Gee, thanks a ton Doug! Just what I need to hear in my fragile state of mind! :D

Seriously, I'd buy one in a Leucadia minute if one could be had for anywhere near what a used Elise goes for (fat chance) - they are my idea of a PURE sports car.

Now I'm thinking maybe I should consider a used 7 clone?

One other thing...probably a minor consideration. Sounds in part like there is a novelty factor at work, if only in part, with your fascination for the Elise. I know when they first came out it was there for a lot of people. The question for me would be "will the novelty wear off and if so when?"

I don't think the Elise will be anything more than a blip on the radar screen for long term desirability. I saw one just the other day (after not having seen any for a long while) and not only did it do nothing for me but it stood out so blatantly in the process. If/when these things jump the shark you won't be able to give them away. A problem the 911 has never, nor will ever, have IMHO....

I have a slightly crazy philosophy on cars. I buy cars that I like (practical or not) that also sold well to car buffs and that remained consistent over years. If enthusiasts bought a lot of them there will be a lot of knowledge out there. If the model didn't change much there will be a lot of parts out there.

I don't have enough money to get an interesting car unless I know that I can drive the wheels off of it and then rebuild it and do it again. I don't know if the Elise is there yet on that scale.

Here's an example: I have an '83 Jeep CJ-7. I can buy everything from a frame to interior trim for it from after-market sources. The Jeep has 300,000+ on it's original engine and I just put new Dana-44 axles under it. I am going for 1,000,000 miles on that vehicle.

As you know, you can get just about anything for your SC because they were raced and remained consistent for years. In the 10 year view you will still be able to get anything. This is a little less so for something like a Datsun 240Z which was raced, but which remained consistent for a shorter period of time. The Elise isn't there yet, but might get there.

From my crazy perspective, the SC is a car that you can put 500,000 miles on and still buy stock parts to keep it like new. Another, lesser car would have to have modified and/or custom parts on it to keep going. That's about 5 standard American sedans worth of driving in an excellent car!

Lotus Elise = blood in urine.:rolleyes:

These things will beat the ever living hell out of you. I'm surprised anyone made it to 22,000!!!

Tom

I have nothing new to add, but still will throw my $0.02 in...
SC is a practical daily driver and light duty small family hauler (as long as you have backup cars ...). Elise probably isn't the first and definitely not the 2nd. I'd get both or just keep the SC.

Take it easy on David, I put him up to it!!! :)

Cheers

DARISC:

If I had the means, I would get the Elise as a second car. I test drove one a while back and it exceeded my expectations by a huge margin. The Elise is FAST, exotic, and light years ahead of the aircooled 911 in terms of performance IMO.

On the down side, I was certain that I could live with one as a daily driver. But, there is no way. With the hard top in place, my 5' 11" robust body is squished during ingress. Once in, the proportions are perfect. But, in work clothes, NO WAY.

If you are looking for a fun car and have the extra $$ it will cost beyond the sale price of your SC, I would be all over the Elise or better yet an Exige. They are Bad A$$!

Mike

For what it is worth, the Porsche 911 has stood the test of time in the sports car world.

It has so much stood the test of time that 20, 30 years later they are still desirable.

Why get rid of a "classic" proven machine for a Johnny come "lately" ?

Who knows, in 20 years the lotus might have the reputation as the worst POS ever.

I am not sure, but I am sure the 911 will live on in history!

My two cents ( for free)

Roman in LA
78 targa

The SC will lose its greatest fan and supporter!

Don't do it!

ianc

HAHA! You've obviously read some of my enthusiastic posts!

I'm keeping the SC.

Even if I get a Lotus.

Which I probably won't.

Thanks to all who've helped me stabilize!

David

Don't self-revoke your SCWDP membership David. Muuhahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

(do we need to plan on an SC intervention?)

Something I want to put down here...
1- On any car, there are some points you got "tired of it" and you think you might want something else. You will do the same with any car. How long do you think you will keep the Elise? When it come to think about selling the Elise, what are you gonig to get? A 911 again?
2- If you have to get an Elise right now, no matter what, just sell it. Don't keep too many toys. You won't have time for them and you will get sick of them all. It happen to me and to many friends I know. Keep only and put all your love into it.
3- <i>Didn't think I'd ever post asking for opinions on a dumb personal decision, but, oh well... </i> I agree. I am the type of person that I don't think I ever have to ask for personal decision but it happend.
4- If you have to ask, and the way you asked, I don't think you will sell your 911. Let me ask you this question... if now you don't have both, which one you will feel missing the most? Which one you will feel yuo want to have in most occasions?

Besides, you'd have to change your name to DARIELISE; makes you sound like a girl.

not that there's anything wrong with that....

DARISC

Let me get this straight, you spent $40,000 on a car you can now sell for $15/$18 k, right?

Phew, cause that makes perfect sense to me, especially since I am about to do the same thing. There was a Sean Connery film made in the sixties I guess called "A Fine Madness" and this topic made me think of it.

Are there any pictures of your car posted here?

Tom

Yeah, I know - I'm nucking futs! Well, I'm keeping the SC, into which I knowingly sank multiple times what the car is worth on the market. I did so because I intended (and now still do) to never sell the car (I have no interest in post-Carrera Porsches).

I wanted a really reliable, first Porsche, daily driver with all possible near future issues resolved and so far the car has been trouble free for going on three years of pretty much driving it like I stole it, mostly on city streets which of course is much more taxing than freeway driving.

I can qualify for a doctorate in cross-threading so all my work is done by my mech. Needless to say it would have cost MUCH less had I had the skills to do the work myself.

After buying it I read Stephan Wilkinson's "Gold Plated Porsche" (great read!). Sooo, that's what I now have (though nowhere near as expensive or quick as Steve's). :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1196370759.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1196370820.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1196370849.jpg

9.8:1 cr, 223 hp (SSIs w/Dansk 2in/2out), 26mm rear torsion bars, Bilstein Sports, strut brace, WEVO shifter, coupler and mounts, 7s & 8s x 16, no AC, yadayada...
NOT FOR SALE :D

David's car is as nice, clean and stock as they come. He is a creative man. I suspect he'll get another wild hair and we'll have to walk him away from the ledge. :D :D

David,
A Lotus 7 clone seems like a great idea! I wholly endorse the idea (not that it matters what I think). Keep us posted. Glad to go with you to check one out some time. Go to cars and coffee one day and you'll probably see a fleet of great options. I've seen several Ariel Atoms there, amongst other things.

Doug

Thanks for the compliments Doug. You are a gracious man, as are all of you guys who took interest in my plight and indeed DID walk me away from the ledge :)!

Doug, as a matter of fact I value your endorsement and if I go forward in grooming that particular wild hair I will surely take you up on your offer to check out what I might find in a Lotus 7 clone.

You've mentioned cars & coffee several times. Think I could keep you in sight if I were to attempt to follow you up to the next one you attend? :cool:

Thanks all!

David