A&Q about Lotus
Q:
I have fallen for the new sport elise (yellow with titanium stripes), but in a market where low milage, well-optioned '05s and '06's are going for mid 30's to low 40's, am I nuts to pay $3,500 under sticker (about $53K) for a sport elise?
They tell me it is limited production, but the dealer was uncertain what the number might be (not that I'm convinced that really makes a difference). They have every sport option, and perhaps the special parts are worth the increased price over a std elise, but I'm curious to hear the thoughts of those on the forum - is the sport elise worth the premium?
thanks!
tim
A:
limited only to 50 cars
A:
I'd rather pay a little more on top of that and get the Exige S.
A:
Hard for anyone to say without knowing what you value most and how you will drive the car and what modifications you would make to a standard Elise. For me, I would either buy a new Exige S or a good used Elise/Exige and add either the FF 275 turbo kit or the Tripoint SC.
In 40 years, the Sport Elise will probably command a higher price due to its limited production run and the fact that it was produced by Lotus Motorsports. In fact, I'm a little surprised that there are any left and even more surprised that they are dealing that heavily on it. That doesn't bode well for the short-term higher resale value.
A:
If you love it then you should grab it. If you want to mod or track it then consider something else. This one you want to keep near stock if you want to keep it's value up. There will only be 50 of these. There might be another special edition 2007, but no word from Lotus on that. They can't sell existing cars they have if they keep telling us what will be out in a few months. The Oregon dealer sold their Sport Elise before I even heard about it. If a dealer has one of these they want top dollar for it. You can mod a car out to be similar, but it will never have the small factory touches that come stock on this one.
A:
Here is a 2007 Sport Elise delivered in this custom Green/Green combo. Maybe this is the 2007 version or maybe a one off?
A:
Originally Posted by timmp
I have fallen for the new sport elise (yellow with titanium stripes), but in a market where low milage, well-optioned '05s and '06's are going for mid 30's to low 40's, am I nuts to pay $3,500 under sticker (about $53K) for a sport elise?
They tell me it is limited production, but the dealer was uncertain what the number might be (not that I'm convinced that really makes a difference). They have every sport option, and perhaps the special parts are worth the increased price over a std elise, but I'm curious to hear the thoughts of those on the forum - is the sport elise worth the premium?
thanks!
tim
I just bought a Sport Elise (#46 of 50) about a month ago. Shortly thereafter, they seem to have disappeared from the market. Key upgrades include Ohlins adjustable shocks, better springs, heavy duty clutch, stainless steel brake lines, racing brake fluid and unique interior touches and badging. This is the Top Dog Elise, bridging the gap between the Track Pack equipped model and the Exige.
I chose the Elise because the view out the back of the Exige is non-existent..... way too poor for me to drive comfortably on the street. Also my son, who was following me on the test drive, said the wing was shaking all over the place. Also the top is not removable as in the Elise.
I have owned Vette's, and numerous other cars, but I have never seen anything like the reaction to this car. One guy followed me off the highway to a gas station so he could see and talk about the car. Every body takes pictures with cell phones.
Personally, I have never experienced a car quite like it. Handling defies description. Drive it for a while and everything else seems like a tank. The adjustable Ohlins allow the car to be very comfortable on the street, or stupid stiff for the track.
Both the Elise and Exige are beautiful looking cars with basically the same drive train. It's a personal choice dependent on how you plan to use it.
For me, the Sport was well worth the extra money. It has a unique identifying plate riveted to the passenger side chassis side rail indicating it was built by Lotus Sport and showing the car's build number.
Good luck!
A:
Tell them if its so special and limited why haven't they already sold it? You can do better than $3,500 off sticker.
A:
Park Place has one.