My Lotus Elise - Does it live up to the hype?
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- Опубликовано: 11 июн 2022
- Sure the Elise has the engine from a Celica but the fact that Lotus chose the 2ZZ shows just how good of an engine it really is. The 2ZZ pulls hard all the way to its 8,500 rpm redline. No dips in power or hesitation and also whiling screaming into your left ear.
I wanted to experience the Lotus Elise first hand. I searched across the whole United States and found the perfect one. Driving the Elise gives an unadulterated experience of road feel and connectedness with the car. The steering is immediate and confidence inspiring. You sit in the middle of the car with amazing road visibility. It is truly a special experience to go out for a drive. Mind you, be prepared to have everyone staring at you. Even people that know nothing about cars can tell there is something unique about the Elise.
My Elise has been trouble free and I loved every moment of it. After owning for 6 years, the time had come to part ways. I sold it to make room for a new member of my garage family. Follow me on instagram to get updates on the current projects.
Thanks for watching! 
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Corolla XRS engine, MR-S layout, gorgeous Lotus look. Lightness and Reliability. what more could a proper car guy ask for?
He’s back! I popped open RUclips and clicked on this immediately!
The cinematography and the editing was excellent. Plus the subtle humour was a nice touch. 👍🏼
I always wanted to drive a lotus Elise, the cornering speeds look unbelievable and the sound of that 2ZZ is the icing on the cake!
Would love to see a short video in the same vein as “the sound of ITBs” video but with the 2ZZ. 👀
Looking forward to seeing more! 😁
I recommend that anybody with an Elise/Exige just has to take it to the track at least once. You can't truly appreciate the handling until you've taken it to the track. My problem is, I couldn't do it just once. I'm hooked. I've driven my 06 Elise track pack car to 17 tracks in 9 states. I've driven it on highways in 22 states and toured 10 national parks. Early on, I decided to avoid interstate highways when possible. I've eyeball to hub on the big rigs, and too much traffic. Best lesson the car taught me. See the country: take the back roads.
Last actual sports car. Great video thanks.
A lot of the Celica community bags on the 2ZZ and the 7th gen Celica, true that the 2ZZ was late to the party and built to be a Honda B series killer right when the K series came out, it's still a wonderful engine that just always feels so crisp and high strung and ready to rev. It feels as comfortable at 8000 RPM as it does at 3000 RPM, it never feels strained. I've owned a 2000 2ZZ Celica since 2009 and I've only grown more and more fond of it over my years of ownership and modifying it. It's not the fastest (it's pretty slow), it's not the best looking (the paint isn't great condition), but it runs like a top, it's an absolute blast to drive with the suspension and tires I've curated for it, and with the unique foreign market parts and interesting parts and modifications I've found or created I've made it a unique car that's solely mine. I feel like you've done the same with your AE and you'll do the same with this Lotus.
I'm sure you've learned this already but the 2ZZ is prone to the camshaft pinning bolts ("lift bolts") wearing. The updated bolts are much more wear resistant but do wear over time, if they have never been changed I advise you to pull the valve cover and pull the bolts to inspect them and change them if they have any notching in them. Also take a good look at the high lift lobes and cam slippers, make sure the oil sprayer nozzles for the camshafts are all clear and working. I run 5W40 M1 Extended performance engine oil at 5K intervals with a quality filter, oil quality is critical on the 2ZZ. If you plan on tracking the car or just generally driving the heck out of it the MWR billet oil pump gears are a must and I highly recommend a deep sump baffled oil pan or a dry sump kit to prevent high G oil starvation. There's a company in Texas called DDPR that specializes in the 2ZZ I highly suggest you look them up and check out their intake manifold and tuning services, they'll put you into the 200+WHP territory with tune and bolt ons, nearer 220-230 with some cams which in a vehicle as light and nimble as the Lotus is a very substantial upgrade in power. Also be sure to check out Frank Profera, his Lotus was absolute insanity.
As far as the gearing issue, the Toyota C6x transmissions came with a wide variety of gear ratios across the different models but I believe they can all be swapped and mixed and matched by a good trans shop but I'm fairly certain you have the best set of ratios available. If your issue is falling out lift between gears then for sure hit up DDPR for some goodies and tuning since you can retune with bolt ons for a lower lift engagement point so you can land in lift on each shift and be all smiles. I recall Juba makes some different ratio final drives for the C6x series but that's for some pretty serious racing.
