Does anyone have experience of the latest generation Elise? I'm thinking of service intervals/costs etc. but also fuel economy (and not just what the mags/brochures say)

Thought I'd post here before going over th ethe biased Lotus forums

Also, how do they compare for costs with a VX220T ?

Elise nicer to drive, IMHO, VX more refined. Servicing less on the VX, fuel better on the Elise.

Good prices on the VX, but that only means the residuals are better on the Elise.

Of the 2, for a day 2 day car the VX is probably better if you are doing miles, but I'd still take the Elise.

Not that it really matters, I've recently noticed that the Elise is a suprisingly common car in/around Oxford, yet you hardly see a VX220..?

Not that it really matters, I've recently noticed that the Elise is a suprisingly[/b'] common car in/around Oxford, yet you hardly see a VX220..?

I think an Elise will be my next car:thumbup: the Vx220 looks a bit puffy IMO.

Elise is too hardcore as a daily driver, imho. You'd be better off looking at the Boxster, imho

Chris

I really really really really want one.

Sadly though I prefer the old shape but want the new engine.Presume they are reliable now too.

VX220/elise argument is as sad as the VW/Skoda argument.It's a badge thing:rolleyes:

I would be driving an Elise if it wasn't for the insurance.

Next year I plan for something like that, Elise, Z4, VX220, something on those lines.

Test drive one for a good hour, I did and I fell in love, but as a daily driver it might be a bit hardcore.

I was going thru a stage were i was really wanting a VX turbo, a great driving car

and awesome performance with better economy than the octy rs.

Then i tried to get in one of my works customers elise 111 with the roof on,

my god did i struggle, absolutly no chance if anyone is over 6ft nevermind 5.10.

Then i remembered the vx is bigger so i went to local garage yhat had one up for sale, yip still struggled. I suppose for a weekend car it would be perfect but i could just imagine me and girlfriend trying to get in the car while it was chucking it down in the middle of winter no chance.

If your really wanting these types of vehicles i think you should way up all the pros

eg for the Elise/Vxr Absolute Handling, Total feedback, Great performance

toyota Engine reliability and noise, looks, good fuel economy

pros for VX turbo same as above with cheaper insurance and according to many magazines its better than the Lotus in all but the name which is ok as there are no Vauxhall badges anywhere to be seen

Cons. rattles, leaking roofs, fibre Glass one piece front ends (costly repairs) if hit, Elise engines of Rover origins un reliable, People over 6ft, Vx has winding windows, heaters work just, debris from outside coming inside due to no fliter on interier blower, Engine mods limited if want evenmore performance.

If your happy with this then go for it and enjoy Driving Pleasure at its Best

Cons. rattles, leaking roofs, fibre Glass one piece front ends (costly repairs) if hit, Elise engines of Rover origins un reliable,

I would agree the Rover unit is unreliable as it blows Head gaskets like sunday dinners. Mates Elise mk1 - (in 3 years , 3 head gaskets)

However - the latest generation should have Toyota Celica 190Bhp engines which are bulletproof and I think are twin cam (one for economy)- apparently. (dont quote me!)

http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12929-1073833_2,00.html

How about an S2000? Vtec 9000rpm? easier to live with...similar price - How about a Monaro? These really shift.

As I said, the m8 has a gorgeous silver Elise Mk 1 - he payed about 11 grand for it about 3 years ago and its still worth its money now. - So thats a plus - good luck:)

It accelerates really well thru the gears but kinda runs out of puff at the ton.

How about an S2000? Vtec 9000rpm? easier to live with...similar price.

My Uncle/Boss has just replaced his Alfa 2.0 GTV with a S2000, it's a fun car and I'm sure it's much easier to live with than an elise/VX... though I'm still considering a VX220 to keep up again...

Took the Elise out last night when I collected my car...

I'll keep the Nissan, thanks! The Elise was so hard to get into, very noisy (but not really in a good way) and would be horrible on a hot day in traffic.

As a weekend car it would be great but no way could you use one 7 days a week.

I was at a dealers and saw somebody trading in their Elise against a new skoda. I think it was a new Octy VRS

Mmm Mmmm Eliseeee .... has to be my dream car, WHEN (not if hehe) im a big famous Architect then I will get one and when i'm even more richer and more famouser, i will get my big mansion with my big race track and get an Exige to keep my Elise company hehehe

That S2000 looks really nice (above)