Any FD's Scared of the Lotus coming to the US?
#76
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Originally posted by RotorMotor
one car cant possiby do everything.......................... or can it?........ zoom zoom!
one car cant possiby do everything.......................... or can it?........ zoom zoom!
#77
BTW that yellow one on the previous page, not sure if you guys are getting the old shape elise, but that IS the old shape, here is the current version which i thought you would of got (much nicer)
the only elise and i mean the only elise i would consider buying for the track is this baby, i think its pretty nice! (but i would much much prefer the old lotus esprit!
the only elise and i mean the only elise i would consider buying for the track is this baby, i think its pretty nice! (but i would much much prefer the old lotus esprit!
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my dad compared my fd to his friends (older) lotus once, he said "if he wasnt driving it, it was in his garage...with something broken"
maybe lotus has gotten better sinc ethen, but from what people are saying it seems to be nothing more than a fast, expensive toy with no practical use.(of course, according to my dad, the fd is no better-hes a VW guy)
maybe lotus has gotten better sinc ethen, but from what people are saying it seems to be nothing more than a fast, expensive toy with no practical use.(of course, according to my dad, the fd is no better-hes a VW guy)
#81
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Originally posted by DSMguywantsFD
but from what people are saying it seems to be nothing more than a fast, expensive toy with no practical use.(of course, according to my dad, the fd is no better-hes a VW guy)
but from what people are saying it seems to be nothing more than a fast, expensive toy with no practical use.(of course, according to my dad, the fd is no better-hes a VW guy)
If it's fast, that's a practical use right there.
Isn't a sports car supposed to be fast?
Mission accomplished.
#82
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I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
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Originally posted by DamonB
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
#85
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Originally posted by ptrhahn
Its not a hinderance at all... lighter is always better. But, i think in a street car, you can only go so light before there's a diminishing return. You can't take out but so much stuff... and you start to get a TINY car w/ packaging problems.
Its not a hinderance at all... lighter is always better. But, i think in a street car, you can only go so light before there's a diminishing return. You can't take out but so much stuff... and you start to get a TINY car w/ packaging problems.
in a heavier car with a lot more hp, the same driver would not reduce the ratio as much.
#86
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Thats not what most of us were saying...
All i was saying is that, while its a fabulous car, it isn't without some significan't limitations IMO, and limited potential beyond how it will be delivered from the factory, so, refering to the subject line of the thread, no i'm not scared, yet.
All i was saying is that, while its a fabulous car, it isn't without some significan't limitations IMO, and limited potential beyond how it will be delivered from the factory, so, refering to the subject line of the thread, no i'm not scared, yet.
Originally posted by DamonB
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
#87
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Originally posted by DamonB
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
i know you know alot about tight handling driving, but aren't you over defending the lotus just a little bit? have you even driven one?
i've never even seen one in person, but i've seen a highly prepared one get owned by a vette on nurburgring. no car is perfect. from what i know it will have problems getting past ~130mph. and alot of us will simply not fit in it.
even a stock fd will most likely own it on top end, and it will own in tight corners -that's what it's good at.
see, they -7- can lose. just because i don't bow down to the holy lotus doesn't mean i'm all that ignorant man.
chill, you're getting too damn worked up man.
-so do i fear it? no. the zo-6 is still my priority.
#88
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Originally posted by DamonB
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
Also, when you do acquire one, let me know, I will leave my seven at home and bring my 914 for comparison purposes.
Fact remains that Lotus has not built a better or faster car then the seven.
Now back to the original question, am I scared of it, Hello NO. This little Toyota hybrid will not be a concern of mine anytime in the future.
Be careful otherwise that bird of your that is stuck with its head in the sand might just lay an egg that you aren’t quite happy with.
The moral of this thread:
Don't believe all the hype that you read and see on TV.
#89
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Originally posted by FormerPorscheGuy
Fact remains that Lotus has not built a better or faster car then the seven.
Fact remains that Lotus has not built a better or faster car then the seven.
Now back to the original question, am I scared of it, Hello NO. This little Toyota hybrid will not be a concern of mine anytime in the future.
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I like how a lot of people who are comparing the two cars have never even been to an auto-x or the track....
No, I'm not SCARED of the Elise. Why would I be SCARED of another car? I'm a little more secure with myself than that....
DamonB's point, as well as others here, is that so many people on this board think the FD is the best car ever invented and still is. Well, it's not. It's a damn good, pretty pure sports car, with great looks and several significant character marks (flaws to those less generous).
