1. Wishes he would have test drove one before buying one. It's very extreme compared to a normal production car. You do eventually get used to the rawness. 2. He really wanted a hard top and didn't consider cars without it. But it's so fun to drive with the roof off, that it should not have been a deal breaker. 3. Getting parts is really tricky and takes a long time. 4. The Lotus community is incredibly supportive and helpful. LotusTalk is particularly great. 5. The Elise is a gateway drug to exotic cars...he now wants a Ferrari or Mclaren and now must make more money to support his habit.
if you live in an area where you get snow in winter then having a hard top is a good idea, helps keep out the elements a little better. If you live somewhere warm then no point getting hardtop. Although car does look better with the hardtop.
Very well done. Had mine for a couple of years now and I agree with all your points save for the parts problem. As yet nothing has gone wrong. Of course my 2005 only has 7000 miles. I've owned a Caterham and a series 2 seven and I describe the Elise as a Seven without all the drama. I could live with the Elise every day but I'd need a break from the Seven from time to time. The car is so well balanced that its difficult to get into too much trouble unless you do something really stupid. The first (and only) time I autocrossed it, my first impulse afterward was to apologize to the car for my inadequacies. Never drove one before I bought it and never had a second's regret.
Thank you so much Don! I feel similarly about mine-every time I drive it, it reminds me that I have a long way to go towards being a better driver and must learn how to fully utilize it to its capacity...and I'm not sure I'll ever get all the way there!
As for the parts for the interior, just go to your local GM dealer... You'll be surprised. For instance, I broke the flasher light stick while getting in. Took it out, noted the serial number and went to lotus dealer; they were selling them about 250$. 2 weeks later, I got to ride a company car (opel astra), and to my surprise, i recognize the controls instantly. Went to the GM (opel in europe) dealer and saked for that same number. They were selling it 45$ THE EXACT SAME PIECE OF PLASTIC.!!!
Thanks for the video. It helped me keep my motivation for saving for my Elise. Like you, I'm sure I'll want the "top down" all the time as I do with my Miata so I'm not worried about a hard top.
I can't believe that not only did you not test drive the car you bought but you also hadn't driven any of them! Still, at least you admitted it. I guess it's the kind of car that you buy with your heart, not your head.
I want to thank you for writing the most reasonable RUclips comment I've ever received - most people just like to criticize! Anyhow, as you can see by looking at how many more videos I've produced since this one, I clearly fell in love with the car!
@@AutoSugar I'm glad you interpreted it that way. The first comment was certainly meant in a laugh along with you kind of way rather than as a dig at you. Glad to hear you're loving the car. I have a poor man's Elise, a Toyota MR2 Roadster. I love it, but maybe one day I'll upgrade to the Elise.
Like that your adding practical little discussed aspects rather than rehashing driving reviews, of which there are many. Ref performance cars being addictive. My little experience suggests the funny thing is once you experience the more expensive and harder to access cars you might well find the most actual driving fun can be achieved in something simpler and less expensive, hard to get items are often alluring due to their rarity, learning to enjoy the moment and see through the hype is the secret. Like space would be cool as it's exclusive but I suspect the reality of its inhospitable environment will eventually win out...
I have to challenge your points somewhat. 1. All the engine gearbox parts are toyota, easy to get. Other parts can easily be got online from elise part and similar retailers for reasonable prices. 2. The car is agricultural true, but this is how they get the performance. Not a grand tourer but round town i think it is not that extreme in standard fitment. 3. My lotus exige has been one of the most reliable cars i have ever had and it is my only car. Although i do do low kilometres. Conclusion, i am on my second Lotus, don't be put off by this vid. They are exceptional cars and can be driven daily. There biggest drawback is space. But we all know that from just looking at one.
Thanks for your comment, you may challenge away, but I've dedicated an entire channel and several years now at great expense to share the Elise ownership experience, and I love the car and the brand and have encouraged many to buy these cars and helped many find the right Elise for themselves. That said, the gearbox and engine are the two most reliable parts of the car, so while parts can definitely be had, it's not that common to need them. My comments were specifically related to Lotus specific OEM parts, and I very much had parts on order (CDL) for example for years before they came in at the dealer, you can't even order a replacement Lotus wheel from a US dealer if something goes wrong. Windshield broken? Best of luck to you in finding one. My Elise is by far my favorite car I've ever owned - and I hadn't had it very long when I made this video, but I hope that if you look at the rest of my channel, you will see that I've dedicated a lot of time to sharing these cars with people and spreading the word, and sharing how to live with one. Can you daily one? Sure, but it depends where you live, work and play.
@@AutoSugar well i live in Perth Western Australia, arguably one of the most isolated cites in the world, i have replaced a windscreen and know a number of lotus club members. Parts are just not a big issue compared to other mainstream cars Mechanics tell me they have bigger problems with big name models as the accountants will not let them keep parts here (perth) and wait weeks chasing them. Normal you can get parts within two weeks from oversea. Maybe that is to long for some people, all be it not OEM.
@@waynosfotos Point well taken - I still think it's a challenge but I really do appreciate you watching the channel and I hope you will check out some of the other videos on it! What year and spec is your Exige?
