James knowing the colors, scouting the forums, and texting other owners shows the insane passion and commitment to his craft here. Throttle house is entering legendary status when it comes to the top automotive content ever done.
@MHWGamer I got to drive one and it is hilarious how cheap/basic the interior feels, but holy crap the steering is wonderful. Unfortunately, it spoils any idea of a fun car you had prior to driving it, because nothing can compare to it
Don't worry about the mirrors and door panels falling off, as the Elise gets older, it adds more lightness by shedding superfluous body parts. Lotus was truly ahead of their time.
I am a proud owner of a Lotus (I have an S240) and it is the greatest thing I’ve ever driven. When my husband drove it for the first time, he said that it was “nothing short of a religious experience” for him, and I concur. We drove down south to pick it up, drove it 6 hours back home, and by the time we got home, we couldn’t WAIT to get back in it. Need to go to the store? Take the Lotus! Home Depot trip? Take the Lotus! We even shoved the trunk full of stuff to bring to a barbecue and sat a 10lb bag of ice on me in the passenger seat. Watching this made me really miss my Exige. It’s been getting painted since March. But we’ve taken it on super car drives, and it is able to hang with the Lamborghinis, Porsches and McLarens.
It was in a small cooler, as one does with meat, and no, it did not spoil, it was only in there for like 45-50 minutes 😊 probably should have specified that bit in the post 🤣
Elise S3 owner from Germany here - nothing comes close to this small un-perfect British Car.Not even the perfect Cayman GTS .Maybe a Caterham … which is essentially a Lotus.Great review, spot on !
Porsche owner here and Exige S2 driver: you must be kidding... yes the light weight and direct steering are wonderful things but it stops there. One as a toy addition to a 981 GTS absolutely yes but instead of? Never.
@@sixpotshotI’ve driven the GTS 4.0 with manual, amazing car but its not as pure and reduced as the Elise. If you want to go really fast around the Nurburgring its definitely the Porsche. But for fun , engagement and purity - its definitely the Lotus for me.
NEVER use the windshield to get in and out of an Elise. It's a US$1500 mistake that you'll only do once. The rear view mirror in this car is aftermarket. The stock one is from a large GM vehicle and blocks a tall driver's view of the right side of the road. The floor mats in this car are aftermarket. The Elise came with carpeted floor mats. And the chassis is bonded AND riveted. So there are many, many rivets.
As a fellow Elise owner, you’re spot on! I winced hard when he said he was using it to get in and out. If you need leverage to get out the hand brake is okay. To get in, he needs to learn the Lotus Trust Fall technique.
You are spot on, especially on the elise s1. I don't get why one would ever use windshield or A piller to hoist oneself out of a cabriolet (especially an older one). That's something that would never cross my mind, not something I would expect from a automotive journalist
I rented an Elise for a few days in Las Vegas and it BLEW MY MIND. Hands down the best driver's car i have driven. Nice to see the Lads confirm my opinion
@@beetaliusI love this! Cheers to you! I live in Alaska and around 15 years ago, there was a dark green Elise consistently spotted in Fairbanks. I honked and cheered every time that I was lucky enough to spot it. Probably military owned, because it hasn’t been around for a long time. I miss seeing it, but our roads are so crap that it hopefully has a happier life now😂
@@Ar1AnX1x I have both a 2006 Exige and a 2019 GT3RS, and track both of them. The Porsche is, of course, both faster and more comfortable. But the Exige is more fun, sporty, precise and rewarding to drive fast. Pretty significantly so.
I own the V6 Supercharged S3 of this, 2015 (got it in 2018). What made me buy it was that 9 years before that my friend in the US took me around in his supercharged Exige (the one referenced early in the video). Haven't sat in a Lotus for 9 years, bought mine sight unseen when I finally had the funds. It's everything a car needs to be. If you are contemplating a purchase - just go out and buy it.
The V6 Exige is probably the best Lotus out of them all: the chassis of the Elise but stretched a little and stiffened up to house a V6 that can be modified to sound angelic. It is still heavier than a regular Elise but the V6 is better than the inline 4.
@@CyanRooper No mods needed for the Exige V6 to sound epic. Mine is all standard and it just howls. Also has an *actual* V6 racecar sound, raspy (but not like a ricer), loud, and with a fantastic change in its tone. I'd rather buy a carbon roof panel and rear panel, and ultra-light wheels, than spend on a different exhaust. From the factory it has an exhaust valve that you can open and close but the vacuum actuator for the valve always breaks in the heat of the engine bay so it's loud all the time.
