If you see my dealer plate, it can only mean one thing..
06-06-2011, 08:05 AM
#41
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Oh, and one other annoying thing, the prior owner has mismatched tires front to back. Front has the OEM Yokohama Advan Neova's, and he put a pair of Toyo Proxes in back. It's annoying the shit out of me, but the issue is that there is very little support for the front tire size (175/55/16), as the Yoko is the only brand that makes that size in a matching pair front and back (Rear 225/45/17). Front tires have good meat, so no worries, but the Yokohama rear tires are about $300 each, and with a treadwear of 180, will not last long at all. Hard pill to swallow there, especially when he just put the Toyo's in back about 6 months ago and they are pretty much brand new.
If I switched the front end to 195/50/16 (an upgraded tire size for Lotus), there are 6 matching front/back tires to choose from.
What i'm still trying to figure out is exactly what options this car has from the factory. The prior owner said it had the sport pack, but I don't know if it has it or not. My logic is saying that the sport pack included the upgraded wheels and tire size, but the car has the standard 175/55 on it, and it's labeled on the door jamb as being the proper size for the car. Year to year Lotus changed up the packages and what's included, so I don't know if the 175/55 tire suggests that I don't have the sport pack.
If I switched the front end to 195/50/16 (an upgraded tire size for Lotus), there are 6 matching front/back tires to choose from.
What i'm still trying to figure out is exactly what options this car has from the factory. The prior owner said it had the sport pack, but I don't know if it has it or not. My logic is saying that the sport pack included the upgraded wheels and tire size, but the car has the standard 175/55 on it, and it's labeled on the door jamb as being the proper size for the car. Year to year Lotus changed up the packages and what's included, so I don't know if the 175/55 tire suggests that I don't have the sport pack.
06-06-2011, 08:31 AM
#43
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Nice
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 09:16 AM
#44
I'll tell you this....I drove it about 140 miles to get home. Sitting in the car for more than an hour isn't a pleasant experience for me. The bolsters are so tight on the thighs, my fat ass is getting pinched by it - so much that my leg fell asleep, TWICE! Fell asleep so bad that after I shifted positions to get the blood flowing I had the "needles pricking my toes" effect. I did actually have second thoughts about wanting to keep it from the ride. It was boring and uncomfortable. And then I got into my home turf, where it was slower speeds but more constant acceleration/deceleration, more people, more cars, more shifting, more excitement, and it made me enjoy it more. So I'll hold on to the car for a bit, but i'm not sure how long i'm going to hold on to it for.
I said it more than once, I'll say it again - The shifter sucks ass really bad. I have to do something about it quickly. I attempted a hard acceleration run, 1-2 upshift was no problem, getting it into 3rd as fast as I was shifting, I couldn't find the gear as easily as in any other car I've driven...I'm telling you the sloppiness of this shifter reminds me of my Scion xB I had. Just "OK" at best.
I LOVE the Elise. Absolutely love it. Have been for rides in several and loved those as well. Haven't driven one yet, but have been hearing the shifter isn't the best. Of course I could always upgrade (as you mentioned) which would fix the issues. I also will not be tracking it, so it may be less of an issue for me.
But the other thing is that this would be a weekend car. Of course I'd take it to local car shows, do some mountain runs, etc. Thing is... those mountain runs are a ways away. Plus, it would also be a car that I would like to throw a duffle bag into the "trunk" and head to the previously mentioned mountains or the beach with the wife for the weekend. Not sure a 3+ hour ride would be anywhere near comfy in that car. At the same time, we're both pretty small so that may help. I know you don't buy this car for comfort, but still...
But out of every other car I've looked at, this is the one I keep coming back to. So I'm not sure what I'll do. Definitely keep us updated if you make any changes. I'd be curious about your thoughts. And depending on your timing, let me know before you get get rid of it
...
06-06-2011, 09:47 AM
#45
But the other thing is that this would be a weekend car. Of course I'd take it to local car shows, do some mountain runs, etc. Thing is... those mountain runs are a ways away. Plus, it would also be a car that I would like to throw a duffle bag into the "trunk" and head to the previously mentioned mountains or the beach with the wife for the weekend. Not sure a 3+ hour ride would be anywhere near comfy in that car. At the same time, we're both pretty small so that may help. I know you don't buy this car for comfort, but still...
As for the ride, I had no problem riding around 100 miles with trance, but the overall experience probably overshadowed that for me. Anyway, from what I've read, the standard cloth seats are supposed to be much more comfortable than the leather from the Touring package, due to extra padding.
But hey, not everyone's the same. If a man can do a 6,000 mile trip in 10 days in a 997 GT3, you could probably pull off a 3 hour drive in a Lotus.
I'll finish by adding that the only experience I've had with the Elise is trance's & his insight on his past year of ownership with it, so you may already be well aware of all this.
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 10:32 AM
#47
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Eddie congrats man! I saw the picture on FB but I wasn't sure if that was the actual car or if you were just dreaming 
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 11:23 AM
#48
As far as trunk space that will accommodate a weekend get-away, it's practically non-existent. It's also probably going to get roasted, so if you're driving some place warm, I wouldn't change clothes just yet. If you do find a way to get a duffle bag in there, that's probably all you'll be able to fit.
