A&Q about Lotus
Q:
Just curious, was thinking about Clyde today. I haven't tried to call him or touch base with him, shame on me.
Has anyone heard from Clyde? How's he doing?
For those who don't know Clyde, he's an ex employee of Lotus USA and part of the reason many of us own these cars.
A:
What about Arnie Johnson?
A:
I talked to Arnie for about an hour last week. He's in great spirits, presently rebuilding the cates-bundy GT1 Esprit for the historic races in Atl this weekend.
He's also enjoying driving around the YES roadster (featured in other threads). As he's working with the builders of the YES roadster to begin importation of these neat little cars.
He'll be at Road Atlanta this weekend.
A:
Nice to hear about Arnie, please give him our regards !
A:
Styling aside, the YES will potentiall kill the Elise with its better power to weight ratio, especially the turbocharged one. 355 hp and 2200 pounds, look out.
I think that in a few years the Elise will have a lot of competition in the form of the YES, the Audi light weight sports car, the new Z2 (2000 pounds and 270 hp) and some indirect competition from the SKY/Solstace/Boxter/Caymen and the 350 Benz, the new Supra, 350+ hp and 3200 pounds for 30K etc. Some future product plans for the Exige and its price point will be approaching the GT-R, which in my opinion is silly.
Remember when the Lotus was supposed to be the sub 40K car? In some cases it is approaching 55-60K, and the a GENERAL public, I think that is a poor business model. But heck, time and resale values will tell.
Lotus better plan something new in the next few years, because they will get pushed out of the market, mark my words.
A:
Originally Posted by mikester
Nice to hear about Arnie, please give him our regards !
Ditto on Arnie. He saved my butt one year at LOG with a Sunday am trip to the parts warehouse. Won't find another CEO of a car company willing to do that.
A:
Originally Posted by Mean TT
Styling aside, the YES will potentiall kill the Elise with its better power to weight ratio, especially the turbocharged one. 355 hp and 2200 pounds, look out.
I think that in a few years the Elise will have a lot of competition in the form of the YES, the Audi light weight sports car, the new Z2 (2000 pounds and 270 hp) and some indirect competition from the SKY/Solstace/Boxter/Caymen and the 350 Benz, the new Supra, 350+ hp and 3200 pounds for 30K etc. Some future product plans for the Exige and its price point will be approaching the GT-R, which in my opinion is silly.
Remember when the Lotus was supposed to be the sub 40K car? In some cases it is approaching 55-60K, and the a GENERAL public, I think that is a poor business model. But heck, time and resale values will tell.
Lotus better plan something new in the next few years, because they will get pushed out of the market, mark my words.
The Yes cars START at $72,000, so yeah I think Lotus has something new planned in the next few years to compete, it is called the Esprit !
A:
Originally Posted by delise
The Yes cars START at $72,000, so yeah I think Lotus has something new planned in the next few years to compete, it is called the Esprit !
Think it's liable to hit the US market at less than that, also they're not planning on bringing a boatload over either, this is a tiny company.
A:
Clyde is at UGA studying for an MBA I believe.
A:
Chris, what do you think of the YES rig ? Petty wild huh ? pretty cool car . do you think it will be a hit ?
A:
Chris, I am glad you are coming to the event this weekend.. I see you driving your Elise all the time. so glad you do. that is one cool car.
the weather man is calling for crisp cool air on Saturday... just what 400 horses needs on a Saturday morning..
I love the smell of 103 octane in the morning...smells like victory.
Its time to paste some Porsche butt... we have 5 Esprit's in Group 10. there will be 15 or so Porsche's.. we need to wax them.
A:
Originally Posted by Brian Skeoch
Chris, what do you think of the YES rig ? Petty wild huh ? pretty cool car . do you think it will be a hit ?
