Lotus Elise Review: Driving Every Enthusiast’s Dream Car
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- čas přidán 15. 08. 2024
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Join our automotive expert for a lesson on the Lotus Elise's history and its place in car culture, then go for a drive in it with her!
The Lotus Elise represents a simple formula for developing a sports car that's almost completely absent today: it's lightweight, it focuses on the essentials, and it delivers a truly exciting driving experience. This Elise also features several modifications including a set of BC Racing coilovers, a Difflow rear diffuser, a gated shifter, and a Janspeed Stage 2 exhaust system.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:27 CARS & BIDS!!!
00:39 The Elise's History
02:16 An "Everyone" Car
04:05 Pros & Cons
06:14 How Many Alanises?
06:45 Getting Inside The Lotus Elise
07:23 The Interior
09:36 Getting Out of the Elise
10:33 Driving the Awesome Lotus Elise!
14:44 Outro - Auta a dopravní prostředky
What a car! Thanks everyone for watching. I'm sorry if you feel like the driving bit is a little short in this one - someone started very obviously following me, so I had to bring the car back early (you can see my neck get red in the video from being freaked out!)
Alanis, I beg you: Stop getting in the trunk in these videos. You never know what kind of weirdo might show up and close it. It makes me nervous every time I see it. Just use like a mannequin or something. I'm probably overthinking this, but I'd feel bad if I didn't say anything.
Damn these creeps!
Damn! Probably after that jacket!
Thank you for your concern! I'm super aware of my surroundings and always have two phones/pepper spray with me in the trunk. I wait to get into the trunk until it's totally safe, I promise : )
In this case, someone started following me a few minutes into my drive - they might have just been interested in the car, but they also jump-scared me a few times, so I just took it back to be safe.
That person following you probably wanted directions to Six Flags
A piece of advice for anyone who has/is looking for an Elise and wants the gated shifter- since the console is just held in place by plastic chimney U nuts and screws, it can be a little flimsy....not what you want if you're mounting a shift gate to it. replace the oem plastic U nuts and screws with some steel U nuts and bolts+ washers. That'll keep the console very solid and bolted down so you get zero movement from it. then it'll feel perfect with the shift gate 🤠👍
Also shave the rear bolt on the plate and quick shifts into 2nd and 4th will never be an issue again.
@@AliasProductions801 oh yeah also very good advice. I've heard that some people had issues with a linkage hitting that rearmost bolt
Have had one 4 years now, and its a total dream! If you arent worried about the fiberglass clams, then 100% recommend this. I did buy at the 30k dream, but this is a car that will never exist again and even now that i could make 15k selling it, there just isnt anything else I could buy to fill that gap. Really is a dream come true, for the price of a mid range SUV
What a good buy!
Agreed! It gets even better with a little more lightweight-ing and careful mods like suspension and alignment setup
@@MrBubs-yu4wm That is so true! Turns out the only weight reduction was myself so I went on a diet, and wow the balance is so good! (Jokes lol)
but for sure, its so easy to work on as well, so long as the body doesnt have an issue, you can do almost anything to these cars yourself!
It isn't fibreglass, its a grp composite. So, more like a Tupperware container. 😂
That’s the Rover engine you’ve got pictured there at the start 😁👍
Was gonna say, and didn't the Toyota engined ones get some of the electrical problems that came with Toyota at that time?
@@Cyberdeamon Toyota one is fairly bullet proof (I have one 👍) Rover engine used to blow head gaskets a fair bit (had one of those too but it was fine 😂) but the reliability got loads better when it moved from Rover to Toyota
I've had my '05 Elise since new and most of the year, it's my daily (except for snow). Mine, like this one for sale, is Bordeaux Red Pearl-a one-year color Lotus ditched since it's three-step process slowed down the production line. You'll find Lotus owners among the friendliest bunch, with tons of great advice, but you probably won't find an Elise or Exige that hasn't been modified-it's the perfect platform for increasing the car's performance. Mine has a rear clam hinge, two-piece rotors, a lightweight exhaust, upgraded toe links, upgraded shift linkage, stainless brake lines, upgraded cooling and a massive supercharger...and probably a bunch of other stuff I've forgotten over the years. Even at the 190bhp spec, they are pure joy.
I love my Elise. It’s probably the best car I’ll even own when it comes to driving dynamics. Unless I get an exige
The trick to make it somewhat easier to get in and out of an Elise/Exige is to move the seat all the way back before you get in. And then again all the way back before you get out. And to put your head in last when getting in and sticking your head out first when getting out.