@@AutoSugar i had an elise 2011 for 3 years and now have my exige S for 5 years. It is 2zz 2006 SC and still loving it, it is so cheap to run, i have had audis and other performance cars and they cost heaps more to keep on the road. The fact that lotus cars are made from other car spare parts bins makes them easy to get parts for. The only thing that are expensive are the clams, so don't bang them! P.S. check out my Instagram @waynos_fotos for lots of pic and videos
Much of what he says is true and I can certainly see that buying without driving would come as a shock. I test drove, but even that did not tell the whole tale. The Elise is miserable to drive in traffic or in the city at night. It is so low that other cars' low beams are right in your face and the driver of a pick-up truck (aplenty where I'm from) can't see you if you are to their right. It absolutely magnifies every jolt and bump in the road. I pity someone who needs to use it as an everyday driver. BUT...take it out on a twisty, well maintained, well engineered road (I have my local favorite) in the early hours before traffic starts and you have the ride of your life. Collin Chapman was right - lighter is better: acceleration, braking, cornering. I'm sure that there are heavy, 500+ HP modern beasts that could out run me, but they are chock full of electromechanical aids that drive the car for you when you push it. I think I'll keep my little Lotus flower.
Thanks Hugo! I love this post! I do the same thing, i.e. take it out early before traffic heats up - I have to endure a little traffic when I drive it to work, but even that has gotten more manageable the more that I do it!
My 2 cents.... I purchased my Elise the first year they came to the U.S. in 2005 and I will never sell it. I had the dealer install a Larini exhaust, Brembo's, Ohlins adjustable coilovers, 19X10's out back and 18x8's on the front (if I'm remembering things correctly) and left the engine alone. BTW--installing larger wheels had a negative impact on handling. The car has been on cross country trips and has seen a few track days and never has had any mechanical issues in over 70,000 miles. To me, it is the perfect car and as much as I appreciate most exotics, I've never been tempted to give up the Elise for any of them. At this point in time, the Elise is mostly under appreciated by the car community as fantastic examples can be had all day long in the $25,000 to $30k price range and is a definite value in that range.
Thanks so much for this awesome comment! Just out of curiosity, do you remember what kind of wheels you had installed (the 19s and 18s? Just curious)! Thanks for watching!
I will have to get back to you on that as the car is in storage at the moment. At the time and this still hold true, there are not a lot of wheels to choose from. If I had to do it again I would not have gone with the big brake kit as it required a larger wheel to clear the caliper. I'd actually go smaller but I'd keep the 8" and 10" widths. The most important this to remember when going wide is the offset. As an aside, I special ordered the wheels from the UK. Catch up with you later.
The wheels are Compomotive's. Google them... Wow, I was just thinking about it and I think it was 2007 or 08 when I bought the wheels. I'm getting old...
One last thing, I had a diffuser delete kit installed which made the rear end look fantastic and a Momo detachable steering wheel and hub lock because I'm worried about theft. Those purchases were well worth the money.
Thanks so much man! Yeah, I'm lucky as since I'm only 5' 10" - I can get in easily with both the top up and the top down, it's a different story for my father, however, who is 6' 2" and it was MUCH easier for him to get in and out with the top off! No matter what though, they are amazing cars! Thanks for watching and I hope you will subscribe!
One of the things I like about this car is the Toyota powertrain, which is pretty well supported both OEM and aftermarket. It's gonna take a $30,000 loan just for a used S2, but someday I'm gonna get one of these...somehow.
I'm new to this and I'm sure I will get faster over time. If you have a video you'd like to see on the Lotus, let me know and I'll try to make it and work on getting to the point faster.
Thanks for your very nice and helpful video. I’m looking for buy a Elise. However I don’t have garage. Will it be a big problem to park Elise outdoor all the time? I’m living in Nebraska, so the weather is normal middle type that rain at the summer and heavy snow during the winter.
I bought my 2005 ( with sports pack ) without test driving it. I knew what I was getting into. The hardtop is only good if you are going to race it on a track. I NEVER put the top on. Also I'm 63 and I have NO problem getting in and out . Never had any mechanical problems. Just cosmetic.
Love it! Thank you so much! The Sports pack is very nice, although I'm okay with the fact that I have the "touring pack" for my current cross country drive!
Hi Alina! Thanks for commenting! The 335i is a great car! I think over time, you can/will get used to the ride comfort issues of the Elise, but it really is best suited as a 2nd car, rather than a primary car if that is at all possible in your situation. It really depends on your driving & parking requirements. If you live in a city, it's probably not the best car to have as a daily driver. If you live in a more suburban setting, it *might* be possible.
I live in a Philly with lots of traffic so my current plan is to just trade the 335i in for an Elise and get a used reliable daily car for under $10k.. thanks for the helpful video ! :)
You definitely should! That's what I ended up doing (I'm in Boston) and I've been super happy with the combination of Lotus + cheap daily car (I bought a Fiat 500 for this purpose.)! If you end up buying a Lotus, let me know as I'd love to share a photo of it on the channel!
Ugh, I know - but man they sound sooooooo good! Plus I have a service center near me that is awesome and they'd be super happy to take my money to keep it maintained! I like the 360 for sure, and I know it's much easier on the wallet...I'll probably end up doing something stupid like buying an F355.
As long as my fiancé doesn't see that video, I'll be ok! If she saw that, she'd be like: "You're not getting THAT car!" :) For what it's worth I'd buy a better sorted, and manual-transmission F355 rather than the F1...however, lately I've been more tempted by the Testarossa.
@@AutoSugar I went from an Elise to a 360 and am heading back to an Elise. The 360 was cool but very expensive to maintain and not as much fun. I also felt I couldn't thrash it, fearing it would break or I'd end up in the newspapers the next day with the 'dumb rich guy can't drive' label :).
