Got a 1M before the ICE apocalypse, but I feel the Elise is the kind of car and driving experience they will never be able to replicate with EVs. I really want one of the final edition ones with the amazing looking open gate shifter.
DRIVE YOUR CAR! I had a 78' Porsche 911 with 28K miles, I was always afraid to drive it due to the low milage and the loss in value. I ended up selling it with 39K miles. NEVER AGAIN will I buy a car that I don't want to drive due to low milage!!! Please injoy your car and drive it as much a possible for the pure joy of driving. Great video, I enjoyed it a lot.
I am between this and ND2 RF Miata. Which I admit sounds a bit crazy to compare the two, however, I feel that as my 5th car with one or two track days a year in mind. I think the Miata would be cheaper to own because of age and the Elise I think will scratch that desire to drive more than the Miata even if just around town. What’s your input? Thanks for the content, found you from your more recent vids of your Miata.
@@ZentRose Yeah, I'm thinking it makes more sense to get something more special. What are top three concerns owning an Elise? Oh wildcard $40-45k Elise or you NC as it stands??
I have to concur on the lower mileage! I first bought an 05 with 60+K mileage then a CO 05 with 12K miles came up for sale.. EVERYTHING just worked better!! Yours looks beautiful!!
Rowing your own gears is a MUST!!! That limits car choice today. I'm in line for an Emira but seriously considering an Elise/Exige. Great and informative video, thanks.. and Santiago Rd, yeah watch out for the cops!!!
I'm glad you made this video. I saw the car in your last video and was going to ask about it. I was a little surprised to see it because for some reason I thought you weren't too happy with your last Lotus. I think you answered all my questions about it. I love the color!
Hmmm makes me want to sell my MR2 Spyder, also modded for the track, but stock 1ZZ. I have an opportunity right now to pull the trigger on an Elise. It’s really tempting.
I swear I almost bought that other lotus. That looks so familiar (the red) and it had almost 100k also. But instead, I settled for a ST 2006 lotus. (That was a 2006 also) it even had the exige scoops. They wanted 24, I offered 22. Did you pick the cheaper one up in SoCal? Did it also have an exhaust on it?
Great video, appreciated the comparison between this one and your previous Elise. I too bought a low mileage Elise because it was the best driving car for the money. Mine also has the LSS suspension and I noticed similar issues of skipping on rough roads. Did the aftermarket setup in your previous car address it?
Yes a good aftermarket suspension will fix the issue. You can run much higher spring rates and still have a more comfortable driving experience. I had JRZ build my dampers but I have heard good things about Penske too.
Ive never drove one, but sat in a cup250 and that thing is tiny. No dead pedal kinda killed it for me and for me that shifter was against my leg in first and second. Id love to drive one though
We just drove a lotus and S2k back to back yesterday out at Angeles crest. For a pure drivers car I prefer the lotus. For longer trips, I like the s2000. The lotus to me is a good 3rd or 4th car whereas the s2000 could be my primary car.
@@ZentRose Agree. And the AP1 is the best driver's S2000! Plus the Honda reliability you get on the S2000 is quite exceptional. Hope you will get into an AP1 again one day...
@@ZentRose Funny, I just picked up a stock AP2 and, while I've only had it for 2 days now, I think I like my NC miata more - especially as a daily. Am I crazy?
I bought a Elise last year. A red S2 R from 2006. In 2009 it got the oem supercharger kit from the S2 SC with 220HP. It has 40000km on the odo now. I didn't drive it much yet because of bad weather with salt on the roads. Since 2010 i also own a S2000 and i keep that too. Comparing the Elise with the S2000, both feel special but the Elise is the real go-kart. But the S2000 is a great car to own and drive too and more easy to get in and out and it has a electric softtop. I hope to enjoy my Elise as much as my S2000 and keep it for a long time.
There will be no more they are done the new Lotus Emira is not the same thing Values of the Elise are going up get in while you can - I've just got an S1 160 (you didn't get the S1s in US) and not looked back!
