drove the new Elise SC
 

Well, a Miata friend of mine used to be the service manager for Steve Harris Imports and has been telling me to go drive one and even gave me the name of the salesman to ask for. So today I was driving downtown and decided to stop in and look at one. The salesman and I chatted for 20 minutes or so and discussed the changes since 2005 and I sat in an Exige S 240. After a bit he handed me the keys to the demo and a plate and told me to be back in an hour!! All I have to say is that is one hell of a car!! The supercharger makes a world of difference, so responsive and the sound of the engine behind your head is intoxicating. Hard to get in and out of, but the seats were better than I expected. After I got back we chatted a bit more and I sat in an R8 and a few Ferraris. I will be dreaming of that car for the next week!!

Yeah it is. I only sat in it, wish I got to drive it.

You gonna buy it?

You get used to getting in and out. After a few weeks its nothing. Especially with the top down. Requires use of steering wheel for support and some practice squating.

Pics or ban!

If you get one have fun paying 14g for a fender bender. Clamshells FTL.

Lotus is working on a 4 seater version of the Elise called the Evora that will be powered by the 3.5L Toyota engine and will be easier to get in and out of. Apparently it already beat the Elise's lap time at Nurburgring. www.lotusevora.com/ http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...evora_car_news http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/l...ils-the-evora/

I have sort of a love-hate thing with Elises. They are unmitigated piles in terms of build quality, they suck for tall guys like me to get in and out of when the top's on, and they're really alignment-sensitive.

They do make Miatas feel like couches when you drive them, though. Big wallowing numb squooshy couches.

I can't remember, does the S240 get the fixed-back Exige seats? Those things are unbearable for me (they put welts on my spine).

Yes it has the fixed seats, the Club Racer I think gets different seats along with the anniversary Type 72D and California packapes.

hey if jermey clarkson can get in one, I'll be fine

My father's Lotus got into a fender bender the other day. Some guy in a pickup backed into the front.

What in a normal car would be a quick 800-1500$ fix came out to 16,000$. Thankfully insurance paid for it. The number was so crazy I thought my dad was exagerating. Since you said this, it makes sense though.

I'm 6 foot and 230 and had no problem using the car as a daily.

Apparently no one here has had a ride in a real Lotus 7 / Caterham or even a "book-sized" Locost. The Elise I imagine would feel like a patio chair compared to the 7.