My wife just gave me the OK to get another car. I am currently looking at purchasing another vette (C6) or a Lotus Elise. I like the way the Lotus looks and handles, just lacks the power of the vette. I love both of the cars, just can't decide to get either a car that no one in my area has (Lotus) and really fun to drive or a C6 for the power and trunk space. I sold my vette a year ago and have been wanting to get another sports car since. Just can't make up my mind.

 

Do you really expect anyone here to say, "Get the Lotus"?

 

After reading your post, I can tell you like to look of the elise, but not the HP (or lack thereof). Simple solution......take a look that the Lotus Exige. You might be looking at something you like to see, without missing any HP. The only question is....will you like the price tag of the Exige ?

 

I like them both as well, although because of my size I could never fit in the Lotus. Another thing to consider is service. A C6 can be taken to any Chevy dealer in the world for emergency repairs. Where do you take a Lotus if you are out in Bubba country in West TX... Maybe more Lotus dealers around LA, though.

 

Daily Driver? Or extended trips? C6!
Autocross? Weekend sprints? Take your pick.

I ruminated on the Elise for a while before deciding to get another 'vette. Once I drove the Elise there was no doubt in my mind... My C6 coupe is to be produced next week!

The Elise is just too small for me. I could barely depress the gas pedal without clipping the clutch...not to mention looking like a doofus getting in and out. Beautiful car and fun to drive but for me doesn't have the whole package that the C6 does.

 

I have taken a look at the exige, but I want a removable top. Service is not problem for me I am not very far from Houston where they have a dealership. I was looking to see if anyone had ever put the 2 cars to the test. I was not able to do it in the one I drove. I was very impressed withthe new C6's ride and hp. But was not able to open up the Elise to see what it could do. Does anyone know how big of a difference in speed between the two? I checked on hte internet and most of the places are saying the C6 1/4 mile time is 12.7 and the Elise runs a 1/4 in 13.1. Is this true or do I need to look in to this furthur. I know inthe slalom the Elise will leave the vette but I do not know about on a long straight run. I am having trouble finding data on acceleration.

 

elise comparsion
this gives some info...

also expect a new lotus model in the next year (UK only for now) ...sounds better for daily use but not necessarily in performance...

Europa

 

 

 

I drove an Elise in London last month and the car feels hollow and plasticky or rather like a buggy! It's good for some short-term fun but that's it. You're better of with the C6 as your main car and purchase a remote control battery operated car to replace your lust for the Elise toy.

 

It looks all right but, not a Corvette, its real hard to get in unless your 4 foot or under, need a can opener to get out. Not much to compare to the C6.

 

Who will buy your lotus when you sell it? Small market

 

There's only one answer, Corvette.

 

Is the Lotus really an option? The Lotus would be a great replacement for a Miata........

 

I like the way the lotus drives. I have got on both the Elise and the C6. If you are into drag racing the C6 is the way to go. If you like track days particularly short tracks with a lot of turns, the Elise is the way to go. the Elise feels more like an open wheel car. The C6 still has that heavy front end feel.

John

 

I had my deposit down on an Elise back in early '05 (Los Gatos, CA) but got tired of getting bumped in line by people willing to pay $10K over msrp. So I gave up for the time being and got an '05 Vette Coupe, which was my other choice.

The C6 is a great car -- there's little not to like about it. I've been "auditioning" cars about every year and a half trying to find the one that suits me, and am quickly coming to the conclusion that I need multiple cars and and large garage! (someday, at least)

Had an '03 BMW M3 and loved it. Very refined, handled with supreme confidence. But it was actually too refined (for me). Wasn't exhilarating unless I was going >80mph, and there really aren't many opportunities to do this unless you're on a track.

Then I got an '04 S2000. Very exhilarating (not nearly as quick as the M3). Just driving around town at less than 40mph was great fun. It felt like you were going fast because of the engine/cabin loudness and the ride harshness, which I love. Much more visceral than the M3. Then decided after a year that it was just not quick enough. But I really liked the small, nimble aspect of the car.

That's when I started looking at the Elise. It seemed like the perfect car for me, but unfortunately, not realistically attainable due to long wait lists. I test drove one at Los Gatos Ferrari and it was a total blast. I ride a bike too (currently a Ducati 749) and the Elise was the most like riding a bike that I've ever experienced in a car. It was pure unadulterated excitement. Yes, the C6 smokes it in a straight line and also beats it in many of the other perf. categories, but overall, the Elise was simply more fun to drive on the street for me. For urban driving, the C6 is somewhat unwieldy compared to an Elise (or MX-5 or S2000, etc.). Yeah, the longer wheelbase improves handling, but it gets a bit tiresome having to make 3 point turns in parking lots and even some u-turn lanes on narrow 2-way streets. But then I think of last week when I went to The Container Store and Home Depot and loaded up the rear hatch with a crap load of stuff -- that would have taken about 10 round trips in the elise.

Maybe what I'm getting at is that if a given sportscar is your daily driver, the high-performance aspects of it seem to wear off somewhat after the first few months (unless you're tracking it) and what becomes more prevalent are the pain-in-the-*** everyday aspects of the car. That said, I think if the Elise were my only car, its impracticality would wear on me pretty quickly. But if it were a secondary car, then definitely go for it. Don't worry about resale value too much. Your happiness is worth paying extra in some cases.

 

Get the Lotus.

You know, Lotus used to have a reputation for being one of the most unreliable cars in the known universe (not now though) and Road & Track writer Henry Manny refered to any car being towed as "assuming the Lotus position!"

 

From your post it doesn't sounds like you have a clear picture in your head as to the "purpose" of the car. When you do....then it'll all make sense, an easy decision.

 

... totally different class of car.... apples and oranges...

 

I have not driven the Lotus, but have always liked them. Personally, I don't care much for the look of this one and the thought of a 4 cylinder car, with minimal comforts (because of weight) doesn't appeal to me much. If you like it, get it.