My experience after driving it for 2 years (daily during 9 months of the year): The drive is surprisingly comfortable, considering the car it is. You won't get bounced off your seat by driving over a bad road. You can feel every bump, painted on street signs etc. but it is never intrusive or uncomfortable. On the highway you can not hear the radio at all. Driving with the roof off makes you drive slower, and you can hear every bird when it chirps - even on the highway. Servicing is cheap. My second car, which I drive during the winter, is a toyota celica (with the same engine) and the costs are the same. Not counting tires or brake pads, which are a little more expensive but not by much. It's a pure car, it has no cool gadgets (mine doesn't even have airco and electric windows), making you more focused because there's nothing to distract you. I love it.
Thanks for keeping the Lotus alive here! So few of us. Both my children are learning to drive it with me now....need the next generation to know and remember what makes a great sports a great sports car...Light, simple, involving, manual!
You forgot to mention the noise - I've added a Larini exhaust and induction kit - now that's getting towards the 'hurts my ears' scale of things - but I wouldn't have it any other way 😊
You are totally right -- I've gotten so used to it that I forgot to mention it. Now I'm planning to do a video on just that topic! How well does the Larini behave on the highway at cruising speed? Does it drone much? Would you recommend the induction kit?
I've got the Larini Clubsport and to be honest on motorways its a tad droney - I just get up to the legal limit and blend the throttle off so it eases the noise off slightly but through the gears on the twisty stuff it's amazing. I fitted the Larini before the induction kit so it's hard to tell any additional noise from the kit; if anything the induction kit alters the noise rather than adds to it as the Clubsport is so loud anyway - maybe the exhaust needs to carbon/soot up a bit as it's brand new so we'll see :)
Excellent! Thanks again for the great info! I also just realized that I've never asked what specific model Elise you own. Is it an S1, S2 or S3? Any particular model designation? Toyota or Rover engine?
Have you ever driven a car as RAW as the Lotus Elise? If you've driven an Elise, how would you describe it to someone who never has? If you like this video, please hit that like button, and leave a comment...BELOTUS!
Insurance is actually not too bad at ~ $90/month. However, this varies greatly depending on your insurer and your driving record (I have no point on my record, it's perfect and I'm 37 years old.) Registration fees in MA are basically just the sales tax and a few documentation fees, so it was about 5% of $34K - so around $1700 to pay sales tax in order to register it. Probably a couple hundred in additional plate fees and documentation fees.
Absolutely! I've been thinking about this and I might even do it with a 360 degree camera for extra fun. I'll do it soon before the weather gets too cold!
I am seriously considering trading in my 2018 Challenger RT in for one of these. From what I have been able to gather, it's reliable because it uses one of the most reliable engines known to man, it gets good gas mileage, maintenance is just about the same as what I am currently in, and its a race car, that can be driven daily........... one major issue, it eats through the tires it was designed to use. If you are able to sacrifice some of that epic handling, problem solved with cheaper tires. I have pretty much made up my mind.
Thanks for watching Chris! I think you'll very much enjoy an Elise after the Challenger - it will be a totally different, but awesome experience! I personally wouldn't describe it as a car that eats tires all around - it does go through the rears pretty quick, but you can usually get through one set of fronts for every two sets of rears if you go with the OEM touring tires - if you get one with the sport wheels and more aggressive OEM sport tires, it does go through those pretty quick - that said, because the tires are so small on the Elise, they aren't terribly expensive. I would try not to sacrifice tires on the Elise if I could help it, tires are everything on the Elise.
@@AutoSugar Another issue Im hearing of is the leaky roof. Happens with both soft or hard top. I have decided mine will not be convertible at all. Going to seal it permanently and add a roof scoop.
