My Owners Diary 1998

August 1997

June 1998

11^th July 1998

My wife went out first in case my daughter wakes up and needs feeding. Twenty minutes later they are back and as she steps out of the car (not an easy thing to do in a dignified fashion), her legs give way. I was hoping Charlie wasn't going to frighten her to death, but at least she's smiling. She was actually too frightened to drive the car herself! She's dead impressed by the handing and the braking though. That's handy!

My turn to go out. First of all Charlie shows me what it can do. This guy is a good driver. I know only one other person who drives like this, that I'd actually get in a car with. Apparently my wife told him I'm a fast driver so he asks me not to try and go at the same speed. I tell him not to worry, I couldn't in an unfamiliar car and on a unfamiliar road. We are hurtling through the corners and the amazing thing is that the car never even lost traction, it just hangs on. Finally, a dream turns to reality and we pull into a layby and it's my turn behind the wheel.

First impressions are one of solidity, it's actually more comfortable and refined than I thought it would be. No body flex or roll at all. I struggle with the gear changes initially, the gearstick movement, like the hand brake, and the steering input required, is minimal and so precise. The pedals are a little too close together for my size 11's, and the brakes feel unassisted, but they are just so progressive and even more effective. Response from the throttle is instantaneous, overtaking a breeze, even in these narrow winding lanes. This cars got a sports exhaust. Sounds good, but would get on your nerves after a while and it doesn't make it go any faster. This is quicker than the Escort Cosworth I've driven and the handing is better. After a few minutes I've got the hang of it and start to push it a little more. We are hitting 70+mph between corners and I'm hooked, I now need a Lotus Elise. The only real substitute could be a motor bike and my wife and I can't agree on the subject so an Elise it will have to be.

Drive back to base and down goes my £1000 deposit. There's a drop out in the queue and I could have one by November, but I won't saved enough by then. Mine is now due in May 1999. I don't think this car needs any more power, but the VVC version will probably be out by then and I may have changed my mind in the mean time. I've been told the VVC version will be nearer to £30K though! Any donations gratefully received.

26th July 1998

28^th July 1998

17^th August 1998

12^th September 1998

28^th September 1998

7^th October 1998

The panel production facility was amazing. Even my wife, who yawns at the first mention of cars or Jeremy Clarkson, was fascinated. She went in with the assumption that she'd be bored to tears but, came out a Lotus enthusiast. Better still, she saw a car with a hardtop and immediately said we've got to have one! And I thought I wouldn't be able to sell the idea of spending £1200 on a couple of bits of glass fibre. We saw panels in just about every colour, which was really useful in narrowing the colours down. I had previously liked Titanium but it was a little too dark for my taste. My wife changed her mind and went for Inferno, but it reminds me of old men in Rover 200's a little too much. Even saw a purple car, but it's just too dark for me. New aluminium was looking favourite.

Had a chance to look over the various panels. The strength and weight is incredible. The new boot box was in production and it looks good. The aluminium engine cover serves as a boot cover now and has a neat little rod to hold it up. Some of the previous fixing straps are missing for odds and ends but, two velcro straps are there to hold the soft top bars. The high power water cutter to edge the panels and cut out the apertures was the only robot we saw. The hard top was on most of the cars we saw and it looked the business. It's double skinned and lined with the same dark grey check cloth as used on the non-leather seats.

We then went on to the production line to see the other components being fitted to the chassis. I knew I was buying my dream sports car but, I hadn't realised it was a hand built and hand finished work of art. I've always fancied designing and building my own car, but this is something else. The manual labour effort involved is huge. The professionalism and the atmosphere hits you, these cars are being put together by fellow enthusiasts, not just factory workers. We saw VIN numbers from about 4720 to about 4750 on the line.

Our tour guide bought his own Calypso Red Elise four months ago, so he knew a lot about the car. He didn't have any information on a VVC version but, thought something would be announced at the motorshow. He thought metal matrix discs would be back in supply before I get my Elise. He was also interested in the Amourfend stuff and Lotus are looking in to this. Headlamp covers will never make a comeback appearance. He was really helpful in trying to decide colours and options and even went and retrieved bits from the production line to show us (e.g. a cloth covered seat).

