Anyone driven the Lotus Elise or Exige
10-05-2006, 01:32 PM
#28
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: slc
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I actually find the Elise very comfortable, I have an 06 and I believe that they changed the seats. That was my only concern, but after taking a few test drives, the seats are actually very comfortable. If it did not snow here, I would use it as my daily driver year round, but I was in the same situation with the RX8.
10-06-2006, 04:59 PM
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by The Ace
If you want something that will spank Porsches and Ferraris (and I'm not kidding here), get the Exige. Almost nothing can beat it on a track (and I mean it when I say "nothing", except F3000 or F1 cars)
________
ALASKA DISPENSARIES
Last edited by PUR NRG; 05-01-2011 at 07:54 AM.
10-06-2006, 05:35 PM
#31
pwn*
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by shaunv74
If you want a fun daily driver and don't like the Pontiac get the MX-5 Miata! Still big grins for 1/2 the price.
my $0.02
my $0.02
10-08-2006, 01:00 AM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lompoc, CA
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got a laugh from the glow in the dark emergency lever in the trunk. A baby small enough to fit in the trunk would lack the mental capacity to pull a lever whether it glowed in the dark or not.
01-28-2008, 06:20 AM
#34
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This just demonstrates the absolute ignorance and stupidity of some people..the poster even asked for people to not post Junk like this!!!
I live in the UK and have had Lotus cars all my life...I have several friends who have RX8's
The old Lotus cars had reliability issues but do you still have to go on about the past in that way....get a life people.
The exige is a modern Hi-tech precise piece of engineering......the ONLY issues to consider is that is is NOTHIN like an RX8 the Mazda is a more of a Luxurry motor with a hint of performance thrown in as an after thought...sure it has loads of space quiet comfortable....etc etc...but have any of you noticed that it can't go round corners quickly!!
Well when I say not quickly..you guys will think it is quick...but until you have felt your body thrown against the door of an exige as it tries to rip it's own tyres off their very rims!!!! round a track corner ....and then when you get out of the car your head is still spinning and your heart racing as you thank the racing driver by the side of you for the powerlap (donnington racetrack UK 1997 lotus owners club show) then and only then will you know quick!!
A lotus exige is like nothing you have ever driven and can only be experienced at the hands of a pro racing driver.
If you want a comfy car forget it..if you want a quiet car forget it....if you want to have a smile on your face everytime you get out of it..then buy one
I live in the UK and have had Lotus cars all my life...I have several friends who have RX8's
The old Lotus cars had reliability issues but do you still have to go on about the past in that way....get a life people.
The exige is a modern Hi-tech precise piece of engineering......the ONLY issues to consider is that is is NOTHIN like an RX8 the Mazda is a more of a Luxurry motor with a hint of performance thrown in as an after thought...sure it has loads of space quiet comfortable....etc etc...but have any of you noticed that it can't go round corners quickly!!
Well when I say not quickly..you guys will think it is quick...but until you have felt your body thrown against the door of an exige as it tries to rip it's own tyres off their very rims!!!! round a track corner ....and then when you get out of the car your head is still spinning and your heart racing as you thank the racing driver by the side of you for the powerlap (donnington racetrack UK 1997 lotus owners club show) then and only then will you know quick!!
A lotus exige is like nothing you have ever driven and can only be experienced at the hands of a pro racing driver.
If you want a comfy car forget it..if you want a quiet car forget it....if you want to have a smile on your face everytime you get out of it..then buy one
01-28-2008, 06:31 AM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL, an atom...they are just great......but an Exige is a Luxury comfort car compared wth an Atom...it is not possible to have it as a daily car...fast or not it is a track car
01-28-2008, 06:46 AM
#36
A friend of mine owns a bright yellow and black exige. It's an awesome car, but I wouldn't want it for daily driving.
It's very fast and handles like nobodys business. It also looks like hot ****. This is about the extent of what it does well.
The interior is pretty much just like a kit car. Loose **** all over the place, rattles up the ***, and one of the speaker meshes can be easily lifted away from the speaker.
