The Need - The Need for Speed

[LastnightNParis]

Hello from rural Wilmington No Carolina. Been here as a transplant from Lynn and Swampscott Ma about 12 years ago. Border to tears and as I just turned
58 two things interest me. First would be a night with Paris Hilton- well we can forget that. Second would be one last sports car..So therefore I have been a student of Lotus University and I am going to buy a Exige I think. Problem is where to get it at a price and two where to have it worked on and so forth. The dealers know little or nothing. I asked what the difference really is and they say the price and a turbo. So its is off to Barnes and Noble and some back issues of Road and track. This site loks like a great place to interact a bit, ask some questions and learn a lot. Some of you guys make me laugh we stuff on radios. MP3. air conditioners etc. That stuff we be take off and boxed quickly. Hope you guys all drive hard and drive safely.

[Flap_Dragon]

Hey Paris,

The need for speed is a video game; played best with steering wheel controller and racing seat environment. This is safe sex for the 'would-be' racer, not the public roads.

I just got back from Vegas, where I visted my dealer Norm Baker. They had several Elises on the lot starting (used) at 32K. This is a place were you can easily score a Lotus and a night with a movie star! Two birds with one stone!

Cheers,
Anthony

[LastnightNParis]

Anthony. Thanks for taking the time to write. Sorry about mis spells etc in my posted thread. No spell check used. lol. i am in the reading and learning and deciding stage. Elise vs Elige..Neither one will have an re sale value so the question is what is the difference. I guess the key added feauture on the Elise is the track pack..that is a 2400 pkg and its standard on the Elige.
I am in rural NC and have not seen or driven either car. I will try and buy from a private party so as to avoid the dealer mark up. Any suggestios would be helpful. The damn thing reminds me so much of a Dino. But that was a six and much larger. again thanks for the note.....Mike W

[Flap_Dragon]

Hey Mike,

The Dino six is not really "much larger." By modern, efficientcy standards the two cars are more similar than different. Especially in layout and looks.

From Motortrend website, "The now 2.4-liter quad-cam V-6 delivered 195 horsepower and 148 mph, but the Dino wasn't about numbers. The voluptuous styling, a series of visual contradictions at once delicate and powerful (just look at the recessed vertical rear window with its flying buttresses, sloping roofline), still sets my heart racing."

Mine too since I bought a red Elise one!

What... so a modern four produces 180 or so? The Elise is easily a 150 mph car just like the little Ferrari. And the Elise is a lot lighter. I would bet the 'go-kart' Elise is just as much a car as the Dino.

I would love to see a road and track comparison. The Elise v. the Dino. I just got an Italian sticker for my cockpit window driver. But I would bet the English do it too.

Anthony

[LastnightNParis]

I finally got to see my first Elise in person. I was surprised and very disappointed. The dealer here in town got in a black Elise, 05, with 1800 miles on it. Car looked like it hard been stored in a barn or something, uncovered.
The body work had no contract between the black color and black plastic trim and even the brake rotors were all rusty. I was told the car would not start because the carrier tore up the clutch when unloading the car. The car ismuch smaller than I expected and the word Lotus on the back of the car looked like tin foil and was peeling already. That being said years ago the Elan didnt look like much but was an excellent track car. The seats on the car showed a lot of wear ( 1800 miles?) and the exhaust showed rust. The dealer had no idea what the car had for options etc. He started to show me the radio speakers etc and I told him I was deaf. I would not buy the car without the tract pac option and this salesmen didnt know anything at all.
Its not like you can all Lotus and ask for a brouchure. That being said I am determined to buy one. Question now becomes price and value and whether to get an Elose or the Exige. In terms of re sale value once you buy it you own it so it needs to be bought right in terms of price.
Two questions my friend. When is the first maje service and how extensive is that? ( In my Testarossa it was at 12 k and cost 8500 when done properly at the dealer. Question 2 is can any qualified Toyota mechanic work on this motor? well the search continues- right car- right color- right price.
Drive hard- Drive Safely....Michael

[Flap_Dragon]

Hello Michael,

Don't let a rough used shy you away from a 'baby Ferrari.' Testiment, that the Elise is a car to be driven, not stored. My dealer said rack her out once in a while; if you drive her concervative (city traffic and lights) she will not run right. To me, characteristics of a true exotic!