So many people on this board bench race when they've never even been to the track. Put up or shut up.
No, I'm not SCARED of the Elise. Why would I be SCARED of another car? I'm a little more secure with myself than that....
DamonB's point, as well as others here, is that so many people on this board think the FD is the best car ever invented and still is. Well, it's not. It's a damn good, pretty pure sports car, with great looks and several significant character marks (flaws to those less generous).
So many people on this board bench race when they've never even been to the track. Put up or shut up.
#91
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Originally posted by foko
i've driven the road going elise, albeit a preproduction version with the 140 hp rover engine. let me tell you, it's a great chassis, stock. with the 190 hp from a presumably reliable toyota engine, it should be a lot of fun.
as far as racing these....i've had my *** handed to me by a motorsports elise at the track (road coarses). it's basically a "trick" elise....about 210 hp and under 2000 lbs.
no one has ever accused me or my X-FD of being a slouch on the track......so.....ya all better watch out if these start showing up at the events. don't let those small HP numbers fool you.
fabian
i've driven the road going elise, albeit a preproduction version with the 140 hp rover engine. let me tell you, it's a great chassis, stock. with the 190 hp from a presumably reliable toyota engine, it should be a lot of fun.
as far as racing these....i've had my *** handed to me by a motorsports elise at the track (road coarses). it's basically a "trick" elise....about 210 hp and under 2000 lbs.
no one has ever accused me or my X-FD of being a slouch on the track......so.....ya all better watch out if these start showing up at the events. don't let those small HP numbers fool you.
fabian
Last edited by DamonB; 11-18-03 at 10:30 AM.
#92
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If you ask me I say it looks like a tart cart. I dont think that many people will have one anyway. 50 grand?! I would rather get and M3 not some car that looks like its got a weggie.
#93
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Well, i've been to the track, and autocrossed, and done so in an FD, FC, front-drive Volkswagen, and open-wheel formula Ford (less than half the weight of an Elise).
Whats everyone getting upset about? We're COMPARING the two cars. Comparing does mean identifying strengths and short comings of both and measuring them against the other. You can no more get upset about someone identifying the Lotus' shortcomings (which I believe are considerable) than anyone else can about the RX7s (also considerable).
Whats everyone getting upset about? We're COMPARING the two cars. Comparing does mean identifying strengths and short comings of both and measuring them against the other. You can no more get upset about someone identifying the Lotus' shortcomings (which I believe are considerable) than anyone else can about the RX7s (also considerable).
#94
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Originally posted by DamonB
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
I guess I will retire from this argument. You see, the Elise is a POS that is built from old Porsche 914 parts and has skinny tires
Once again the RX-7 Club members pull their heads out of the sand just long enough to remind me "The -7- Can't Lose!". .....And that is how it will be until the end of time.
Built from old 914 parts? Huh?
#95
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I dont run my car on road courses, I'm more of a 40mph kick on the highway kinda person.
That being the case I personally wouldnt be scared at all of a 190hp Elise
My real point being this.....The reason some people think the car is Gods gift to the automobile and some people dont care about it at all is due to what people want. Not everyone on here is a road racer and not everyone is a drag racer. Different people like different things which is why we wont all agree on the elise being the best performing car on the road. In my eyes if "performance" doesnt include low 12's at a minimum it doesnt even hit my radar screen of what I consider good performance. ESPECIALLY since it tops out barely over 100mph.
STEPHEN
That being the case I personally wouldnt be scared at all of a 190hp Elise
My real point being this.....The reason some people think the car is Gods gift to the automobile and some people dont care about it at all is due to what people want. Not everyone on here is a road racer and not everyone is a drag racer. Different people like different things which is why we wont all agree on the elise being the best performing car on the road. In my eyes if "performance" doesnt include low 12's at a minimum it doesnt even hit my radar screen of what I consider good performance. ESPECIALLY since it tops out barely over 100mph.
STEPHEN
Last edited by SPOautos; 11-18-03 at 10:53 AM.
#96
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Originally posted by turbojeff
Built from old 914 parts? Huh?
Built from old 914 parts? Huh?
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by FormerPorscheGuy
Lets get some facts strait here before we go on.
No one has mentioned this but the Lotus Elise is an updated version of the old Porsche 914 unibody mid engined chasis. The chasis is an almost a direct copy of this 30 year old design.
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my thoughts and opinions
I didn't read through all the other replies, but no, why car about another car? I like FDs.