@@waringrob Interesting, and the 360 is probably one of the cheaper Ferrari's to buy and maintain right? I'll be in the market for an Elise soon. Saving is taking longer because I refuse to sell my Miata for it. I'll need both for reasons. :)
I'd actually love to own a Solstice at some point - I just need more space as the Lotus is not going anywhere! I think they are super cool, great looking cars!
Don't get me wrong, MR2 is a good car, but it's not even on the same planet as the Elise for handling or performance. As for the rattles, well, it's the difference between a real track day car and a girls runaround. The suspension on the Elise is more track spec and a nipple jogger for sure, not a car you hop in to go to the hairdressers. 😉
Totally! In the US market we didn't get many with manual windows. Thankfully my windows work just fine, but the central locking is something that I am just not sure that I want!
wrong. less weight! and let´s be blunt...if you crash that car at not so very high speeds, whether or not it has airbags, u r either not going anywhere soon or r dead...so, I go for less weight instead for a placebo (which also impacts handling, mind you)...
@@Hunne2303 I crashed mine at about 70 MPH on a bend into a stone wall, my fault for being a rookie. It's a 2002 MK2 so it has no airbags or any safety features, not even ABS, and I went about 6ft in the air and spun around facing the way I came. Smashed the front end in completely. All I got was a bit of whiplash. I was more gutted about the car, I'd only had it a week. Luckily for me I had "Lotus premium insurance". They transported it back to Hethel from the Isle of Man, It came back with extras added to the car, and didn't even affect my premium, which was nice. Anyways, you'd be surprised how solid an Elise is, and your right, the whole Colin Chapman ethos was, less weight. I mean mine doesn't even have powered brakes, you just press the brake pedal harder, and believe me the stopping power is excellent, all down to it being light. Oh, and it doesn't have power steering either, mere decadence and you feel the grip much better. I just wish it had more top end. The Mountain road and others over here have no speed limits, so I'm often pinning the Speedo wanting more. The chassis could handle a lot more power, just not when you've had it a week. As I know to my peril 😁
What about insurance? I reckon it’s 300-400$ or so? I know other factors dictate the costs but is it really worth it if it comes to be about 1k per month to pay for a lotus?
Insurance is dependent on many factors, so it's very hard to say what any given person will say. It's going to vary from carrier to carrier, and driver to driver. For me, at age 37, with MAPFRE as my carrier, here in MA, I pay ~$80/month for full coverage on the Elise with a $1K deductible.
Arent the engine/trans parts Toyota? The 2zz is a very reliable and cheap engine to maintain. Idk why parts would be an issue, unless its body parts of course
Totally, the drivetrain (engine & trans) is very reliable and not too expensive to maintain, aside from oil changes (oil changes on the Elise are a bit more involved than with other normal cars,) and parts are pretty easy to get in that respect. It's just any part that is actually made, or made specifically for Lotus that is hard to get (exactly like you said: body parts, and in my case, specific electronic components.) Thank you for watching and let me know if there's a video on the subject of this car that you'd like to see made! I've got a big list of videos in the works, but I want to hear from viewers too!
there are no parts that are special to the elise or lotus in that respect other than bodyparts...they´ve been relabled...find out these and there you go...that easy...really!
Not entirely true, the radiator, pedals, dash, dampers and coils, wishbones, wheels, exhaust system and aluminium tub, all glass on the car are all pretty much exclusive to the elise/exige. Only thing that isnt is the drive train, wing mirrors and switch gear.
it depends wich model in europe the mg/rover vvc engine was used for the base models. the exige models have the Toyota vvtl i engine. you had the one with supercharger and the less powerfull without supercharger.
Hello, Mr. Lotus Owner. I thought your video was just fine. I have a few questions for you. My biggest concern about buying one of these cars is about the maintenance it needs. How often does it need to be serviced, tuned, or otherwise adjusted? Do you constantly need things repaired, and to bring it into the shop? Is owning it at all like owning a regular car, where you have long periods when you can just own and drive it, without worrying about constantly maintaining and repairing it (periods like 6 months, a full year, or longer?) I hope my questions make sense. I guess I want to know if owning it is like owning a regular car, as far as general maintenance goes. Thanks if you answer!
Thanks Eric Eric, so that I can best address your questions - are you considering an Elise as a 2nd car or as a primary daily driver? And if as a daily driver, do you live in a city in the USA or in a more rural / suburban environment?
Over here, nobody really takes the roofs off on any car really. Too many birds and too much rain. Honestly, it's not really considered an exotic here, it costs about the same as an mx5 right now, of course both used.
★ New video title: "Lotus Elise owner whines about his car" Recommendation: Trade it for a car that the average Joe can afford, drive that for a while and do a new video. Good video btw... lol. I came here because all I see are positive videos and I wanted to see what the downsides might be. Thanks.
Intellectual Ketchup Thanks for checking it out - I have lots of videos on the realities of Elise ownership so I hope you check them out! However, I wasn’t “whining.”
1. Do research before buying any car. 2. Test drive someone else Lotus car first. 3. With a Lotus, ALWAYS learn to maintain it yourself. 4. If you don't do 1,2 and 3 , buy a Volvo.
Thanks for watching - but this is not always possible, and many of the Lotus owners I know who love their cars could not check off all of these boxes - do you own a Lotus?