I asked you over a 🍺 that once why you sold the Elise. You had said it was great on the track but had driveability issues on the street. I didn't really ask more but now I'm curious. What are the drivability issues you had? For me personally, the hard LSS suspension was the only real driveability concern I had, and maybe avoiding rain. Aside from that, my problems were just the car slowly falling apart under me lol. Not to generalize all of them. Also not sure if you were referring to my shifter being screwed up in this video, but if you were referring to my previous comments, you were wrong. My shifter was not out of shape when I got it, the shifter is just cheap and doesn't stand up to consistent hard shifts. If you disassemble everything around the linkage under there, and if you still have stock linkage, you should find that there are no positive stops and you have a big line running to the back of the car that is held together by some connections that are flimsy by industry standards. I swapped it all out for some aftermarket parts. If you can consistently shift softly, there's nothing to worry about, and if you know that the car has a shitty shifter in it from the factory, then you can easily avoid this problem. But if you don't already have this knowledge, and if you're like most people and shift fast and a bit hard while under pressure at the track, you will slowly tear out that shifter connection because it's seriously cheaply made. Lotus was obsessed with saving weight, which I respect, but there was a couple places that it cost them build integrity.
Yes, I didn't have disposable income back then so I was daily driving and tracking that car. Top of mind, I'd point out the visibility, noise, base seats and no tech amenities that are common in other modern exotics. I'm not sure about your shifter but it is a common complaint. My first lotus shifter/transmission was bad when I got it but the price of the car was right. I like the LSS more than the base suspension, but yes I would agree that it is not the best street suspension. A good excuse to buy something from JRZ, Penske, or Nitron!
Until you own and USE a Lotus Elise or Exige, you won’t get it. You will think you understand what is being said about how they feel etc, but you don’t and won’t. Mine is a trackday beater and I wouldn’t swap it for anything. I might get a Porsche, I might even get an Emira, but none of those would replace my Elise. I would get those while I kept my Elise.
As an owner of a 2004 Elise 111R it’s extremely difficult to drive anything else that feels as good. I’ve driven 987 caymans, 348 Ferraris, 992 Carreras, e92 m3’s and a bunch of other stuff that’s way more expensive but the Elise trumps all of those cars in feel. Sure not as quick but a great car and handles so well.
Great video! I've had my supercharged elise for 10+ years now and smile every time I drive it.
Got a 1M before the ICE apocalypse, but I feel the Elise is the kind of car and driving experience they will never be able to replicate with EVs. I really want one of the final edition ones with the amazing looking open gate shifter.
DRIVE YOUR CAR!
I had a 78' Porsche 911 with 28K miles, I was always afraid to drive it due to the low milage and the loss in value. I ended up selling it with 39K miles. NEVER AGAIN will I buy a car that I don't want to drive due to low milage!!! Please injoy your car and drive it as much a possible for the pure joy of driving. Great video, I enjoyed it a lot.
I'm glad you got another lotus Elise! Planning to get one myself in the near future. Looking forward to future videos of this car
Did u do it
Wonder what you think about the S/C versions of the Elise, in terms of driving and value?
I am between this and ND2 RF Miata. Which I admit sounds a bit crazy to compare the two, however, I feel that as my 5th car with one or two track days a year in mind. I think the Miata would be cheaper to own because of age and the Elise I think will scratch that desire to drive more than the Miata even if just around town. What’s your input? Thanks for the content, found you from your more recent vids of your Miata.
I'd get the Lotus over the ND2, especially since it is your 5th car. It just feels special every time you drive it.
@@ZentRose Yeah, I'm thinking it makes more sense to get something more special. What are top three concerns owning an Elise? Oh wildcard $40-45k Elise or you NC as it stands??
I have to concur on the lower mileage! I first bought an 05 with 60+K mileage then a CO 05 with 12K miles came up for sale.. EVERYTHING just worked better!! Yours looks beautiful!!