The cabin is so loud your ears ring when you're finished with the drive. You also can't see ANYTHING out of the back in the exige. This is *not* an exaggeration. You might as well not even have a back window. As my friend likes to say "You gotta use the force when changing lanes"
To get out of the thing you have to be a contortionist. If you're a gymnast or something, you'll have no issues. If you're a average adult male, you may pull something.
The suspension is rock hard. You get beat up on even smooth roads. Dips and bumps in the road practically launch you through the roof. The tires only last about 5k miles.
All of these things though are to be expected from a race car that just so happens to be street legal. If you've got some extra cash to throw around for a race car, then I *highly* recommend it. It's a pain in the *** for everyday use, but it's the funnest car I've ever had the pleasure of cruising in.
Oh, and you'll get stopped everywhere with people asking questions about your car. Seriously. Think you'll make a quick stop at McD's for a burger? Ha, think again after everyone is done chatting it up with you. Getting gas is a production. You feel like a movie star.
It's very fast and handles like nobodys business. It also looks like hot ****. This is about the extent of what it does well.
The interior is pretty much just like a kit car. Loose **** all over the place, rattles up the ***, and one of the speaker meshes can be easily lifted away from the speaker.
The cabin is so loud your ears ring when you're finished with the drive. You also can't see ANYTHING out of the back in the exige. This is *not* an exaggeration. You might as well not even have a back window. As my friend likes to say "You gotta use the force when changing lanes"
To get out of the thing you have to be a contortionist. If you're a gymnast or something, you'll have no issues. If you're a average adult male, you may pull something.
The suspension is rock hard. You get beat up on even smooth roads. Dips and bumps in the road practically launch you through the roof. The tires only last about 5k miles.
All of these things though are to be expected from a race car that just so happens to be street legal. If you've got some extra cash to throw around for a race car, then I *highly* recommend it. It's a pain in the *** for everyday use, but it's the funnest car I've ever had the pleasure of cruising in.
Oh, and you'll get stopped everywhere with people asking questions about your car. Seriously. Think you'll make a quick stop at McD's for a burger? Ha, think again after everyone is done chatting it up with you. Getting gas is a production. You feel like a movie star.
My 2nd car...Elise...
http://www.lotuscars.com/ExigeS.aspx
Last edited by Leesha; 01-28-2008 at 06:55 AM.
01-28-2008, 08:51 AM
#37
Registered
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago Il.
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This just demonstrates the absolute ignorance and stupidity of some people..the poster even asked for people to not post Junk like this!!!
I live in the UK and have had Lotus cars all my life...I have several friends who have RX8's
The old Lotus cars had reliability issues but do you still have to go on about the past in that way....get a life people.
The exige is a modern Hi-tech precise piece of engineering......the ONLY issues to consider is that is is NOTHIN like an RX8 the Mazda is a more of a Luxurry motor with a hint of performance thrown in as an after thought...sure it has loads of space quiet comfortable....etc etc...but have any of you noticed that it can't go round corners quickly!!
Well when I say not quickly..you guys will think it is quick...but until you have felt your body thrown against the door of an exige as it tries to rip it's own tyres off their very rims!!!! round a track corner ....and then when you get out of the car your head is still spinning and your heart racing as you thank the racing driver by the side of you for the powerlap (donnington racetrack UK 1997 lotus owners club show) then and only then will you know quick!!
A lotus exige is like nothing you have ever driven and can only be experienced at the hands of a pro racing driver.
If you want a comfy car forget it..if you want a quiet car forget it....if you want to have a smile on your face everytime you get out of it..then buy one
I live in the UK and have had Lotus cars all my life...I have several friends who have RX8's
The old Lotus cars had reliability issues but do you still have to go on about the past in that way....get a life people.
The exige is a modern Hi-tech precise piece of engineering......the ONLY issues to consider is that is is NOTHIN like an RX8 the Mazda is a more of a Luxurry motor with a hint of performance thrown in as an after thought...sure it has loads of space quiet comfortable....etc etc...but have any of you noticed that it can't go round corners quickly!!
