Interesting take on the forthcoming Lotus Elise

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Thought that you'd get a laugh out of this perspective: http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosconsum ... 128748.htm

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 11:53 am

That is why they shouldn't let normal people drive real sportscars.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Quote:

It will not disappoint its audience — “newly divorced men who are looking for a new wife,” according to Lotus President and CEO Arnie Johnson.

So anybody in the club fit that profile? I'd like to get a fun run in one of these sometime. Anyone?

Quote:

If I had the extra cash for an automotive toy, I’d probably end up with a Mazda Miata because I’d get two cupholders and a rear defroster, and pay less than $23,000.

And I'm sure that will also be way too much car for this precious little lady...

Phil Wehman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 12:46 pm

Rob Keehner wrote:

That is why they shouldn't let normal people drive real sportscars.

No kidding! I've wanted one of these since they debuted a few years ago - I think it's the only production car on the road that has the driving characteristics of a Lotus 7 (with slightly more comfort). Several people on the 7's mailing list are selling their 7's to get one. But they know what they are getting. There will be several "slightly used" Elises available within the year when the "image" crowd realizes it is still a fairly brutal car to live with!

I was in Brussels on Monday and saw one on the road (early model with the round headlights that I like). Absolutely fantastic!

AndersGreen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:14 pm

Quote:

The removable black canvas soft-top ....is a prescription for disaster for those of us with acrylic nails.

Lady, this is not the car for you.

Quote:

If I had the extra cash for an automotive toy, I’d probably end up with a Mazda Miata because I’d get two cupholders and a rear defroster, and pay less than $23,000.

If you have time to drink coffee while driving this car, this is not the car for you. If your passenger can *hold* a cup of coffee without spilling it, this is not the car for you.

Quote:

Plus I’d have a wider network of dealers. I know that attitude will anger Lotus aficionados, who undoubtedly will complain that I just don’t get it.

Despite my complaints, I have to admit it was fun to spend an afternoon basking in the reflected glory of an outrageous performer like the Elise.

Uh yeah, if by "basking in the reflected glory" you mean completely overshooting the corner:

Very sad.

Anders

ps: weird chicane! why bother?

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:31 pm

I've got one on order, but I'm far enough down "the list" that I'm still uncertain if I'll get a 2005 or not. I'm also uncertain if I'll take it since they are still waffling on whether or not they will offer a Limited Slip Differential. Guys putting orders in now have no option to get one, but word is that they *hope* to offer one before the model year is out, which would be good.

Also no word on SCCA classing yet. The SCCA wants to wait until they actually hit the ground for final statistics before classing it. I'm hoping AS, I'm guessing SS, and there's a chance it'll go ASP which would suck.

--Donnie

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:42 pm

Quote:

I know that attitude will anger Lotus aficionados, who undoubtedly will complain that I just don’t get it.

I think that was her trying to say in a nice way that "she actually really doesn't get it". Which I think was painfully obvious. This is the quote that did it for me...

Quote:

Once inside, I seemed to fit in the driver’s seat perfectly. And with the seat forward, there was plenty of room behind it to stow my purse.

Was she trying to be campy and reinforce 1950's female stereotypes on purpose? Why didn't she mention that the pedals were easy to operate with high heel shoes?

Tom Hoppe · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:16 am **Posts:** 387

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I've got one on order
--Donnie

Damn you donnie :lol:

-Tom

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:56 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

Quote:

It will not disappoint its audience — “newly divorced men who are looking for a new wife,” according to Lotus President and CEO Arnie Johnson.

So anybody in the club fit that profile? I'd like to get a fun run in one of these sometime. Anyone?

Let me tell you about Lotii and Divorce

My wife, Kelly, bought her Lotus Europa new just before getting a divorce.

We started dating at a Lotus Club Christmas party just after I got divorced and bought a used Europa a few years later. One of her "dating criteria" was Lotus ownership.

We are still married (to each other

) even though I sold my Lotus and hers is in need of "repair" after a BIG tree fell on it.

If I spent a lot of money on an Elise at this point I'm sure Kelly would divorce me . . . unless it was her idea . . . which isn't likely unless I get a really good job!

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:06 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

Quote:

Once inside, I seemed to fit in the driver’s seat perfectly. And with the seat forward, there was plenty of room behind it to stow my purse.

Hey, that's important. Kelly could fit her purse (on those rare days when she used one in those days) behind her Europa's seat.

She still loves to tell the story of how the male sales people wouldn't pay any attention to her desire for a test drive but a woman did . . . and sold the car . . . to a shy (then) librarian. She also test drove a Pantera and a Jensen Healy. Kelly previously bought a Javelin in Big Bad Orange and later owned a couple of Sunbeam Tigers. She is a little more conservative now . . . drives a Laser Red Mustang GT automatic and tries not to drag race too many kids from stop lights.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 9:28 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

Once inside, I seemed to fit in the driver’s seat perfectly. And with the seat forward, there was plenty of room behind it to stow my purse.

Hey, that's important. Kelly could fit her purse (on those rare days when she used one in those days) behind her Europa's seat.

I understand.

It just came across like that was the ONLY important thing. :wink:

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 1:02 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

DickRasmussen wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

Once inside, I seemed to fit in the driver’s seat perfectly. And with the seat forward, there was plenty of room behind it to stow my purse.

Hey, that's important. Kelly could fit her purse (on those rare days when she used one in those days) behind her Europa's seat.

I understand.

It just came across like that was the ONLY important thing. :wink:

Richard,

I didn't mean to "pick on you" . . . in fact I agree with your assessment of the writer's priorities. I was replying as an excuse to brag about my wife's car choices over the years. She has owned more high performance real sports/sporty cars than I have.

Dale Schendel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 9:23 pm

What I want to know is why do people like her get jobs test driving fast and exotic cars when they care so much for an SUV?

THSCC Forums

Interesting take on the forthcoming Lotus Elise

Who is online