Author Topic: Omg - Bye Bye Wrx (Read 2030 times)

FUNKED1 · « **on:** November 04, 2003, 03:06:33 PM »

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=868

Sandman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2003, 03:21:27 PM »

Sweet car , but I still like the Esprit.

gofaster · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2003, 03:25:00 PM »

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The Elise is about as small as cars can get in the U.S. With an overall length and width of 149.0 in. and 67.7, respectively, it's slightly smaller than a Mazda Miata.

Slightly smaller than a Mazda Miata? I suspect this may be a sales limiter. Where would guys put their golf bags?

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The face has been designed to portray a serious, aggressive performance car. Lotus stylists said that the overall demeanor of the Series 1 proved too "cute" for its customers. I discovered that its new face reflected the Elise's on-road performance to a tee.

The front kind of looks like a Ford GT40. Its got a nice 60's Le Mans racer look to it.

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So when do we get our hands on this car? The word from Lotus is spring 2004, with its official unveiling at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show in January. ... Lotus plans to sell about 3000 cars the first year, and capacity is limited. As for the asking price, it is not final as of this writing, but expect a sticker price of $39,000.

If I'm not mistaken, that's the minimum quantity to qualify for racing in some circuits. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Lotus Elise making some laps in the ALMS series in 2005.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2003, 03:25:01 PM »

Esprit was sexy, but it's more of a GT car (bigger) than the Elise. And no open-top version.

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2003, 03:51:41 PM »

There are several Miata' guy's dumping their Miata's for these Elise. Their supost to be a bucket-o-fun from what I hear from these guy's.

Too bad I've comittied for the 05 Dodge Magnum SRT8

Beside's I like my Miata. Even better when it get's supercharged.

BB Gun · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:10:32 PM »

funked, you are so damn fickle.....

Next thing you know, you're going to join rip with a carpeted beemer garage....

BB

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:31:32 PM »

If BMW ever makes a car with any bang for the buck I will gladly hop on the carpeted garage bandwagon.

mrblack · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:51:06 PM »

I'M IN!!!
I hope I can fit in it. 6'4"

Furball · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2003, 04:55:14 PM »

We have a Lotus showroom about 5 minutes from here, see those whizzing about on test drives all the time.

Personally i prefer the Lotus Exige

See a few of these too Lotus 340R : -

Man they look fun, supposed to be a modern Lotus 7.

Mini D · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:18:19 PM »

The older elise may have been cuter, but it was also more basic. I believe the U.S. version was even sold with an "optional" right seat. From what I've read on it... nothing would touch it in the corners, but it didn't have particularly high horsepower. Looks like they've bumped it up a bit, but not much. The weight looks to be higher too.

I can't decide whether to view new version is an improvement or not. I'll have to think on that one.

MiniD

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:28:16 PM »

Read the article Nano. This is the first version of the Elise to be officially sold in the US. The original versions had some godawful 120 hp 4 banger.
190 hp is a huge increase. And remember the thing weighs less than 2000 lbs.

Mini D · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:36:21 PM »

Hmmm... the first must have been track only. I know they've been in the U.S. prior because I've seen them at the dealer. I knew the HP was pretty low, though I remember "140" for some reason. Though, in a car that only weighs some 1500 lbs, 120 goes a long way.

MiniD

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2003, 06:46:47 PM »

There were some Elises imported, but it was done by 2 or 3 small shops who put in federalized engines. I'm really eager to test drive one of these. I just hope I fit. I have a lot of trouble with headroom.

Furball · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2003, 04:54:58 AM »

Lotus 340R: basically a stripped down racing elise that is roadworthy.

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You thought that the Elise was pared-down minimal motoring?How about a car with no doors or roof?! The 340R is the sports car for people who live to drive and want the whole experience as raw and as pure as it comes: wind in your hair, foot-to-the-floor no-limits motoring.

As outrageously styled as it is dynamically outstanding, the 340R is powered by a 1.8-litre VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) K series engine producing 180PS. And in a car this light, equipped with a close ratio gearbox, that adds up to explosive performance 0-60mph in 4.4secs, for instance, and a top speed of 133mph (214km/h).

No other car puts you so closely in touch with the road or track, or is so sharp and eager in its responses. The 340R is already being talked of as one of the all-time greats.

And if all this still is not extreme enough for you, you can take things further still when you use your car for track days. Lotus have developed a full optional Track Pack for the 340R which, among other things, increases the power to an awe-inspiring 195PS (143kW), and lowers the dry vehicle weight to 1257lb (571kg). With components available individually, you decide the limits.

Be aware though: if you want one, it may already be too late - only 340 (of course) vehicles are being produced, so it's future classic status is practically guaranteed.

Fatty · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2003, 06:07:11 AM »

You could get something a little bigger than the WRX. Maybe a Ford Focus.