My first Elise sighting...

[Sherlock]

I just saw my first Elise this week, at our local New Car Show.

Awesome looking car, and typical for Lotus nice and small.

My pictures:

It was a little hard to get a good quality picture the way it was parked in their display. And the good news... They are being sold in Canada, yay! The nearest dealer to Calgary right now is in Vancouver, but they are probably going to set up some sort of Lotus facility here in Calgary (perhaps just for servicing, perhaps for sales too, ??)

And there was a second Elise as well at an aftermarket display, this one with the hardtop

Now I'm looking forward to some street sightings or hopefully at some car shows around town even

 

[kennypinkerton]

My favorite color of them too. Man, I'd give ** **** *** for one. Beautiful car too. Still surprises me when someone says it looks toy-ish.

 

[DrEntropy]

Same kinda people who'd think a wolverine was cute and try to pet it.

 

[Bugeye58]

Did anyone else notice how fast they became available on the used car market?
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

We can only speculate why... but from prior experience it sometimes has *something* to do with an eye-bulging experience. That and a change of underwear.

 

[Bugeye58]

I've been told by some that the car wasn't nearly what they expected. Harsh, difficult to ingress/egress, lousy visibility, etc. All typical Lotus traits, eh? I think many were bought by speculators, who were sorely disappointed.
After driving a couple of them, I'll reserve my comments, lest I offend the Lotus gods.
Jeff

 

[DrEntropy]

mehheh. Fine. I've only sat in one so far. Visibility seemed a bit better'n a Europa, less that the Elans... Typical Lotus traits indeed: "You don't so much get INTO a Lotus as you put it ON... kinda like a pair of pantyhose."

I *think* Peter Egan is responsible for that. But my synapse connections can play tricks on me.

 

[jlaird]

And just what is the price? First born son. Sold.

 

[Nunyas]

average *new* Elise is supposed to be in the $40K to $50K range (depending on which options you get /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif). It seems the prices for the new cars have settled back into the MSRP price. I dunno what the used Elises are going for, and haven't looked yet mainly because I'm sure it'll be more than I can afford.

 

[jlaird]

Well, guess I could afford one but might have to get a new wife with it.

 

[Guest]

They are dropping pretty quick actually. You'll get one of the first for low 30s. Thing is for retail on a new one you can get a v8 Esprit which is a whole lot more car. Until you need a gearbox that is.

I haven't actually driven the US one - I drove a couple of the UK spec ones - a Series 1 and an 111s. They were a real pita to get in and out of when you have to have the top on. Which in the UK is quite often. I can't think they'll last too long on NY roads either. We have potholes you could lose one in.

 

[Nunyas]

LA has "dips" (both in and ON the roads) and speed bumps that you can get air born over... even in a B...

 

[jlaird]

Now there are real speed bumps in Saudi Arabia and they don't markem. Folks stand around on the side and watch the cars fo airborne when they put in a new one.

Ben there done that with a Cadilac.

 

[Sherlock]

The Canadian price on an Elise is about $60K, the sales guy I chatted with briefly compared the Elise up against the Boxster in terms of the market segment they may be going after

 

[Deleted member 3577]

About time someone made a car for us chipmunk sized humans.

Can't stand the new style........Got to have the original 111s (round headlights)

 

[Nunyas]

hm... interesting... I find the newer style headlights more attractive myself. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Deleted member 3577]

[ QUOTE ]
hm... interesting... I find the newer style headlights more attractive myself. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Hopefully everybody does....

How else am I going to get my hands on a cheap Elise?

 

[Sherlock]

Funny thing that... I made the same comment to the sales guy (that I preferred the original body style), and he told me that I was in the minority.

Having said that, they are both gorgeous cars anyway.

 

[Nunyas]

this is true... I'll take any either any day...

Unfortunately, I don't think the round headlights were "street legal" in the US when they were being imported. If I'm not mistaken, the first federally street legal Elises (2004). I might be wrong about that though.

 

[MGAdams]

[ QUOTE ]


And there was a second Elise as well at an aftermarket display, this one with the hardtop

[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry it took so long to find this post. It looks like the one I had to unload from a trailer in Regina to put in a Mallock in front and then send them both on their way to Calgary.

Mike