@@AutoSugar Yes, I have owned a Europa for 46 years and always maintained it myself. It one of 4 sports cars I still have. Most garages do not understand some of the engineering used in Lotus and are only used to standard cars. If you cant maintain it yourself you need to find a Lotus trained mechanic or the garage can create more problems. The techniques are more related to race cars than road cars. Suspension has to be set up and maintained correctly.
lol...never driven one, buys a "not so elise" elise...u know like to-yoh!-ta (nah, never driven these so cannot judge actually, maybe they rock)....c´mon dude....wtf?! going shopping with it, tha eff u complainin´? well, I easily manage to transport a weeks worth of groceries in mine... parts? really? either a scrapyard with rover on it (oh wait, yours is a manga clone on the inside - bad luck!) or eliseparts dot com or something (maybe fiddle about yourself?)...ffs... (no! don´t! "she" will bite back...you especially!) oh, never buy at dealerships...find an enthusiastic mechanic, they know best...dealerships know shit, frankly, even if they display F1 cars and stuff like that... selling it? no way, man...you can´t possibly get any car with better handling that is road legal in most countries. period.
nail on the head, mine's a daily driver, old cheap, not perfect and the shopping fits in fine. Plus when it is empty and the road is too it's a blast. Love mine to bits. Rover all the way, cheap parts, better range of torque.
+Hunne2303 thanks for watching! I hope to drive a rover Elise someday - we don't have them here in the USA but perhaps I'll be able to try one next time I'm in the UK
Why you have to drive it - if it's your dream? You will love it anyway. So what? Parts now are more calling to get... 6 years later. And a dealer? No way
We'll see! My fiance and I are getting married in August and there are no plans for the Lotus to go away...really, I want to add an Evora, Esprit, or Testarossa to the lineup!
My fiance said "if you don't sell that bike, we're not getting married". After the divorce, of course the first thing that I did was run out to get a new motorcycle. I'm not making that mistake again !
Yeah, it's definitely a car that needs Lotus service attention, rather than Toyota attention...which is too bad since there are about 10000 Toyota dealers for every Lotus dealer :) -- Wiped cams are a bummer, I am glad mine doesn't seem to be affected.
Well, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment just the same. This was my first video and I think I've gotten better about getting to the point more quickly and cutting out anything unnecessary. That said, you might just not like me, and I understand that I won't be everyone's taste.
Believe it or not, it really bothers me too. I do it less than is apparent by the way this video is edited, but I am really working on doing it less. It's a hard habit to break but I'm definitely concentrating on not resting my hand there. You should see an improvement if you continue to watch the channel, which I hope you will.
100% agree and I've got lots more videos in the works on that very subject! I'm looking forward to checking out your Lotus 7 content! Would love to have a Caterham!
A lotus has never been an "ordinary car" Period. Like anything, do your research before parting with your hard earned cash. A lotus is definitely NOT for everyone.
And it's unfortunate that you missed the entire point of the video, since that was the FIRST thing I said I wish I'd done...and regardless, I've now driven it more than most people have and my insights have helped lots of others buy and enjoy these cars. I guess you won't be one of them.
1. Wishes he would have test drove one before buying one. It's very extreme compared to a normal production car. You do eventually get used to the rawness.
2. He really wanted a hard top and didn't consider cars without it. But it's so fun to drive with the roof off, that it should not have been a deal breaker.
3. Getting parts is really tricky and takes a long time.
4. The Lotus community is incredibly supportive and helpful. LotusTalk is particularly great.
5. The Elise is a gateway drug to exotic cars...he now wants a Ferrari or Mclaren and now must make more money to support his habit.
if you live in an area where you get snow in winter then having a hard top is a good idea, helps keep out the elements a little better. If you live somewhere warm then no point getting hardtop. Although car does look better with the hardtop.
Totally agree that the car looks better with the hard top on vs. soft top...although, I think my favorite look is topless altogether!
I think most guys prefer topless.
177SCmaro underrated comment
Dave Meese
lol
Very well done. Had mine for a couple of years now and I agree with all your points save for the parts problem. As yet nothing has gone wrong. Of course my 2005 only has 7000 miles. I've owned a Caterham and a series 2 seven and I describe the Elise as a Seven without all the drama. I could live with the Elise every day but I'd need a break from the Seven from time to time. The car is so well balanced that its difficult to get into too much trouble unless you do something really stupid. The first (and only) time I autocrossed it, my first impulse afterward was to apologize to the car for my inadequacies. Never drove one before I bought it and never had a second's regret.
Thank you so much Don! I feel similarly about mine-every time I drive it, it reminds me that I have a long way to go towards being a better driver and must learn how to fully utilize it to its capacity...and I'm not sure I'll ever get all the way there!
As for the parts for the interior, just go to your local GM dealer... You'll be surprised. For instance, I broke the flasher light stick while getting in. Took it out, noted the serial number and went to lotus dealer; they were selling them about 250$. 2 weeks later, I got to ride a company car (opel astra), and to my surprise, i recognize the controls instantly. Went to the GM (opel in europe) dealer and saked for that same number. They were selling it 45$ THE EXACT SAME PIECE OF PLASTIC.!!!
Very good tip!
As a former imported parts manager that was the fun part because a lot of parts are shared, you just need to figure out with whom
Thanks for the video. It helped me keep my motivation for saving for my Elise. Like you, I'm sure I'll want the "top down" all the time as I do with my Miata so I'm not worried about a hard top.
Thanks so much!
I can't believe that not only did you not test drive the car you bought but you also hadn't driven any of them! Still, at least you admitted it. I guess it's the kind of car that you buy with your heart, not your head.
I want to thank you for writing the most reasonable RUclips comment I've ever received - most people just like to criticize! Anyhow, as you can see by looking at how many more videos I've produced since this one, I clearly fell in love with the car!
