It's tiny, just so's you know. I've seen 'em in showrooms and at carshows, but surprisingly I haven't seen any on the streets around San Diego yet. We usually have all the new hot cars.

 

We've all seen pics of teh Lotus Elise but has anyone sat in one yet? I'm seriously looking into getting one when I get back from Iraq. I understand it's a compact sportscar but if it's too compact I might have to look at getting something else.

How tall are you?

 

6' 1/2" I've seen pics of a 6' 5" guy driving one and he seemed to fit ok. Couldn't see his legs though.....

I just hope by end 2006-beginning 2007 I can still get one new.

 

6' 1/2" I've seen pics of a 6' 5" guy driving one and he seemed to fit ok. Couldn't see his legs though.....

I just hope by end 2006-beginning 2007 I can still get one new.

Review

At 12.5 feet long, 5.6 feet wide, and 3.6 feet tall, the view from behind the wheel is intimidating with Miatas looming like much larger Jaguar XK8 convertibles. Similar to riding a motorcycle, one makes allowances for being the smallest car on the road, but the Elise's celebrity status ensures being noticed nonetheless.

For a sense of scale, from the same article...

If you've ever worried about not being able to fit in to a car, make sure that you take an Elise out for a decently long test drive before you really get set on buying one. A car that Miatas loom over may not be comfortable for too long if you're a big guy.

edit: Oh, and check out www.elisetalk.com. Those guys will be able to help you out a lot more than we are. :yesway:

 

6' 1/2" I've seen pics of a 6' 5" guy driving one and he seemed to fit ok. Couldn't see his legs though.....

I just hope by end 2006-beginning 2007 I can still get one new.

You're not going to fit, dude. There's no way a 6'5" person has any chance of fitting into an Elise comfortably as guys that tall will not fit into a standard sized compact car.

And btw, how are people that currently own or have recently owned a 3G Eclipse able to afford a car that's going for roughly $45k-$50k including dealer markup?

 

I just saw one at Limerock 2 weeks ago. From a performance aspect, they're great, especially for road courses. Beautiful, too.

I've never sat in one myself, but my friend, who is a BIG guy (about 6' 6") sat in one and said its fine. He tried the S2000 and couldn't fit w/o the roof down, but for some reason he fits in the Elise. Must be the design or the seats. So don't count it out, go try for yourself when you get back.

 

yeah I guess fitting isn't my main concern I just wanted some outside impressions of teh car in general.

Yeah I'm a member over at the elisetalk forums but like any forum, if I ask how a car is ofcoarse they're gonna say it's awesome... especially when they all just paid over MSRP for them at $50k+ (after ttl) Plus half of those guys over there do'nt even own them they're just windowshopping like me.

I could always go for a 911 but this one seems so much more fun.

 

well I'm trying to get on a list for one. Dispite the size it really is an awesome car. Hopefully everything will work out and they let me order it and put a deposit on one now and in a year when I get back from Iraq they'll build/ship it.

 

The Elise is one of the best cars in the world in terms of weight.

I think it weighs about 1,500 Lbs or so maybe less if u do weight reduction.

It is because of this that the V6 inside it produces insane mindblowing acceleration. Imagine if you put a turbo on this thing and then you would have a corvette killer.

 

I saw a yellow one on the road in Pentagon City today. Tiny but cool :yesway:

 

The Elise is one of the best cars in the world in terms of weight.

I think it weighs about 1,500 Lbs or so maybe less if u do weight reduction.

It is because of this that the V6 inside it produces insane mindblowing acceleration. Imagine if you put a turbo on this thing and then you would have a corvette killer.

The Elise has the Celica GT-S motor.

 

yeah it's a 190hp 4 Cylinder Engine, really, don't post shit you know nothing about.

 

And btw, how are people that currently own or have recently owned a 3G Eclipse able to afford a car that's going for roughly $45k-$50k including dealer markup?

Ever heard of Good credit.LOL!! I know my next ride will be a luxury type car. New or used i dont care. Maybe i can get one of them new Tl's for a good price when this car is paid down or better yet the new RL.

But yea sit in the elise. Its a International Auto show here Thursday - Sunday and i plan on going. If i see a Elise there ill sit in one and give you my opinion.

 

You're going to put yourself into $40k worth of debt over a non-daily driver car? Congrats, I guess.

The Elise weighs in just under 1900 lbs. in Europe, btw. The US version's a bit heavier.

 

curb weight is 1984 lbs. Touring package adds 15 lbs... sport package adds 20 more.

 

and after TTL I'm looking at closer to $50k. And yes I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

curb weight is 1984 lbs. Touring package adds 15 lbs... sport package adds 20 more.

1984lbs with a full tank of gas. Some guys have weighed their Elises and have come in right around 1900lbs with 1/4 tank of gas. Amazing car, but not practical at all in any way if it's going to be your only vehicle. Even a 350Z or Corvette is better in that regard.

 

no i will be my 3rd vehicle. of which my Beetle convertable is my daily driver

 

And btw, how are people that currently own or have recently owned a 3G Eclipse able to afford a car that's going for roughly $45k-$50k including dealer markup?

Generalization like whoa.

 

It is because of this that the V6 inside it produces insane mindblowing acceleration. Imagine if you put a turbo on this thing and then you would have a corvette killer.

:twitch: Well, it makes me chuckle at least.

 

:twitch: Well, it makes me chuckle at least.

:lol: You and me both! I wonder how the I4 in the Elise grew up and turned into a V6. :lol:

 

:lol: You and me both! I wonder how the I4 in the Elise grew up and turned into a V6. :lol:

Cold fission. :agreed:

 

:lol: You and me both! I wonder how the I4 in the Elise grew up and turned into a V6. :lol:

Rotaries tend to do that at about 50k miles. :dunno:

 

I sat in one at the battle of the brits this summer. I'm 6'1" and I fit...but just barely. The seating is setup in such a way that it almost accomodates taller drivers. Of course, I've got stubby legs with a taller upper body so I didn't have that cramped feeling.

One question, though: Do you plan on racing this car, or are you looking to buy simply because it looks cool?

 

One question, though: Do you plan on racing this car, or are you looking to buy simply because it looks cool?

why not both?