Just the fact that the Elise is rare is a good reason to buy along with handling. U see Porsche and everything else but seeing a Elise on the street is special.
Totally agree! There is just something extra special about these cars that is more than just the sum of its parts. Thanks for watching and I hope you will subscribe as there are lots more videos to come! Thank you for commenting as well! Cheers!
Damn, man ithink you really got that Lotus mental feeling in your head. I have about the same feelings like you and i consider to buy an Elise. This is like a Lotus community state of mind :D. Great video.
Ιωάννης thank you so much for watching - I'm going to be posting more soon so I hope to earn you as a subscriber! If there are more videos you'd like to see, just let me know and I will try to make it!
Yes man i subscribed. You know things like what we should do in case of a bad road because the Elise is a very low car and we need to be careful. Furthemore, what tyres are the most suitable.
Subscribed. You speak the truth. I absolutely love every time I get in and drive my 2005 supercharged Elise. Always brings a smile to my face. If you are looking for doo-dads and options look elsewhere. This isn’t your car. However, if you are looking for the raw driving experience where you are one with the car, you cannot beat the Elise. I sold a Porsche (which I liked) to get this car and I’m very happy with my decision to do so. Between the sweet sound of the BOE exhaust and the extra snap of the supercharged engine it never gets old. The top is nearly always off and riding in the trunk for overnight stays or weather emergencies. I find that situation ideal. I’ve owned a ton of cars over the years but none as fun as the Elise!
This guy hits it all right on the head. I ordered my 2005 Elise in 2003, drove it for 16 years for over 66,000 miles and always felt just like this dude every time I drove it. Had to sell it 2 weeks ago for health reasons and miss it every day. Tears when it drove away. BTW paid $46,000 new and sold for $39,000. Should continue to go up in value being so rare.
Thanks so much! Almost no one tells me that I'm right in the head, especially not in writing, so I'm very grateful for the comment so that I can show my wife! :)
Adjust your sideview mirror. If adjusted correctly cars behind you will go out of view on the rearview (center) mirror as they come into view on the sideview. As they go out of view on the sideview they will appear in your peripheral vision. Then you won't have to keep leaning forward to look in the mirror.
I think we Lotus Elise owners all feel the same way. It's different. It's a drivers car. Forces you to learn to drive better to get the most out of it. Especially taking turns at high speeds.
I really enjoyed your musings on Lotus ownership. You captured all of the feelings that I had when I made my first Lotus purchase. I had a 98 Elise that I imported into Canada. I sold it and bought a 2000 Lotus Exige that is super special. The only plated S1 Exige in North America. Subscribed brother. Enjoy
Oh wow, that is awesome-I'd love to talk to you more about that S1 Exige! Would you be willing to hit my website and use the contact form so that we could discuss over e-mail?
Everything you have said in this video is EXACTLY what I have thought...for far too long... and not acted upon.... THAT time has come to an end... I now am on the hunt for MY Lotus. Thank you for these wonderful videos.
I love to hear that -- and it's not the easiest thing to overcome, but sometimes you just have to go for it and take a leap -- it will be worth it, and thank you for watching!
Great channel here. Subscribed!!! I love the Lotus Elise....Its all about drivability and connection to the road!!! Nothing else compares to these cars..Nothing!!!!
Agree with this. I considered a few things (I say considered, my dad suggested a couple of other options and I didn't want them) before I got my car and am so glad I went with my baby. There is nothing else like the driving experience that you get from a Lotus. I don't think I'll ever not own one now.
Thanks so much Annie -- I'm so glad to hear that you love your car! I agree, I cannot imagine having one! Thanks so much for watching and I hope to earn you as a subscriber!
Been looking at these for about 2 years. Just can't pull the trigger yet. Just a suggestion "get a stick on convex mirror for your driver's side. Will make a huge difference.
Little Lost Lotus I have 3 other car loans. One is a H3 when it's paid off this year and a little better cash flow I'll start looking more seriously. Most likely late next summer or late fall. Wait on the price drop because of the season.
