You Need This: 2005 Lotus Elise

I'll have two please. Red - me. Green - mrs lux

You're right. I do need that. Wanna talk my wife into it for me?

But I could buy a Z06 for that much!

Is that an advertisement? Because when I click the "Read the rest of the story" link... there is no more story. Just the same text saying "you should buy this rebuilt title Elise for $27.5k because this company knows stuff about profiting from wrecked Elises"! (paraphrased)

Keith Tanner wrote: But I could buy a Z06 for that much!

I know right? Or... if you stretch the budget a little you can squeeze into a 17 year old Miata with a V8 swap!

Turbo 996 is getting there too.

And yet somehow, this is not the same car as a Corvette or a 996 Turbo or a custom-built V8 Miata or a Toyota minivan. It's like they're all valid options. Weird.

I'm pretty sure this is going to be a lot more fun in the corners than a Z06.

Needed it. Bought it. I regret nothing.

There's a yellow and black one that autocrossas locally. The driver is my size and maybe twice my age, I have no idea how he gets in and out.

Way prettier in British racing green, but really what isn't?

It's fast, it's noisy, at least when he's driving it has a pretty hard understeer issue. Looks like tons of fun though.

I think the best part is seeing it show up with a tire trailer on the back.

Lotus has some awesome colors for the Elise. There a red that's just incredible in the sunlight, it has gold highlights.

calteg wrote: Needed it. Bought it. I regret nothing.

Wait, what?

You actually bought this car?

Cool!

wvumtnbkr wrote:

calteg wrote: Needed it. Bought it. I regret nothing.

Wait, what? You actually bought this car? Cool!

I call shotgun!

Call me a fan of BRG, too. Yes, the Elise works well in just about any color, but green is just so classic.

Oh, I want one. But, I also don't fit in one.

In reply to wvumtnbkr:

Nope, a chrome orange one. Another fella on the boards has the twin to mine. Wouldn't mind a BRG exige though.

I looked at one when they were new in BRG with Oxblood (really dark red) interior. It was an amazing color combo. I've never seen another one in person.

I'd love to have one, but I can't afford them. Oh, well.

Woody wrote: I looked at one when they were new in BRG with Oxblood (really dark red) interior. It was an amazing color combo. I've never seen another one in person.

I'm not usually a BRG and tan kinda guy, but that looks great.

Had a saving plan for one but got layed off work so that plan has been put on hold. :(

One day.....

this car, this color combo, over a MX5.........hell yeah every day

That green is beautiful, but I like this even better

Lotus Laser Blue. Love it so much, we painted a car at FM that color.

BRG with Oxblood kinda reminds me of 'lippin' an 8plus pound largemouth on a lazy sunny day at the lake.........

I've been staring at this car for a month. Something about being responsible.

This isn't a knock on wirewheel at all since Hayes was great to work with, but I would encourage anyone interested in their cars to not buy one sight unseen.

I bought a clean accident-free 06 Elise from them a couple of months ago and had the car shipped up to MA. I've spent over $5000 in parts and labor already in the 400 miles I've driven the car. Blown shock, 7 year old rock hard tires, junk brake rotors, and I had a rear toe link sheer off in the first 100 miles and send me sliding across a highway. There's a load of small misc things as well that you would expect in a Lotus (burned out headlight, ill fitting interior trim, etc).

I'm REALLY happy with the car now that it's not broken anymore, but I probably would have passed on it if I had seen and driven it first.

I don't care for BRG, but I do want an Elise. My color choice would be that bright lime green that almost hurts your eyes.

I turn 50 in a few weeks. I keep thinking the midlife crisis car could be a Lotus.

Those toe links are a common weak point. I suspect that things a lot worse than skittering across the highway have happened when they let go. I'd plan to replace them every 2 years if I was driving the car regularly. Or else replace semi-permanently with one of the better aftermarket options.

Guy at NNJR brought his BRG on tan and I really liked it. Looked terrific with that combo.

Yavuz wrote: This isn't a knock on wirewheel at all since Hayes was great to work with, but I would encourage anyone interested in their cars to not buy one sight unseen. I bought a clean accident-free 06 Elise from them a couple of months ago and had the car shipped up to MA. I've spent over $5000 in parts and labor already in the 400 miles I've driven the car. Blown shock, 7 year old rock hard tires, junk brake rotors, and I had a rear toe link sheer off in the first 100 miles and send me sliding across a highway. There's a load of small misc things as well that you would expect in a Lotus (burned out headlight, ill fitting interior trim, etc). I'm REALLY happy with the car now that it's not broken anymore, but I probably would have passed on it if I had seen and driven it first.

IMO, never buy any used car sight unseen. Always either view and drive it yourself or have someone you trust go see and drive it.

Keith Tanner wrote: But I could buy a Z06 for that much!

I like this guy! He knows things! ;)

Keith Tanner wrote: And yet somehow, this is not the same car as a Corvette or a 996 Turbo or a custom-built V8 Miata or a Toyota minivan. It's like they're all valid options. Weird.

What's that don't Elsa sings?

I would take one in that orange color with black interior.