I’ve actually had the pleasure to drive a lotus Elise and I can say with full heartedness as a person who has driven a lot of cars. Nothing comes close to the raw visceral experience of the Lotus.
@@porkchopexpress6969 Yeah, but comparing any "normal" car to a caterham ist kind of like comparning a civilian Aircraft to a F16. Sure, the Caterham is even more direct and nimble, but i wouldnt want to do a cross europe roadtrip with a caterham. A Lotus though is a proper car you could daily drive. Not that you should, but it would be possible. Daily driving a Caterham? No thank you
@@leon81061 despite the size they have about the same usability. Not like the lotus has a huge trunk. besides these should both be second or third cars anyway..
Just a small clarification: The reason why Lotus used glue is that it is stronger than welding since you produce unwanted tension in the aluminium when you heat it up around where you weld.
The S2 is ultimate nostalgia to witness at this point. This was one of the starter cars in NFS Hot Pursuit 2, and people may swoon over 6-cyl engine sounds, but this one with the l4 1.8L 2ZZ-GE is one of my favorites to hear! Of course, the K20A will be personally the numero uno.
i prefer yamaha induction sound over the K but K might have the slight durability advantage and certainly has more performance in aftermarket/modification
I was in stiches for the Buzz Lightyear comment. The 2ZZ is definitely an all time great - in the my old daily (Toyota Matrix), it was actually an engine option from the factory. They made very few of them, but I always considered those special, given the Lotus connection. The idea of middle-aged parents legging out the family hatchback to 8200 RPM on the grocery run - that's good living. Great video as always, nice meeting you guys in person at Drivefest!
Just two years ago I sold my 94' Camry with ONLY 71K miles because I knew I would have that thing the rest of my life for a Celica GT-S with twice that much. Sadly it's an auto, but a manual GT-S is REALLY hard to find, let alone with reasonable miles like mine has. 2ZZ is no joke and this car is just an INCREDIBLE daily and looks absolutely stunning with some cosmetic mods. I really don't want anything else.
I had this exact spec car with the sport and touring package. Drove it as my daily for a little over a year. It was amazing. Super reliable car with some interesting parts. The engine of a Toyota, front brakes the same as the rear brakes on a viper, and the battery looks like it belongs in a wave runner. People thought it was a baby Ferrari but I got it for 35k. Blast to drive, but it's closer to riding a motorcycle with two seats than driving an actual car. Unfortunately, I parted with it after a minor parking lot incident cracked both the front and rear fiberglass clamshell. I had to talk the insurance company out of totaling it. 10/10, will do again someday.
Those that don't understand this car simply need seat time. Stock isn't in need of more power for road use, unlike a miata where you can find yourself wishing these was a bit more. The only major shortcoming is the clamshell construction and minor fender benders can be phenomenally expensive; maybe that's changed with time, but I doubt it. The rest is cheap and easy to work on. I hated everything about driving a S2000, but loved everything about driving an Elise. Getting in and out of the thing is another story.
@@Huckenbacher He started out saying the car was misunderstood; as on paper the specs don't seem all that impressive. Specs vs seats time. I've had plenty of seat time in an S2000 and didn't enjoy it and would always prefer other cars. Z3M Coupe, Elise, etc. My stable is mostly vintage cars these days, but I have no interest in an S2000 and am sorry that offended you.
The clamshells are 10k a piece, A minor fender bender at 5mph will total one of these, as insurance will total a car whose repair cost is ore than 20% of the vehicles value. Replacing one clamshell and paint matching runs about 25-28% of the total cost of a high value Elise, meanwhile the same accident in a swapped MRS will run you 150$ for the bumper skin and 200 to match the paint. But on the other hand the MRS weighs a hundred pounds more and is only worth 6-7K. Oh and the MRS doesn't have the "British charm" of being a creaky rattle-y piece of shit.
@@Huckenbacher I haven't driven an Elise, but I did own an S2000 for a couple years. As far as I can tell from the outside the Elise is VERY different to drive than the S2000. The S2000 absolutely will not tell you if you've driven over a small patch of gravel with one tire- honestly the steering feel isn't really that good. Great engine though of course. I had a LOT of fun with my S2000.
I rode in one of these at a track day down here in Texas and it was actually insane, we were passing 911's, M3's, Vette's, and it felt like we were on the limit the whole time. It was awesome.
The ethos behind the Elise is why I am restomodding a '77 Fiat 128 Familiare with a Honda Fit powertrain. 1700 lbs wet on the road and it will carry a big shopping trip without cooking anything! Great video guys, love the spirit of your show!
