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Old photo
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Old photo
Just found this pic lurking in my collection, it’s my old Smart roadster coupe (699cc!) and the Lotus Elise replacement alongside it.
Mrs Smartbears Smart forfour is tucked away at the end. Rob
Mrs Smartbears Smart forfour is tucked away at the end. Rob
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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I really liked those smart roadsters ,,, but ,,, if you step about three feet closer they turn into a z4 ,,, sort of ,, if you squint a bit .. and look through the gaps in your fingers .. ish .
Interesting how the Lotus got overlooked ,,, but they are so sweet too.
Interesting how the Lotus got overlooked ,,, but they are so sweet too.
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Old photo
How did the Lotus get overlooked?Tom2207 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:19 pm I really liked those smart roadsters ,,, but ,,, if you step about three feet closer they turn into a z4 ,,, sort of ,, if you squint a bit .. and look through the gaps in your fingers .. ish .
Interesting how the Lotus got overlooked ,,, but they are so sweet too.
Rob
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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- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 7:04 pm
- Location: Northern Ireland
Old photo
I had to go back and add the comment on the Lotus ,,, overlooked by me strange as I lusted after one for ages but the Smart Roadster instantly attracts the eye ,, maybe its just me thoughSmartbear wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:24 pmHow did the Lotus get overlooked?Tom2207 wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:19 pm I really liked those smart roadsters ,,, but ,,, if you step about three feet closer they turn into a z4 ,,, sort of ,, if you squint a bit .. and look through the gaps in your fingers .. ish .
Interesting how the Lotus got overlooked ,,, but they are so sweet too.
Rob
- sars
- Lifer
- Posts: 7022
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
- Location: East Yorkshire
Old photo
I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
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OnlineArgyll Andy
- Lifer
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- Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:16 pm
- Location: Argyll & Bute
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I’d love to be able to fit in one
G29 M40i Thundernight with Ivory interior, all option packs (here for a while, hopefully )
G29 M40i Misano Blue all option packs (Gone 26k of fun)
E89 35iS, Valencia Orange, Design Pure Traction pack (Gone)
E89 23i sDrive, Silver (Gone)
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
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The stying is bold but the driving experience stands out more, it’s the lack of weight combined with a beautiful steering feel with no power assistance - on a twisty road it’s perfect, on a motorway less so.
I’ve been tempted by a Caterham 7 but don’t think mrs Smartbear would get in it
Rob
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
- BMWZ4MC
- Lifer
- Posts: 6338
- Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:24 pm
- Location: Back in the sunshine
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I’ve owned a couple of Westfields (the second for almost 19 years) which I’ve used as road and track cars. I’ve also driven a few Elises but only on track. A Seven is to an Elise what the Lotus is to a Z4 - lighter, more responsive to any input, and much more raw - but also completely impractical and completely lacking in any crash protection. I stopped using my Westfield on the road a number of years ago simply because it is invisible to the average idiot in an SUV.Smartbear wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:01 pmThe stying is bold but the driving experience stands out more, it’s the lack of weight combined with a beautiful steering feel with no power assistance - on a twisty road it’s perfect, on a motorway less so.
I’ve been tempted by a Caterham 7 but don’t think mrs Smartbear would get in it
Rob
I’ve been looking for a V6 Exige for a couple of years, but the prices here are ridiculous. As such, recently, I’ve been giving serious consideration to an Elise Cup 250. It would be a daily driver (to keep the miles off my Zed) as well as a track toy. I’m just a little concerned that I’ll be disappointed not to have the V6 howl of the Exige. Your Elise is beautiful, I love the simplicity of the design and the colour is my favourite for the Elise. It’s really not helping me to avoid spending money on another ridiculous toy!
Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
S2000 GT - gone
- M1k3yC
- Member
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- Location: Stafford
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You might have a "never meet your heroes" moment - I did when I drove one. I'm well aware that I held an unpopular opinion on the Elise, though!
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Old photo
You should be fine if you get an 06 onwards car with the Toyota engines, most of the niggles had been ironed out by then & the 1zz/2zz engines are usually trouble free, I had no bother with mine & definitely no water leaks
Rob
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
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Old photo
Thanks, it was storm titaniumBMWZ4MC wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:52 amI’ve owned a couple of Westfields (the second for almost 19 years) which I’ve used as road and track cars. I’ve also driven a few Elises but only on track. A Seven is to an Elise what the Lotus is to a Z4 - lighter, more responsive to any input, and much more raw - but also completely impractical and completely lacking in any crash protection. I stopped using my Westfield on the road a number of years ago simply because it is invisible to the average idiot in an SUV.Smartbear wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:01 pmThe stying is bold but the driving experience stands out more, it’s the lack of weight combined with a beautiful steering feel with no power assistance - on a twisty road it’s perfect, on a motorway less so.
I’ve been tempted by a Caterham 7 but don’t think mrs Smartbear would get in it
Rob
I’ve been looking for a V6 Exige for a couple of years, but the prices here are ridiculous. As such, recently, I’ve been giving serious consideration to an Elise Cup 250. It would be a daily driver (to keep the miles off my Zed) as well as a track toy. I’m just a little concerned that I’ll be disappointed not to have the V6 howl of the Exige. Your Elise is beautiful, I love the simplicity of the design and the colour is my favourite for the Elise. It’s really not helping me to avoid spending money on another ridiculous toy!
I hired a roadsport 150 for the day a few years ago to satisfy my curiosity, i think I’d have enjoyed it a lot more without my other half moaning that she’d got grease on her shoes climbing into it, the Caterhams chances were doomed from that moment on Rob
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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- Member
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- Joined: Tue Dec 21, 2021 7:04 pm
- Location: Northern Ireland
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Smartbear wrote: ↑Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:10 pmYou should be fine if you get an 06 onwards car with the Toyota engines, most of the niggles had been ironed out by then & the 1zz/2zz engines are usually trouble free, I had no bother with mine & definitely no water leaks
Rob
Toyota do seem to get things right most of the time .