[faster,Tobias!]

Around three months ago I asked our pre-owned manager to keep his eyes open for a Lotus Elise, as though I had seen a couple in traffic and had been instantly enamoured, I had never seen one up close or had the opportunity to drive one. Three weeks ago he found a 2006 out of an auction in Montreal, and the day it came in I took it home for an overnight test drive. What a car - other than the A/C, which is standard in cars destined for North America but not Europe, there is absolutely nothing that isn't necessary to the driving experience. It took me back to the days when I had a '69 Fiat Spider, before manufacturers started stuffing cars full of electronic gizmos, wanted or not. The exhaust note is sonorous; an angel crying in my ear. The steering response is (R53) Mini-like in it's rapidity of response and ability to communicate the road surface. It would be nice to have a little more kick down low in the rev range (the Toyota 1.8 delivers it's full grunt up around 7000 RPM) but considering the motor is only pushing 1800 lbs or so around it is capable of getting a move on in the early going - I think Tobias and it are pretty even in the acceleration department until the Lotus gets up in the revs. And I don't think there is a substitute for the wind in the hair (and bugs in the teeth) of open-top driving.
So, I brought the car back on the Friday and endured the spectacle of the entire detailing department crawling all over it, the entire sales department booting it up and down the street and all and sundry dribbling drool on the seats Desiring to put an end to the shenanigans I fretted and sweated - 'what to do about Tobias?' and 'what about my son's college education?' were a couple, but not all, of the thoughts that passed through my emotion choked brain. It's all about 'no regrets', and I knew if I didn't get the car I would be looking back a few years down the road through the shoulda-done-it hindsight glasses, or worse, telling boring stories about how I almost bought a Lotus once. So the following Saturday morning I dusted off the chequebook and put down the deposit. Four days later and Tobias was sold, to a friend of mine, a good home, with the proviso should he wish to sell it in the future I get first right of refusal.
Now it is back to basics; I think the 'Tobias Challenge' should still run, though I will be contending in a Cooper (I need something that can haul more than a gym bag and can handle the snow).
Oh, and I had the Lotus on the track during a Porsche event;

[British SD]

Wow Craig, you have balls dude. Hats off to you doing what most wish but never do. A brit mate of mine has the old Lotus as a toy and what a blast it is. I love the elise as well. Totally british, totally impractical, only what about 3' high from the pavement but a great toy.

If Tesla motors ever brings their Lotus engineered & assembled roadster to Canada and it turns out to be most of what they claim it is, mmmmmm might catch the same bug.

[mark-o]

Hooooo! I saw one of these in a royal blue at a Drumheller campground this summer. They are very slick looking cars and sound amazing. Good for you!
Who needs practical anyways? That said, what do you drive in the winter?

-M

[RS3TURN]

Congrats, and good choice. Same car I have been eyeing as my next toy....but need a 3 car garage first.

[Mini KAMP]

I saw a Silver with black roof Elise on monday night going west on crowchild, amazing looking car.
Nice one

[beken]

Congrats. I envy you.
Wished my chequebook was as big as yours.....I would do the same thing.

[faster,Tobias!]

I must add, 'Tobias' must be feeling a little unhappy - he quit on the new owner going down Glenmore Trail, and is currently in the basement awaiting the arrival of a new camshaft position sensor. And I never had a problem the previous two years. How guilty do I feel !!
And Loti (Lotuses?) aren't really over the top, price-wise. $7K more than the JCW, but it is an 06 w/ 4000Km (when I got it - I've put on 1500Km in two weeks!)

[dorkboy]

congrats man. They sure are killer cars!!

[Ferroequine]

Wow, that one kind of hits you on the side of the head, right out of nowhere! Look what happens when I go on holidays for a bit. Next thing we know, you'll quit being an MA and start selling dental equipment.

Congrats on the new ride. I've always liked the looks of the Elise, a smart looking car. Will you be taking it out to the auto cross sometime?

When does the modding / decaling start?

[Onurleft]

Congrats on the Elise, a good opportunity not passed-up. guess I did pay to much for that new MINI

Jeff

[MRC2K6]

At least I can sleep at night knowing that I never contributed to the Elise ...

[RS3TURN]

So are there any MA's that still drive MINIs?

My MINI will be keeping Tobias company in the basement for the next 7 - 10 days.....

Yes, I have 3 vehicles and a Ducati, but only 1 is running, the 325XIT....talk about bad luck.

[velveteen_mini]

Congrats on the new purchase. I agree with the 'no regrets' idea. We are currently halfway through the full restoration of a 1960 BugEye Sprite. The horsepower is slightly lower than the Lotus but, as you said, you can't beat the wind in the hair, seat of the pants ride of a British sports car. And no weird electricals to confuse the Lucas wiring. We won't even reinstall the radio. That way, there won't be any antenna to ruin the lines of the car.

You said you have a Cooper for the winter? Original? New?

Enjoy. And you can still enter the British car shows.

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by Onurleft (original)

Congrats on the Elise, a good opportunity not passed-up. guess I did pay to much for that new MINI

Jeff

Not at all. Let's just say my boy will be encouraged to 'taste the real world' before beginning his post-secondary studies (I may have put a small dent in the college fund )

Quote: Originally Posted by RS3TURN (original)

My MINI will be keeping Tobias company in the basement for the next 7 - 10 days.....
Yes, I have 3 vehicles and a Ducati, but only 1 is running, the 325XIT....talk about bad luck.

That is rough! But isn't the Ducati brand new?

Quote: Originally Posted by velveteen_mini (original)

Congrats on the new purchase. I agree with the 'no regrets' idea. We are currently halfway through the full restoration of a 1960 BugEye Sprite. The horsepower is slightly lower than the Lotus but, as you said, you can't beat the wind in the hair, seat of the pants ride of a British sports car. And no weird electricals to confuse the Lucas wiring. We won't even reinstall the radio. That way, there won't be any antenna to ruin the lines of the car.

You said you have a Cooper for the winter? Original? New?

Enjoy. And you can still enter the British car shows.

No doubt it is British; I took it in for it's after-sales service (oil-change, check the bolt torques, etc) and while in I had them fix an oil leak (how English is that? 4000Km on the car, but it was missing two washers; I presume they forget them when they built it), fix the passenger window which wouldn't go up all the way, and repair a nasty rattle in the drivers side window. Comes with the territory, I suppose!. Luckily the only power anything are the windows, and the engine electrics are Toyota. No Lord of Darkness for me (he says, rapping on wood).
One of these days I may acquire enough fortitude (and time) to attempt a restoration - I'd love to have either a MGB GT or a Alfa Romeo GTV6. The Sprite is a handsome car; good luck with the restoration - the car came with a radio originally?
Oh, and I want a R53 Cooper for the winter driver.

[RS3TURN]

Quote: Originally Posted by faster,Tobias! (original)

That is rough! But isn't the Ducati brand new?

.

Yes, it is brand new. But thanks to my 'luck' the timing belt decided to go with only 1600kms on it!!! It has been waiting for parts from Italy since June 7th.