@@TML34 Hey The Real Hutch, that's cute. No thing is hopeless. Hopelessness is a human condition, easily remedied by taking a new perspective on the situation and using creativity, willpower, and the application of caring hands to rework something into something new. Best regards!
I've driven Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches. The Lotus Elise, is still my all time favourite drivers car. I like TVRs a lot, for the same reasons but they will kill you if you push them like an Elise. When your car corners like it's on rails, you don't need ESC, Traction Control, etc.
@@joaquinpaul8205 I dunno. Everyone I know has been mostly fine. I had more issues with my MX5 of the same age. Not much to go wrong. I suspect owners also tend to keep up a good service schedule and stay ahead of issues. Rare to be the kind of person who bothers to own a lotus but also neglects their car
@@joaquinpaul8205 I've had mine 27 years and the worst part was the during the initial warranty period. It's been very solid since year 2, that includes trackdays and long European trips (3000+ miles). Impressive little cars. Mine is powered by the apparently 'weedy and flimsy' rover k
me too. step #1 - remove rear view mirror that blocks 13.8% of forward visibility. Step #2 - remove sun visors that don't block the sun, and reduce forward visibility by another 9.2%. Step #3 - never ever EVER attempt to get into the car with the roof on AND expect to do so graciously. It's impossible ever for the most dignified Cirque du Soleil star.
Agree with not needing more power. I added a supercharger thinking more power was better. A year later, I uninstalled it. The snappy response of NA on such a light car was gone, and suddenly the brakes and tires felt undersized carrying more speed. I realized how precisely balanced the stock NA car is, and what a good power level it is for road driving. If you drive on track a lot, a supercharger may be more fun, especially on tracks with elevation. However, I'd be prepared to invest in bigger brakes and tires as well.
Great and fun video as always guys... I've daily driven my 2 Elises for 175,000miles since 2002. They are great everyday toys, that make every mile count. My S2 Elise Sport 135 was only 726kg, and my current S3 Elise S Club Racer is the perfect power, weight and size for British roads (able to be driven hard regularly), unlike bigger heavy 400-600hp cars like a 911s, Cayman, etc, that feel like an inert heavy barge after driving an Elise.
Unlikely, modern supercars are a lot more comfy and theatrical than an elise (manual transmission not factored in here). If they wanted to be in something like an elise, they probably would be
I've had 2 Corolla XRS' with the 2ZZ-GE motor. There is truly something special with that engine, its so much fun to rev out, light for a sedan and my last one had 205k running strong. The Elise is the king of this powerplant. 💪
Lotus made the Series 3 (S3), starting in 2011...which is also the last year they imported them into the US/Canada (due to the airbag restrictions.) I owned a 2011 S3 for several years, here in the US. Awesome car. They fixed a number of niggles that the S2 always dealt with. But they're uber-rare. Lotus imported something like 100ish of them into the US.
I always had a sneaking suspicion that the reason why the S3 wasn't as popular as the S2 was because most people didn't like the looks of the S3 compared to the S2. Not only that but the S3 came out when the first generation Toyobaru GT86/BRZ cars came out. I know comparing a mid-engined car to a front engined car isn't fair but I think the Toyobaru twins probably nabbed a few potential customers from Lotus. I especially remember Lotus kept coming up with new special edition/limited edition models like almost every week during the S3's production. Some were lighter, some just had special liveries.
@@crashyyy4116 - The front clam was redone. So, it got REAL (aka good) headlights, finally. LED DRLs. Rear lights were also LED. Instead of having two small access openings in the front clam (for brake fluid, fuses, etc.), it's one larger batwing-shaped opening. I think they also fixed the issue with the HVAC blower motor (which, in the S2s, when the blower motor controller went out, it was a HUGE PITA to fix). They also changed the shift lever. Trunk no longer required the key to open it - there is a latch behind the driver's seat. So, it opens more like a "normal car" trunk. Nothing huge, just a bunch of little things like that. It was just a "facelift" - not nearly as drastic a change as from the S1 to the S2.
@@habiousI’ve got a 2011 Elise SC and the only issue I’ve got is that there is considerably less aftermarket for the S3 Elise. Stuff like diffusers, exhausts, aero bits etc are much less readily available. I also find the S2 looks nicer but that’s subjective. But the build quality is significantly better (still terrible compared to every other car though). Regardless, I love my car to bits.
@@aqwplayer222 - I had the same issue. Not only aftermarket, but just getting factory parts for the S3 is a real challenge in the US. There just aren't enough of them.
James dad spent £20'000 on a lotus in 1988 Mean while as a 23 year old single man bought my first house in derbyshire for £21'500. We still live in the house as proud grandparents.