And for a LHD car you get 'Elise arm' if you do it right. You hold yourself up getting in and out by putting your left arm fully extended on the rear part of the left sill and then swing your legs in or out accordingly. Takes some practice but you do get a beefier left arm and left shoulder after a while. ha
And may I add, do not use the windscreen surround as a lever to get out!
The way Alanis says “Elise” is so elegant.
Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you for 15 and a 1/2 minutes.
Wow! Thank you so much!
How else would it be pronounced?
@@sesto194 I've heard "Uh-LEESE". Alanis' pronunciation sounds like "Uh-LEEZ" and is more correct in my opinion.
With an S at the end not a Z...@@sesto194
Was not expecting the "2 Phones" reference 😂
Man I still want an Elise...
Us too
It’s forgotten in the UK. Everything is massive hp, fat and German. So nice you guys get it. Love my 220 and im over 6ft. Thanks for being a driver.
Lol at "simplify, then add salvage title" 😂
Hahahahaha I laughed at it too when I heard it again
“Lotus Eliiiiizzzzzzz”
I have a 2005 Laser blue Supercharged Elise and just love it. Sold a Porsche to get it and it was the best decision ever. This thing is WAY more fun. I almost never have the top on so getting in and out is so much easier. Great thing is you essentially get the car for free since you’ll sell it for more than you paid for it. Everyone that I know that owned an Elise and sold theirs wishes they had the car back.Taking the immobilizer out of the car was the best thing ever as it was nothing but trouble.
I'm a Lotus girl.
I currently own my 2nd Elise and my 3rd Lotus.
I may be quite slim and not particularly tall (167cm) but I don't find too hard to get in and out.
It's just a funny little car.
Love it
I am on my 3rd at over 6ft. Live once..
Have a Chrome Orange Elise, and its by far the most fun car I've ever driven.
My uncle has one of these, it's absurd how nimble these cars are.
My grandfather at 86 years old took it for an enthusiastic drive once or twice. Exact same color as well!
... It took a solid five minutes for him to exit the car after parking it back in the garage. A gurney would have been helpful.
No one had any regrets. Amazing machine through and through.
That's what the Evora is for. An Elise you can get in and out of more easily.
The Elise is a sports car that looks like a super car. The Series 1 is the most beautiful sports car in history and the Series 2 is more practical just from a maintenance perspective. Truly an all-time classic.
People make a big thing about starting Lotuses but it’s not a big issue. Turn the key, push start, done (other than the clutch start which I believe is mandatory on all modern manuals). The thing that throws everyone the first time is it has an immobilizer that times out after 90 seconds or whatever it is. So if you disarm the alarm/unlock the car, but you don’t start it up for a couple minutes, you have to hit the unlock button again before it’ll start. That’s all.
There's no clutch interlock in an '05 Elise, so be sure it's out of gear. I keep my foot on the brake and don't depress the clutch when I start.
I rented an Exige in Las Vegas in 2009.At the time I owned an AP1 S2000 and expected similar performance out of a 4 cylinder sports car. Was amazed at how much fun and agile the Lotus was compared to the Honda. Both were very fun and capable but in totally different ways. I have always kept it in my mind to pick one up at some point. Great video Alanis and thank you!
: )
Isn’t it pronounced “Elise”?
It's named after Elisa Artioli so, one can either use the softer Italian pronunciation for the "E" or a harder English "E" (as in "ee"). But the "S" should always be the normal "S" sound. Not a "Z" sound.
@@NephosPais Many Brits say it with the Z sound. It's a Brit car, so......
You are a wonderful reviewer!
From an Elise owner! 💛💚
I've wanted a Lotus for 20 years. That desire started with Top Gear's segment on the Lotus Exige (worth finding and watching). I wish they had better after-sales support in the US. The 2-year gap between the Elise and the Evora being available in the US market put a dent in their dealership network here.
“Your two phones, me and Kevin Gates.”
I would totally buy this car if I lived in the states
Anyone that drives an Elise can claim to truly love driving. My 111R just loves the twisty roads and I always find a long way home.
IMHO you did a great view! History, pros & CONS!
Thank you!
Keep up your good work Atlantis.
My dream Lotus has been an Esprit V8. Such a beautiful car. Hopefully in a few years I can find one.
Although I never ever liked the look of the Elise, its still one of my favorite cars. Its all about engineering and performance.
Alanis' hips fit the seats. so it's approved for me.
😄 no they don't
I have been a fan of the Elise since following Todd over at Everyday Driver. And between that, the reverence for the Honda S2000 and your love of previous Miatas, it’s why my next car will hopefully be an ND2 RF.
