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Discussion of other cars non-Z4
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Smartbear
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Post by Smartbear » Fri Dec 24, 2021 3:41 pm

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.
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
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buzyg
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Post by buzyg » Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:05 pm

Some very smart photos their Mr Bear. Not sure about actually driving them though. Nothing their I could fit in. (Possibly the forfour :wink: )
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Post by Tom2207 » 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.

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Post by Smartbear » Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:24 pm

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.
How did the Lotus get overlooked? :?
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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Post by Tom2207 » Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:30 pm

Smartbear wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 6:24 pm
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.
How did the Lotus get overlooked? :?
Rob
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 though :)

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Post by sars » Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm

I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
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Post by Argyll Andy » Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:25 pm

sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I’d love to have a go in one
I’d love to be able to fit in one :rofl:

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    Post by Nanu » Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:15 pm

    Getting in is not usually an issue, getting out is a major problem :cry:
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    Post by Smartbear » Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:01 pm

    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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 :lol:
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    e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
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    Post by BMWZ4MC » Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:52 am

    Smartbear wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:01 pm
    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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 :lol:
    Rob
    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.

    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!
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    Post by M1k3yC » Sun Dec 26, 2021 11:38 am

    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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!
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    Post by Tom2207 » Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:14 pm

    M1k3yC wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 11:38 am
    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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!
    they look great , but Im told they are hard to use as a daily driver , water leaks and the likes ,,, its the older engine that would put me off.

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    Post by Smartbear » Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:10 pm

    Tom2207 wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:14 pm
    M1k3yC wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 11:38 am
    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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!
    they look great , but Im told they are hard to use as a daily driver , water leaks and the likes ,,, its the older engine that would put me off.
    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 :thumbsup:
    Rob
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    e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
    e85 3.0si sold

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    Post by Smartbear » Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:16 pm

    BMWZ4MC wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 3:52 am
    Smartbear wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 11:01 pm
    sars wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 7:07 pm I think the Elise still looks stunning, I’d love to have a go in one
    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 :lol:
    Rob
    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.

    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!
    Thanks, it was storm titanium 8)
    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 :lol:
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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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    Post by Tom2207 » Sun Dec 26, 2021 8:12 pm

    Smartbear wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:10 pm
    Tom2207 wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:14 pm
    M1k3yC wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 11:38 am 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!
    they look great , but Im told they are hard to use as a daily driver , water leaks and the likes ,,, its the older engine that would put me off.
    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 :thumbsup:
    Rob
    :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
    Toyota do seem to get things right most of the time .

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