British man discovers how amazing British made Lotus is...not shocked... because as a former owner, and I'll regret being a former owner forever, a Lotus Elise just about cannot be matched for pure driving thrills, fun, overall experience. Quite simply, the Lotus Elise is one of the best motoring experiences a human can experience.
Owner of a 2007 exige with the 2zz atmo. I just did 8h drive to LeMans, raced on the bugatti the whole day and drove back home (8h of countryside roads attack) and not a single problem. On top of being an absolute blast to drive, this car is insanely reliable provided that: you install a baffled oil pan (i took the moroso). Otherwise, given the lateral G force your engine will face oil starvation A sensor for oil pressure and temperature Nitro club sport suspension probably some Nankan AR1 or proxes r888r (i have the Nankan NS2r and it still very capable) Bam you have a track ready car, which is roadlegal. Best car EVER produced
Please check out the first generation Evoras too! They’re very different from the later generations and are about the same price as the Elise in the US. Definitely a hidden gem especially since people usually review the later models
No explanation for why I was not subscribed to this channel! Your content is perfect for those who will never have a chance to drive these cars. Also appreciate the point about the transmission. I’ve always wondered if there was something I was doing wrong with my 2ZZ MR2.
I owned a Lotus 340r back in the day and it was absolutely bloody amazing!!! No roof so you’ll get wet if it rains and it gets hot inside it if it’s ever sunny. Absolutely LOVED it.
Another classic opening. Whoever comes up with these gems should be a staff writer for a late night comedy show. Oh yes the car looks fun too, If it were turbocharged it would be next level impressive given its' light weight.
I had an Exige S300 from 2007 to 2024 and now own an Emira. The Exige was a blast to drive and very very fast. At wide open throttle it was like if I was seating on a bomb 💣 that were going to explode. There will never have others car as much fun to drive on the market to me.
I have the 111S model, one of the earlier Rover-engined models that didn't make it to North America. I love it. It's pure escapism. I love watching Elise reviews and seeing others fall in love too.
A bonded plate tend to be stronger than a welded one as the bonded surface is the entire surface area of the plate whereas the weld is only along the outer perimeter of the plate edge.
Boys - you are killing it with these videos. Keep it up! The Elise drifts in and out of my mind from time to time. Think I’d rather make a friend that owns one.
Great review! You captured everything that's wonderful about the Elise. I've driven my '05 Bordeaux red Elise since new. It's my daily unless it's snowing. If you own one for any length of time, you can't help but modify it. There's a great community of owner/engineers who take the already great foundation and incrementally improve everything. Companies like Inokinetic and BOE here in the U.S. have great replacement parts for them. When we wear something out, we always put a better version of that part back in. And, for me, a massive supercharger was a must, since I track it at altitude. Two-piece slotted rotors (lighter and cooler), billet aluminum shift linkage instead of the stamped steel wobbly original (lighter and stiffer), uprated toe links ( a noted weak point), a rear clam hinge, a Harrop supercharger and air to water intercooler, upgraded brake lines and Pro Alloy radiator-you don't have to do any of those things to enjoy it, but drive an Elise long enough and you'll want to. I'm closing in on 90k miles on mine.
You guys finally reviewed an Elise!! Watching the Alpine A110 review yesterday, I was thinking, "These guys would really love an Elise, I wonder when they'll finally drive one." Have owned mine for 6 years and it's been absolutely fantastic.
@@dlh53231zz and 2zz are totally different engines, down to the bore and stroke. The only things they have in common is some minor stuff like mounting points.
Having your windshield pop up is bad. Happened in my Dodge Ram at a faster speed. Cracked my windshield, and took some effort to wrestle it back down with bent hinges.
And when comparing to Uk prices they are looking at a 111s which are 20% cheaper than the 111r in the video shows how much artistic license they are using.
I own a S220 Exige, and it is the one of the best cars I've ever owned. The car communicates everything it's feeling on the road. It's like a go-kart for the streets.
I put that same 2ZZ engine in my 900kg MRS and when it hits 6000 rpm, it is utterly intoxicating. Same recipe … for £5000. A £50k lotus is fantastic, but you can get something nearly as good for a fraction of that price.
But have you driven a lotus or not? The engine is just one piece. We keep on repeating that the steering is what makes the Elise special. I own an Exige, i ve driven pretty much all sport cars on the market and nothing comes close to the feeling of a lotus. The MR2 is not the speedster.
@@mattaulb We're not saying it is buddy. We're saying you can experience that same engine in a sub 1 tonne mid engined platform for 1/10th the price. And yeah, I've driven Elise's and currently have a Cayman.