That's the thing, according to my dealer; my car with 10K or so miles only needs an oil change ever 5000-7500 miles. That's it! This car is as cheap to maintain as a grocery getter Toyota. That does not mean I'll bring mine to Toyota for service; even though I'm sure they could do it. To buy Lotus is to buy a real value supercar. Due to the nature of being handmade, it is best suited in the hands of professional.

Keep in mind the Exige is a new introduction; the Elise has been out there for two model years. If one 'knows' what one is looking for, one should be easily able to score a used sports in the low 30sK! Just look for a car successfully broken in and running though! Be aware of rock chips. A car with Starshield or Ultra shield custom can prevent a lot of wear!

The Exige on the other hand is new. Don't expect to 'steal' one yet. However, if one is looking for maximum performance; it might be an opportune market a coupla years from now for a used 'supercar' Exige.

Happy hunting!

Cheers,
Anthony

[LastnightNParis]

Hey thanks for the note.If you take an Elise and add the sports pack and tires and suspension and the right wheels you are at the price of an Exige. Every used ELise I look for has no equip options or the wrong stuff. I care zero about an upgraded stereo or MP3 player. Plus the dealers dont want to deal and the private sellers are asking dealers
prices. I have anthor question--how big or small are you. I am 6ft and 240 and I have a business assoc who is 6 / 4inch and 220 and he says he fits fine
( I think he had the seat put back) How small is the cockpit? Any idea where I can get a Lotus at a price. I have four close friends waiting to see me get one and if it as described they will all buy a Lotus so we can have some weekend fun at a local track. It is nice of you to stay in touch. I have a client in the UK getting me a book and some Lotus stuff from a dealer over there. Problem here is I am bored to tears and want last sports car. I am almost 60 so its now or never. I rode with an Outlaw Motorcycle club until a year agO- stepped dpwn cause of age. I need some legal excitement.
Mike

[villaroel]

One thing to look for or ask for is the ECU dump. This will give you an idea how the car was driven. Lotus will void warranty on certain components if there were any standing starts or anything over 8500 rpm.
Exige only comes with a hardtop and Lotus does not recommend removing the hardtop for open air driving. But doesn't stop you from modifying and buying a soft top. Exige also has some poor visibility from the rear view mirror.
If you search you'll find another forum where they have info on what to look for when buying used Elises. Some members of the forum are also sales agents that can give you good deals and will ship the car to you.
I am not quite sure if they still have the deal where if you buy a new Elise or Exige you get a free trip to Las Vegas for some driving experience.

[LastnightNParis]

thanks for taking the time to write. interesting about the ECU dump. I know if I run the Vin Numbers I can get body work and mechanical history of the cars.I have found a few web sites that list Lotus for sale and Ebay of course.
Thei prices are too high..the dealers are trying to make too much and hold the line and the private sellers are trying to get same price as the dealers
A local BMW dealer bought a Elise for re sale..2005..1800 miles and they want 39.9 for the car. they blew the clutch unloading it from the tranporter if you can believe that..They have no idea what the car has for equip or options..car llks like it has been in a barn for two years..if you take an Elise and equip it with sport track, wheels, supsension mods, etc your adding on 10 K and may as well get the Elige. My opinion is both have no re sale value and will not keep the value they have..if GM buys Lotus they will destroy the brand. Not sure what to do here..Re Las vegas etc..client pays in the end for that..gives up discount etc and I used to have an International race liscense
and did the Skip Barber thing. Not sure what to do here but thanks for your
help