A&Q about Lotus
Q:
After driving my Elise daily for a solid 4 weeks, the time came to drop it off for its 1k mile service. As I drove my commute in my neglected Prius for the first time in weeks, I couldn't stop thinking how alien it felt.
As I gently modulated my neglected Prius' electronic throttle to maximize mileage, I couldn't stop thinking how alien the CVT-smoothness felt, how far off the ground I was (I felt like I was driving a Hummer), and how clearly I could hear NPR.
It occured to me that perhaps the Prius is the diametric opposite of the Elise. Consider:
1. Electronic, fly-by-wire steering and throttle
2. Two (2!) glove compartments
3. Eerie, smooth quiet acceleration... no vibration at all.
4. Rattles nowhere to be found.
Add to that an instrument cluster I can actually see (as opposed to being hidden behind a wheel), and... cupholders!
On the other hand, driving it is so boring that I was in danger of falling asleep.
Deep down, though, I don't think they're opposites, just radically different expressions of excellent engineering, so...
What is the opposite of an Elise? Or any lotus for that matter?
A:
The Prius has fly-by-wire steering? Meaning no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels? I didn't know any production cars had that, or that it was even legal.
A:
Haha, this car fells like a tractor to me after spending a few days in the Elise. I can never be comfortable with a Porsche steering wheel again.
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my most hated, disgusting, repulisive vehicle on the face of the earth. The hummer; it doesn't even deserve to be capitalized.
A:
Originally Posted by Doug H
Haha, this car fells like a tractor to me after spending a few days in the Elise. I can never be comfortable with a Porsche steering wheel again.
yeah, I went from a 997 to the Elise, and pretty much feel the same. I still like the 997 a whole lot though; I would really like the new GT3.
A:
Originally Posted by 05EliseNM
yeah, I went from a 997 to the Elise, and pretty much feel the same. I still like the 997 a whole lot though; I would really like the new GT3.
I am torn right now between a 997 GT3 and a 997TT. I have had a Turbo of some variation since my 1994 3.6 and it is a hard habbit to break. The rush of turbos never gets old. If I did not have the Elise, I would definitely get the GT3 and track it. I am just not sure which route to go right now.
A:
Originally Posted by Doug H
I am torn right now between a 997 GT3 and a 997TT. I have had a Turbo of some variation since my 1994 3.6 and it is a hard habbit to break. The rush of turbos never gets old. If I did not have the Elise, I would definitely get the GT3 and track it. I am just not sure which route to go right now.
GT3 GT3 GT3 GT3 GT3 GT3
Now make a tape and run it in a loop with GT3 being said over and over. Listen to this while sleeping. This should help you make the decision.
A:
My bad, I meant: "Electronic, fly-by-wire SHIFTING and throttle"
The (bad) twitchy electric-assist steering on a Prius is about as different as you can get from the (good) twitchy manual steering on the Elise.
Did I mention the ingress procedure differences:
Prius: open door, press button, drive.
Elise: unlock door via big button, open door, mobilize via small button, insert and turn key, press button, drive.
But, they both have buttons
A:
Originally Posted by JWA
The Prius has fly-by-wire steering? Meaning no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels? I didn't know any production cars had that, or that it was even legal.
IIRC, Production cars with "fly by wire" steering:
BMW 7-Series
350Z/G35
Please correct me if I misremembered, but if I didn't... Spooky no?
A:
Originally Posted by PhlypSide
IIRC, Production cars with "fly by wire" steering:
"Fly-by-wire" is a term derived from aviation which refers to a setup where there are no direct connections between the flight controls and the flight surfaces. This is used in situations where for some reason it is desirable to have the computers interpret the pilot's input and modify or add to it. For example, the F-117A Stealth used a fly-by-wire setup because it was optimized for stealth characteristics and not aerodynamic stability, and therefore the computers needed to help keep the thing flying stable.
There's a big difference between electrical power steering and "fly-by-wire" steering. Fly-by-wire steering would mean that the steering wheel just turns a sensor and a computer then tells actuators to turn the wheels. There's no way that any production cars have that. That would be like fly-by-wire brakes. It will be a long time before we see that on a road car. The obvious issue is that if there is a failure the driver would have no way to control the vehicle, which would be a big problem. FBW gas is one thing, FBW sttering or braking quite another.
Electrical power steering is actually a lot more common than those two cars and is just a system where the power steering is run electrically instead of with a pump off of the engine. In most cases its amount of assist is then varied based on speed - though that can be done with the manual systems as well. Apparently it is also cheaper to build. The Acura NSX was the first mass-produced car to use it, and now most cars Hondas use it among many other manufacturers.
A:
Originally Posted by 05EliseNM
yeah, I went from a 997 to the Elise, and pretty much feel the same. I still like the 997 a whole lot though; I would really like the new GT3.
I have a similar problem with my '89 Carrera ... when I feel I need a physical work out I drive the Porsche around. Still, at high speed on typical So Cal roadways the Porsche feels much more stable and less tiring to drive than the Elise.
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having not read the thread, and just going from the title alone, i would say from my expereince, that this picture would depict the opposite of the Elise in my mind.
Enjoy!!!!
Fishguy
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Note to self: Stop by the Eye Bank to donate my corneas ASAP while there
is still a little functionality left. Thanks Fishguy.
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Oh the pain!
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Originally Posted by fishguyAZ
having not read the thread, and just going from the title alone, i would say from my expereince, that this picture would depict the opposite of the Elise in my mind.
Enjoy!!!!
Fishguy
JOSH!!!!! Moderators, can we do something about this, it just isn't right.
A:
Originally Posted by Doug H
I am torn right now between a 997 GT3 and a 997TT. I have had a Turbo of some variation since my 1994 3.6 and it is a hard habbit to break. The rush of turbos never gets old. If I did not have the Elise, I would definitely get the GT3 and track it. I am just not sure which route to go right now.
I owned a 996 GT3 and currently have a 996 TT (upgraded to 550 hp etc.) I liked them both...but do think the TT is a better all around car...off the track of course. I actually sold the Elise to get the Exige and changed my mind after driving the TT. I bet the 07 GT3 will be incredible.
A:
The Cadillac DTS loaner I had about scared the $hit out of me. A huge car that feels like it has marshmallows for suspension. I don't think there is much more of a polar opposite on the planet. I have never felt more out of control at sane speeds in my life. Of course you know I had that bad boy for a month!
A:
I would say every car that is NOT a Lotus Elise or Exige would be the complete opposite.
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Originally Posted by 05EliseNM
my most hated, disgusting, repulisive vehicle on the face of the earth. The hummer; it doesn't even deserve to be capitalized.
H1 is an awesome vehicle, H2 and H3 i'd have to agree with you. You can't really compare a Hummer to a Lotus. They both have purposes.
A:
Originally Posted by P90Puma
H1 is an awesome vehicle, H2 and H3 i'd have to agree with you. You can't really compare a Hummer to a Lotus. They both have purposes.
Exactly - they're both extreme, pinnacles in their respective fields.
Right now, I'm thinking along the lines of Sienna, or Aries K, or Pontiac 6000.