Thanks that is very true! Enjoy your lotus, chrome orange is an amazing color!
You know the market with the chip shortage I wish there was a lotus Elise in good condition only for $55k 😭
Is it b/c chip shortage? Do you think the prices will drop? Saw a non-SC 2011 Elise R for $75k 😭
I bought a 2011 Elise a few months ago. I had a 2005 Elise a few years ago and just missed it so much had to get another !
My dilemma right now!..
Brother, this is me right now. hah!
Rowing your own gears is a MUST!!! That limits car choice today. I'm in line for an Emira but seriously considering an Elise/Exige. Great and informative video, thanks.. and Santiago Rd, yeah watch out for the cops!!!
So happy to see you back in a Lotus.
As Borat once said, VERY NICE!!!
What model year would you recommend to buy over the others?
I'm glad you made this video. I saw the car in your last video and was going to ask about it. I was a little surprised to see it because for some reason I thought you weren't too happy with your last Lotus. I think you answered all my questions about it. I love the color!
I just bought an 06 chrome orange one myself, stoaked!
Great drivers car!! My car is one of nine in the USA. I will own it until I'm dead.
Hmmm makes me want to sell my MR2 Spyder, also modded for the track, but stock 1ZZ. I have an opportunity right now to pull the trigger on an Elise. It’s really tempting.
Love that orange man, beautiful!
Thanks!
How are you monitoring the value of your vehicles?
wonder why the older lotus felt like that....lost compression?
The us cars are far heavier than the UK spec models, my S2 k series is 750kg
my cert or provenance says 78 base models non SC made that year but you state yours says 28?
Knew I should have never passed on owning one of these. Might not have the chance now.
Good review you came up with some original insights
Glad you liked it
God I LOVE that orange. Stunning car.
Thanks!
Congratulations it's an amazing sportcar.
It looks like if it was all brand new🤩. Love it😊☺
I swear I almost bought that other lotus. That looks so familiar (the red) and it had almost 100k also. But instead, I settled for a ST 2006 lotus. (That was a 2006 also) it even had the exige scoops. They wanted 24, I offered 22. Did you pick the cheaper one up in SoCal? Did it also have an exhaust on it?
Thank you for your take on the "Elise" bro.. I was honestly thinking about looking into an used 570 McLaren!! 💯
Great vid. Now you got me thinking. Should I buy another one? 🤔
I feel like the s2k will go for more in time because of the jdm crowd but my Elise isn't going anywhere. I'll lose my SC vette way before then
Naa the Elises are shooting up much quicker, they are a lot rarer plus the Lotus badge.
@@BlatentlyFakeNameElise has decreased in value in Australia now
Great video, appreciated the comparison between this one and your previous Elise. I too bought a low mileage Elise because it was the best driving car for the money. Mine also has the LSS suspension and I noticed similar issues of skipping on rough roads. Did the aftermarket setup in your previous car address it?
Yes a good aftermarket suspension will fix the issue. You can run much higher spring rates and still have a more comfortable driving experience. I had JRZ build my dampers but I have heard good things about Penske too.
Ive never drove one, but sat in a cup250 and that thing is tiny. No dead pedal kinda killed it for me and for me that shifter was against my leg in first and second. Id love to drive one though
The dead pedal is available from lotus. I have one in my 2008 Elise. I believe it was not included in USDM lotus cars because of a safety restriction.
@@ZentRose ohh ok. Thats interesting
Since you've owned both how would you compare a lotus to an s2000. I own an s2000 but never driven a lotus.
We just drove a lotus and S2k back to back yesterday out at Angeles crest. For a pure drivers car I prefer the lotus. For longer trips, I like the s2000. The lotus to me is a good 3rd or 4th car whereas the s2000 could be my primary car.
@@ZentRose Agree. And the AP1 is the best driver's S2000! Plus the Honda reliability you get on the S2000 is quite exceptional. Hope you will get into an AP1 again one day...