For those who place driving above polishing. You really cannot beat an Elise. You know you did the right thing. EDIT This is a wonderful video. You say everything many of us want to say . I just bought a Clio Williams. Voices in my head lost. Haha.
Good video. A small point: your assessment of the used Porsche market is wholly off. I bought a ‘90 911 in 2010 for $26K. I could sell that car tomorrow (which I most certainly won’t) for north of $40K. Granted the 911 is Porsche’s halo line, but values of Caymans & and Boxsters are also rising.
Absolutely right - and my perspective has definitely changed a bit as I've now had the good fortune to drive many more kinds of cars, including 911s and Caymans - and of course the market has also changed dramatically in the last few years both for Porsche and Lotus Elises.
I own an Evora, a somewhat different proposition than the Elise as you know. But they're close enough to share most of the same sentiments. It is a great community and they're great cars. You're nailing it. Excellent work! Subscribed.
Thanks Lew, that is very kind of you to say! What model year, and color is your Evora? I haven't driven one yet, but I hope to find a way to drive one this year!
Hi! I have just bought the Lotus Elise Heritage! I am super excited! Shall I use it as a 1st car or 2nd? Does it lose value or gaining over time? Thanks for the great video and for your opinion!
I'm debating between the Lotus Elise, Nissan 370z, or Porsche Cayman as my next car. The Nissan I feel could be used as my only everyday vehicle and be bought new. The Elise is everything I could ever wish for as a secondary car but I currently have a NC Club Miata and the Elise is kinda a super miata, maybe I should go for a new driving experience. The Cayman is sorta middle ground but maintenance costs scare me on that one.
Oh man, I totally know that debate! I considered all 3. The Nissan is probably the best overall DD of that group, and being able to buy it new w/warranty makes that prospect even better. It's true that the Elise is kind of a "super miata" - but I think you should try to get behind the wheel of one if you can, as while the driving experience is similar (I've driven the ND Miata, not the NC), the mid-engined nature of the Elise does offer different driving dynamics than the Miata. The Cayman is definitely cool - maintenance is likely going to be expensive, but they do seem to be very good cars. Thanks so much for watching!
I have an Elise I bought new in 2009 - the first day I took it out for an early morning drive, I noticed how much (envious?) attention I got from Porsche drivers - and there are scads of where I live. One thing that is very true: the Lotus turns heads, as well it should. It looks like an exotic, because it really is - form follows function; there is nothing phony about the Elise. And, it's quick as h-e-double hockey sticks!
Well, just that British cars have a reputation for electrical/reliability issues - and Italian cars have a reputation for quirky...everything, so the combination of the two is not quite a marriage made in heaven!
We don't have too many, but they can be found-I'd love to try one at some point! To me, a Caterham/Lotus 7 is one of those icons like the Shelby Cobra and I really want to experience it!
Hi Anton! That is very kind of you to say, thank you! New video coming out tomorrow or Wednesday - the first of the new season! Do you have an Elise or are you shopping for one at some point in the future?
I have the same frame of mind. My friends/family don't understand why I like the Lotus Elise/Exige it's something you buy with your heart. I test drove one last week, I noticed the tunnel where the shifter sits, moved a lot when you're shifting, is that normal?