@@chrisd8458 Thanks Chris - I can tell you from my experience that the leaky roof issues are a little bit exaggerated, and interestingly enough, I have fewer problems with water getting in when using the soft top than I do with the hard top. For what it's worth, the issue is not where the top seals to the windshield and rear of the car, it's with getting a good seal with the weather stripping to the window. I'm not sure how a "permanent roof" would even work on the Elise, but if you did it, you would also lose top down drivability in the Elise which is one of the best parts of owning the car, and what the car was designed to be in the first place...but do as you wish, just keep in mind that the car really isn't designed to have a permanent roof - if you ever have to swap out the windshield, such a setup would probably require the complete undoing of a permanent roof installation. And truly, when water does get in the car in a significant want, its usually when washing the car and spraying it directly, yes a bit might come in during heavy rain but it really isn't that big an issue - and if a little water coming in now and then is a dealbreaker for you, you may want to look at something else as the Elise may be too compromised all around to suit your tastes.
@@AutoSugar I really want the car. I cannot stop thinking about it. The Challenger is my daily driver. The Elise would be replacing that. I only got one ride. My concern is major parts. I know if anything goes wrong with the engine or transmission, i'll be ok. It's Toyota. Are there any parts that are Lotus made that are hard to source? Crucial parts that could take me off the road with long wait times? Im fine with it being manual, im fine with the impracticality of having no space qnd Im 5'8. I feel I could enter and dismount this thing no problem. Is this a solid car that I could depend on for next 10 years? Is it true it needs to be serviced every 6 months? If so how much? Are there any horrendously expensive repairs to expect aside from clamshell?
You unlucky people in the States didn't get the Elise S1. If you think driving an S2 Elise is a "raw" experience, driving an S1 is the nearest thing you can get to driving a race car on the road (street), apart from maybe an Aerial Atom. If you drive over a fag end (cigarette butt) you can tell what brand it is :-)
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
My experience after driving it for 2 years (daily during 9 months of the year):
The drive is surprisingly comfortable, considering the car it is. You won't get bounced off your seat by driving over a bad road.
You can feel every bump, painted on street signs etc. but it is never intrusive or uncomfortable.
On the highway you can not hear the radio at all.
Driving with the roof off makes you drive slower, and you can hear every bird when it chirps - even on the highway.
Servicing is cheap. My second car, which I drive during the winter, is a toyota celica (with the same engine) and the costs are the same. Not counting tires or brake pads, which are a little more expensive but not by much.
It's a pure car, it has no cool gadgets (mine doesn't even have airco and electric windows), making you more focused because there's nothing to distract you.
I love it.
Thanks so much for your comment, and I apologize for my late reply!
Bought my 06 Lotus Elise 14 years ago and still smile and feel alive during and after a good drive!
Awesome! Thank you so much for watching!
Thanks for keeping the Lotus alive here! So few of us. Both my children are learning to drive it with me now....need the next generation to know and remember what makes a great sports a great sports car...Light, simple, involving, manual!
My pleasure and thank you for watching!!!
Yup. Great review. Bott dots feel like speed bumps. Love it
Totally!
You forgot to mention the noise - I've added a Larini exhaust and induction kit - now that's getting towards the 'hurts my ears' scale of things - but I wouldn't have it any other way 😊
You are totally right -- I've gotten so used to it that I forgot to mention it. Now I'm planning to do a video on just that topic! How well does the Larini behave on the highway at cruising speed? Does it drone much? Would you recommend the induction kit?
I've got the Larini Clubsport and to be honest on motorways its a tad droney - I just get up to the legal limit and blend the throttle off so it eases the noise off slightly but through the gears on the twisty stuff it's amazing. I fitted the Larini before the induction kit so it's hard to tell any additional noise from the kit; if anything the induction kit alters the noise rather than adds to it as the Clubsport is so loud anyway - maybe the exhaust needs to carbon/soot up a bit as it's brand new so we'll see :)
Excellent! Thanks again for the great info! I also just realized that I've never asked what specific model Elise you own. Is it an S1, S2 or S3? Any particular model designation? Toyota or Rover engine?
PS, Karl, unfortunately RUclips doesn't like it when we put external links in the comments here. Sorry about that!
typical lol
Have you ever driven a car as RAW as the Lotus Elise? If you've driven an Elise, how would you describe it to someone who never has? If you like this video, please hit that like button, and leave a comment...BELOTUS!