@@apolloandratti7922 yea i hope he gets another s2000 as well
@@ZentRose Funny, I just picked up a stock AP2 and, while I've only had it for 2 days now, I think I like my NC miata more - especially as a daily. Am I crazy?
@@stanleyhumphrey7404 NC miata feels more comfortable and practical than the AP2
Man I wish I could find an Elise for $20k :(
I’ve never seen one that cheap even before Covid.
I recently did this, but with an S2000.
Can totally relate to some of these sentiments
I bought a Elise last year. A red S2 R from 2006. In 2009 it got the oem supercharger kit from the S2 SC with 220HP.
It has 40000km on the odo now.
I didn't drive it much yet because of bad weather with salt on the roads.
Since 2010 i also own a S2000 and i keep that too. Comparing the Elise with the S2000, both feel special but the Elise is the real go-kart.
But the S2000 is a great car to own and drive too and more easy to get in and out and it has a electric softtop.
I hope to enjoy my Elise as much as my S2000 and keep it for a long time.
The old one shouldn't have lost power. The 2zz gets wear on the higher cam I think so it might have been that.
There will be no more they are done the new Lotus Emira is not the same thing
Values of the Elise are going up get in while you can - I've just got an S1 160 (you didn't get the S1s in US) and not looked back!
I asked you over a 🍺 that once why you sold the Elise. You had said it was great on the track but had driveability issues on the street. I didn't really ask more but now I'm curious. What are the drivability issues you had?
For me personally, the hard LSS suspension was the only real driveability concern I had, and maybe avoiding rain. Aside from that, my problems were just the car slowly falling apart under me lol. Not to generalize all of them.
Also not sure if you were referring to my shifter being screwed up in this video, but if you were referring to my previous comments, you were wrong. My shifter was not out of shape when I got it, the shifter is just cheap and doesn't stand up to consistent hard shifts. If you disassemble everything around the linkage under there, and if you still have stock linkage, you should find that there are no positive stops and you have a big line running to the back of the car that is held together by some connections that are flimsy by industry standards. I swapped it all out for some aftermarket parts. If you can consistently shift softly, there's nothing to worry about, and if you know that the car has a shitty shifter in it from the factory, then you can easily avoid this problem. But if you don't already have this knowledge, and if you're like most people and shift fast and a bit hard while under pressure at the track, you will slowly tear out that shifter connection because it's seriously cheaply made. Lotus was obsessed with saving weight, which I respect, but there was a couple places that it cost them build integrity.
Yes, I didn't have disposable income back then so I was daily driving and tracking that car. Top of mind, I'd point out the visibility, noise, base seats and no tech amenities that are common in other modern exotics. I'm not sure about your shifter but it is a common complaint. My first lotus shifter/transmission was bad when I got it but the price of the car was right.
I like the LSS more than the base suspension, but yes I would agree that it is not the best street suspension. A good excuse to buy something from JRZ, Penske, or Nitron!
4:15 god bless you
Until you own and USE a Lotus Elise or Exige, you won’t get it. You will think you understand what is being said about how they feel etc, but you don’t and won’t. Mine is a trackday beater and I wouldn’t swap it for anything. I might get a Porsche, I might even get an Emira, but none of those would replace my Elise. I would get those while I kept my Elise.
Interesting! I drove a cup 220 and it felt light and quick! Have plans to buy it but I need to put aside some funds. Currently have ND2 MX5!
what a dream car :P
Dont watch the Miles, drive it!
As an owner of a 2004 Elise 111R it’s extremely difficult to drive anything else that feels as good. I’ve driven 987 caymans, 348 Ferraris, 992 Carreras, e92 m3’s and a bunch of other stuff that’s way more expensive but the Elise trumps all of those cars in feel. Sure not as quick but a great car and handles so well.
20k.. why didnt i look sooner😭
Even worse now! lol. If only I finished school sooner