@@AutoSugar I'm glad you interpreted it that way. The first comment was certainly meant in a laugh along with you kind of way rather than as a dig at you.
Glad to hear you're loving the car. I have a poor man's Elise, a Toyota MR2 Roadster. I love it, but maybe one day I'll upgrade to the Elise.
Like that your adding practical little discussed aspects rather than rehashing driving reviews, of which there are many. Ref performance cars being addictive. My little experience suggests the funny thing is once you experience the more expensive and harder to access cars you might well find the most actual driving fun can be achieved in something simpler and less expensive, hard to get items are often alluring due to their rarity, learning to enjoy the moment and see through the hype is the secret. Like space would be cool as it's exclusive but I suspect the reality of its inhospitable environment will eventually win out...
Thanks so much Douglas!
I have to challenge your points somewhat.
1. All the engine gearbox parts are toyota, easy to get. Other parts can easily be got online from elise part and similar retailers for reasonable prices.
2. The car is agricultural true, but this is how they get the performance. Not a grand tourer but round town i think it is not that extreme in standard fitment.
3. My lotus exige has been one of the most reliable cars i have ever had and it is my only car. Although i do do low kilometres.
Conclusion, i am on my second Lotus, don't be put off by this vid. They are exceptional cars and can be driven daily. There biggest drawback is space. But we all know that from just looking at one.
Thanks for your comment, you may challenge away, but I've dedicated an entire channel and several years now at great expense to share the Elise ownership experience, and I love the car and the brand and have encouraged many to buy these cars and helped many find the right Elise for themselves.
That said, the gearbox and engine are the two most reliable parts of the car, so while parts can definitely be had, it's not that common to need them. My comments were specifically related to Lotus specific OEM parts, and I very much had parts on order (CDL) for example for years before they came in at the dealer, you can't even order a replacement Lotus wheel from a US dealer if something goes wrong. Windshield broken? Best of luck to you in finding one.
My Elise is by far my favorite car I've ever owned - and I hadn't had it very long when I made this video, but I hope that if you look at the rest of my channel, you will see that I've dedicated a lot of time to sharing these cars with people and spreading the word, and sharing how to live with one.
Can you daily one? Sure, but it depends where you live, work and play.
@@AutoSugar well i live in Perth Western Australia, arguably one of the most isolated cites in the world, i have replaced a windscreen and know a number of lotus club members. Parts are just not a big issue compared to other mainstream cars Mechanics tell me they have bigger problems with big name models as the accountants will not let them keep parts here (perth) and wait weeks chasing them. Normal you can get parts within two weeks from oversea. Maybe that is to long for some people, all be it not OEM.
@@waynosfotos Point well taken - I still think it's a challenge but I really do appreciate you watching the channel and I hope you will check out some of the other videos on it! What year and spec is your Exige?
@@AutoSugar i had an elise 2011 for 3 years and now have my exige S for 5 years. It is 2zz 2006 SC and still loving it, it is so cheap to run, i have had audis and other performance cars and they cost heaps more to keep on the road. The fact that lotus cars are made from other car spare parts bins makes them easy to get parts for. The only thing that are expensive are the clams, so don't bang them! P.S. check out my Instagram @waynos_fotos for lots of pic and videos
Guys? What the cause for wiped intake camshaft on 2zz lotus? Also need valve adjustment service? Thanks! (Corolla Tsport 2zz owner)
Much of what he says is true and I can certainly see that buying without driving would come as a shock. I test drove, but even that did not tell the whole tale. The Elise is miserable to drive in traffic or in the city at night. It is so low that other cars' low beams are right in your face and the driver of a pick-up truck (aplenty where I'm from) can't see you if you are to their right. It absolutely magnifies every jolt and bump in the road. I pity someone who needs to use it as an everyday driver. BUT...take it out on a twisty, well maintained, well engineered road (I have my local favorite) in the early hours before traffic starts and you have the ride of your life. Collin Chapman was right - lighter is better: acceleration, braking, cornering. I'm sure that there are heavy, 500+ HP modern beasts that could out run me, but they are chock full of electromechanical aids that drive the car for you when you push it. I think I'll keep my little Lotus flower.
Thanks Hugo! I love this post! I do the same thing, i.e. take it out early before traffic heats up - I have to endure a little traffic when I drive it to work, but even that has gotten more manageable the more that I do it!
I have a 111r version of the Elise.
Brilliant little car.
My 2 cents.... I purchased my Elise the first year they came to the U.S. in 2005 and I will never sell it. I had the dealer install a Larini exhaust, Brembo's, Ohlins adjustable coilovers, 19X10's out back and 18x8's on the front (if I'm remembering things correctly) and left the engine alone. BTW--installing larger wheels had a negative impact on handling. The car has been on cross country trips and has seen a few track days and never has had any mechanical issues in over 70,000 miles. To me, it is the perfect car and as much as I appreciate most exotics, I've never been tempted to give up the Elise for any of them. At this point in time, the Elise is mostly under appreciated by the car community as fantastic examples can be had all day long in the $25,000 to $30k price range and is a definite value in that range.
Thanks so much for this awesome comment! Just out of curiosity, do you remember what kind of wheels you had installed (the 19s and 18s? Just curious)! Thanks for watching!
I will have to get back to you on that as the car is in storage at the moment. At the time and this still hold true, there are not a lot of wheels to choose from. If I had to do it again I would not have gone with the big brake kit as it required a larger wheel to clear the caliper. I'd actually go smaller but I'd keep the 8" and 10" widths. The most important this to remember when going wide is the offset. As an aside, I special ordered the wheels from the UK. Catch up with you later.
