Why don't I want to buy a 2005 Lotus Elise?

So I am considering adding a 2005 Lotus Elise to the "fleet", any good reasons for not doing this?  I currently have a 2012 Mustang GT and my daily is a Hyundai Elantra N-line.  I was thinking Corvette but already have a V-8 in the stable and not sure I can live without a clutch pedal.  The Elise has always interested me for it's "adult go-kart" size and characteristics and is obviously much different from the Mustang.  It would be a weekend driver with some autocross duty.  Pros and cons?  And thanks!

No good reason not to get one. Ordered one new, drove it cross country, twice.

Still have it.

Over 107 cars and 63 bikes owned so far. Elise is the only one still love it as much as I did day one.  Have lots of Miatas, 2 S2000, MR2, Elise is a driving experience like no other.  I DD'd mine for 6 years. 

That said, only thing I am want that is more pure, is Honda powered Atom. Someday. 

Good luck! Not too many of us original owners around.  Double check the oil cooler and radiator. 

I prefer the 06+ cars

Very few cars have the 'fizz' that an Elise has. The harder you drive, the happier it is, and it just goads you on. That being said, it lacks the outright speed that most performance cars in its price range has, and you really have to drive it 'right' to be quick. In a straight line below 6k rpm, it does not feel fast at all for those used to cars with more accessible speed.

It is also not great at being a car, good and bad. I've commuted on a motorcyle, so my Elise is relatively practical, but again, depending on what you are coming from (like a mustang and an Elantra), you could find an Elise annoying if the endearing qualities don't completely win you over. They do win me over, but not everyone. 

In short, you must drive one. You'll know right away if you are hooked or not. 

They are great to drive and quite reliable. IIRC the 2006s got the significantly more comfortable Probax seats so you want one of those if you can find one. I want one for my own fleet so don't have much bad to say.

I do know that they don't crash well. An acquaintance of mine in Wisconsin broke both of his legs in what would normally be a pretty minor accident in his. It seems to be commonly understood that you're gonna get hurt worse than usual if you run out of talent in one.

Related, I also think it doesn't take very much to total one, which is why there are so many around with salvage titles.

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Using the SAT format, the Atom is to the Elise is like the Elise is to most other cars. My wife wants an Atom, and I would be totally on board if I could justify the cost. I got to drive one at VIR ten years ago, and it was an absolute blast. 

cyow5 said:

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Using the SAT format, the Atom is to the Elise is like the Elise is to most other cars. My wife wants an Atom, and I would be totally on board if I could justify the cost. I got to drive one at VIR ten years ago, and it was an absolute blast. 

I was the first to sit in Mr. Woolery's atom (for those who know him from miata.net) the day he got it. He wanted to try my then new MSM and he was hosting a wrench day.  Been hooked ever since.  Though I don't want the ECOTEC one that he had. 

The one I really want is approaching 110K$ these days. For me, I like many different cars, instead of one pricey one. Plus I take my Elise to Costco, hard to do witih an Atom.  Maybe if the farm/airbnb keeps doing as it is, I will grab one soon.

Definitely an experience no other. My Elise feels like a Solara compared to an Atom.

Funny you mention your wife. My wife HATES the atom, and wants me to buy back my 2Eleven that I sold a few years back instead.

I've seriously considered one. We all know about the upsides, but there are a few downsides:

- Miata-level practicality, race car footwell: 2 seats jammed into a tiny cabin and very little cargo space. Also the footwell is pretty small, I wear size 12s and I could not drive one unless I put on driving shoes, even then it's cramped.

- Rich guy tax on parts: Elise-specific parts, both factory and aftermarket, are unusually expensive for no good reason, be aware. If you have to buy some expect to pay Corvette to Porsche prices rather than Matrix/Vibe prices. I spoke to one owner who bought brake rotors from DBA *to save money.*

- Super hard ingress/egress: It's not hard like a low car with a small door opening, it's hard like a race car with a full cage including door bars.

- Crash safety: Evidence keeps piling up that they are unusually weak in this department even compared to other cars of their time. May or may not be of interest to you, but worth noting.

- Can be mistaken for a supercar by the normies: There are downsides to this, consider them, this was actually one of the major factors in me deciding not to get one, and I've seen this factor sway others' decisions as well.

In reply to cyow5 :

I think I am test driving one this Friday and I feel the same way.  I know it's going to be unlike anything I have driven before and think I am going to love it but until I get in and do it I won't know for sure.

Region_Rat said:

In reply to cyow5 :

I think I am test driving one this Friday and I feel the same way.  I know it's going to be unlike anything I have driven before and think I am going to love it but until I get in and do it I won't know for sure.

Have fun and bring your checkbook.