How much did it cost you to register your Elise and how much is your insurance for a exotic vehicle like this ?
Insurance is actually not too bad at ~ $90/month. However, this varies greatly depending on your insurer and your driving record (I have no point on my record, it's perfect and I'm 37 years old.) Registration fees in MA are basically just the sales tax and a few documentation fees, so it was about 5% of $34K - so around $1700 to pay sales tax in order to register it. Probably a couple hundred in additional plate fees and documentation fees.
Any chance of a public reaction vid? i love to here the comments from people that dont know what it is. Cheers.
Absolutely! I've been thinking about this and I might even do it with a 360 degree camera for extra fun. I'll do it soon before the weather gets too cold!
Absolutely! I feel the same way about my Fiat 500...which is saying something. It feels like a luxury land yacht in comparison to my Elise!
I am seriously considering trading in my 2018 Challenger RT in for one of these. From what I have been able to gather, it's reliable because it uses one of the most reliable engines known to man, it gets good gas mileage, maintenance is just about the same as what I am currently in, and its a race car, that can be driven daily........... one major issue, it eats through the tires it was designed to use. If you are able to sacrifice some of that epic handling, problem solved with cheaper tires.
I have pretty much made up my mind.
Thanks for watching Chris! I think you'll very much enjoy an Elise after the Challenger - it will be a totally different, but awesome experience! I personally wouldn't describe it as a car that eats tires all around - it does go through the rears pretty quick, but you can usually get through one set of fronts for every two sets of rears if you go with the OEM touring tires - if you get one with the sport wheels and more aggressive OEM sport tires, it does go through those pretty quick - that said, because the tires are so small on the Elise, they aren't terribly expensive. I would try not to sacrifice tires on the Elise if I could help it, tires are everything on the Elise.
@@AutoSugar Another issue Im hearing of is the leaky roof. Happens with both soft or hard top. I have decided mine will not be convertible at all. Going to seal it permanently and add a roof scoop.
@@chrisd8458 Thanks Chris - I can tell you from my experience that the leaky roof issues are a little bit exaggerated, and interestingly enough, I have fewer problems with water getting in when using the soft top than I do with the hard top. For what it's worth, the issue is not where the top seals to the windshield and rear of the car, it's with getting a good seal with the weather stripping to the window. I'm not sure how a "permanent roof" would even work on the Elise, but if you did it, you would also lose top down drivability in the Elise which is one of the best parts of owning the car, and what the car was designed to be in the first place...but do as you wish, just keep in mind that the car really isn't designed to have a permanent roof - if you ever have to swap out the windshield, such a setup would probably require the complete undoing of a permanent roof installation. And truly, when water does get in the car in a significant want, its usually when washing the car and spraying it directly, yes a bit might come in during heavy rain but it really isn't that big an issue - and if a little water coming in now and then is a dealbreaker for you, you may want to look at something else as the Elise may be too compromised all around to suit your tastes.
@@AutoSugar I really want the car. I cannot stop thinking about it. The Challenger is my daily driver. The Elise would be replacing that. I only got one ride. My concern is major parts. I know if anything goes wrong with the engine or transmission, i'll be ok. It's Toyota. Are there any parts that are Lotus made that are hard to source? Crucial parts that could take me off the road with long wait times?
Im fine with it being manual, im fine with the impracticality of having no space qnd Im 5'8. I feel I could enter and dismount this thing no problem.
Is this a solid car that I could depend on for next 10 years?
Is it true it needs to be serviced every 6 months? If so how much?
Are there any horrendously expensive repairs to expect aside from clamshell?
@@AutoSugar Your silence doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
You unlucky people in the States didn't get the Elise S1. If you think driving an S2 Elise is a "raw" experience, driving an S1 is the nearest thing you can get to driving a race car on the road (street), apart from maybe an Aerial Atom. If you drive over a fag end
(cigarette butt) you can tell what brand it is :-)
Absolutely David - lol - in 2021 we will be able to import S1s much more easily and you can bet I'll have one!