As for the ride, I had no problem riding around 100 miles with trance, but the overall experience probably overshadowed that for me. Anyway, from what I've read, the standard cloth seats are supposed to be much more comfortable than the leather from the Touring package, due to extra padding.
But hey, not everyone's the same. If a man can do a 6,000 mile trip in 10 days in a 997 GT3, you could probably pull off a 3 hour drive in a Lotus.
I'll finish by adding that the only experience I've had with the Elise is trance's & his insight on his past year of ownership with it, so you may already be well aware of all this.
As for the ride, I had no problem riding around 100 miles with trance, but the overall experience probably overshadowed that for me. Anyway, from what I've read, the standard cloth seats are supposed to be much more comfortable than the leather from the Touring package, due to extra padding.
But hey, not everyone's the same. If a man can do a 6,000 mile trip in 10 days in a 997 GT3, you could probably pull off a 3 hour drive in a Lotus.
I'll finish by adding that the only experience I've had with the Elise is trance's & his insight on his past year of ownership with it, so you may already be well aware of all this.
Yeah, I know there really isn't any trunk space... but we can get small duffle bag or two in there. One of the Lotus guys at the last C&C had a cool little net in there which actually kept everything in place, away from the tail assembly, and just kept it nice and neat. And I'm sure we can do 3+ hour drives in the Lotus... the question is... would we want to. Of course if we're bringing more then a day or two of clothes, we'd have to take one of our other cars which may defeat the purpose of the Lotus as a weekend toy... especially when I already have a motorcycle with limited luggage capacity
...Decisions, decisions. Luckily I have nothing but time since it's not something I have to decide on immediately
06-06-2011, 11:30 AM
#49
The sizzle in the Steak
Quite Nice!!!
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 11:39 AM
#51
Team Owner
pimp
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
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CCColtsicehockey (06-07-2011)
06-06-2011, 02:23 PM
#57
The Third Ball
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Just remember...when getting out of the car DO NOT use the A pillar for leverage.
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 07:51 PM
#62
I drive a Subata.
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Very nice!
Have a photographer take some pics of it!
How's the insurance rates on these?
Have a photographer take some pics of it!
How's the insurance rates on these?
06-06-2011, 08:18 PM
#63
Nice ride - I'm really liking the yellow as well
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Shoofin (06-06-2011)
06-06-2011, 08:54 PM
#66
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I'm in the process of setting it up now, but with $0 deductible for comprehensive and collision through Hagerty as an exotic car is about $650 per year. I have an existing Hagerty policy for my Mustang, so it was easy to add it on. FWIW, i pay $200 per year for the Mustang. Because i'm in between the policy, it's pro-rated through the rest of the year for about $250. To me it's crazy cheap, considering my wife's RDX costs me $2,100/year and we both have a clean driving/accident record. That's fine with me! My Mini is on my dealer policy, so it doesn't cost me any extra on top of my annual premium to add it on to the policy. I couldn't add the Lotus to it because it's going to be registered to me personally, not on my company..
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
06-06-2011, 11:12 PM
#68
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Eddie you need to get yourself a new camera. Those don't do the car justice 
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
06-07-2011, 09:14 AM
#71
AZ Community Team
Congrats, beautiful car.
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
06-07-2011, 10:05 AM
#72
Very nice! I saw a Lotus by the Time Warner Center 2 or 3 weeks ago. Everyone slowed down and did a 180 neck turn when they walked by it. Some people took out their camera phones and took pictures also. I swear there are houses by me that look like the ones in your pictures. Are you in the Sheepshead Bay area? If so, I'm gonna drive around looking for your yellow Lotus.
Congrats on the purchase...car looks gorgeous!
Congrats on the purchase...car looks gorgeous!
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Shoofin (06-07-2011)
06-07-2011, 11:44 AM
#73
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Originally Posted by CLTOTHETL32
Eddie you need to get yourself a new camera. Those don't do the car justice
I'll tell you something...this car takes bumps a heck of a lot better than my Mini..
06-07-2011, 07:05 PM
#74
Hahah well I looked through some of your other pics from the cars you get and I remember a couple that you had in front of your house. They reminded me of some houses I passed by in my neighborhood and you said you live in Brooklyn so I figured I'd ask...
06-07-2011, 09:01 PM
#75
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Never thought I'd hear a Lotus getting complimented for a comfier ride.
Congrats on the pickup! Looks great. Made up your mind as far as wheels, yet?
And holy giant rocker panels
Congrats on the pickup! Looks great. Made up your mind as far as wheels, yet?
And holy giant rocker panels
06-07-2011, 09:26 PM
#76
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nice.....good find....wish I had those seats
3 weaknesses Ive been taught about this car...well 4 actually
toe links in the rear, fuel and oil starvation on the track and that shifter.
Call and talk to Bill at Sector 111. He'll tell you every damn thing you need to know about that car.
3 weaknesses Ive been taught about this car...well 4 actually
toe links in the rear, fuel and oil starvation on the track and that shifter.
Call and talk to Bill at Sector 111. He'll tell you every damn thing you need to know about that car.
06-07-2011, 09:30 PM
#77
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Ill be doing my first track event here soon. Shoofin, if you ever have any questions let me know. Ive been all over this damn thing the past year.
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05TLdcc (06-12-2011)