I'm going to come up and test drive it in a few weeks. I think it's a winner car, and in small quantities and if priced right, think they'll sell really well. It's an outstanding package. Don't know target sales but expect they'd easily sell 100 or 200 a year. It won't be like the Noble or Atom, they'll come in completely built, certified legal for the road, with a warranty and MSO. Use of the audi powertrain is really smart too.
A:
Originally Posted by Brian Skeoch
Chris, I am glad you are coming to the event this weekend.. I see you driving your Elise all the time. so glad you do. that is one cool car.
the weather man is calling for crisp cool air on Saturday... just what 400 horses needs on a Saturday morning..
I love the smell of 103 octane in the morning...smells like victory.
Its time to paste some Porsche butt... we have 5 Esprit's in Group 10. there will be 15 or so Porsche's.. we need to wax them.
Brian,
must be another elise, I'm down in Columbus. Don't think I'll be able to make the races this year, wish I could but silver bullet's coming into town with either his elise or his R1, either way, hope to head to N. Carolina mtns.
Get some good pics of all the racing esprits. 07 will be the year I can finally start participating in Lotus Southeast events again. Several years ago we had a LLSE event down at callaway gardens, just a lunch and drive, had a good turnout, including Mimi Monett, a super lady (David's widow)
A:
Originally Posted by zvezdah1
Think it's liable to hit the US market at less than that, also they're not planning on bringing a boatload over either, this is a tiny company.
One would hope but with the extra safety and pollution gear and the crash testing combined with the fact that the Euro is stronger than the dollar usually means cool European cars that are affordable in Europe are often quite a bit more expensive over here
A:
the elise is actually cheaper here than in UK. Plus combine with the fact they'll be building significantly more cars with the US market, unit cost should drop.
A:
Originally Posted by zvezdah1
the elise is actually cheaper here than in UK. Plus combine with the fact they'll be building significantly more cars with the US market, unit cost should drop.
Hmmm I see stock touring 2006 Elises are at about 27,995 Pounds in the UK ?
My 2005 touring retailed at $47,995.00
Could be wrong , but usually European cars are cheaper in Europe from my experience because of the strict US safety, and pollution and crash test costs factored with the weaker dollar.
Actually am seeing some adds for 20,000 pounds but could be the S maybe
A:
Originally Posted by delise
The Yes cars START at $72,000, so yeah I think Lotus has something new planned in the next few years to compete, it is called the Esprit !
I think you get my point though. There will be a lot of closely prices faster cars with similiar concepts in the near future. Lotus will need something new, and the Esprit is going to be 90K.
For the under 40K category which is where the Elise started there will be a lot of cars that will be as fast or faster.
For the 50-65 category there will be a lot to choose from.
The elise will have a few things going for it, its exclusivity and its styling, but that won't be enough in the next few years.
That's all I am saying. I hope everything works out the best, but an updated Street legal product line needs to be part of the package. The Elise sales are slipping badly. Kinda sad actually
A:
Originally Posted by delise
Hmmm I see stock touring 2006 Elises are at about 27,995 Pounds in the UK ?
My 2005 touring retailed at $47,995.00
Could be wrong , but usually European cars are cheaper in Europe from my experience because of the strict US safety, and pollution and crash test costs factored with the weaker dollar.
Actually am seeing some adds for 20,000 pounds but could be the S maybe
Don't forget about the 17.5% VAT. Or whatever the hell it is. Those crazy Europeans and their taxes.....Ugg....
A:
Originally Posted by delise
Hmmm I see stock touring 2006 Elises are at about 27,995 Pounds in the UK ?
My 2005 touring retailed at $47,995.00
Could be wrong , but usually European cars are cheaper in Europe from my experience because of the strict US safety, and pollution and crash test costs factored with the weaker dollar.
Actually am seeing some adds for 20,000 pounds but could be the S maybe
27995 ukpounds is around $52,800 us. And we don't know what the car options out at, but assuming that's base sticker price of a uk car, base sticker price of the us elise is $42,990, so vat or no vat it's still far cheaper in the US than UK.
A:
ahh. you muct be Chris Smth ?
Brian