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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
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scootr
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by scootr » Sun May 24, 2020 9:03 pm

I have a chance to acquire a 2008 Lotus Elise SC.
What say the group yea or nay to this little car?
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
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Smartbear
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by Smartbear » Sun May 24, 2020 10:02 pm

scootr wrote: Sun May 24, 2020 9:03 pm I have a chance to acquire a 2008 Lotus Elise SC.
What say the group yea or nay to this little car?
More fun than a box of frogs, a Lotus Elise really does feel special (once you’ve managed to climb into it) 8)
A bare boned white knuckle ride, par excellence. With a tiny boot :P
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Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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oldgitdave
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by oldgitdave » Sun May 24, 2020 10:40 pm

Great little car & superb handling :thumbsup: . I had the chance to slam one around the Donington race track :driving: . It was actually a present to drive a Ferrari & they built you up by driving a Proton GTI (yes I know :roll:), then the Elise & finally the Ferrari. The Elise was by far the most fun tbh, though getting into it does require some bendability as Smartbear says :thumbsup:. And all the better for the Toyota engine over the Rover K Series.
Zedless :(

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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by BMWZ4MC » Sun May 24, 2020 11:52 pm

I went on a supercar track day like that and drove half a dozen cars ranging from a 911 turbo, through to 360 via an Elise. The Elise was by far the most fun and I was easily lapping nervous drivers in all of the other cars :evil:
I’ve a hankering for a V6 Exige 350 and nearly bought one a couple of months ago until the Corona virus got in the way...
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Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
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scootr
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by scootr » Mon May 25, 2020 12:05 am

It sounds like everything I'm reading about it being an ultimate driver's car is true. Lightweight, mid engine, direct steering.
My concern is how raw is it... I'm sure I can ( workout until) I can get in and out but my old bones may not tolerate it if it is jarring at every crack in the road.
What Year/model is that one you have Rob?
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by buzyg » Mon May 25, 2020 1:32 am

First check you can sit in it and change gear. Then, if you can, have it. :thumbsup:
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scootr
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by scootr » Mon May 25, 2020 2:08 am

Ugh, it's bidding too high :cry: Alas :tumbleweed:
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by Boltz » Mon May 25, 2020 6:49 am

I have recently noticed a couple of these on my keyworker travels and must admit I am tempted but as I am 6ft 4inches tall I doubt whether I could get in one, getting in and out of an E89 is bad enough 😃
VW Golf GTI Edition 35

Previous E89 18i manual Msport LCI, remapped, 282 bhp 453nm torque, Supersprint exhaust, decatted, stubby, BMW Performance Big Brake Kit, Msport rear valance and diffuser, Inovit 19inch Vector alloys, Msport black grilles.

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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by Smartbear » Mon May 25, 2020 8:14 am

scootr wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 12:05 am It sounds like everything I'm reading about it being an ultimate driver's car is true. Lightweight, mid engine, direct steering.
My concern is how raw is it... I'm sure I can ( workout until) I can get in and out but my old bones may not tolerate it if it is jarring at every crack in the road.
What Year/model is that one you have Rob?
Mine was a 2006 elise S with the Toyota 1zz engine (variable valve timing) the R versions used the 2zz engine (variable valve timing & lift) which can rev to around 9k :o
Owned mine for around 3 years, daily driver for 2 years but then i caved in & bought another car to drive to work.
They’re actually less crashy over bumps than my e85 with sport suspension was, super lightweight at around 850kg (earlier models lighter, later models heavier) so the suspension is surprisingly supple.
Handling is fantastic with probably the best steering feel of any car, can bite if you’re clumsy with it (lift off oversteer)
I spun mine twice in the wet :oops:
They can sound tizzy & buzzy due to the aluminium tub chassis having acoustic properties over bumpy roads :P
Clouting a curb badly can write them off as the double wishbone suspension is mounted directly to the chassis with no “bolt on” section to replace if it’s damaged. I missed the curbs when i span mine :D
Definitely a car i was proud to own :thumbsup:

https://youtu.be/CxflDjfBdoI
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Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

Pbondar

Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by Pbondar » Mon May 25, 2020 10:43 am

Smartbear wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 8:14 am
scootr wrote: Mon May 25, 2020 12:05 am It sounds like everything I'm reading about it being an ultimate driver's car is true. Lightweight, mid engine, direct steering.
My concern is how raw is it... I'm sure I can ( workout until) I can get in and out but my old bones may not tolerate it if it is jarring at every crack in the road.
What Year/model is that one you have Rob?
Mine was a 2006 elise S with the Toyota 1zz engine (variable valve timing) the R versions used the 2zz engine (variable valve timing & lift) which can rev to around 9k :o
Owned mine for around 3 years, daily driver for 2 years but then i caved in & bought another car to drive to work.
They’re actually less crashy over bumps than my e85 with sport suspension was, super lightweight at around 850kg (earlier models lighter, later models heavier) so the suspension is surprisingly supple.
Handling is fantastic with probably the best steering feel of any car, can bite if you’re clumsy with it (lift off oversteer)
I spun mine twice in the wet :oops:
They can sound tizzy & buzzy due to the aluminium tub chassis having acoustic properties over bumpy roads :P
Clouting a curb badly can write them off as the double wishbone suspension is mounted directly to the chassis with no “bolt on” section to replace if it’s damaged. I missed the curbs when i span mine :D
Definitely a car i was proud to own :thumbsup:

https://youtu.be/CxflDjfBdoI

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Rob
You little debil! :thumbsup:

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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by kinger » Mon May 25, 2020 10:58 am

Great cars,,Love 'em,, hard to get in, and anyone under 25 looks like a muppet trying to get out of one :rofl: :rofl:
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by MrPT » Mon May 25, 2020 12:24 pm

I love them too. Was driven to the Evo triangle and handed the keys to a friend’s S3 as a kick-off to my stag do a few years ago - what a combo of car and road!

The S1 is looking really good at the moment, I think. Even £27k for this 6k mile pastiche doesn’t seem too ridiculous an asking price -
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https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 8070894555
Last edited by MrPT on Mon May 25, 2020 1:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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scootr
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by scootr » Mon May 25, 2020 1:47 pm

There is no doubt in mind this would just be a real kick in the pants to drive. :thumbsup:
The 2008 SC I was looking at bid up over 30K usd. She is a beauty though here > https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008- ... lise-sc-5/
5 hours left to go........You may want to see what it actually sells for.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by javis20 » Mon May 25, 2020 3:48 pm

Beautiful car. Go for it if you can get a decent price and the condition is good. I've been looking here in the states, but prices are too high considering the age and mileage. I'm currently looking out for an Alfa Romeo 4c. Resale is terrible, so great deals here in the states.

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Lotus Elise SC yea or nay

Post by javis20 » Mon May 25, 2020 11:05 pm

This is a great video of things to check out when buying an Elise.
https://www.google.com/search?q=thing+t ... e&ie=UTF-8#

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