:) :) Lotus Elise :) :)
 

Went for a few short drives in this Lotus Elise (apologies for cheesy photo)..

Don't really know what to say.. God damn, that is a very, very impressive car. It's so fun to simply not have to worry about the weight of a car, at all while driving it through twisties. The suspension is very compliant, more than fine for road use, but excellent in corners too, with little roll and amazingly planted feel.

Amazing steering feel is a given, but the torquey (and quite quiet 1.8 118 bhp) engine surprised me.. I guess a factor of light weight (figures vary, but apparently 770Kg kerb).

Naturally, felt fast in a line too, but not as quick as it might for something that does 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.

It's a huge shame you don't get these in America - it is something seriously missing from your motor car repertoire. If you haven't driven something like this (surely some of you have?), you will be changed after experiencing something so.. pure. These are very well engineered and set up, and pretty reliable compared to Lotus' of old, too, and the interior is very nice, with good quality all around.. I was quite surprised by the non kit-car feel of driving or passengering it.

Driving fun and beatiful handling took on another level after driving this.. suddenly, you'll find you no longer want that WRX/M3/E55 any more :rolleyes:

:p have fun

Russ

Nice enough..
 

...

P.S. Car-nerd prize given if anyone can identify the maroon car in the background

Thanks for the pic/write up Russ. I guess the safety czars don't want it over here. It probably drives like a high performance go cart. I showed it to my 9 year old and he knew exactly what it was. I asked him how he knew and he said "Because I know my cars". That's my boy:).

Nobody in North America other than me and a few other folks would even buy one. Everyone's too freaked out about being squished by an SUV to have any fun anymore...:(

It's become a game of "up-weight-manship.":rolleyes:

They are coming here in 2004 I believe. You can get them now in the states, but as a track car only. How do I know? My buddies dad has one. A sport 190, truly bare bones, truly a blast. His has plates on it and is insured too, don't know how that one got by :confused: Here's a pic of him at Road America wiht the Alpha Club of Chicago. Also, here is a link to a dealer here in Chicago with one for sale, identical to my friend's. http://www.foxvalleymotorcars.com/search/details.asp?id=DCIL5217.1/D0095A&storenumber=DCIL5217.1

All I can say is "I hate you Russ"!!!;)

Re: Nice enough..
 

is it a volkswagon of some sort? jetta maybe?(guessin by the wheels)

They're coming int he USA. My friend owns a Lotus dealership here in town and he has 2 of them, but raced out for track (which he races). I tried to sit in one. Needless to say I couldn't fit (well it was the track one with tiny ass bucket seats :P)

You can get them with a converted Honda Type R. Many writers that have reviewed the Elise refer it as the most fun car to drive ever. Count me in if they come to the US.

Is it an old Audi S4?

Second that, but I don't know if they ever made on in Maroon. Atleast not for this country.

Alex