Come joins us at autocross up at Moore army airfield (Devens) in Ayer and really drive your car! There are clubs autocrossing every weekend. Some good ones to start with are Boston BMW, Renegade Miata, and Porsche NCR (You don't need to own a car of those makes - just join the club. Bmw membership gets you into events by all 3 of those clubs)
Buying question: Did you have any trouble finding actual financing? I have great credit, 1.9% is incredible. Any insight on your loan term/amount financed would be helpful. Id assume lenders wave red flags when they see its a 10 year old expensive car with lower inaccurate value on the books. Good explanation btw on the "fighting" the reasons not buy a lotus, cause the list is pretty long with impracticality lol. Thanks
Thanks Chris! Yes, it took me some time to find the right bank to finance my Elise. My FICO score was around ~760 or so last year when I bought the car, so my score was reasonably good. The trouble with these cars, is that most banks will not finance cars that are more than 10 years old with traditional auto loans...and traditional auto loans are where you can get the best rates. When I bought my car, it was just under the 10 year old mark (which is why I chose an '07, incidentally). Credit unions are where you want to look. If you have solid credit and are looking at a 10+ year old Elise, first try PenFed Credit Union (a google search will turn them up instantly), and if that doesn't work, give DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) a try. If neither of those two work out, then start looking at credit unions near your hometown, and give them a call and ask if they can do a 10+ year old car. Rates are a little higher now than they were when I bought my car last year, but you should still be able to get a rate in the mid 2% range at one of these credit unions. Thank you for watching and I hope to earn you as a subscriber to the channel!
Hi Chris. I myself just bought an '07 Lotus Exige S financed through PenFed Credit Union. If you have good credit, they are willing to finance one at their lowest current used auto loan rate of 2.49% up to either book value (NADA) or $50,000 (whichever is the lowest). Due to some discrepancies between the current book values of Lotus and their current market prices, you may not be able to finance 100% of the purchase price. This is especially true for the cars with very low mileage (
@@AutoSugar thank you. Im actually picking up a 05 elise tomorrow. Super excited. 91,000 miles but no accidents and near perfect condition inside and out. Would you say 25k is fair price?
Could tell you several reasons why you should not buy a Lotus Elise (instead of a Porsche for example): senile car (designed last century!) that only lack of money has made the factory keep building it as there was no other option(!), The boot will take only a couple of Mars bars and you will have to drink them after a ride as they will arrive melted, an accelerator that when fully pressed hits the metal chassis generating an horrible feeling, Lotus doesn't even make its own engine: it is a generic Toyota - now for me that is common and vulgar, most Lotus gearboxes are crap or just average - now for me that is vulgar, crash it and bin it technology: chassis in a moderate shunt is non-repairable, if you want to have some pep you will have to have it with a compressor: their normal aspirated engines (now gone?) are weedy as weed. Against a 981S Boxster or Cayman stands no chance. I would have a Lotus any day as like them: the way they look, very easy to tune chassis wise, the seating position, direct and precise steering and that feeling that only lightweight brings BUT as in addition to a Porsche not instead of a Porsche.
SixPotShot You miss the point of a Elise totally- super light weight means compromises. If you want luxury (& far more weight just like a Porsche), then buy an Evora, or if you want more power than a supercharged Elise (220-270BHP), then buy an Exige at 350-410BHP.
![Harrington Legionnaire: The 3-Axle Motorcoach That Became a Movie Star [UK Bus History]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tY5zRiDW1zM/mqdefault.jpg)
Just the fact that the Elise is rare is a good reason to buy along with handling. U see Porsche and everything else but seeing a Elise on the street is special.
Totally agree! There is just something extra special about these cars that is more than just the sum of its parts. Thanks for watching and I hope you will subscribe as there are lots more videos to come! Thank you for commenting as well! Cheers!
Damn, man ithink you really got that Lotus mental feeling in your head. I have about the same feelings like you and i consider to buy an Elise.
This is like a Lotus community state of mind :D. Great video.
Ιωάννης thank you so much for watching - I'm going to be posting more soon so I hope to earn you as a subscriber! If there are more videos you'd like to see, just let me know and I will try to make it!
Yes man i subscribed.
You know things like what we should do in case of a bad road because the Elise is a very low car and we need to be careful. Furthemore, what tyres are the most suitable.
Totally! Let me think about that and I'll do a video on it!
Subscribed. You speak the truth. I absolutely love every time I get in and drive my 2005 supercharged Elise. Always brings a smile to my face. If you are looking for doo-dads and options look elsewhere. This isn’t your car. However, if you are looking for the raw driving experience where you are one with the car, you cannot beat the Elise. I sold a Porsche (which I liked) to get this car and I’m very happy with my decision to do so. Between the sweet sound of the BOE exhaust and the extra snap of the supercharged engine it never gets old. The top is nearly always off and riding in the trunk for overnight stays or weather emergencies. I find that situation ideal. I’ve owned a ton of cars over the years but none as fun as the Elise!
