A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Alright guys, as you can tell, I am new to the whole lotus community, but I have recently thought about getting an elise. Right now I do some autocrossing, and am really into road racing at a few local tracks, but my only problem is the car I am driving, 2006 Mustang GT.
So as you can tell that is not a car that is made to handle well, but I am very interested in purchasing a 2005-2006 elise.
So is it the 111R that is the 2005-2006 elise, or do they have different models? and my father and I were talking, and we were thinking about the 30-37K price range.
EDIT: oh yea, another question was that I am 6 feet tall, and very slim. Do you think that I would have too much of a problem in an elise
Thanks.
A:
You'll fit.
111R is the Federal Lotus Elise, 2005-2007, yeah.
Randy likes autocrossing the car...alot of people here race them.
As a street car, there is nothing like it in the world. Everyone stares.
It is a real deal sports car.
Go to your local dealer and test drive one. Have fun!
A:
Hey JT welcome to etalk
I'd lurk around for a while (I read e-talk every day for a year and a half before purchasing my elise) to get a good idea about owning an elise. The 2005-2006 models are pretty much the same (small differences such as seats, dbw, LED taillights). You can get a used 05 for that price range - check the for sale section, although after taxes, registration (dont forget higher insurance and maintenance prices) you might be hitting the mid/high 30s depending on the base price.
A mustang is a very different car, though. An elise has much higher limits, and not forgiving near those limits. I'd read up on driving midengined cars some to learn about the differences (not lifting, etc) since an inexperienced driver can end up in a curb, wall or off a cliff easily. You also have to have a motorcycle mentality on the road since no one can see you, and you're driving a fragile car that can easily be totalled from a small collision. If this is going to be your only car - there are LOTS of things to consider. Some people on e-talk daily drive their elise, but having it as your only car can cause problems.
I don't mean to be negative, this car is amazing. There is just a lot to consider switching from something like an 06 mustang.
I'm 6'1 and slim - no problems here. Go for a test drive or at least sit in one at a local dealer to get a good idea. Be sure to sit in an 05 if you're considering buying used - the seats and pedals are different.
A:
What city are you in? - It helps for new members to put their city near their name...
A:
Originally Posted by LARRY
What city are you in? - It helps for new members to put their city near their name...
Spartanburg/ Greenville
South Carolina
A:
Oh, and there is probably no way in the world that I could get a test drive. Because I am 16 they would probably just laugh at me. Even though my mustang is manual, and that I have been racing autos for many years.
A:
Let your father drive, you ride along. Or ride along with the salesman.
As def said, do your homework, read the threads on this website, especially under the "General" heading.
You'll figure out what's going on here after about a month!
A:
Originally Posted by JT_Moore06
Oh, and there is probably no way in the world that I could get a test drive. Because I am 16 they would probably just laugh at me. Even though my mustang is manual, and that I have been racing autos for many years.
Welcome to the board. Don't let that bother you. Go with your dad and check out the car. However, also look into insurance. At your age group it may be prohibitively high.
A:
Originally Posted by babak
Welcome to the board. Don't let that bother you. Go with your dad and check out the car. However, also look into insurance. At your age group it may be prohibitively high.
Yea, insurance for a 16 year old male for a 300BHP car isn't exactly great.
A:
Originally Posted by JT_Moore06
Oh, and there is probably no way in the world that I could get a test drive. Because I am 16 they would probably just laugh at me. Even though my mustang is manual, and that I have been racing autos for many years.
You probably wouldnt be going to the dealership by yourself anyways(unless you are using your own money?). Since your dad is going to be buying it, it might be a good idea to bring him along :P.
A:
Originally Posted by JT_Moore06
Yea, insurance for a 16 year old male for a 300BHP car isn't exactly great.
And perhaps even worse for a semi exotic.
A:
Originally Posted by rcw82
You probably wouldnt be going to the dealership by yourself anyways(unless you are using your own money?). Since your dad is going to be buying it, it might be a good idea to bring him along :P.
Yea, I would definetly go along with him to a dealership, but I would like to get a feel for the car, how it drives, etc...