The wheels are Compomotive's. Google them...
Wow, I was just thinking about it and I think it was 2007 or 08 when I bought the wheels. I'm getting old...
One last thing, I had a diffuser delete kit installed which made the rear end look fantastic and a Momo detachable steering wheel and hub lock because I'm worried about theft. Those purchases were well worth the money.
Will do, thank you!
Nice video dude. My friend has the soft top version which I'm happy about because I can only get into the darn thing with the roof down.
Thanks so much man! Yeah, I'm lucky as since I'm only 5' 10" - I can get in easily with both the top up and the top down, it's a different story for my father, however, who is 6' 2" and it was MUCH easier for him to get in and out with the top off! No matter what though, they are amazing cars! Thanks for watching and I hope you will subscribe!
6:30 Can relate to checking the mirror and blind spot literally 10 times in the Elise
Totally!
One of the things I like about this car is the Toyota powertrain, which is pretty well supported both OEM and aftermarket.
It's gonna take a $30,000 loan just for a used S2, but someday I'm gonna get one of these...somehow.
It's totally worth it. I am financing my Elise and will do a video on the best ways to finance one in the near future! Thank you for watching!
please do this, thanks.
Little Lost Lotus
Perfect! Would love to hear about your experience financing one of these cars.
Just posted the new video!
Just posted a video on this!
Could you possibly take longer to get to the point?
I'm new to this and I'm sure I will get faster over time. If you have a video you'd like to see on the Lotus, let me know and I'll try to make it and work on getting to the point faster.
He would get faster to the point on a faster car, but on the Elise it takes a bit of time :D.
Thanks for your very nice and helpful video. I’m looking for buy a Elise. However I don’t have garage. Will it be a big problem to park Elise outdoor all the time? I’m living in Nebraska, so the weather is normal middle type that rain at the summer and heavy snow during the winter.
I bought my 2005 ( with sports pack ) without test driving it. I knew what I was getting into. The hardtop is only good if you are going to race it on a track. I NEVER put the top on. Also I'm 63 and I have NO problem getting in and out . Never had any mechanical problems. Just cosmetic.
Love it! Thank you so much! The Sports pack is very nice, although I'm okay with the fact that I have the "touring pack" for my current cross country drive!
@@AutoSugar I have other cars for cross country driving. Twin Turbo Alfa for one.
John Mullins that sounds like a good choice!!
@@AutoSugar Yep.
Thanks for the video! My nephew wants one but it would have to be his daily.
Great car - but a tough daily depending on where you live - not great in traffic and a bit delicate to park.
I have a 335i stick shift now and I really want an Elise but i'm not sure if the change in ride comfort and stuff would be too much for me :(
Hi Alina! Thanks for commenting! The 335i is a great car! I think over time, you can/will get used to the ride comfort issues of the Elise, but it really is best suited as a 2nd car, rather than a primary car if that is at all possible in your situation. It really depends on your driving & parking requirements. If you live in a city, it's probably not the best car to have as a daily driver. If you live in a more suburban setting, it *might* be possible.
I live in a Philly with lots of traffic so my current plan is to just trade the 335i in for an Elise and get a used reliable daily car for under $10k.. thanks for the helpful video ! :)
You definitely should! That's what I ended up doing (I'm in Boston) and I've been super happy with the combination of Lotus + cheap daily car (I bought a Fiat 500 for this purpose.)! If you end up buying a Lotus, let me know as I'd love to share a photo of it on the channel!
Get the notion of a Ferrari 355 out of your head. They are SHOCKINGLY expensive to maintain.
Ugh, I know - but man they sound sooooooo good! Plus I have a service center near me that is awesome and they'd be super happy to take my money to keep it maintained! I like the 360 for sure, and I know it's much easier on the wallet...I'll probably end up doing something stupid like buying an F355.
Watch this first. ruclips.net/video/6hUyTFSj08U/видео.html
As long as my fiancé doesn't see that video, I'll be ok! If she saw that, she'd be like: "You're not getting THAT car!" :) For what it's worth I'd buy a better sorted, and manual-transmission F355 rather than the F1...however, lately I've been more tempted by the Testarossa.
@@AutoSugar I went from an Elise to a 360 and am heading back to an Elise. The 360 was cool but very expensive to maintain and not as much fun. I also felt I couldn't thrash it, fearing it would break or I'd end up in the newspapers the next day with the 'dumb rich guy can't drive' label :).
@@waringrob Interesting, and the 360 is probably one of the cheaper Ferrari's to buy and maintain right? I'll be in the market for an Elise soon. Saving is taking longer because I refuse to sell my Miata for it. I'll need both for reasons. :)
Just buy a Pontiac solstice just as fun to drive and handles like a dream -parts are cheap and easy to get oh Did I mention it’s a blast to drive?
I'd actually love to own a Solstice at some point - I just need more space as the Lotus is not going anywhere! I think they are super cool, great looking cars!
I’ve driven both of them at great length and they feel similar. Solstice Bigger more comfy and smoother ride. Both handle insanely
How does the feel compared to the Miata. NC?
Have not yet driven the NC!
The car sounds like my MR2 Spyder minus the rattles.
Thats because a mr2 spyder is built much better. With virtually the same layout.
Don't get me wrong, MR2 is a good car, but it's not even on the same planet as the Elise for handling or performance. As for the rattles, well, it's the difference between a real track day car and a girls runaround. The suspension on the Elise is more track spec and a nipple jogger for sure, not a car you hop in to go to the hairdressers. 😉
@@fraggit it depends how extreme your mr2 is. The standard mr2 is shit. The 1 you got in the usa was even worse.