A more “modern and practical” application of all three of these rolled up together.
Light weight, manual and fun!!
Thanks for a wonderful video
Thank you so much for watching!
Owned both nd2 and Elise. You’re spot on.
I think the ND2 RF is one of those cars we’ll still be talking about in two or three decades. One of the best looking vehicles of its generation.
Having owned an Elise and a supercharged ND1 (and having spent several days in the ND2), the ND2 makes far more sense for 99.9% of people. Less money, far better overall experience. I lusted after an Elise and got one for yes around 30k, sold it for about the same. I thought I was hard-core enough for it but the reality of the Elise is just too much in the real world unless you live near smooth twisty roads. Over bumps the whole car shudders so much you think it's going to break. The rear tires skip sideways over bumps when turning enthusiastically. The interior noise is deafening. With the top off the wind noise is deafening. Getting in/out is very difficult (and I'm tiny). With the risk of body damage at the current price level the Elise just doesn't make sense. It was fun for the 8 months I had it but the ND2 is a far better overall experience without giving up much and gaining so much in comfort, convenience, usability, reliability, repairability etc. Yes the Elise has amazingly talkative steering but it actually gets tiresome in normal driving if you aren't on a back road blast. The Elise shifter was wonderfully mechanical but so is the Miata. The Elise looks amazing and is just so cool and special but in reality it's a weekend car for smooth roads only. The ND2 feels special when you wind it out to redline in the first two gears around town and redline 3rd entering the highway = usable real-world power level and fun.
@@jeffsnavely588 Exactly. I've lusted after an Elise for a decade after driving one. When I could somewhat afford one, I opted for the ND1 1.5 instead (even more usable power than the ND2 2.0 and just as fun revving it out). To see what I was missing I drove an Exige S2 (2ZZ) recently, and it was very exciting, but simply too much. My ND gives me 80% of the fun plus 300% of the creature comforts for 50% of the price.
I’ve had 6 lotuses, Exiges and Elise’s but I’ve just bought another Elise 250 cup .
I’ve had lots of super cars but nothing drives like a lotus .
BTW …I’m glad our insurance cover in the U.K. isn’t as ridiculous as yours …. Insane and all for a scratch .
Just a great car. These cars are now true collector items. I have an Alfa 4C.
That silver one with the five spoke wheels is just incredible. I can see myself getting one someday but yeah, that 45+ price range is tough considering all the fiberglass nightmares
That's the first version, the S1. Never sold new in the USA.
Corvettes were fiberglass. You can do small repair patches so I don't know why a small crack would total the car? Insurance company doesn't realize you can do patch repairs.
@@jefferycampbell9182yea
But after reading lotus forums terms out the way they’ve done fiber glass at lotus was different or watever to save weight. Some traditional treatment isn’t as effective or whatever.
Great car, I owned an Exige S. It’s not for everyone, try to before you buy. If you think a GTR has a stiff suspension, drive an Elise/Exige. I loved mine
My buddy has a light green Exige S and I’ve never been more disappointed, but not surprised, that I could not fit in a car.
S2 Elise's without the touring pack aren't really stiff imo. It's probably the perfect setup for a less-than-perfect British B road haha
@@_red_scorpion_ Some were available with both the Track and Touring package. It kept the Track wheels and suspension, but added sound dampening, stereo, air-conditioning and a behind the seat storage net to the car. This combination gave creature comforts for longer trips, and still had the concise corning at the track. I have one of these in the Storm Titanium color (I call "don't ticket me mature silver-grey" color).
Surprised they did not use this car in "Commando" movie where Arnold just takes one of the seats out of the car so he can fit. Obviously another entry method.
Never seen one of your reviews before this, but totally nailed it! Just a hint of Doug in your personality😂.
Thanks! 😃
Thank you so much!
Cheap... Relatively reliable... Manual... Amazing looks... Light... I mean, find a deal-breaking flaw... Unless you're over 6' tall or 200lb's of course.
Being over 6ft isn't an issue when you're in the car. But it can be an issue if you're not very flexible and trying to get out of it lol
6’3”, 210 lb here. No issues
Everyday Driver CZcamsr and podcaster has one and is over 6 ft tall. I believe he installed shorter seat rails to compensate.
"Me and Kevin Gates with our 4 phones" SENT ME! 😂😂
Hahahahaha
7 years ago I started looking into buying a used Elise. I found a local (Canada) Exige (front of an Elise, back of an Evora) for $18,000 CAD (like, $13,000 USD) from an old dude moving across the country and wouldn't have room for all his cars. And I was like "Hey, cool, okay, if that's what they're worth, I'll keep my eye out for a cheaper one." A month later I was like "Wait, how much are these things worth? Oh no." That *was* the cheapest one anyone's ever heard of selling. And my life has been a parade of misery ever since.
