Is the Lotus Elise a good car? (the 2008 one)?

I was searching around and saw a bunch of people commenting about the Lotus Elise. Some say that it's an awesome car, while others say that it's an impractical, unreliable, high-maintenance go-kart.





So, what's your opinion? If you own one, do you think that they would be making a couple when I could actually buy them? I'm too poor to now.





Any input is appreciated.

Is the Lotus Elise a good car? (the 2008 one)?
Lotus Elise~~


~~Firstly, I understand you have a rough idea of the car, which clears things out already...


~~Yes, I agree with everything your friends commented on the car. But do keep in mind, the most " hard-core" track-car of Lotus isn't the Elise, instead, it's the " Exige". The Elise is a light-weight racecar, designed and built to be raced on race tracks. For normal driving uses, say in the city, or the streets..sure it's a head turner, but its as impractical as riding a bike to wherever you want to go to.


~~The only luxury amenity you will find on the Elise is the electric windows..say what? yes, the at least you don't have to scrow down the windows.....yikes....


~~~From my personal experience, I have driven both the Elise and the Exige, and finds the cars very thrilling to drive. The grip from the tires is immense, taking me around the bends and corners effortlessly with little body-roll of the car// :)


~~The truth is, people by the Elise only for leisurely use. An analogy is...people buy vacation homes on islands and such, only to be used on vacations....Given such info....when you are capable and has enough dough to buy your own car....buy the vehicle you want first...then when you have the money to spare....buy a PORSCHE ( used ones are fine) to enjoy on the tracks. Why?? at least the Porsches, say, the Boxster, the 911's, are more practical and turns more heads. Whereas the Elise is as impratical as ever....and yes, very very unsafe.....heard of the SMART car? Just imagine ramming it with a truck....same thing goes to the Elise...unsafe....


~hope this answers your question..../// =D
Reply:My dad bought my sister one when she got her license and i rode in it once and never wanted to again. it is so uncomfertable, metal floors, so small i couldn`t keep my legs straight, it is scary when a transpot drives past and blows all of the wind and shakes your car, it does go pretty fast and has good acceleration but i think it is an unreliable go-kart type of car. i think hers was a lotus elise r or something but i wouldn`t buy one. i prefer the slk55 amg that she has over the lotus
Reply:The current Elise uses a Toyota power train.


It is a bare bones street legal racing machine.


So it is a two seater and has little or no frills.


If you want ride comfort, and a killer stereo it is not for you.


By the time you can afford one who knows (Lotus was bought by an India firm).
Reply:Yes. They have a Toyota Celica engine.


So they are reliable.


They are very fun to drive and some of the best handling cars in the world.





But they are not comfortable and do not have lots of the features that other cars have like cupholders or a radio.


And it is not practical.
Reply:It's cheap, noisy, uncomfortable, weird driving position. Sure it looks cool, but are you willing to put up with all that?