Almost certainly true, but not as cool as a Lotus!
mine didnt have central locking or electric windows, less to go wrong
Totally! In the US market we didn't get many with manual windows. Thankfully my windows work just fine, but the central locking is something that I am just not sure that I want!
Do you have a US Market "Federal" Elise or do you have one meant for Europe?
It is a europe elise, doesnt have airbags neither.
wrong. less weight! and let´s be blunt...if you crash that car at not so very high speeds, whether or not it has airbags, u r either not going anywhere soon or r dead...so, I go for less weight instead for a placebo (which also impacts handling, mind you)...
@@Hunne2303 I crashed mine at about 70 MPH on a bend into a stone wall, my fault for being a rookie. It's a 2002 MK2 so it has no airbags or any safety features, not even ABS, and I went about 6ft in the air and spun around facing the way I came. Smashed the front end in completely. All I got was a bit of whiplash. I was more gutted about the car, I'd only had it a week. Luckily for me I had "Lotus premium insurance". They transported it back to Hethel from the Isle of Man, It came back with extras added to the car, and didn't even affect my premium, which was nice. Anyways, you'd be surprised how solid an Elise is, and your right, the whole Colin Chapman ethos was, less weight. I mean mine doesn't even have powered brakes, you just press the brake pedal harder, and believe me the stopping power is excellent, all down to it being light. Oh, and it doesn't have power steering either, mere decadence and you feel the grip much better. I just wish it had more top end. The Mountain road and others over here have no speed limits, so I'm often pinning the Speedo wanting more. The chassis could handle a lot more power, just not when you've had it a week. As I know to my peril 😁
If I was 25 years younger, 20lbs heavier, more intelligent, wore silly shirts, was white, had hair and could grow sideburns, this could be me.
Lol, thank you...I think?! I need to work on the 20 lbs and...wait, you really think my shirts are silly? Anyhow, thank you for watching!
Hahahha brilliant.
What about insurance? I reckon it’s 300-400$ or so? I know other factors dictate the costs but is it really worth it if it comes to be about 1k per month to pay for a lotus?
Insurance is dependent on many factors, so it's very hard to say what any given person will say. It's going to vary from carrier to carrier, and driver to driver. For me, at age 37, with MAPFRE as my carrier, here in MA, I pay ~$80/month for full coverage on the Elise with a $1K deductible.
omg, a year for a part that's still on order?
It finally came in!
You seem like a real nice guy....
Thanks!
Nice work man! Keep it up!!!!
Thanks so much for watching, and let me know what kind of videos you'd like to see in the future!
Arent the engine/trans parts Toyota? The 2zz is a very reliable and cheap engine to maintain. Idk why parts would be an issue, unless its body parts of course
Totally, the drivetrain (engine & trans) is very reliable and not too expensive to maintain, aside from oil changes (oil changes on the Elise are a bit more involved than with other normal cars,) and parts are pretty easy to get in that respect. It's just any part that is actually made, or made specifically for Lotus that is hard to get (exactly like you said: body parts, and in my case, specific electronic components.) Thank you for watching and let me know if there's a video on the subject of this car that you'd like to see made! I've got a big list of videos in the works, but I want to hear from viewers too!
there are no parts that are special to the elise or lotus in that respect other than bodyparts...they´ve been relabled...find out these and there you go...that easy...really!
Not entirely true, the radiator, pedals, dash, dampers and coils, wishbones, wheels, exhaust system and aluminium tub, all glass on the car are all pretty much exclusive to the elise/exige.
Only thing that isnt is the drive train, wing mirrors and switch gear.
it depends wich model in europe the mg/rover vvc engine was used for the base models. the exige models have the Toyota vvtl i engine. you had the one with supercharger and the less powerfull without supercharger.
Hello, Mr. Lotus Owner. I thought your video was just fine. I have a few questions for you. My biggest concern about buying one of these cars is about the maintenance it needs.
How often does it need to be serviced, tuned, or otherwise adjusted?
Do you constantly need things repaired, and to bring it into the shop?
Is owning it at all like owning a regular car, where you have long periods when you can just own and drive it, without worrying about constantly maintaining and repairing it (periods like 6 months, a full year, or longer?)
I hope my questions make sense. I guess I want to know if owning it is like owning a regular car, as far as general maintenance goes. Thanks if you answer!
Thanks Eric Eric, so that I can best address your questions - are you considering an Elise as a 2nd car or as a primary daily driver? And if as a daily driver, do you live in a city in the USA or in a more rural / suburban environment?
Just curious, but is there a NE Lotus Club you can join?
There actually is a New England Lotus Lovers club that I plan to join asap!
Woah. What happened @ 6:36? There were lots of clunks and shoulder checks.
Yeah, anytime you drive over highway expansion joints or any rough areas at all, things get fairly rough inside...the suspension is quite hard.
Lol
Should have bought a mr2 or a mx5 if you wanted a practical 2 seater.
Fair point, thankfully I didn't really need this car to be practical after all!
You drive like a madman lol xD
I'm getting better!
I’m more interested of where you were thru...Somerville!!
It's true!
Over here, nobody really takes the roofs off on any car really. Too many birds and too much rain. Honestly, it's not really considered an exotic here, it costs about the same as an mx5 right now, of course both used.
Thank you for watching!
You can rent one monthly to test drive.
