I think i found the new car that i actually like!!

[thefastestz]

Soon i will be in the market for a new car.

I just never found one that i liked.

The new Z just didn't hit the spot and niether did anyother car.

I just read the car & driver article and i really want one.

Since i am finishing school now and i may have a job soon.

I already am through most of the hiring process for a local

(close to home, cutting down my living expenses )chemical plant, hopefully i land the job.

Enough.....now about the car.

Lotus is making a US spec elise and sending it over.

According to the article it will have ABS and air-conditioning.

It will have 1.8L VVTL-i engine from the celica GTS and its

C64 6-sp gearbox. The US spec will not use the rover k-series engine.

The engine will produce 190hp( 10hp up from the Celica) go to 60mph in 4.9 sec and 100mph in 12.6 sec.

Even though it is just an alluminum tub with 4 wheels wieghing

just about 2000 lbs i think i will like it.

Of course i am expecting to compromise driving comfort in place

of performance.

Oh well that said i just hope it keeps a the sticker really close to

40K. I hope the demand for it doesn't drive up the price and drive

away my hopes of driving away with one.

I just read the article and it sounds like an outstanding car IMHO.

Thoughts??

[LanceM]

OK,

Sounds really cool, would be a great ride....

Now reality check time... This is an old guy talking, advice is free so take it for what it's worth...

Get the job first.

$40K, 5 years of payments and full coverage at your age what will be your monthly payment be until it's paid for?

Do you really want to live at home for the next 5 years?

Do your parents really want you to live at home for the next 5 years?

What if you or they decide that you should move out on your own, can you afford the car and life's expences before the 5 years is up?

Don't mean to sound like your old man or an A$$ but all I want you to do is look ahead a little bit, don't get strapped with a 2000 pound monkey on your back eating at you every month. Nothing worse than hateing a car you bought to love, spoils the fun of driving it when everytime you see it all you think of is a payment book..... Been there done that.....

[Gav240z]

Great Advice Lance, infact the very words i live by if I can't afford it don't buy it till I can.

No loans .

Not jumping on Lance's bandwagon just think he has good advice but i also don't know your financial situation either so....

Anyway I guess 1 reason I like the Z so much is I can afford it. Well sorta and if I can't I just don't drive it for a while. :cheeky:

[thefastestz]

That is good advice and i have taken it into consideration.

There is no way i will be able to even think about until after i

got the job and began working. If i get the job i will be hired in

Jan.

And no i do not plan to live at home for 5 years.

Will i be able to afford it? very likely if i get that job.

What will happen in 5 years i have no idea?

Maybe your right that much money a money for a car so

early may just cause problems,Maybe i should just go back to the used C5 idea instead.

Really the Elise impressed me, because it almost sounded like

the description of a Z car. Light, Fast, no power steering because

it didn't need it, hardly compromising performance, stand out styling, kinda wish

that was the description for the 350z.

I was just wondering if anyone has ever driven an elise, how is it compared to a classic Z? I was wondering if anyone could describe the driving experience?

But then again this is a Z forum.

[LanceM]

Wow,

after seeing that pic I can understand the desire to own one

[Alfadog]

Excellent choice. The Elise is one new car I'd love to own too... who gives a rats about the carpetless floors and manually-winding windows when you're in a 700kg go-kart!!!

As compared to the Z car... well it'd mid-engined, shorter, wider, and lighter. With that 190HP (HOLY ... !) engine you're talking about it'd be crazy! Not too sure if they're all that similar though... I mean the Z car was a sports car, this really is a track car.

Now, if you really wanted something special...

[kyteler]

Yeah, they're a nice looking car, and that's all well and good but, as Lance said, payments.. you may think you'll have the cash to cover car payments but this wont be your only problem. Run through a checklist;

Can I afford the car?

Can I afford Insurance as well?

Can I afford the excess should I have an accident?

If something happens with that car that isnt under warranty will I be earning anough money to pay for parts for a brand new car?

Will I have money to buy anything should something happen where I need cash?

Can I afford on road costs?

Sure it sounds fantastic to say "I have a Lotus" but you don't want it at the cost of everything else.

If you know you can afford or handle all possible scenarios you may face after purchase then by all means, get a Lotus, they're all class, of course the Elise has nothing on the Espirit but still a Lotus.

[abas]

I have been fortunate to drive 2 elises. (Guy at the end of my street owns a garage that specialises in them:classic: ) I drove one on the road recently and another a couple of years back at a company bash where I could drive a variety of cars around autotest stages and for a short while on a track. Can't afford one though

Puts just about anything I have ever driven in the shade and not surprisingly totally blows a standard z away. Shame it is only 4 cylinder job though, I really miss that 6 cylinder sound.

Best description I can give is similar to alfadogs - big go-kart or lotus seven. You will have to forego the creature comforts and the wet weather gear sucks. And don't crash one. Even low speed shunts cause a lot of damage.

Perphaps they will junk the k series engine over here soon too as it is has an awful reputation once the car has done a medium amount of miles.

I'd say if you can afford one go for it, and perhaps you may feel that you might never get the chance again ( assuming you might follow the ususal pattern of house/wife/kids = no money until you are about 45) but I have to add my 2c worth about making too many sacrifices now which perhaps you might regret in a couple of years time.

Good luck if you get one. I will envy you :classic:

[CZCar]

im just curious as to why the arent using the Rover K Series engine in them , i have a Rover as my daily driver i admit its only 1.4 but when i got a Z down in the shed im not to worried, but that pumps out 103 horsepower stock, so the 1.8 engine pumps out bout 210 with exhaust and cold air intake, so if you no why they dont use that engine, id be delighted to know, thanks

Cameron

[240znz]

LOTUS = Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.

BBC's "Top Gear" tv program did a segment on the Track Elise. Looks like a bundle of fun.

I'm not going to retype what others have said above but you might be better off getting a car that YOU can work on. YOUR time is free to a point and starting out with a older car might be the better way to go. Plenty of good basic cars around for you to choose. Nothing wrong with basic cars, they let you make plenty of mistakes and the don't end up costing you too much as most of the parts are available in junk yards.

Heh...most people here have what you have.....a need to buy the car you one day previously dreamed about. It took me 2 years to find my Zed so just take your time when selecting you fist car. My 1st was a 1972 Datsun 1200 Coupe. It was real easy to work on (as is the Zed and really any car from that period) and parts are everywhere...not so much now though.

Good luck looking and DON'T RUSH.