Thanks for the comments, guys.  Kind of echoing what I have been thinking though some of the comments on crash worthiness are interesting.  I have read a couple cases where people praised the car in hard crashes (though the tub/car was totaled).  With the size and construction I could definitely see where it wouldn't be my first choice in a crash though.  I don't intend to get too crazy in it and for outright speed and making lots of noise I do still have the Mustang!  

Region_Rat said:

Thanks for the comments, guys.  Kind of echoing what I have been thinking though some of the comments on crash worthiness are interesting.  I have read a couple cases where people praised the car in hard crashes (though the tub/car was totaled).  With the size and construction I could definitely see where it wouldn't be my first choice in a crash though.  I don't intend to get too crazy in it and for outright speed and making lots of noise I do still have the Mustang!  

I was putting 17,000-21,000 miles, a year in LA/SFO - on Duc 748/R1/GSXR-650.  My Elise is safer than that. 

Then again, dropped one kid off at school in the 67 mini, and the other got picked up in the 74 bronco. 

I probably live my life different than others.  Both of my kids came home from the hospital in the front seat of a Miata.  (95 R, and MSM)

Defensive driving is key. Otherwise, I would daily my H1 Hummer. 

Region_Rat said:

Thanks for the comments, guys.  Kind of echoing what I have been thinking though some of the comments on crash worthiness are interesting.  I have read a couple cases where people praised the car in hard crashes (though the tub/car was totaled).  With the size and construction I could definitely see where it wouldn't be my first choice in a crash though.  I don't intend to get too crazy in it and for outright speed and making lots of noise I do still have the Mustang!  

Always compare it to a motorcycle, especially a slow, heavy one. Compared to those, it is luxurious, safe, and fast. The key to happiness in life is picking the right comparisons, haha 

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Ha, you keep beating me to nearly the same thing, haha. 

cyow5 said:

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Ha, you keep beating me to nearly the same thing, haha. 

Well I can't help it if you are my smarter, better looking, twin!

We've covered the Elise a few times, so here are a few articles that I hope help in the decision. (Personally, though, I don't see a lot of negatives when it comes to the Elise. if I had the money and the space, I'd buy one tomorrow.)

Lotus Elise and Exige | Buyer's Guide

Which Lotus Is the Ultimate Driver's Car? Elise or Exige?

Lotus Elise vs. Tesla Roadster | Similar looks, different DNA

Lotus Elise: How to get the most out of one of the last analog sports cars

In reply to Colin Wood :

Thank you so much for the links, very helpful as always.

I am a huge fan in general.  I missed the Exige's as they have now gone crazy on pricing.  

84FSP said:

I am a huge fan in general.  I missed the Exige's as they have now gone crazy on pricing.  

I have a 2010 Exige S 260, delivery miles (9.3 miles to be exact). All fluids drained from day one. Stored. Never registered. I am gonna let it go probably in the next 10-12 months, as things settle down here., if you are in the market then.

Well, if you're a talentless hack like me, you can definitely yeet them into the scenery at an autocross. It's not like I haven't tracked/autocrossed other mid engined cars before, but the short wheelbase makes them more of a handful at the limit than, say, an SW20 MR2.

Egress - especially with the roof on - is mostly a case of unceremoniously falling out of the car. There really isn't an elegant way to get in and out, but in is better and easier than out.

The mechanical side of things is usually in OK shape and the drivetrain usually holds up well. The rest of the car does, too - for a Lotus. Porsche build quality this ain't. It also helps if you can do some of the wrenching yourself as the the US isn't exactly brimming with Lotus Elise specialists (depending on where you live). The good news is that they have a great aftermarket still, especially for a car that was only available for a few years.

I like mine, and it's actually my second Elise. It's not a very practical car but it suits the roads around West Virginia rather well. That said, as I also own motorcycles and other sports cars that are fun on the same roads, the Elise really mostly makes sense as an autocross car with the odd track day thrown in and I probably wouldn't keep it around if/when I stop doing that.

Oh, and they look really good on TE37s.

Wish the supercharged ones (Elise/Exige) could better handle heatsoak without substantial upgrades. Another downside to the Elise is overall crappy shifter feel from what I read while doing research. 

Always flip on Lotus vs Atom. One day will own one or the other I am certain.

In reply to Region_Rat :

Sit in one for a while before you set your heart on it. Practice getting in and out a bunch. Maybe Turo one for a day or two.

That would be my only caveat. You may have already done that due diligence.

Only reason I can think of, is if you hate fun. Do you hate fun?

Duke said:

In reply to Region_Rat :

Sit in one for a while before you set your heart on it. Practice getting in and out a bunch. Maybe Turo one for a day or two.

That would be my only caveat. You may have already done that due diligence.

 

I have not, will be sitting in my first one this Friday!  I am a bit concerned about getting in and out for sure from what I have read/heard.

Mndsm said:

Only reason I can think of, is if you hate fun. Do you hate fun?

Totally!  Where were you hours ago when I started this fun post?