Lotus Elise Review - My New Favorite Canyon Carver!
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Similar to the Exige S 240 I recently drove, this 2005 Lotus Elise uses a back-to-basics approach to create the perfect mid-engine sports car. But unlike the hardcore supercharged Exige, the Elise is naturally aspirated, softer around the edges, and provides a top-down driving experience that I can confidently say is unmatched by anything else I've driven. Many thanks to Keanu... I mean Kai, for letting me experience what is now one of my favorite driving cars of all time. Fun section starts at 7:09.
If you're in NorCal and have a cool car, shoot me a comment/message!
Great review. One of the few cars that could tempt me from an S2000. Thanks to the owner for sharing.
I'm a 50 something year old female and I've got a Series 1 Lotus Elise bought in 2001 new. Watching you guys in California I'm so jealous! I did the California Coast Route Big Sur back in 1988 with husband when we were living in Canada - what a beautiful drive. Have to agree, top off the Elise so much easier to get in and out and also to put stuff in and when the suns out just perfect. Living in South West France now and very close to the French Pyrenees mountains which makes for a good drive, lots of curves and beautiful scenery. Enjoyed your video.
Jane Colyer-Raysbrook Do you need a personal gigolo? 😁
Thanks for the offer Jai, I'll bear it in mind ;) Especially as your name is linked to a decent bottle of brandy!!!
Jane Colyer-Raysbrook Ahem... Cognac. 😉
Coolest chic I've read about in a long while. S France sure is beautiful.
You need to drive the 00-05 MR2 with the 2ZZ. That will give the S2000 a run for its money in the track and canyons.
Love your vids man! Matt Farah talks to much and whines about dumb things, you're spot on!
Sometimes I feel like I say more than needed, but glad you find value in it
Go TrackSpec! Another fun Lotus vid... way to push the brand! Glad to see another convert!
This car likely has the sports pack suspension because it has the sport pack wheels (the same ones that the Exige reviewed last week has).
Good eye. The sports wheels package (LSS) were however a post-delivery upgrade.
Nooooo! S2000 is best. S2000 is love, S2000 is life. Hahaha great video, brother! Loved it.
+Arthur Sperotto For the price S2000 is still my #1 choice, don't worry!
These cars are just gorgeous!
Awesome car! I drove an Elise for a whole month in 2013. I almost wish I hadn't because it made my recent S2000 purchase a bit less exciting...lol. I believe the Elise will do an instantaneous 8.5k rpm when shifting and will hold 8k.
easy to pull 8 k 6.200 it all happens very fast
Great Review! BTW: I love that you still take credit for convincing Vanessa to buy the "s2K", although she insists it is HER idea ;) 5:09
Wellll if I hadn't introduced her to my previous S, she wouldn't have given it a second thought!
hahaha, that's true. And in the end you still end up with the ultimate collection of cars between you two, so I just like to tease you about it ;)
It's funny. In the US the Elise is considered a rare exotic and priced like one, but in the UK Elise S2s are about the same price as a good S2000 or 3 year old MX-5. They don't get nearly as much attention over here either (probably for the best), especially in normal colours.
I own two a 05 and a 2010 when you hit 6200 on the rpm it all happens and the handling is out of this world i went for the top lotus option ( genuine coffee cup holder )
How do you like the 05 vs the 2010?? Wondering if I should wait for a 2010/2011 to show up...
Haha the speed it looks like you can carry into corners is insane
+James Fonda Yep, and the car didn't break a sweat. The cornering limits are much higher than I was willing to push.
like on rails
congrats on 5k Fenton!