Thanks so much for watching!
This guy hits it all right on the head. I ordered my 2005 Elise in 2003, drove it for 16 years for over 66,000 miles and always felt just like this dude every time I drove it. Had to sell it 2 weeks ago for health reasons and miss it every day. Tears when it drove away. BTW paid $46,000 new and sold for $39,000. Should continue to go up in value being so rare.
Thanks so much! Almost no one tells me that I'm right in the head, especially not in writing, so I'm very grateful for the comment so that I can show my wife! :)
Adjust your sideview mirror. If adjusted correctly cars behind you will go out of view on the rearview (center) mirror as they come into view on the sideview. As they go out of view on the sideview they will appear in your peripheral vision. Then you won't have to keep leaning forward to look in the mirror.
Good tip and thank you for watching!
I think we Lotus Elise owners all feel the same way. It's different. It's a drivers car. Forces you to learn to drive better to get the most out of it. Especially taking turns at high speeds.
Absolutely!
I really enjoyed your musings on Lotus ownership. You captured all of the feelings that I had when I made my first Lotus purchase. I had a 98 Elise that I imported into Canada. I sold it and bought a 2000 Lotus Exige that is super special. The only plated S1 Exige in North America. Subscribed brother. Enjoy
Oh wow, that is awesome-I'd love to talk to you more about that S1 Exige! Would you be willing to hit my website and use the contact form so that we could discuss over e-mail?
Everything you have said in this video is EXACTLY what I have thought...for far too long... and not acted upon.... THAT time has come to an end... I now am on the hunt for MY Lotus. Thank you for these wonderful videos.
I love to hear that -- and it's not the easiest thing to overcome, but sometimes you just have to go for it and take a leap -- it will be worth it, and thank you for watching!
Great channel here. Subscribed!!! I love the Lotus Elise....Its all about drivability and connection to the road!!! Nothing else compares to these cars..Nothing!!!!
Thank you so much for joining the family!
I want a Lotus as a single man I want for the driving experience and take it to the track. I'm definitely gonna tune it up and make a super car tho
:)
Agree with this. I considered a few things (I say considered, my dad suggested a couple of other options and I didn't want them) before I got my car and am so glad I went with my baby. There is nothing else like the driving experience that you get from a Lotus. I don't think I'll ever not own one now.
Thanks so much Annie -- I'm so glad to hear that you love your car! I agree, I cannot imagine having one! Thanks so much for watching and I hope to earn you as a subscriber!
Wow! Lotus should feel fortunate to have you as an advocate. You have me convinced. 👍
I'm gonna be in NY again this August, fancy trying a meet again?
Cheers James, and yes, absolutely! I'm going to make it this time!!!
Been looking at these for about 2 years. Just can't pull the trigger yet. Just a suggestion "get a stick on convex mirror for your driver's side. Will make a huge difference.
What do you think is holding you back?
Little Lost Lotus I have 3 other car loans. One is a H3 when it's paid off this year and a little better cash flow I'll start looking more seriously. Most likely late next summer or late fall. Wait on the price drop because of the season.
Totally understandable!
For those who place driving above polishing. You really cannot beat an Elise. You know you did the right thing. EDIT This is a wonderful video. You say everything many of us want to say .
I just bought a Clio Williams. Voices in my head lost. Haha.
Thank you!
Good video. A small point: your assessment of the used Porsche market is wholly off. I bought a ‘90 911 in 2010 for $26K. I could sell that car tomorrow (which I most certainly won’t) for north of $40K. Granted the 911 is Porsche’s halo line, but values of Caymans & and Boxsters are also rising.
Absolutely right - and my perspective has definitely changed a bit as I've now had the good fortune to drive many more kinds of cars, including 911s and Caymans - and of course the market has also changed dramatically in the last few years both for Porsche and Lotus Elises.
