drove an Elise S2 135 a year or so ago and though it's tactile, I wasn't overly impressed at all and spent most of the drive telling the salesman about my Camaro. There's no doubt that whilst these shoddily built Lotuses are great little tools, they're not proper cars. A mate has a VX Turbo which is great to drive, loads of power and guts but I was quite happy to hand it back and never lusted after it at all.
I think that Elise 111R would be a much better car and I'd like to have a go but would never really consider buying one even though they look fantastic in red.
I think that Elise 111R would be a much better car and I'd like to have a go but would never really consider buying one even though they look fantastic in red.
Have you looked at bthe price of the latest Elise !
These cars are great fun and as with all Lotus cars they are engineered to the 99th degree, ie; if you are on the limit and you take just a little bit too far you will go off the road backwards, no question. The suspension is a conpromise. The nicest one to drive and use is the least powerful option.
These cars are great fun and as with all Lotus cars they are engineered to the 99th degree, ie; if you are on the limit and you take just a little bit too far you will go off the road backwards, no question. The suspension is a conpromise. The nicest one to drive and use is the least powerful option.
Glad to hear the Elise great!! I might be tempted to trade my Esprit in then... My old man owns four Vettes (1957, 1959, both w/ dual quads, 01 Coupe, 04 Z06), routinely lets me drive both of the newer ones, great cars! Acceleration is AMAZING on the Z06, much better suspension than the standard model too, handles well! Right about the steering though, lack of feel makes it seem like the car's missing something. By the way, I can't speak for the Elise yet but my Lotus is in fact a proper car, reliability and build quality tend to surprise most people familiar with British cars. After driving it though you wind up loving it enough not to care if random bits of the interior fall off and you become man enough to stomach a harsher ride than a normal car (or Vette). I agree Lotuses are not for everyone. I think the Elise will be right for me though! 
Dan
Dan
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff