Author Topic: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise  (Read 19241 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 8326
  • Carma: +91/-560
  • member
    • View Profile
CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« on: April 16, 2006, 10:43:29 pm »
First Drive:
2006 Lotus Elise

2006 Lotus EliseThe Lotus Elise is finally here!  Weighing just 902 kg (1984 lbs), the Elise is faithful to founder Colin Chapman's philosophy of building nimble, lightweight sports cars, reports Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.  "One needs to spend time with the Elise to learn its limits," he says. "You want to stop and go back down a twisty section of road to try it just a little faster because the first pass was so easy."    More...

a4_tom

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2006, 10:43:59 pm »
Elise is the most focused driver's car I have ever driven! Period! :bow: :bow:

Offline The Mighty Duck

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 7861
  • Carma: +34/-44
  • Gender: Male
  • f*** that duck
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2010 MINI Cooper S | Past: 1999 Honda Civic, 2009 Honda Fit
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2006, 10:57:13 pm »
I'm not sure I could ever justify dropping $60 000+ on a car like this.  Fun to drive, no doubt, but a tad impractical for most day to day driving, methinks.  I'll take a GT car, thanks.

mdxtasy

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2006, 02:13:15 am »
A shop in Calgary!  WOOHOO! 

Should make for some serious hoots around the race track. 

Offline tpl

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 23908
  • Carma: +298/-675
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Taos
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2006, 07:36:42 am »
When I owned an Elan in 73-74 I was 100lbs lighter and a LOT more flexible.... but I would ( and I may go up to Gentry lane and try it!) still try to fit into an Elise even now.
Yummy.  make mine BRG with a yellow nose   or black and gold ( JPS colours)

I agree it is not a daily driver in North America....the scale difference between it and even a minivan is just too great and whats the point of doing 5mph on the dvp in a Lotus
The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution.

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 26910
  • Carma: +279/-320
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2009 Lexus ISF, 2009 Lexus LX570,2011 Audi A5 Touring Car
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2006, 07:52:22 am »
I like it! :P

Repair from a minor fender bender might be an issue though, you may need an entire new body. 

Offline tpl

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 23908
  • Carma: +298/-675
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2022 Taos
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2006, 09:42:28 am »
At 68 Kg, just fly to the UK and bring it back as checked baggage.... :rofl:

Offline Bullet Blue

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 6795
  • Carma: +16/-25
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Cars: 2008 BMW 128i & 2008 Volvo C30
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2006, 11:53:36 am »
I wonder if it would make much sense to put the "yet to be determined" dealership somewhere in atlantic Canada?  ;D

James did you get an invite to test the Lotus with Grant?

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 26910
  • Carma: +279/-320
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2009 Lexus ISF, 2009 Lexus LX570,2011 Audi A5 Touring Car
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2006, 12:53:58 pm »
:laugh:  I wish

Jameel

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2006, 03:21:11 pm »
I want one so bad.  Maybe in a few years I can pick up a used one.

Offline Triple Bob

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 18139
  • Carma: +308/-574
  • Gender: Male
  • Profesional Dash Stroker
    • View Profile
  • Cars: Tundra, GTI, Triumph Tiger, KTM, C63 AMG, FZ-09, Triumph Speed Triple, VW Golf Wagon TDI, BMW 535i, Honda CRF250L, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mitsubishi Outlander, Lotus Exige, Subaru Impreza, Peugeot 106, BMW Z4, Toyota MR2 MKIII, Ford Sierra Sapphire
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2006, 04:38:48 pm »
Not a bad review, but too much on the options and not enough on the driving...

I agree:
"This is one fun car to drive"
"Other pieces - the window handles and the door hinges, for example, are pure sculpture"
"you don't need the hard top to drive the Elise in the winter. A better investment might be winter tires" - ha ha yep!
"Surprisingly, the ride comfort was pretty good considering how firm the suspension is. Small abnormalities are largely unnoticed, but you will steer around the big stuff" - treat them as small chicanes...