I own an Evora, a somewhat different proposition than the Elise as you know. But they're close enough to share most of the same sentiments. It is a great community and they're great cars. You're nailing it. Excellent work! Subscribed.
Thanks Lew, that is very kind of you to say! What model year, and color is your Evora? I haven't driven one yet, but I hope to find a way to drive one this year!
I have a '17 Evora 400 in racing green, manual transmission. To say I like it is a massive understatement. Drive one if you can!
I feel ya. I felt that way in my Elise. I feel that way now in my 4c Spider.
I gotta say that I often dream about having both!
Glad you shared your opinion with us.
Thank you!
Congratulations. You nailed it. It is precisely as you say.
Thank you so much 😀
Hi! I have just bought the Lotus Elise Heritage! I am super excited! Shall I use it as a 1st car or 2nd? Does it lose value or gaining over time? Thanks for the great video and for your opinion!
So sorry for my late reply, but that is amazing! I'd use it as a 2nd car, personally. What color combo did you get?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts... I'm at the do I, don't I stage... maybe I just will
You won’t regret it!!!
cheers fella
I'm debating between the Lotus Elise, Nissan 370z, or Porsche Cayman as my next car. The Nissan I feel could be used as my only everyday vehicle and be bought new. The Elise is everything I could ever wish for as a secondary car but I currently have a NC Club Miata and the Elise is kinda a super miata, maybe I should go for a new driving experience. The Cayman is sorta middle ground but maintenance costs scare me on that one.
Nissan plus Elise for weekend road trips.
I wish, lol.
Oh man, I totally know that debate! I considered all 3. The Nissan is probably the best overall DD of that group, and being able to buy it new w/warranty makes that prospect even better. It's true that the Elise is kind of a "super miata" - but I think you should try to get behind the wheel of one if you can, as while the driving experience is similar (I've driven the ND Miata, not the NC), the mid-engined nature of the Elise does offer different driving dynamics than the Miata. The Cayman is definitely cool - maintenance is likely going to be expensive, but they do seem to be very good cars. Thanks so much for watching!
This would be ideal if possible!
I have an Elise I bought new in 2009 - the first day I took it out for an early morning drive, I noticed how much (envious?) attention I got from Porsche drivers - and there are scads of where I live. One thing that is very true: the Lotus turns heads, as well it should. It looks like an exotic, because it really is - form follows function; there is nothing phony about the Elise. And, it's quick as h-e-double hockey sticks!
I have one too it's special, is not the fastest or most expensive in world but is so funny.
Yes!
Good choice.. ! 911s great but a little too normal
Cheers Number 27! Thank you!
What do you mean when you say British car with an Italian alarm?
Well, just that British cars have a reputation for electrical/reliability issues - and Italian cars have a reputation for quirky...everything, so the combination of the two is not quite a marriage made in heaven!
I made exactly the same considerations when I bought my Caterham.
Not sure if you have them in the USA.
We don't have too many, but they can be found-I'd love to try one at some point! To me, a Caterham/Lotus 7 is one of those icons like the Shelby Cobra and I really want to experience it!
This channel is going to be big
Hi Anton! That is very kind of you to say, thank you! New video coming out tomorrow or Wednesday - the first of the new season! Do you have an Elise or are you shopping for one at some point in the future?
Little Lost Lotus I am shopping for an s2 at the moment. ☺️
Nice!!!!
I have the same frame of mind. My friends/family don't understand why I like the Lotus Elise/Exige it's something you buy with your heart.
I test drove one last week, I noticed the tunnel where the shifter sits, moved a lot when you're shifting, is that normal?
Yeah it's a bit flimsier than on a normal car - but it doesn't bother me :)
Did not watch the video jet but i think a lotus is more affortteble in buying one and in maintenance
Come joins us at autocross up at Moore army airfield (Devens) in Ayer and really drive your car! There are clubs autocrossing every weekend. Some good ones to start with are Boston BMW, Renegade Miata, and Porsche NCR (You don't need to own a car of those makes - just join the club. Bmw membership gets you into events by all 3 of those clubs)
Thanks so much for watching! I hope to make it out there this year!