Oh hey, I think we're running the same tires. Are those Z3's or Z2's? I had 2's and now 3's, excellent tires. Decent road manners, grip for days.
I can not understand the problem with wear cam lobe mate! I know owner 2zz who opened to change lift bolts with 380,000 kilometers and did not have the slightest wear! The engine is like New!!! and I also know another example with 100,000 kilometers and it had wear intake cam ... very strange because they use the same oils (liqui moly molygen 5w40) and they used it properly without having to participate in track days and 5.000-7.500 kilometers oil changes
@@DimoS... I''m not sure either, I never could track down a definitive reason but it probably came down to bad luck with a batch of improperly surface hardened cams, something as simple as uneven heating or cooling during case hardening could cause some lobes to be softer than others. By this time any engine that was going to flatten lobes should have experienced failure and been fixed so the odds of running into it now are pretty low, still a bad situation but seems it was pretty uncommon. Mine looked virgin at 85,000 miles (136,000 KM) when I replaced lift bolts. Previous owner had all dealer service with on time oil changes. Seems every performance engine has some weak spot that shows up. Hopefully no one experiences flat lobes again but if they do it's a good time to get some more aggressive cams!
@@huzudra and me it has 101,000 kilometers and when I changed liftbolts it was like new everything inside! with oil changes per 5,000 kilometers! maybe if it was a faulty batch it already showed the problem, they usually get it within a few kilometers
ya because the transaxle ratios do not match the power band of the 2zz engine!
@@justintowers8230 what? Pretty sure it's the same ratio set in the Lotus?? Check Wikipedia on the Toyota C transmission and let me know! 1st to 2nd isn't perfect but you can land it if you're good and have the 8500rpm fuel cut not the later 8000. If you're referring to the U240E well yeah duh it's a 4spd auto 😂 and I know all too well about that sadly.
As you probably know, the 2ZZ is Toyota’s replacement for the 4AGE, so the evolution in performance (and willingness to rev) makes perfect sense. Yamaha once again engineered the top end. The variable lifts gives it a “dual personality”, with a similar sound to the 4AGE at higher revs.
*This is simply a car video made by a **_dyed-in-the-wool_** car lover - for the absolute delight of car lovers and drivers!*
_So desu ka!_ 🙏
I got the opportunity to ride in this car and it’s crazy. 200hp never felt so fast. What’s up Alex!
Heyo! How's the Evo doing?
You'd be surprised with my S2 Elise K Rover engine 130 hp (and 100kg lighter than this one).
Yay, sushpants is back.
As someone who knows nothing about Lotus, this made me appriciate them, especially because of the Toyota engine.
I'd buy it because of the Toyota engine. 👍
First Elise I drove had the same Toyota 2ZZ and it was brilliantly characterful. In the end I bought a 2016 car with the supercharged 2ZR which has more torque but less character. I've never driven one with a K Series lump but they are supposed to be great, especially in VHPD form
Umm. It's a good reason to buy one but the handling has the pucker factor. Fresh, soft Yoko or Toyo rubber is a must. Scared the crap out of passengers on twisty roads.
Good to have you back, the vids are always a pleasure!
Good to have you back man, your videos are great. Was acoincidence, was just yesterday was rewatching a video of yours to help me with my blacktop Ae82 build and now you got a new video from you after a break
I’m so happy you’re back! Missed you man. Hope everything is all good!
So glad to see you're uploading again! Got here from 4AGE sound video and can't wait to see more!
OMG!! nice to see you posting again ! love it....
I owned a 2005 Elise and I’m 6’3” with size 14 shoes and never had any issues fitting, though I did try to wear more driver oriented shoes.
OMG YOUR BACK!!!! SO HAPPY RN!
welcome back king, glad your back o7
Such a beautiful fun car. I have a Celica so I can really appreciate the 2zz engine.
Glad to see you back and making videos! Hope all is well!
Thank you!
Oh, you're back!
Not sure I would have sold it, that car will never exist again.
my favorite youtube channel is back!!!