Well when I say not quickly..you guys will think it is quick...but until you have felt your body thrown against the door of an exige as it tries to rip it's own tyres off their very rims!!!! round a track corner ....and then when you get out of the car your head is still spinning and your heart racing as you thank the racing driver by the side of you for the powerlap (donnington racetrack UK 1997 lotus owners club show) then and only then will you know quick!!
A lotus exige is like nothing you have ever driven and can only be experienced at the hands of a pro racing driver.
If you want a comfy car forget it..if you want a quiet car forget it....if you want to have a smile on your face everytime you get out of it..then buy one
:
01-28-2008, 09:23 AM
#39
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've driven both.
The Exige has no visibility out the rear window. Something which takes a little getting used to.
Very buzzy in powertrain noise and the suspension is track oriented (not much tolerance for bumps on public roads), yet, there's plenty of adjustability for those who like to tinker.
Great cars IMO. I'd get an Elise if I didn't need a back seat for the kid.
The Exige has no visibility out the rear window. Something which takes a little getting used to.
Very buzzy in powertrain noise and the suspension is track oriented (not much tolerance for bumps on public roads), yet, there's plenty of adjustability for those who like to tinker.
Great cars IMO. I'd get an Elise if I didn't need a back seat for the kid.
01-28-2008, 10:13 AM
#40
Registered
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgetown
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd get one in a microsecond, purest enthusiast car out there. It's an Atom that you can drive daily...although mostly alone and in some discomfort.
In Canada they're way overpriced though, starting at $60!
I've driven in an Europa and I've driven an early 2.2L Esprit, and IMO there is no brand that produces a more intuitive driving experience than Lotus.
In Canada they're way overpriced though, starting at $60!
I've driven in an Europa and I've driven an early 2.2L Esprit, and IMO there is no brand that produces a more intuitive driving experience than Lotus.
01-28-2008, 11:43 AM
#41
I like roast duck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay area
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-29-2008, 07:11 PM
#42
Track addict
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have driven both a Elise 111S and an Exige S on the track. The Exige is probably one of the finest track cars you can buy. Amazingly quick, endless grip, laser sharp turn in, perfect balance and feedback, and Porsche-like chasis tuning. The Elise is a somewhat "toned down" version of the hardcore Exige.
I would strongly consider an Exige 240 Cup as a track car. If you want road legal than stick with the Exige S. Still a devastating track tool but you can actually drive it daily - but I wouldn't recommend it if you have a bad back. Plus you can get the Exige S for around $50-55K if you shop around.
I would strongly consider an Exige 240 Cup as a track car. If you want road legal than stick with the Exige S. Still a devastating track tool but you can actually drive it daily - but I wouldn't recommend it if you have a bad back. Plus you can get the Exige S for around $50-55K if you shop around.
02-01-2008, 05:18 PM
#43
Now watch me yuuuuaaaaaa!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i've been a lotus fan since i was a kid. but now i realized it's definitely NOT a supercar.. but a $45k go-kart.
yes it's fast just because it IS light.. an aluminun chassis w/ fiberglass body driven by a 1.8L.
i honestly think it's a rip-off. don't flame me.
edit: the tesla-powered roadster which lotus makes is also a rip-off at $95k
yes it's fast just because it IS light.. an aluminun chassis w/ fiberglass body driven by a 1.8L.
i honestly think it's a rip-off. don't flame me.
edit: the tesla-powered roadster which lotus makes is also a rip-off at $95k
Last edited by superdon2; 02-01-2008 at 05:23 PM.
02-02-2008, 12:39 AM
#45
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
I had a go kart when I was 10; same thing... 
02-02-2008, 12:50 AM
#47
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
02-02-2008, 12:56 AM
#49
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
but Vader is not... 
02-02-2008, 02:01 AM
#50
Registered
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pleasanton, CA
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a friend who has an Elise. You can't drive it at night though because the headlights suck. It's probably because of how low the car sits. Would definately not recommend it as a daily driver though.