Update : Lotus Elise or Similar Car

[ROBsS4R]

Anyone have any recommendations for a well handling vehicle with a decent weight to Power ratio.

I am starting to fall in love with Lotus Elise. The 2005 Models can be bought for low 30k now.
I know they are bare bones no Luxury but I am looking for a street legal pure performance vehicle. I don't need plush seats with a arm rest 

The only thing I am worried about is service costs which I have no idea what they are at this point.

A few stats on the Elise

- 0 to 60 in 4.9 Seconds 1/4 mile 13.5 Seconds give or take a few 1/10s =)
- 1,796 cc 1.8 liters in-line 4 mid engine
- Curb Weight: 1975 lbs.
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 27 and EPA city (mpg): 21
- 10.6 gallon main unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 141 kW , 190 HP SAE @ 7,800 rpm; 134 ft lb , 182 Nm @ 6,800 rpm

[IZ]

Bellevue Lotus is a few miles away and right across from one of my job sites.  They have at least 30 there in every color!  Fun vehicle!  SheMonster gave me a ride in one a few years back.   

[swerdna]

Elise Service Intervals

Lotus Elise & Elise 111S Servicing costs (the link above describes the ABC and timing...)
A Service    £185.00
B Service    £282.00
C Service    £515.00

AABAACAABAAC (9k miles between services)

The web site above notes that you can probably do A and B yourself... That leaves you with the really expensive service every 54,000 miles. This is getting better and better...

You know... this is just me... but I would go for an Atom if I were going to be in that market: 0 - 60 in 2.9 seconds

Code Select Expand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo82zNUA

EDIT: I don't know why... but the YouTube video has  a hard time playing when I embed it. And it embeds auto-magically... which pisses me off.

[ROBsS4R]

The servicing cost is less than what I was expecting for the Lotus Elise

That Atom seems to be in another class than a 2005 Lotus Elise though.
It's at least twice the amount of money at $65k which is out of my price range.
Plus I already have a vehicle ( S4R ) that I can get wet in when it rains. I was looking for something with a roof 

Let alone that is a huge over kill on the street. The Lotus would be pushing it as it is.



    * 0-60 mph : 2.7 seconds (manufacturer's claim)
    * Top Speed: 140 mph, 225 km/h (155 mph, 249 km/h supercharged)
    * Power: 220 bhp (300 bhp supercharged)
    * Weight: 456 kg (1,005 lb)
    * Transmission: Honda six-speed with reverse
    * Price: £20,000/£29,000 supercharged (cost in the US is over $65,000)
    * Engine: 300 bhp (224 kW/304 PS) supercharged Honda Civic Type-R K20 (top spec)

[swerdna]

That Atom seems to be in another class than a 2005 Lotus Elise though.
It's at least twice the amount of money at $65k which is out of my price range.
Plus I already have a vehicle ( S4R ) that I can get wet in when it rains. I was looking for something with a roof 

Crap. I thought the Atom would be cheaper than that... I think I missed a very important point there.

Now you have me craving a new car. DAMN YOU!!!

[bigiain]

How about an old-school Lotus? A Super Seven... Here's one with a 2litre Cosworth turbo motor in it, the owner says it's 615kg (1350lbs) and he's got 180hp at the wheels with 8 psi boost... (and the controller lets him dial up 15psi)



big

[junior varsity]

The guy in Franklin, TN that has a Monster-Miata makes it look fun. 5.0L in engine in a Miata has a pretty good power/weight ratio...

[55Spy]

550 spyder replica.  You can get one for between 20 and 30k.  I had one of the original 200 Beck's produced before he moved production to South America.  today I would buy a Vintage, the suspensions are better and the cars are more refined.

I just sold mine a year ago because I was moving over to japan.  Had it since 1990 and loved it. It's another one of those vehicles you own and will always want back or swear to own another one.   It'll gain more attention than anything else you could drive, the newer ones can be found with subaru power plants even if you don't want to deal with 2 liter VW motors.  

Mine was close to 1300lbs dry, put out out 165 HP, you couldn't drive it in the rain bacause it was so light but it was a fair weather car for me anyway.  

theres quite a few hitting the market now ( say that a little tongue in cheek alot is like 20 for sale countrywide)

check spyderclub.com for the guys with as much passion about them as we have for monsters.

[ducatiz]

I like the Elise a LOT but if you are taller than 5'9 or have a fat ass, you will not be happy.

The reason so many used ones are for sale is Americans are taller and fatter than the ideal driver size for that car.

They are very hot though, but don't fool yourself.  If you don't have good roads nearby AND good insurance, you will be losing tons of money.

A typical parking lot "bump" can result in 5-7000 damage to the carbon fiber bodywork and going over a pothole means you might have to buy new wheels.

They are really track cars.  If you have good roads and are the right size, and can park it defensively, then go for it.    You will have serious priapism driving it.

[derby]

The servicing cost is less than what I was expecting for the Lotus Elise

it's a toyota motor... on top of that, they're pretty reliable, too.

[ducatiz]

it's a toyota motor... on top of that, they're pretty reliable, too.

...originally designed by Yamaha.

reliable except for the oil pumps grenading, but i haven't heard that happening on the Lotus yet.

[Porsche Monkey]

Go test drive a Porsche Boxster if you want a convertible, or a Cayman if you want a coupe.  Great everyday cars that are very comfortable. 

[ducatiz]

Go test drive a Porsche Boxster if you want a convertible, or a Cayman if you want a coupe.  Great everyday cars that are very comfortable. 

hmmmm, not a biased comment at all --->>quote author=porschaholic    

[eyeboy]

How about an old-school Lotus? A Super Seven... Here's one with a 2litre Cosworth turbo motor in it, the owner says it's 615kg (1350lbs) and he's got 180hp at the wheels with 8 psi boost... (and the controller lets him dial up 15psi)



big

that's the ticket! i've been lusting after one of those for an age... no frills, super fun. and i believe there is a roof of sorts. i think buying one in a kit would be awesome, not too much trouble to put together. a friend of a friend bought one last year, what a great road-toy!

[baadaaboo]

Anyone have any recommendations for a well handling vehicle with a decent weight to Power ratio.

I am starting to fall in love with Lotus Elise. The 2005 Models can be bought for low 30k now.
I know they are bare bones no Luxury but I am looking for a street legal pure performance vehicle. I don't need plush seats with a arm rest 

The only thing I am worried about is service costs which I have no idea what they are at this point.

A few stats on the Elise

- 0 to 60 in 4.9 Seconds 1/4 mile 10.7 Seconds
- 1,796 cc 1.8 liters in-line 4 mid engine
- Curb Weight: 1975 lbs.
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 27 and EPA city (mpg): 21
- 10.6 gallon main unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 141 kW , 190 HP SAE @ 7,800 rpm; 134 ft lb , 182 Nm @ 6,800 rpm



The engine should be super reliable, it came from Toyota corolla 1.8 VVTL-i  Actually, you can take it to toyota to service the engine.
This car has very few electrical stuff, probably most expensive would be parts.