Modified Lotus Elise Review - The Ultralight Track Weapon
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- čas přidán 14. 04. 2017
- When you take one of the best handling cars in the world and modify it to handle even better, the results are simply spectacular. After Damien's multiple attempts to buy an S2000 track car ended in frustration, he stumbled across this 2005 Lotus Elise. Mostly modified by the previous owner, this track tuned Elise turns all the knobs (except power) up to 11.
Mods:
- Larini exhaust
- Reverie CF 5-element diffuser
- NCI front splitter
- APR carbon fiber side skirts
- Sector111 SMOOTHoperator shifter
- Sector111 raceview mirrors
- Sector111 rotors
- Nitron Singles coilovers
- Rays TE37 wheels
- Toyo R888 tires
- Probax seat - Auta a dopravní prostředky
With S2K prices skyrocketing, the Elise is looking more and more attractive as a track weapon
Cool car, looks better than any S2000 and as much as I like the Honda I would rather have a Lotus.
Mickey Hartsell yea, the lotus is faster and looks way better. But don't underestimate the work that went into the S2000. The f20/f22 has forged internals in the long run it will age better, the chassis is unique, the transmission is better, and I don't think the Elise has lsd. The s2000 is a super bargain.
John Connor No dought the S2000 is an amazing sports car and one hell of a bargain. .
Smart owner. This looks like a decent alternative and the points regarding wear are valid. For example I'm not sure I'd want to track an E92 M3 for example the same degree I can my s2000..
I like the variety of shots in this one. You can tell a bunch of work was put into this (on board go pro, exterior walk around, drone shots, chase car footage).
The elise is far superior to s2k. You made a good choice
great video mate! Quality shots from different angles and such a fantastic car. Really enjoyed watching it
"this car is a giant middle finger to a self driving car". Love that comment!
Great review of an awesome car! Well done both of you guys
Seems like the shifter was sweet, short snd precise. Awesome color combination, cannot beat BRG.
Everyone loves a LOTUS.
Wow really nice Elise something about it reminds me of the modified ones in Japan it's probably the TE37s
555 JDM wheels on a Lotus just looks "right"
I like the S2000
But
I love the Lotus
lmao smiles when he says "I was thinking about getting an s2000"
this video and car sealed the deal for me in getting one for myself
Love the rawness of the Elise I totally agree with your assessment of it being an s2000 turned up to 11 in every way! And oh btw it's 800 lbs less which is incredible!!
Jason O'Connell I wish the s2000 had the rear end looks of the lotus Elise.
"Kids, man..." 😂😂😂 Great review sir.
Brian Messemer Thanks Brian!
You're welcome! I love when CZcams re-recommends videos I've seen months ago. Just as great a review today as when I saw it last year! Health and Good Fortune in 2018 Fenton!
Great review again man!
Quick question... I know the elise is very comparable to the s2000... but how would you compare the elise to the nsx?
where did your friend get the lotus racing sticker above the driver side door blinker bulb? PLZ ask him!! THX
S2000 is a grand tourer compared to an Elise. I'm afraid to drive an Elise because I fear I won't like my S2k anymore. [insert laughing crying emoji]. Looks like this owner put on some good stuff, and light too. Between the Rays, exhaust, he might be another 50 or 100 lbs under stock.
What did you think of the Sector 111 shifter?
The Sector111 shifter is a big improvement over stock. Much more direct and less vague. Brings it closer to a Honda shifter. And yes, don't drive the Elise if you want to appreciate your S2000 to the fullest. :)
can you please share the location where you filmed this?
Green hills of NorCal in springtime.
Great review! Really gives you a sense of what they are like to drive. The current Elises, which are not for sale in the states, have a later Toyota 4 cylinder (think it's from the Prius!) which doesn't rev to 8k. There's also a supercharged version. Not sure what engine will be in the Elise when it comes back to the US.
To answer two questions in the comments - the 05-06 Elises are about $30k for a good condition car with reasonable miles. Cost of maintenance is low because Toyota drivetrain. I just change fluids annually on mine.
Thanks for the info Craig
You should do a review of Rob's new Evora 400 (the guy whose Evora S you reviewed last year). He has the orange press car that came 2nd in R&T's PCOTY.
No kidding! I enjoyed that PCOTY very much and was happy the Evora 400 did so well. I'll reach out to Rob.
Hi Zygrene! May I ask where this was filmed?
Wild car! :D
Cool car. I wouldn't mind giving one a go and seeing how it compares with an s2k. Like you mentioned, I bet it has that same raw feeling, just turned up a notch.
I was lucky enough to drive an Elise for a month through winding mountain roads. I now own a 2006 S2000 and I almost wish I had never driven the Elise. It always overshadows the S2000 as the best handling car I've ever driven. No sense of weight when cornering, makes the S2000 actually feel heavy. Much better steering and who can dismiss the cool exotic car factor. Way more attention everywhere you go.
wvjon75 sounds like a winner. All it needs is a k20, Honda powerplant and it would be perfect in my eyes.
Yeah, very true. The Elise would be a insane with the K20. Kind of ironic. With that you would truly have your cake and eat it too.
wvjon75 Next review will be a K20 powered "FWD Elise"... take a guess!