I have a supercharged Elise on super wide tires, full cage, carbon clamshells, and it's amazing. Still slow in a straight line, but the most enjoyable connected drive I've ever had. I've had a GenV Viper, 991 Carrera 4s, S2000s, Supra, Miata, Civic Type R, etc, and none compare.
@@Lobo_Argent Most of that sub-5 second 0-60 is due to the launch, after 1st gear they're no faster than a Honda S2000 (minivan slow). I have two S2000s, and my 221 wheel horsepower Elise barely feels faster than my bone stock S2000.
Just picked up a BOE supercharged Elise pushing 300 wheel horsepower. I'd guess from a roll it'd give my 4 Blackwing some serious competition. The clutch drop to get a good launch makes me a bit concerned even with a stage 1 clutch. It's absolutely bonkers. Screaming towards 9k rpm (some engine work has been done) feels positively unsafe in a car this raw in the best of ways.
@@Uegwen I'm sure it's fast, but I bet you'd be surprised. I ran my 450whp S2000 against my JB4 Supra, and after about 90mph my Supra runs away. Supra does 8.5 seconds from 60-130, S2000 does 12 seconds, but from about 15-80mph they're pretty close. Something to be said about average horsepower over a gear and modern automatic transmissions. Really peaky motors like the 2ZZ and F22C don't pull as hard as the power-to-weight ratio suggests. That being said, the Supra is boring and I am selling it, and the S2000 and Elise will never be sold.
The first rule of Elise/Exige club is you do not use the windshield for ingress/egress. (Lower yourself to sit on the door sill, slide downward toward the seat in a trust-fall, then pivot your legs into the footwells). Love Throttle House - hoping they'll edit this vid in post to caution against mis-using the windshield.
As a Lotus Elise owner, it's not practical, it's not a daily driver - but it's a joy to own. It's affordable and I can perform most of my own maintenance (along side my wife's Toyota Matrix). The bonus is the low production numbers and it's rare to see more than 1 on the road at the same time.
a major reason they are so expensive is ...there are only 3 official Lotus dealers in Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). When you throw into the equation that you cannot import the exact same (and cheaper) model from the USA, and you may - just maybe - have a monopoly in Canada when it comes to Lotus.
2 місяці тому
It's a perfectly fine daily I think. Did it for years. While having a Seat Leon Cupra 300 manual wagon as well.
purchased a RHD s1 last year. Best / Worst financial decision I have ever done. Immediately had to replace the head gasket and chase further coolant leaks but the driving oh my, I have never driven anything that handles like it, just pure joy! I will never sell this little nugget
Younger or not sore back version of me would LOVE the Elise! I spoke with a man at a car meet that had a k20 swap on his Elise and in his own words “I like this Elise better than my R8 V10!” Pretty high bar to clear and I believe him. My 91 NA Miata will have to make do for now. 😅
I'm almost 67 and will "suffer" through the sore back and ungraceful exit and entry of my Elise for as many years as possible. Then maybe my kids can lift me in and out and take me for a drive. Hope to never part with it.
@@CruiseControl1 I got mine in my mid sixties as I figured if not now, then when ? Guys my age are supposed to be in BMWs, Porsches, Vettes, Caddy V series etc. but I'm a driver ar heart and this is my favorite car ever from that perspective. I have driven much faster - Porsches check that box for me but modern ones seem almost numb/sterile to drive and isolate one from the road. Your Miata would be more fun to me than that on my local curvy country roads - enjoy your car !
@@davidroush1224 I could not agree more. I love taking the Miata out for a nice mountain drive here in Colorado. I bet your Elise loves mountain roads as well. Cheers and have a good one.
I own an 2007 Elise since new. Even though the red line is 8000 rpm, you can actually rev it to 8500 rpm for a limited time of maybe 20 seconds. Also the last year in Canada, 2011, had the different front. Mine has been incredibly reliable. Great review ! Spot on! Greatest toy ever!
12:25 - James I have an apartment in Bristol- one of my best mates is currently renting the spare room but I'd kick him out if you needed it. I'd also give you the parking space as long as I got a go in whatever you parked there...
I bought a brand new never driven 2009 Elise SC in 2015. Wonderful car. Paid $60K CAD and sold it for just as much a few years later. Do I regret it? Yes, sort of. It’s not the car to drive in Toronto, where drivers are angry and terrible and are all in much higher SUVs. The Elise is not really a safe car. The supercharger belt needs to be changed ANNUALLY or you risk it breaking (don’t ask me how I’m sure). It’s not easy to do without a lift, and even then it’s so tough that my Lotus dealer hated doing it. The car is really fairly underpowered unless you get the SC, or mod the engine. You need the power to match to the great chassis.