Liked even before I started watching! We need more uploads 🤣
Nice to see a unique, clearcut and historically informative video on this car.
I'm a Lotus fanboy, can only dream to own. I've watched every video out there.
I tell ya, cheap pop music dubs and listening to basically 2 decades worth of reviewers explaining how the low powered motor is all cool, cause the cars so light it's power to weight is up, could induce a brain haemorrhage
GReat review, one of my dream cars to own. a friend of mine said he was surprised of how soft the suspension is on the road.
YOU'RE BACK YAAAAAAY
lol ive had a tripod flying around in my reviews too. Glad to see this car get some coverage! Great vid
I always loved this car.
This car is so unique in so many ways. There will not be another street legal car that weighs 1950 lbs.
Its great to see you again
Thank you!
Love these cars, it's one of my dreams
Super cool video ! Amazing car !
pretty crazy car. I feel like it's not the best value these days but I still respect it. I ought the ND2 miata or new 86 is almost as fast as an elise.
best value is certainly relative. A lot of cars have exploded in price. The Elise does offer a very unique driving experience.
The best value today, is the Toyota MR-S 80% of a Lotus Elise for half the price especially when it's 2zz swapped.
@@absolutezero7344 that's the first thought I had too.
@@sushpants has anyone done a hypermiling build, like mpg car. maybe a prius drivetrain swap
@@sushpants theres aptera motors but it uses normal batteries and ev stuff doesnt get recyled, not sustinable, so im staying wit used civic basically
I have the original Force-fed 2005 Lotus Elise Turbo and love it. 12000 miles in two years and will be putting another 1000 miles on it this weekend. But you're right! I have the original tail lights in a box for when I sell it, but have GRP v3 tail lights on it now... and people loved them at Lotuspalooza in Carmel, Indiana. Mine has about 80k more upgrades than just that though. Love this car!!!
I have a BOE rev300 Elise and what a blast it is! Just nothing like it
@@BoostedR130 woot!!!!
Nice presentation there.
I actually did not know anything about Elise aside from the 2ZZ-GE.
ohhh wooow an elise!!! there's itb's for that engine too, and an lsd as well. I'm currently saving money and waiting for itb's to be released for the nd miata, as soon as that is available I would love to make a video with your corolla or your elise 😄
AWESOME!!! 8D #WhataSURPRISE
Great review
Thanks!
Fantastic video!
Thank you ^.^
congratulations for your choice .. I have been driving a Lotus Elise s220 CR for 3 years, I took it from 220 to 250 hp. for 900 kg in running order, what a fantastic car, beautiful to drive, beautiful the design is a racing car with license plate lights and indicators ..
It's hands down the most beautiful car I have ever owned. An Elise s220 CR is awesome!
@@sushpants this is my baby .. ruclips.net/video/4FdZ0dg_cSk/видео.html&ab_channel=FraMad
2:15 - Sush you got a chuckle outta me here!
This remember me of the PS2 Need for Speed hot pursuit 2
Wow it’s been a while and you get the car I eventually want🤣
YAY SUSHPANTS UPLOADED
Yes, it's been a while :D
Pretty awesome video
Thanks Anthony!
You can even see the Yamaha tuning fork logo on the block. The 2ZZ-GE is a fantastic engine. I've had my '05 Elise for 17 years now and it's still going strong, even with the addition of BOE's REV400 supercharger.
Great mate! have you ever had a problem with wear intake cam lobe ? it's a weird story some have a problem all the time and some have never had one! with many miles above them.
@@DimoS... That's absolutely an issue with the 2ZZ-GE. If the tiny oil ports that wash oil onto the cams aren't perfectly cast, an engine can get the dreaded cam wiping. But if you get past that first year of ownership, chances are good you have a solid engine. I waited to start adding parts until year 3, so I'd be sure the engine was solid and I had enough track experience with the 190hp set-up to make me think I could handle more power and a stiffer set-up. The Elise is one of the best platforms for it I've ever seen. The chassis can handle so much more.
It certainly doesn't look "not flashy", in fact it's great looking for a 2006 car. Not to mention I hate racing green but I think it looks great on this car.