Since FWD is in quotes id have to guess a MR2. =P Or mabye a CRX/Civic if taking FWD for face value.
What size and offset are the rims?
I love that green color
Did this car have any modifications to the oil pan on the 2zz?
That too in british green❣️🥺
My two ideal dream cars on the future is a 97-98 Supra and a Lotus.
Does anyone know where I can purchase an NCI front splitter?
Nice to see a review of what possibly will be my next car! I own a bit of a poor mans Lotus Elise. An AW11 MR2 with same 2ZZ engine, 6 speed trans, ground control sleeves over Koni sports. A few engine mods give it comparable power to Elise. I really have a problem with my car on the street in terms of engine noise. It's way too loud. I even have a factory cat on the car. Due to limited piping I can't figure out how to make it quieter. In order to keep up with minivans in normal traffic I really have to rev the car and that attracts unwanted attention. Sounds like first world problems but after driving the 2ZZ for a few years it is becoming a major annoyance. Im wondering if the lotus will give me same issues.
euroatomic Your AW11 sounds like a super fun car. Always wanted to try one with a high revving NA, e.g. 2ZZ, K20, or 4AGE 20v. The Elise with stock exhaust actually sounds pretty tame.
Zygrene Thanks for replying! You are more than welcome to take it for a ride if you find yourself In NYC/NJ area. I recently shipped it to NJ from CA. I'm going to try and tackle the exhaust issue in the next month. I have a pretty quiet HKS exhaust on the car, maybe I can find a way to weld in a resonator/glass pack. Car is fully obd2 converted including with all emissions gear.
If you are looking for cars to drive I have a an Estoril blue S52 M roadster with KW suspension, camber plates, basic bolt ons and sticky rubber. It is more of a wife approved cruiser but it can handle its own in the canyons. Located in Sacramento.
Thanks for the offers. Always wanted to try an M roadster. Maybe I need to make a trip up to Sac sometime.
euroatomic I also have an aw11, they are great cars. I have ordered a custom exhaust which should be arriving soon. It should make the car sound quieter. I will upload a video once I have mine fitted. I ordered it from mr2-ben.co.uk but I think they do worldwide shipping.
What was it like doing that engine swap euroatomic. Would I need a new wiring harness and a new ecu. I've seen a rebuilt 20v 4age black top but I don't know if it's worth the effort?
Can't beat BRG on a lotus
So so cool car
Is this in the Bay area?
How's the visibility, seating position and pedal placement compared to the nsx, s2000 and brz/frs?
I'd rank seating position as follows: NSX/Elise tied #1, BRZ/S2000 tied #2. Pedal placement goes to the S2000 and BRZ.
That green, is it racing green?
I don't know about the comparison to the S2000. I've driven a couple of AP1s and never come back impressed compared to my Elise. The Elise is so much quicker and faster, has a very different polar moment of interia and therefore handling characteristics, the steering in the S2000 is very numb where the Elise is like running your hands directly over the road. The size difference and seating position has a huge effect on the feel too. I'll give it to the Honda for having a much better shifter. They don't compare at all to me.
where is he test driving? nice place very pleasing to the eye and very few cars.....very small chance of getting into an accident....unlike where the big guy drive lol
Fuck that was an awesome video!
Life is Short,
Lotus is Rare,
Buy or Save,
Now or Never.
He's the voice of VisioRacer?
how is the maintaince on this thing
Affordable in a relative way.
Fenton, you look like the type of guy that belongs on a Lotus more than an NSX. You are young, don't care about comfort, and kind of track nerdy so this car was almost made for you.
you look like you belong in a .. wait who cares.
uber sucks I look like I belong in the mouth of a terminator.....I know
Ha, if I didn't have the NSX I'd either have a Lotus or a Porsche. But the NSX still has a different kind of appeal for me. Nothing can replace it right now. In 5-10 years we'll see if that still holds true.
Zygrene No, Porsche isn't hardcore enough for you. You like small cockpits and raw handling. Unless you get a 1998 911 or older all porches are big now. There are few cars that handle that are 165" in length or less. The s2000, Miata, lotus Elise, Alfa Romeo 4C, MR2 Spyder, or older 911's are all I can think of.
have you ever driven a 2004 R32? they were pretty neat cars back in the day, especially if tastefully modified. a good example is hard to find now.
Want one
So what is the price range on one of these?
john smith you can get a nice one for 30k
john smith I've seen some decent examples in the mid 20's
They're in the $40-50k range here in Canada.
For normal road use the tyres will probably start to degrade and dry up before the tread wears off. They barely wear at all with the car being so light. In 6 months of daily use mine hasn't even used 1mm.
Also you don't need to upgrade the brakes on an Elise. They are track ready out of the box and don't fade, ever. You only need to change the pads. The factory brake lines are braided steel too.
that thing seems a lot like a go kart
If the camera car is able to keep up on these tight corners, you have been far far away from the limit...
I've never owned a car with a cup holder. Haha and I'm American.
Sounds like a civic
“modified” 🤣😂😅
you lost me and I stopped watching when you said aero mods and no powermods.