The 2ZZ is a legendary engine made in collaboration with Yamaha. You know what other engine Toyota collaborated with Yamaha on? The 1LR in the Lexus LFA.
ALL of Toyota's G-designated heads were designed by Yamaha. Virtually ALL of Toyota's sports cars from the early 80's onwards have a G-head, Exceptions are the 5s-fe in the base US MR2 and anything sporty with a 2GR in it. For some reason there has never been a 2GR with a G head.
never drove elise, but i had a Yaris GRMN, that had lotus elise engine in it, it was toyota 1.8l 2ZR-FE magnusson-eaton supercharged engine with 212hp... best engine i have ever driven...
Lotus Elise / Exige is my apex halo car! I always wanted one in Chrome Orange, or Magnetic blue or Persian Blue. But honestly I’d take any. They’re just the ultimate drivers car bar none! Glad you guys finally got to review one. 👍🏻👍🏻
Just bought an Exige S in Salt Lake City and drove it from Seattle., surprisingly comfortable the whole drive except for cabin noise thanks to a whole list of mods on my spec. Love this car.
Guys, I waited now to watch this one because I know it would make me sad. See, I had 2005 Lotus Elise for 8 years - it was Starlight (metallic) black with Biscuit (tan) interior and had the Lotus Stage II exhaust (which sounds phenomenal). In 2015 I foolishly sold my Elise to get an Alfa 4C Spider, which you rightly say is a bit crap when it comes down to the drive. I no longer have this car either and instead have a ‘71 Triumph Spitfire as my “toy” car. You are right though, the N/A Elise is the best of the best. Your video makes me happy and sad at the same time… glad you got to enjoy an unmodded version of this driver’s masterpiece..
Just bought a 06 Elise. As a current owner of a couple air cooled 911s this is right up there with those 2 for fun factor. So visceral and raw. I keep catching myself grabbing the keys for the Lotus over the 911s. This is a must have sports car if your a purist.
If it ever came with the 2ZZ it would be quite close, only about 200 pounds heavier (I owned one). I still don't love the Spyder's looks compared to the Elise, but value for money, definitely
It doesn't have that rigid aluminium chassis or double wishbone suspension all round, which is a big part of the Elise. It also produces downforce all round (it has a flat underside), which is rare for a road car.
@@BlatentlyFakeName I agree with most of your point but the MR2 spyder is still lighter than a NB MX5 Miata (and every EUDM car had a Torsen LSD as standard)
I have an 05 Elise and an 08 S240... spot on, the connection is unbelievable. The center rear view mirror is non OEM and smaller than original by half at least. BUT, I had to stop in to say PLEASE DON"T use the windshield to get in and out! More than a few have suffered cracked windshields due to this...."add lightness" you know...
this is one of my all-time favourite car. Ieven looked for many ways of getting myself into an S1 in Canada, which was difficult to do. I ended up going with an NB2 Miata and I'm super happy with it. ...but I'd be lying if I said I don't think about Lotuses from time to time. What a perfect little sports car.
@nickpaolantonio6974 1zz-fed in the mr2 makes 138 hp and revs to 7k 2zz-ge is a direct swap into the mr2 except for needing a bracket for the right motor mount and a few other bits. 2zz-ge makes 180-ish hp and revs to 8.2k ( might rev lower depending on what ecu you get)
My friend had one about 15 years ago. I could barely get in. 6 feet, normal weight. With the roof on, it was a misery and a bit of gymnastics/yoga. A true sports car. Very satisfying to drive. I hate heavy sports cars. Great review.
I think you're not supposed to use the A-pillar or windshield to climb in. Maybe it was another car but I remember that causing an issue for Elise owners.
I have wanted one of these for almost 2 decades now. I first drove on in NFS as a kid and was immediately hooked. Its been on my wall for upwards of 15 years and even though I own a car now that is Faster, quicker, and easier to drive, This one holds a special place in my heart and someday will have a spot in my garage.
It’s a local exotic car tour business. You buy a 6 hour package and drive each car for an hour. The cop car is their car as well, probably being used as a camera car. Gta exotics
Having driven both I can say the later S versions or ones with superchargers added are really where the ticket is. For the NA ones the 2ZZ really wakes up with some cams and a tune for it rev to 9,000+ no problem and really sings.
I had the same ADO8 neovas on my Evo X gsr. Best street tire I’ve ever had. Definitely helps you defy the laws of physics. As soon as I saw the tread pattern, dead giveaway.
