Fear & Loathing in an Elise...

[ekam]

I took a day out of my business schedule to rent a Lotus Elise and check out some of the landscapes in Nevada. From Vally of Fire to Hoover Dam then to Red Rock Canyon, weather was perfect for a drive.

Performance-wise it's quite similar to my base boxster. Couldn't really test out its cornering abilities since it had these POS Nexus tires on that caused the car to understeer quite badly in a turn.

After spending a day sitting in an Elise, I am now a fully trained contortionist.

[ekam]

[rp17]

That was a great idea. Love the pics. Where do you rent a Lotus at over there? And how tall are you. Don't know if I could get out of that car once in.

[ekam]

Rent a Red Lotus Elise in Las Vegas - Red Lotus Elise rentals in Las Vegas NV

I'm 6'2" with a thin frame but I'd imagine most people have trouble getting in and out especially with the top up as we drove until dark and the temperature drop was quite significant.

How to get in:
1. Put ass on door sill
2. Slowly slide both legs into foot well
3. Drop ass into seat

How to get out:
1. Try to yank legs out of foot well and not hitting steering wheel.
2. Try to turn torso 90 degrees so legs can land on ground
3. Hold on to something and pull ass out of seat

[MConte05]

Ha, I popped in here just to see if anything new was happening on the 986 front and saw this.

I sold my Boxster 6 months ago to get a highly modded supercharged Elise. I have not regretted it a single bit. Though it looks like the one you rented was very worn out (and painted trim pieces? blech). If you get the chance, definitely try out an unmolested one. These cars on the track and the AutoX courses are just mental.

[ekam]

Yes that one indeed was heavily molested, but it's to be expected for a rental.

No question it's a dedicated track weapon. But man, driving in a 986 feels downright luxurious compare to the Elise!

[MConte05]

Originally Posted by ekam

No question it's a dedicated track weapon. But man, driving in a 986 feels downright luxurious compare to the Elise!

Yep, makes the Boxster feel like a grand touring car, not a sportscar.

All relative. :dance:

[Porsche9]

Originally Posted by MConte05

These cars on the track and the AutoX courses are just mental.

Just saw one at the local A/X. It was prepped for the track but still street legal and the husband and wife driving it were whipping everything including trailered in cars. I was down right slow as a turtle compared to the Elise.

[Devact]

Originally Posted by MConte05

Ha, I popped in here just to see if anything new was happening on the 986 front and saw this.

I sold my Boxster 6 months ago to get a highly modded supercharged Elise. I have not regretted it a single bit. Though it looks like the one you rented was very worn out (and painted trim pieces? blech). If you get the chance, definitely try out an unmolested one. These cars on the track and the AutoX courses are just mental.

Don't see to many Lotuses here in St. Louis. I'll just start waving at every one, and eventually I'll probably see you!

[jb92563]

Wow, thats a low sight picture. Kinda makes you feel like your butt is only a couple inches from the pavement like driving a Kart.

We have a couple regular Auto-X'ers in San Diego region that drive Lotuses and it sure is fun to watch them rip through the course.

[Mark_T]

or is it Loti?

[MConte05]

Originally Posted by Devact

Don't see to many Lotuses here in St. Louis. I'll just start waving at every one, and eventually I'll probably see you!

Black, aftermarket exhaust, big diffuser, orange brakes, and going like a bat out of hell? That'd be me.

Having 260 whp in a car that weighs 1900 lbs is a hoot.

[Devact]

Originally Posted by MConte05

Black, aftermarket exhaust, big diffuser, orange brakes, and going like a bat out of hell? That'd be me.

Having 260 whp in a car that weighs 1900 lbs is a hoot.

Saw one like that a few months ago on 64/40 between Chesterfield and Clayton. If that was you, very sweet looking car!

[MConte05]

Originally Posted by Devact

Saw one like that a few months ago on 64/40 between Chesterfield and Clayton. If that was you, very sweet looking car!

Most likely. I live in Maryland Heights and the car is my daily driver, so I am up and down 270/64 fairly often.

http://986forum.com/forums/show-tell-gallery/46186-had-good-year-here-but-onto-better-things.html

Forgot that I had made a thread on here before. Only thing different really is that I painted the wheels, and I put stock wheels back on for the winter.

[rp17]

Originally Posted by ekam

Rent a Red Lotus Elise in Las Vegas - Red Lotus Elise rentals in Las Vegas NV

I'm 6'2" with a thin frame but I'd imagine most people have trouble getting in and out especially with the top up as we drove until dark and the temperature drop was quite significant.

How to get in:
1. Put ass on door sill
2. Slowly slide both legs into foot well
3. Drop ass into seat

How to get out:
1. Try to yank legs out of foot well and not hitting steering wheel.
2. Try to turn torso 90 degrees so legs can land on ground
3. Hold on to something and pull ass out of seat

Good to know I won't be needing the jaws of life to get me out. Sheesh. Another must do when I go to Vegas.

[Perfectlap]

This car is on my list. I like that the engine is easy to fix. The bodywork however...


There's a guy on YouTube that has one with both a supercharger and a turbo.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by ekam

I took a day out of my business schedule to rent a Lotus Elise and check out some of the landscapes in Nevada. From Vally of Fire to Hoover Dam then to Red Rock Canyon, weather was perfect for a drive.

Performance-wise it's quite similar to my base boxster. Couldn't really test out its cornering abilities since it had these POS Nexus tires on that caused the car to understeer quite badly in a turn.

After spending a day sitting in an Elise, I am now a fully trained contortionist.

Hey guys - Been a long time. I just happened past this thread and had to post.

Ekam - Welcome to the dark side. I'm amazed at what a tool for pure driving enjoyment my Elise is every time I drive it. It's not a car for long distance touring or carrying much of anything. It's sole purpose is to give the driver as much mechanical information as possible, all the time.

A healthy na Elise is quite a bit faster in a straight line than a 986, even faster than a 986s, but all the power is above 6200 rpm so you have to be mean to it to really get everything out of it.