WOW
Pretty sure the S3 Exiges (V6 powertrain, Evora rear architecture) never made it to the US or Canada, at least not for street use. Am I wrong? Or are you thinking of an S2 Exige perhaps? Either way, for a car in decent shape that would have been an unprecedented deal. Sorry
I feel your pain. I had the chance to buy a one owner E39 M5 with 65,000 miles for $15,000. 😢😢😢
Dude, where's your car? 😂
You're right, Alanis. I've always wanted an Elise. Grown up Go-kart!!
It's so fun!
The Awesome Bill from Dawsonville jacket is wild.
I got a ride in one over in England when I was a kid....it was awesome😊
I got mine back in 2012. It was at the sweet spot for low price. Let me explain. Banks are happy to finance cars which are less than 7 years old at a more attractive interest rate. But, at the magical 7 year mark, that low interest rate goes away. This can temporarily depress the used car value of any vehicle (It happens to Porche, BMS, Mercedes, etc.). In the year 2012, my 2005 Lotus Elise had hit that age. It was picked up, with less than 30K miles for 25K in Arizona.
These cars are considered one of the top SCCA autocross cars, even today. Five-time SCCA champion Fred Zust won all his titles in a Lotus Elise. His wife also has some female division titles as well in a Lotus Elise. They are simply that good (assuming your reflexes are fast, and you are a skilled driver).
Just a very basic warning: If you are the sort of person who wants to be left alone as you refuel the car at a gas station, this is not the car for you. You will likely never refuel alone in the car, as people will walk up to this very recognizable car, and ask questions.
The body work IS like an eggshell, it is easily damaged, but the agility, acceleration and brakes of this car are also amazing (which allows you to avoid accidents in the first place). There IS a large aftermarket parts industry for this car. If you feel you need even more agility, acceleration or braking, those upgrades can be purchased as bolt-on upgrades. The one I drive is a street/track car. It is upgraded in all the areas which matter, but yet, to casual inspection still looks very stock.
Even if you never intend to own one, you should try to wrangle a chance to be a passenger in one of these cars. It will re-align your sense of what a sportscar should be.
NEVER exeed 50kg in boot due to fiber glass !! Read stickers and manual before !
Awesome!!!
One of my favorite cars of all time
Everyone knows lotus Elise is awesome car to own! Wish I had one new!
I've had one for 14 years. I'm not a mechanic but taking the front clam off isn't too difficult, providing the nuts, holding it in place are not corroded. I replace them all with galvanised nuts and bolts and plenty of Grease. If you want one and can afford one get one.
I am getting ready to do mine for the first time to do a refresh on some parts. Bit nervous...
The first time you said 2 phones i thought "ah she is the Kevin Gates of car journalists" and then you made the same joke 5 seconds later lol
We hip!
Hahahahahaha
always wanted an Elise. Great review!
Thank you!
I have a c4 corvette and the in and out is very similar!
I love your history lesson in reviews.
Thank you : )
@AlanisKing what microphone are you using? It's doing a great job of blocking out the noise of the Elise.
I ask as an Elise owner who could use a good in-car mic!
Rode
The Lotus Elise and Exige are high on my bucket list. I'm trying to lose enough weight to try to fit in one. Great review!
Motorcyclists love to ride because it's so unique and such an experience. I figure Elise drivers feel the same way.
Begs the question if I should buy an Elise instead of getting into motorcycles then...
EXCELLENT review.. just convinced me this is a little too compromised for me, and don't really want one.
Nice job, Alanis!
😃
The subtle Kevin Gates reference though 😂. Love it.
"slide out like a cracked egg" 😂😂😂
Those were 49,000 of the hardest earned miles in a sports car. Great production Alanis -the exit expression was priceless lol. Glad you can laugh at it all.
Thank you : )
Great job!! Love the review and you can feel the passion you have for cars..
Yes King go off!!!
NICE SKULL NECKLACE HOSS
and its M-A-N-U-A-L
Don't tell insurer if it gets a small bump, they love to write them off because they are just clueless about them. It's not expensive to repair if you find a fibreglass specialist.
BTW never stand in the boot! It has only a 50kg weight limit. It can crack the clam.
The Kevin Gates reference had me dying 😂
Me too
1 of the things to remember when driving an Elise is... NEVER grab the A pillar. It'll flex and bend & often break the windshield.