+Enzo loco Thanks! Next goal, 50k
That road looks very familiar. Looks fun. Missing the view, but not the tree roots. Highway down to half moon bay is the best for this and a motorbike. B roads here in Spain are splitter breakers but the a road ( paid by Eu) are awesome. If you ever get a chance do trip through alps down to s france and spain
Just a heads up, the Exige roof is removable in the same way as the Elise hardtop. They are identical
the testla roadster is the same chassis as the elise. differences is electric vs toyo motor
sky is the limit for head room with this lotus
Great video
Just FYI; The car has 3 redlines; about 6k until it warms up and then about 8k (where the real magic is) and about 8500rpm burst mode for about two second periods. The Red limiter light lets you know...
bull shit the car will not go over 6000 till it his 90 degs in the oil at 6.200 the second cam kicks in then it all happens fast to 9000 i own two the ZZ2 motor was built to rev the zz1 has lower tork
I have been considering an Elise to replace my Ferrari 360 and this review is spot on because I am looking for a craving canyons mid engine reliable option(vs the Exige that suspension will be too hard for regular roads). So I am in the same situation as the owner
BUT.... this review is 3 years old and now the first generation caymans are in the low 20ks and the Elise is still at 30k+
Can you please ask the owner if he would still consider an Elise vs a Cayman S nowadays??
I'm not the owner, but I can comment on 987 Cayman vs Elise. I've driven a couple of base 987.1 Caymans (2.7L 5 speed) and can say they are a lot more comfortable and daily driver friendly than an Elise. In the canyons the Elise is probably the most enjoyable car I've ever driven or at least top 3. Nothing beats light weight, high revving NA, perfect seating position. But the Cayman is a very good compromise if you need something a bit more livable. The Cayman S will give you plenty of torque as well.
@Zygrene Went to high school down the hill and used to take that road out to the other side with a few friends after school. Fun road with some irregularities but gorgeous when the hills are green! Good review you definitely got a sub
Thank you! More and more people are starting to discover this road. Makes it tough to film reviews nowadays with all the traffic.
He bought it to be richer than all the miata and S2000 guys at Cars and Coffee. Lol JK great car! Love the Elise.
I knew you'd love the Elise based on your type of driving and how much you love the S2000. Let me know after you drive the Cayman S and you can tell me the order of which you like them
987 Cayman S is pretty much at the top of my to-drive list now
I'm curious what you think about them. I test drove two gen 1s and was missing the rawness of the s2000 although it may have been down to me babying the car since it was just a test drive. Engine sounded awesome and good torque. I think if somebody has the cash lying around I'd be hard to forego a Cayman S.
The first Elise came with honda's B18c5. I would prefer that engine or k20.
False. They used Rover's K-series in the S1 Elise.
+Craig Yirush You are right. It was a shop that swap in b18c5. Honda engines should have been stock!
Yep. First the Rover then the Toyota 2ZZGE engine and improved by Yamaha for higher RPMs
9:41 probably the work of Yamaha.
I use my HARDCORE TRACK TOY to carve my canyon.
are u going to drive the porsche boxster soon?
+minibus1351 I'd like to review one. I posted on Rennlist but no takers yet.
icic
Where do you film in the bay area? I have a 987 Cayman 2.7 you could film, I just have a bit of a drive to the bay.
Sean Winograd I film in the hills just east of San Jose. I'd love to review your Cayman if you're willing to make the trip! Please email me at fentonsun@gmail.com.
what road is that?
what mountain run is this
is it worth selling an ap2 s2000 for an elise?
+daaayim If you can get over the smaller size and impracticality, I would say so! Test drive one first, though. The engine isn't quite as exciting as the F series.
1000% I've owned both. Love s2k but different tiers
What area of Norcal?
+itsjussjerry This was filmed in the hills east of San Jose
Since your diving people's car for pleasure do you pay for gas?
+MidasZ No
That's quite the question LOL
You're using up their gas so why not to show some respect
MidasZ I understand the sentiment, but if I paid for their gas I probably wouldn't break even from these videos. The cost of A/V equipment, my own gas, and time really adds up. Right now I don't earn nearly enough ad revenue to justify paying for someone else's consumables.
I see, cool s'all good. Keep up the good work man
4th generation MR2
SHITHOLE COUNTRIES "I put a Lamborghini motor in my Honda Civic so now it's better imo"
SHITHOLE COUNTRIES I guess that makes u a mut then.
SHITHOLE COUNTRIES finally. Now you can cry by your lonesome self in your 5,000$ 0-60 in never junkmobile
SHITHOLE COUNTRIES u got triggered fast. Must be a feminist. Get blocked scrub leave the real car talk to big boys have a shit lyfe