Oh the Best Motoring vibes.
the first mod I would be doing to that is some long trumped ITBs! The engine (at least over audio) does not sound lively enough for how mental the elise is, I recon the roar of ITBS will take care of that though :P
ITB's don't play nice on the 2ZZ, it really relies on the intake manifold for proper induction, there's a company out of Texas that makes a better intake manifold with some great gains and GREAT induction noise. A simple air intake tube will multiply the stock induction noise, my air filter is down behind the driver side fog light and intake noise drowns out exhaust entirely in lift, it's raucously loud sounding in the car but pretty mild outside.
As a aw11 owner. I’m jealous
Similar experience. I had read driving reviews of the car for years saying it was among the best handling cars out there, a true driver focused car the car mag writers would like as their own personal car. I had seen 2 of these in my life ; I never sat on one, let alone drove one because they were so rare in my area.
So I bought one sight unseen from an ad in Hemmings and had it shipped ~2300 miles to me in an enclosed truck. Within a few hundred feet of driving the car I understood what the writers had been describing. By far my favorite car I've driven. That includes a friends Turbo 911 which I was afraid I'd love before getting in.
We traded cars on a hilly/curvy road for about 10 miles. Sure, the Porsche was a monster and would leave my little Elise in the dust on the long straights between curves and was definitely faster. But, it felt disconnected from the road, too quiet inside and I soon decided I didn't want one. When we traded back cars, while getting out of the Elise my friend was grinning ear to ear and joking that now he was now going to have to get an Elise as it was so much fun. Great cars, my favorite one to date and I may never sell this one.
it's scary low, both in terms of crash safety and be seen by others in traffic in the first place. A harsh double wammy. You're more likely to be in a crash cause lots of cars today are so high, drivers wont see you and when you're in a crash you are getting smashed by a soccer mom as if she was driving a monster truck.
@@maxmeier532 So what ? Life involves risk. A semi truck will crush ANY car or SUV and do so daily somewhere. Over 40 years ago my dream job requisition became available when a guy was killed by a semi on the interstate on his way home from work. Fate will get you even if you are doing the right things.
I used to ride motorcycles - this is a fraction of the risk. I also spent decades riding bicycles tens of thousands of miles. These experiences have taught me to be aware of my surroundings. I accept calculated risks because it makes life richer.
When younger, I was a spelunker, scuba diver, hiked hundreds of miles in Grizzly country, enjoyed many free rappells well over 100 ft, and scrambles to mountain peaks in the Rockies. I've had almost a verticle mile of exposure on one, no climbing/safety gear. In my mid-sixties now I still snorkel in the ocean occasionally in high risk areas with sharks and been caught in rip tides in Maui. Have a 3 week trip planned there this Fall just before I turn 66 and will be back in the ocean to enjoy the beauty because the experience far outweighs the risk.
Life is short. Every day there are risks. If consumed by fear, one won't live much of a life. To each their own. But whenever fate decides my time is up, I'll have no regrets because I've enjoyed and experienced more than 90% of people ever will.
Would buy.
Not sure that's a cup holder. I have an 06 and I just put a small set of hex tools on there. Lol
Also the 06 has the different pedal box because it's throttle by wire. There's also another dynmat type sticker behind the seats but it isn't visible. "touring"
04:18 - you are going to slow in the corners, the motorcycle can keep up 🤣
God this car is beautiful
Totally agree. Everywhere you go, all eyes are on you. Even people that know nothing about cars are ogling it.
Did Lotus use the wiper and indicator stalks from Opel/Vauxhall ?
More videos of the Corolla please
The lotus Elise was definitely the car I payed attention to the most when I was younger. And can still appreciate today when I see them at my local cars and coffee... I need a Lotus -.-
Also, love the clip at the end of the moto just blowing straight through those corners, he's not even having fun in the turns :'l
lol, the guy just straight lined it
I had a 2006 turbo Elise with around 360hp that thing was a rocket. You could really slam on the gas and with its lightweight and rear motor the wheels just stick to the ground. Then after 3 weeks it bursted into flames....
Should of k swap it k20 very reliable
The cup holders dont really hold cups haha!!
Seeing a 14 year old photo of my red Exige in my garage made me laugh out loud!
