I got it from rotarynews.com. I saw a picture of it at this 350z site too. my305z.com

 

Thanks for the pic and link Stygan. I've spent a lot of time on rotarynews (username rvitam over there, I think). I'm aware of the rumors, but until there's a release date, a vague price range (35k is getting to be out of my range), and lots of other information, I'm going to just keep waiting. Hopefully picking up a used Miata at the end of summer will keep me grinning and saving up cash until the RX-7 is announced, but if not the RX-8 and Elise will certainly do just fine. Even though it's not exactly what I'm looking for, it certainly looks like it'll be a great car. Maybe the RX-8 can become my wife's car, and I can end up with an RX-7? Nah, that's just too greedy!

 

Rich, where are you finding the info on the Elise? I've been in love with it since I spotted one in Edinburgh last year, but the only US info I've read about them said they wouldn't be available here till 2004 and would probably start around $40k- which is a bit out of my range. However, if it's really going to be comparable in price to the RX-8, I'm going to be pretty hard pressed to choose between the two!

 

There was a bit of information on the Elise in a handling article in (I think) Road and Track. The price they had listed was 35k, but that may have just been a guess. I believe the date they had that it would be available in the US was next summer. IIRC, they were saying late summer 2003 but were hoping to make it early summer.

First of all, I don't have the article in front of me. I'll dig around for it when I get a chance and post something more concrete. Second, it sounded like a lot of speculation at this point. Third, even if it comes in at only 35k, that's a bump in price over what I've heard about the RX-8. I think I could swing it if I could save up a year or two, and (BIG if) if the insurance isn't outrageous.

All in all, I'm very, very intrigued by the Elise. Like the rumored RX-7 I'm trying not to get too excited. However, my main thoughts are that with the Z (which I'm not interested in), the RX-8, the Elise, possible RX-7, and others, it's a great time to be a sports car enthusiast.

 

Here is a link to the R&T Article about the Elise. R&T Article

"this roadster is scheduled to arrive in the States soon, approximately late summer of 2003" R&T

 

In the R&T article about the Elise, the Elise ended up being faster than the Mustang Cobra, which was very impressive since the Cobra had more horsepower and torque.

 

It's all about the handling on a road course, plus the Elise is a very light car and has a good power to weight ratio.

 

Stygan had the article that I was talking about. I'm not familiar with the one that oruga mentioned.

The Elise beat out the 911 turbo, Mits. Lancer EVO VII, Corvette Z06, Boxter S, M3, and Mazda MP3. It lost to the Ferrari 360 Modena.

 

"I'm not familiar with the one that oruga mentioned"

I came across the article awhile ago, on BlueOvalNews.com
IIRC the Elise beat the Mustang Cobra in every catagory (handling, 0-60, braking, etc.)

 

I doubt the back seat will fold that tranny bar will get in the way.

 

i just noticed this for the first time, but look behind the headrest of the passenger side seat. isn't that grey thing a button or lock to release the seat so it can fold down?