What? Never heard of that.
Everyone takes a shot every time she says quintessential
I don't think that qualifies as a gated shifter. Sure it has the right look to the base plate, but the mark of a gated shifter is that there's a mechanical gate the shifter goes in and out of as it changes gears. You can hear it and you can certainly feel it.
Doug reviewed this last year already, but im so loving alanis' style of these videos! Great job and cant wait for more!
Aw! Thank you so much!
Given the mods, splitter, diffuser, LED tail lights, why is there a 25 pound battery in the boot (not the trunk)? Explains why at 910kg it is heavy, Mine is a 2.75 pound li-ion and curb weight is 860kg with other lightening. Cannot imagine an info-tainement system. Defeats everything the car is about. Loud and light is the Larini GT2 exhaust. Ultimate fun is never having the roof on. Also makes the ingress/egress easy and not look like a fool. Minor fiberglass repairs are easy. Repair the headlight covers and put 3M film on them. That car is a solid pass.
Classic!
what a perfect car :)
Agreed
First Elises (s1) had a Rover engine not Toyota. Toyota engine and gearbox brings weight and rock solid reliability. Getting in and out is not a big problem with practice. The big problem comes when you are parked next to another car as you can’t open the door to its full extent making ingress and egress much harder.
"I'm living the dream. Good for me."
tbh that statement gave me so much life
Nice! 2005 Lotus Elise Turbo here.
5:50 Omg, it's so small, I wouldn't fit😂
nice car
We agree!
Cmon! Redline that thing!!. Let’s go
I would have but had to bring it back early!
@@AlanisKing Just so you know, all the magic happens above 6k RPM when the second cam shaft kicks in.
damn... beat me to the Kevin Gates reference
I do it ALL the time now
If it was remotely as windy as it looks, I'm super impressed with the audio for this video.
Thank you so much for noticing! It was very windy. What I do on really windy days is put the mic inside my shirt (no windscreen) and listen to all the clips back to make sure it doesn't rub against anything
I had to laugh a little bit. I couldn't help or resist!
I loved the Elise as a kid. I first saw it on a show called extreme machines back in 97 and I thought the extruded aluminum chassis bonded together was really cool.
I hope this car is hers because I would be pissed if I saw someone standing in my Elise trunk. That fiberglass is thin.
Would buy.
Now I’ll always hear Alanis say “Eleez” whenever I see, hear, or think of the Elise.
I am a Texan
One with a toyota engine. Would be great. Light,agile
Getting in and out isn’t really that hard. You learn and adjust pretty quickly. Eventually you can get in and out without looking awkward. Also you need narrow shoes because pedals are close together. Also the gated shifter is an aftermarket addition.
With the roof off it is a breeze.
@@carsandbids even with it on you stop thinking about it much in a few months
Nice car, but at 6'3" I don't even come close to fitting in it.
I've met an Elise owner who was 6' 3". So depending on your body type, you may fit just fine. Give it a shot!
its a FROOOOOOG!!!! ❤
Love these cars. Saw one in person they’re simply amazing! Thanks for another awesome review Alanis!!!
Thank you so much for watching!
It's kinda like a four wheeled version of a motorcycle
Feels like it, but not with 1000cc power.
@@carsandbids true, but the most fun bikes are the ones that have less power 😁
The two designers of the S1 Elise both had Ducati bikes and one owned a Dino. They wanted the S1 Elise to drive like a bike but look like a Dino.
Almost bought this one!
Shopping Channel? 😂
Wow she's beautiful, and if I didn't have my current Car Payment I would Bid on it 👨🏻👍🏻🏎️🏁🚩 The Naturally Aspirated enginew would last 12 years, and when you replace it, It would cost $16k to $20k 👨🏻👍🏻🏎️🏁🚩
If I could adopt a sibling, I would choose Alanis. She's quite cool.
For just 2 meals a day at Chili's you too can have an Alanis
Aw! Thank you!
So true@@carsandbids
Now I really want to drive my Miata, but I shouldn't be driving on salty roads 😣
It’s a Miata, drive it.
That's what a car wash is for. Cars should be driven!
If I had to design a Elise again, I'll keep the same design, but make it out of carbon fiber. Borrow the engine from the Civic Type R and slap a $250,000 sticker on it.
Hennessey stretched it, and threw a twin turbo ls in there and charged a million bucks.
She was more eligant getting out of the Elise than I was getting out of the back seat on my hands and knees of my friends 96 4 door Toyota Starlet, lmao
nice
I feel like Alanis would give pretty much the same review for an EF Civic.