Disagree:
"there are a few negatives. The trunk is smallish" - oh come on  :P
"The radio controls look aftermarket" - surely they are just part of the radio fascia, nothing to do with Lotus?
"And getting in and out is a challenge" - ha ha, try it with the hardtop on then!

And, "There is no cup holder"  :o :( >:( :popo:

Come on JB, go undercover to your local dealer and give us a driver's review.
 :)


Choosing a car based on reliability is like choosing a wife based solely because she is punctual. There is more to it than that...

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 26910
  • Carma: +279/-320
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2009 Lexus ISF, 2009 Lexus LX570,2011 Audi A5 Touring Car
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2006, 04:54:37 pm »
:'(  I have no local dealer!  There are 3 dealers in all of Canada as per the article, Montreal isn't too far, but they are not open on weekends.

UmroAyyar

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2006, 04:57:52 pm »
Can't someone else count the posts for a day or two?  ;D I'd love to read your blog version of it though. Daily Commute to Track.

Offline wing

  • Big Wig
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 26910
  • Carma: +279/-320
  • Gender: Male
  • If you ain't first ... you're last!
    • View Profile
    • Drivesideways
  • Cars: 2009 Lexus ISF, 2009 Lexus LX570,2011 Audi A5 Touring Car
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2006, 04:58:57 pm »
I would love to drive one, I somehow doubt there will be a press car floating around but if there is I'll try to snag a few minutes in one.

mdxtasy

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #14 on: April 17, 2006, 05:02:51 pm »
I would love to drive one, I somehow doubt there will be a press car floating around but if there is I'll try to snag a few minutes in one.

Just go and buy one.  ;)

Offline chrischasescars

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Posts: 1135
  • Carma: +19/-31
  • Gender: Male
  • The Voice of Reason
    • View Profile
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #15 on: April 17, 2006, 09:34:27 pm »
I saw my first on-the-road Elise today on my way to work! I think it was that orange colour. Sweet.  :o
I used to work here.

Offline JSCC

  • Car Crazy
  • *****
  • Posts: 3260
  • Carma: +0/-1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #16 on: April 17, 2006, 10:37:11 pm »
Saw a grey one on HWY7 and Martin Grove while I was test driving a Jetta 2.0T.  :o

Way too understated. This car should be in insanely bright colors.
2011 MB C300 4Matic (Tenorite Grey)
2010 MB C300 4Matic (Iridium Silver)
2002 VW Jetta 1.8T GLS Sport Luxury Leather package

Jameel

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #17 on: April 17, 2006, 10:37:43 pm »
I saw my first on-the-road Elise today on my way to work! I think it was that orange colour. Sweet.  :o

No way you say an Elise in Ottawa, I can't wait to see it.

I guess this destroys my dream as the 1st person in Ottawa-Gatineau area to get an Elise.  :rofl2:

a4_tom

  • Guest
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #18 on: April 17, 2006, 10:55:10 pm »
I saw my first on-the-road Elise today on my way to work! I think it was that orange colour. Sweet. :o

I love Burst Orange Elise. :o :o

Offline G0dspd

  • Drunk on Fuel
  • ****
  • Posts: 2643
  • Carma: +11/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • Vroum Vroum
    • View Profile
Re: CD Article: 2006 Lotus Elise
« Reply #19 on: April 18, 2006, 02:24:59 am »
I wonder if it would make much sense to put the "yet to be determined" dealership somewhere in atlantic Canada? ;D

Yeah!  They should put it right beside the Posche dealership ... wait we don't have one.  ;D  We barely have one BMW dealership for all of Atlantic Canada. 

No way you say an Elise in Ottawa, I can't wait to see it.

My buddy told me he saw a black one yesterday  ???  He tought it was a kit car :rofl2: ... had to explain what is a Lotus.
"Can we make this quick? I have to give a banana to Annie's Boobs."