Casey Bowman Perhaps in certain parts of the world that is possible, but not really here in the USA
★ New video title: "Lotus Elise owner whines about his car" Recommendation: Trade it for a car that the average Joe can afford, drive that for a while and do a new video. Good video btw... lol. I came here because all I see are positive videos and I wanted to see what the downsides might be. Thanks.
Intellectual Ketchup Thanks for checking it out - I have lots of videos on the realities of Elise ownership so I hope you check them out! However, I wasn’t “whining.”
I was only teasing you. I will check them out too. Thanks again.
1. Do research before buying any car.
2. Test drive someone else Lotus car first.
3. With a Lotus, ALWAYS learn to maintain it yourself.
4. If you don't do 1,2 and 3 , buy a Volvo.
Thanks for watching - but this is not always possible, and many of the Lotus owners I know who love their cars could not check off all of these boxes - do you own a Lotus?
@@AutoSugar Yes, I have owned a Europa for 46 years and always maintained it myself. It one of 4 sports cars I still have. Most garages do not understand some of the engineering used in Lotus and are only used to standard cars. If you cant maintain it yourself you need to find a Lotus trained mechanic or the garage can create more problems. The techniques are more related to race cars than road cars. Suspension has to be set up and maintained correctly.
@@48sydney Totally agree on all of these points.
lol...never driven one, buys a "not so elise" elise...u know like to-yoh!-ta (nah, never driven these so cannot judge actually, maybe they rock)....c´mon dude....wtf?! going shopping with it, tha eff u complainin´? well, I easily manage to transport a weeks worth of groceries in mine...
parts? really? either a scrapyard with rover on it (oh wait, yours is a manga clone on the inside - bad luck!) or eliseparts dot com or something (maybe fiddle about yourself?)...ffs... (no! don´t! "she" will bite back...you especially!)
oh, never buy at dealerships...find an enthusiastic mechanic, they know best...dealerships know shit, frankly, even if they display F1 cars and stuff like that...
selling it? no way, man...you can´t possibly get any car with better handling that is road legal in most countries. period.
nail on the head, mine's a daily driver, old cheap, not perfect and the shopping fits in fine. Plus when it is empty and the road is too it's a blast. Love mine to bits. Rover all the way, cheap parts, better range of torque.
+Hunne2303 thanks for watching! I hope to drive a rover Elise someday - we don't have them here in the USA but perhaps I'll be able to try one next time I'm in the UK
+David Richards thank you for watching - I do hope to try a rover Elise at some point - but we just don't have them on this side of the pond
David Richards how much was it old cheap-wise?
Why you have to drive it - if it's your dream? You will love it anyway. So what? Parts now are more calling to get... 6 years later. And a dealer? No way
Can you Touge run theses
All day every day!
You have a cool car, then get married the cool car goes and those dreams of a sports cars never really goes away they just seem well out of reach
We'll see! My fiance and I are getting married in August and there are no plans for the Lotus to go away...really, I want to add an Evora, Esprit, or Testarossa to the lineup!
My fiance said "if you don't sell that bike, we're not getting married". After the divorce, of course the first thing that I did was run out to get a new motorcycle. I'm not making that mistake again !
Thankfully my fiancé has grown to like the car, mostly because her daily is a Prius and she misses driving her old manual Honda Civic now and then!
Another one hooked. Welcome to our hell.
Thank you for watching!
Buying a car without test driving.... Different!.....
Indeed - thankfully it worked out!
My 111R is fantastic total race car that's that , if you want comfort don't buy one man.
100%! And thank you for watching!
I wish I’d known Toyota wants NOTHING to do with it when it breaks.
I wish I’d known about the wiped cam issue🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Yeah, it's definitely a car that needs Lotus service attention, rather than Toyota attention...which is too bad since there are about 10000 Toyota dealers for every Lotus dealer :) -- Wiped cams are a bummer, I am glad mine doesn't seem to be affected.
what is a wiped cam?
Incredibly boring, had to stop watching.
Well, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment just the same. This was my first video and I think I've gotten better about getting to the point more quickly and cutting out anything unnecessary. That said, you might just not like me, and I understand that I won't be everyone's taste.
Cant Swatch people who rest their hand on the gear lever...
Believe it or not, it really bothers me too. I do it less than is apparent by the way this video is edited, but I am really working on doing it less. It's a hard habit to break but I'm definitely concentrating on not resting my hand there. You should see an improvement if you continue to watch the channel, which I hope you will.
All pretty much first world problems......
I wouldn't really call them problems!
There all things that come with these cars....what's great about them is the feeling of engagement and twisty roads:)
100% agree and I've got lots more videos in the works on that very subject! I'm looking forward to checking out your Lotus 7 content! Would love to have a Caterham!
sooo....shall I upload some backwater swiss passroad fun? you know. the ones you never find^^
A lotus has never been an "ordinary car" Period. Like anything, do your research before parting with your hard earned cash. A lotus is definitely NOT for everyone.
That's true, but it's definitely for me - my point was that I didn't know just how "me" it would be until I drove one.
Sorry, lost me at "I did not drive it before I bought it".
Sorry to hear that, please find another channel
And it's unfortunate that you missed the entire point of the video, since that was the FIRST thing I said I wish I'd done...and regardless, I've now driven it more than most people have and my insights have helped lots of others buy and enjoy these cars. I guess you won't be one of them.
Should have learned to drive first.................a little light on shifting talent, yikes
When you have a moment to create a video to demonstrate your shifting ability, I'd love to learn from you.
Haters gonna hate, I think you shift gears fine. Thanks for the honest video.