Is there a speaker in a Lotus Elise,
Yep! There are 4!
Little Lost Lotus thank god cuz Im gonna get a Lotus Elise in 2 years after Owning honda S2000
A therapy I need 😊
Get the Lotus! But if you need therapy, I highly recommend therapy with a therapist!
Buying question: Did you have any trouble finding actual financing? I have great credit, 1.9% is incredible. Any insight on your loan term/amount financed would be helpful. Id assume lenders wave red flags when they see its a 10 year old expensive car with lower inaccurate value on the books. Good explanation btw on the "fighting" the reasons not buy a lotus, cause the list is pretty long with impracticality lol. Thanks
Thanks Chris! Yes, it took me some time to find the right bank to finance my Elise. My FICO score was around ~760 or so last year when I bought the car, so my score was reasonably good. The trouble with these cars, is that most banks will not finance cars that are more than 10 years old with traditional auto loans...and traditional auto loans are where you can get the best rates. When I bought my car, it was just under the 10 year old mark (which is why I chose an '07, incidentally). Credit unions are where you want to look. If you have solid credit and are looking at a 10+ year old Elise, first try PenFed Credit Union (a google search will turn them up instantly), and if that doesn't work, give DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) a try. If neither of those two work out, then start looking at credit unions near your hometown, and give them a call and ask if they can do a 10+ year old car. Rates are a little higher now than they were when I bought my car last year, but you should still be able to get a rate in the mid 2% range at one of these credit unions. Thank you for watching and I hope to earn you as a subscriber to the channel!
Hi Chris. I myself just bought an '07 Lotus Exige S financed through PenFed Credit Union. If you have good credit, they are willing to finance one at their lowest current used auto loan rate of 2.49% up to either book value (NADA) or $50,000 (whichever is the lowest). Due to some discrepancies between the current book values of Lotus and their current market prices, you may not be able to finance 100% of the purchase price. This is especially true for the cars with very low mileage (
Great video
Thanks Nic!
Could you tell me where you got the seatbelt sleeve? Thank you
So mine were actually on the car when I bought it, so I’m not sure where they are from...although I’ve seen similar ones on eBay.
@@AutoSugar thank you. Im actually picking up a 05 elise tomorrow. Super excited. 91,000 miles but no accidents and near perfect condition inside and out. Would you say 25k is fair price?
Wow, that's awesome!!! 25k sounds like a great price too -- what color are you getting???
@@AutoSugar storm titanium! Im in love with it!!!!!
One of the best colors!
lol its called being a leader...not a follower..lol im looking into an elise i like it....i also like my porsche cayenne too for winter driving.
Thanks so much for watching!
Could tell you several reasons why you should not buy a Lotus Elise (instead of a Porsche for example): senile car (designed last century!) that only lack of money has made the factory keep building it as there was no other option(!), The boot will take only a couple of Mars bars and you will have to drink them after a ride as they will arrive melted, an accelerator that when fully pressed hits the metal chassis generating an horrible feeling, Lotus doesn't even make its own engine: it is a generic Toyota - now for me that is common and vulgar, most Lotus gearboxes are crap or just average - now for me that is vulgar, crash it and bin it technology: chassis in a moderate shunt is non-repairable, if you want to have some pep you will have to have it with a compressor: their normal aspirated engines (now gone?) are weedy as weed. Against a 981S Boxster or Cayman stands no chance. I would have a Lotus any day as like them: the way they look, very easy to tune chassis wise, the seating position, direct and precise steering and that feeling that only lightweight brings BUT as in addition to a Porsche not instead of a Porsche.
lol!
SixPotShot You miss the point of a Elise totally- super light weight means compromises. If you want luxury (& far more weight just like a Porsche), then buy an Evora, or if you want more power than a supercharged Elise (220-270BHP), then buy an Exige at 350-410BHP.
The vulgar hell did you just say?