Got to the end of the line and there it was, my dream car (only it belongs to someone else!). New aluminium Elise with hardtop, from a distance looking like a jewel, glistening in the lights. Closer up, it looked even better. The 'technical' metallic silver shows off the curves and features like no other colour. I spent twenty five minutes walking round it and I could have spent another hour just looking at it. I'm the first to admit it, I'm obsessed. This is the car and colour for me, even though my wife's 200Vi is the same colour and she thinks it's 'a bit boring'.

As far as options go, the driving lights are essential to 'finish' the car. I actually preferred the cloth seats and they are more comfortable since they have slightly more padding. The grey check will not go with all colours though. I'm still undecided on the leather option. We both loved the hard top and this is now a must have. The radio fitting kit and alarm go on the car without a second thought. I've decided against the competition exhaust from day one and will leave the car as standard for the first twelve months to see how I get on.

As we left the production line a Calypso Red Sport Elise, complete with roll cage was pulling out on to the test track. The engine sound is awesome, I had to ask if I could go along as a passenger. No such luck. All in all, a brilliant morning and one that I could recommend to anyone. If you are thinking of buying an Elise then you have to do it. If you aren't thinking of buying an Elise, then why not? My top tip, take the wife, it might just work out in your favour! I will be back when my car is on the line.

8^th October 1998

20^th October 1998

24^th October 1998

As far as the Lotus stand went, the 340R was the main attraction for most. Personally I think it is ill conceived and shows that there was no clear design strategy behind it. Such an out and out race car should have put more emphasis on function and less on design flair. From the front it works, but as you move towards the rear it gets worse and you end up with a car more suited to Brighton seafront than a race track. It should have been as simplistic as the Caterham Suoperlight R. The stand had three Elises on it, all in Titanium. Like all the manufactures, Lotus spotted that silver is the best colour for showing off the curves and features. New Aluminium looks better in daylight but, under the bright stand lights Titanium worked. It also looks like the VVC version will never arrive with the stage II kit being badged as the 'Elise Sport 135'. Doesn't look like you can buy this a new car though. As far as the leather seat option goes, I've reached a decision. I'm going for non-leather seats and will fit the red Corbeau seats from the Sport Elise as soon as I can afford them. They look great. Lotus have their own report on the Motorshow so I won't bother putting my pictures up.

31^st October 1998

It's the first time I've ever been to a race track and it was great to wander around the pits looking at Sport Elises. They sound awesome as they hurtle round the track. I'd love my Elise to sound like that. The track Elises were even lower to the ground and as they pulled into the pits you could see the steam rising from the rear tyres.

Just as we were about to leave, Dave Minter (chief test driver at Lotus) turned up in a new Esprit 350 Sport. Had a chance to quiz him about the Elise development and chat about performance upgrades. Looks like the Elise is going to have a more racing/track bias in the future with the emphasis on reducing weight. Couldn't get him to say anything about the forth coming Elise VVC though, which will be available in April '99. Dave Minter is keen to get his hands on Steve's modified Elise to do a performance comparison between the Lotus Stage II and the Motorbuild Stage II upgrades. I will post the results when it happens.

All in all a great morning and a new experience for me. Can't say I'd fancy racing my own Elise but it was great to watch them hurtling round the track and next time I'll go on a sunny day and take the family. Never found out who won the race.

Steve with his uprated and lowered Elise. (693 x 490 pixels, 105K)

An Elise Sport hot on the heels of a Seven at the Esses. (693 x 490 pixels, 176K)

12^th November 1998

Found out that Lotus are doing a special run of 50 Elise Sport 135's in a new colour called, Silver Metallic (slightly blue). For £29k you get a blue soft top, factory fitted 135 stage II kit, close ratio gearbox, cross drilled cast iron brakes, sports exhaust, Corbeau driver and passenger seats, Lotus sports steering wheel, headlamp covers, alarm, radio fitting kit, and unique body graphics. These will be built in December and allocated on a first come first served basis. They have the usual 12 month warranty and are aimed at road drivers who fancy the occasional spin on the track.

17^th November 1998

21^st November 1998

In front of Seckford Hall. (640 x 480 pixels, 60K)

And another one. (640 x 480 pixels, 107K)

16^th December 1998

25^th December 1998

Previous Entry | Diary Index | Next Entry