Historically the Lotus has not been a real winner for fit and finish. Look at one up close some time. It speaks volumes that they are putting a Toyota engine in the car as to how good the Lotus engines are.
The cool points about the little Lotus are that it's light, and has a nice looking style, but with the Toyota engine being in there why not get the full high quality package and buy a new 2100 lb MR2? The 2100 lb MR2 with driver is going perform about as good as a 1900 lb Lotus Elise with driver and passenger. I wouldn't worry to much about the Lotus being a big performer unless they drop the compression and put a turbo or supercharger on it.
Historically the Lotus has not been a real winner for fit and finish. Look at one up close some time. It speaks volumes that they are putting a Toyota engine in the car as to how good the Lotus engines are.
The cool points about the little Lotus are that it's light, and has a nice looking style, but with the Toyota engine being in there why not get the full high quality package and buy a new 2100 lb MR2? The 2100 lb MR2 with driver is going perform about as good as a 1900 lb Lotus Elise with driver and passenger. I wouldn't worry to much about the Lotus being a big performer unless they drop the compression and put a turbo or supercharger on it.
#98
well i've driven plenty of elises since they came out in 1995, and had many on the track.
for small little tracks they're very good, handle well, but top out easy, so on a proper track like nurburgring, the fd owns, and i have been on with both so i know what im talking about.
the only lotus elise variant an fd will have to worry about on a proper track is the 340r, as it is even more down to earth than the normal elise and more powerful.
as a car overall i prefer the fd, its more of a daily driver etc
and if you want a good lightweight track car, i would buy a caterham, i've driven one almost every month for 4 years, and had several on small nippy tracks against elises and they will hand them their asses everytime
but you are all entitled to your opinion even though most of you havent seen one let alone driven one.
i mean no offence by that, just simply most of this is just speculating and once the hype wears off and you have first hand knowledge like i do, you wont be as impressed as you may imagine
for small little tracks they're very good, handle well, but top out easy, so on a proper track like nurburgring, the fd owns, and i have been on with both so i know what im talking about.
the only lotus elise variant an fd will have to worry about on a proper track is the 340r, as it is even more down to earth than the normal elise and more powerful.
as a car overall i prefer the fd, its more of a daily driver etc
and if you want a good lightweight track car, i would buy a caterham, i've driven one almost every month for 4 years, and had several on small nippy tracks against elises and they will hand them their asses everytime
but you are all entitled to your opinion even though most of you havent seen one let alone driven one.
i mean no offence by that, just simply most of this is just speculating and once the hype wears off and you have first hand knowledge like i do, you wont be as impressed as you may imagine
#99
Originally posted by DamonB
I was waiting for this one
You see, if any car is faster than an FD then:The FD is one of the best handling cars on the road! If any car handles better than the FD then: The FD is one of the fastest cars on the road! If any car is faster AND handles better then: The FD doesn't cost near as much! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper then: Your car is not rotary powered, and rotaries are better! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper AND is rotary powered then: I had boost troubles! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper AND is..........it just continues on forever
Too many excuses.
Sure the Elise is more of a compromise as far as everyday driving, but if anyone thinks it's not going to hand an FD its *** on most any course they are fooling themselves.
I was waiting for this one
You see, if any car is faster than an FD then:The FD is one of the best handling cars on the road! If any car handles better than the FD then: The FD is one of the fastest cars on the road! If any car is faster AND handles better then: The FD doesn't cost near as much! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper then: Your car is not rotary powered, and rotaries are better! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper AND is rotary powered then: I had boost troubles! If any car is faster AND handles better AND is cheaper AND is..........it just continues on forever
Too many excuses.
Sure the Elise is more of a compromise as far as everyday driving, but if anyone thinks it's not going to hand an FD its *** on most any course they are fooling themselves.
#100
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Originally posted by rybrx7
but you are all entitled to your opinion even though most of you havent seen one let alone driven one.
i mean no offence by that, just simply most of this is just speculating and once the hype wears off and you have first hand knowledge like i do, you wont be as impressed as you may imagine
but you are all entitled to your opinion even though most of you havent seen one let alone driven one.
i mean no offence by that, just simply most of this is just speculating and once the hype wears off and you have first hand knowledge like i do, you wont be as impressed as you may imagine
I am a car enthusiast who happens to drive an FD. I like my FD and enjoy driving/racing it, but there are certainly a lot of other cars out there in the world I would enjoy too.