I’ll say it -- Lotus Elise is the best car ever made for a proper car enthusiast.. a proper drivers car! $60k is decent price given this will be worth serious money in the future!
Would have been SOOO FUNNY to hear "And I'm James" but with helium still 😂
Missed opportunity
I was thinking the same exact thing 😂 comedy is an art
I was waiting for it too😂😂😂
That's what I was hoping too🤣
I was expecting it 😅
James knowing the colors, scouting the forums, and texting other owners shows the insane passion and commitment to his craft here. Throttle house is entering legendary status when it comes to the top automotive content ever done.
100% agree. Passion and quality writing makes this channel shine!
Tbh, that's just the average guy on the forums when they are trying to fix something on their car. 😅
Top Gear level fr
That's standard info if you're an enthusiast
@@EmoDKTsuchiya if youre an owner. How many lotus colors do you know off hand?
Please stop reviewing cars! I am never going to afford anything fun at this rate :( But seriously, you guys do a phenomenal job every time.
lend yourself these cars for a day/ weekend. For us casuals, that is way smarter than dropping 50k on a car instead of house payments etc
@MHWGamer I got to drive one and it is hilarious how cheap/basic the interior feels, but holy crap the steering is wonderful. Unfortunately, it spoils any idea of a fun car you had prior to driving it, because nothing can compare to it
Look episodes 10y ago to see what to afford.
@@AngySumolots of lovely aluminum and leather seats and door trim in mine. Only thing cheap is the plastic instrument binnacle.
That’s a you problem. The rest of us want reviews. Get your money up!
“Where there is a lack of mass, there’s a surplus of joy” - James spitting facts
I keept telling this to all my ex girlfriends. They didn't get it in the end
this line killed me
Reminds me of Jeremy Clarkson's famous line: "Stuff sold by the gram is always more exciting than stuff sold by the pound."
Love this car, wonder how long past 20 yrs glue lasts?
@@aquariumdvdHammond and even Daniel Ricciardo also done that before.😅
Don't worry about the mirrors and door panels falling off, as the Elise gets older, it adds more lightness by shedding superfluous body parts. Lotus was truly ahead of their time.
😂😁
😂😂😂
Just like Tesla updates their cars remotely Lotus updates it's cars.
@@bolt5564 both done remotely lol
I am a proud owner of a Lotus (I have an S240) and it is the greatest thing I’ve ever driven. When my husband drove it for the first time, he said that it was “nothing short of a religious experience” for him, and I concur. We drove down south to pick it up, drove it 6 hours back home, and by the time we got home, we couldn’t WAIT to get back in it. Need to go to the store? Take the Lotus! Home Depot trip? Take the Lotus! We even shoved the trunk full of stuff to bring to a barbecue and sat a 10lb bag of ice on me in the passenger seat.
Watching this made me really miss my Exige. It’s been getting painted since March. But we’ve taken it on super car drives, and it is able to hang with the Lamborghinis, Porsches and McLarens.
The food in the trunk didn't spoil!?
Thanks for sharing! Sounds absolutely incredible.
@@Ranguvar13
You can keep grilled meat warm.
@@jimiverson3085 do you take already grilled meat to a barbecue? lol
It was in a small cooler, as one does with meat, and no, it did not spoil, it was only in there for like 45-50 minutes 😊 probably should have specified that bit in the post 🤣
@@Qwertylol appreciated hahaha, might buy one day if I fit! I hope to be so fortunate! Thanks for sharing!
That bit at 7:20 about the other cars made me laugh 🤣
Cop? No.
@@zonkar Weird reply.
James said that
They're trolling
Correct reply
Elise S3 owner from Germany here - nothing comes close to this small un-perfect British Car.Not even the perfect Cayman GTS .Maybe a Caterham … which is essentially a Lotus.Great review, spot on !
very cool! I envy your S3 ownership!
- every Canadian driving enthusiast
Porsche owner here and Exige S2 driver: you must be kidding... yes the light weight and direct steering are wonderful things but it stops there. One as a toy addition to a 981 GTS absolutely yes but instead of? Never.
What about the 4C? That is a very special car in its own right and Italian design 😮
@@KalvielYou can’t really compare it to the Elise as its only with twin clutch transmission (tct) available
@@sixpotshotI’ve driven the GTS 4.0 with manual, amazing car but its not as pure and reduced as the Elise. If you want to go really fast around the Nurburgring its definitely the Porsche. But for fun , engagement and purity - its definitely the Lotus for me.