1:44
Best part of this vid, mentioning the corolla is more of a race car and the lotus is a road car! Have you driven a Boxster/Cayman at all?
I haven’t had a chance to drive any flavor of Porsche!
@@sushpants if you ever find yourself in Kansas City, drop me a line and you can sample my 06 Boxster S
hey awesome purchase. FYI you have a reverse light out, the car makes 190 hp not 200, and that wing is not from an Exige, its aftermarket. Still looks good on the car
Thanks! Yes, the light was out when it was first received. While the car makes 190 stock, I had the BOE tune which lowered the light engagement and noticeably increased power. The wing is from the S1 Lotus Exige which is why it fits the car so well.
@@sushpants nice, still biased get a K24 swap :)
The lift doesn't sound like it comes on as hard as my 2zz Spyder. But still an awesome car and great motor.....only slightly better looking than the Spyder 😜
there pretty sick not my first choice. but there a pure sports car
What you show as the cup holder is called an “oddiments bin” by Lotus. The cup holder was an optional item that was a stick with a strap below which holds the beverages in place - a truly silly piece of equipment.
They look like mini Hennessy Venoms haha
Does it have any room in the front? 😍
Some more track videos with both cars
The Elise has left my garage permanently. This was its farewell video before it was gone.
How much do one of these go for? 👀
Where are those consecutive S's and excellent video.
edit: 6:48 lol... guy crossed str8 over the double yellow with oncoming traffic. I got in a motorcycle accident and in a middle of a lawsuit with a fucker who crossed into my side on a blind corner. Moto on moto crash. Have all the proofs and police report to win in a counter sue.
Thank you! The second rider was deep into the oncoming lane. Definitely had me going O.O
Nice video, how tall are you?
Thanks, I'm 6'2
How tall are you? I've always wanted to drive one but I never though I would fit since I'm 6'4
I'm 6'2 and still had room.
I’m 6’3” and owned one for 5 years, I met a guy at a British car meet that was probably 6’6”-6’8” and probably 300 lbs and he owned and drove an Elise, had to be the tightest fit but he made it work. The challenge is getting two people to fit, the driver and passenger sit close so it helps to not have two larger people at once, myself and my girlfriend though fit good, me and another 200 lb dude, not so much.
Don't care for the LEDs and especially the fly-by-wire. Loses the 'Anolog' that makes this car even more special.
The e throttle does have tiny bit of latency compared to 4age in the Corolla but it’s by far the best e throttle I have ever driven. The biggest part was no rev hang.
The Lotus Elise was what the 3rd gen MR2 should've been
Exactly, they had the engine and the chassis and then fumble hard by sticking the 1zz into it.
An easy swap, but it does not make the MRS transform into an Elise. The MR2 competed against the Miata, and is a sporty car, not a track or race car from the factory. There could have been a licensing or market restriction that prevented Toyota from using the 2ZZ in the MRS. MRS is a convertible with power steering, A/C, a full radio, power mirrors and windows, cup holders, full carpeting, and other creature comforts not found in a sports car like the Elise.
is that a JDM FX GT ?
Do you regret selling it?
Nope, I had it for 6 years and got to really enjoy it during that time.
Honestly started thinking something had happened to you.
Something did happen but it was something good! I got a new home and spent the better part of the last year fixing it up, leaving no time for the channel. Thanks for sticking through the wait!
Congratulations on your new home. 🎉😊
....'05 has a throttle cable. The '06 and later is fly-by-wire.......
ya fail. lotus didnt address the crap gear ratios of the C60 transaxle. it had been around since 1997 and lotus could of bought a huge batch from C-One motorsports and installed it in their N/A lotus vehicles.
Never such a low bumper again......? How about the Evora? I can fit that under a truck's bumper.........but... because we can out brake almost ANYTHING! Wait 'til you see the Emira........
2zz swap the corolla
That would be a very awesome swap.
@@sushpants people do it on the aw11 with NA SW20 axles. it’ll probably work on an FX16 too😎
the LEDs look like shit compared to the halogens lmao
Why were you walking so slowly through those corners, you should have EATEN those bikes.? Mine does..... as do my son's and daughter's ones. Lotus made it to be DRIVEN!