NEVER use the windshield to get in and out of an Elise. It's a US$1500 mistake that you'll only do once. The rear view mirror in this car is aftermarket. The stock one is from a large GM vehicle and blocks a tall driver's view of the right side of the road. The floor mats in this car are aftermarket. The Elise came with carpeted floor mats. And the chassis is bonded AND riveted. So there are many, many rivets.
The many many sounds like you dont have a nice experience with the rivetc
As a fellow Elise owner, you’re spot on! I winced hard when he said he was using it to get in and out. If you need leverage to get out the hand brake is okay. To get in, he needs to learn the Lotus Trust Fall technique.
I was going to comment on this, but knew someone would have mentioned it by now. 🙂
You are spot on, especially on the elise s1. I don't get why one would ever use windshield or A piller to hoist oneself out of a cabriolet (especially an older one). That's something that would never cross my mind, not something I would expect from a automotive journalist
Thanks for sharing these interesting corrections, OP.
I rented an Elise for a few days in Las Vegas and it BLEW MY MIND. Hands down the best driver's car i have driven. Nice to see the Lads confirm my opinion
A truly special car. Feels like an extension of your own body. More rewarding to drive than modern supercars.
Whenever I think of getting rid of mine, I take it for a drive. I will never sell this car.
I have no idea if that's true or not but I'll just agree with it because everybody else does
@@beetaliusI love this! Cheers to you! I live in Alaska and around 15 years ago, there was a dark green Elise consistently spotted in Fairbanks. I honked and cheered every time that I was lucky enough to spot it. Probably military owned, because it hasn’t been around for a long time. I miss seeing it, but our roads are so crap that it hopefully has a happier life now😂
@@Ar1AnX1x I have both a 2006 Exige and a 2019 GT3RS, and track both of them. The Porsche is, of course, both faster and more comfortable. But the Exige is more fun, sporty, precise and rewarding to drive fast. Pretty significantly so.
@@xtnuser5338 those are two awesome cars, and I love that you track them both. Nice.
I own the V6 Supercharged S3 of this, 2015 (got it in 2018). What made me buy it was that 9 years before that my friend in the US took me around in his supercharged Exige (the one referenced early in the video). Haven't sat in a Lotus for 9 years, bought mine sight unseen when I finally had the funds. It's everything a car needs to be. If you are contemplating a purchase - just go out and buy it.
The V6 is an Exige.
The V6 Exige is probably the best Lotus out of them all: the chassis of the Elise but stretched a little and stiffened up to house a V6 that can be modified to sound angelic. It is still heavier than a regular Elise but the V6 is better than the inline 4.
@@CyanRooper No mods needed for the Exige V6 to sound epic. Mine is all standard and it just howls. Also has an *actual* V6 racecar sound, raspy (but not like a ricer), loud, and with a fantastic change in its tone. I'd rather buy a carbon roof panel and rear panel, and ultra-light wheels, than spend on a different exhaust. From the factory it has an exhaust valve that you can open and close but the vacuum actuator for the valve always breaks in the heat of the engine bay so it's loud all the time.
I’ve actually had the pleasure to drive a lotus Elise and I can say with full heartedness as a person who has driven a lot of cars. Nothing comes close to the raw visceral experience of the Lotus.
As someone said above, feels like an extension of your body when you drive
@@supraJZA80scaterham makes this feel a bit pedestrian. Love lotus though.
@@porkchopexpress6969 Yeah, but comparing any "normal" car to a caterham ist kind of like comparning a civilian Aircraft to a F16. Sure, the Caterham is even more direct and nimble, but i wouldnt want to do a cross europe roadtrip with a caterham. A Lotus though is a proper car you could daily drive. Not that you should, but it would be possible. Daily driving a Caterham? No thank you
@@leon81061 despite the size they have about the same usability. Not like the lotus has a huge trunk. besides these should both be second or third cars anyway..
@@porkchopexpress6969can’t compare it to a car with no roof, doors, or windows 😂
Just a small clarification: The reason why Lotus used glue is that it is stronger than welding since you produce unwanted tension in the aluminium when you heat it up around where you weld.
Also glue works over a larger surface area
It’s aircraft tec- Renault made a spider with no roof and it was way heavier than the lotus
I own an 05 Laser Blue Elise and it is absolutely fantastic. I’ll never sell it. So happy to see some new Elise content.
The best colour!
The S2 is ultimate nostalgia to witness at this point. This was one of the starter cars in NFS Hot Pursuit 2, and people may swoon over 6-cyl engine sounds, but this one with the l4 1.8L 2ZZ-GE is one of my favorites to hear! Of course, the K20A will be personally the numero uno.
I see you are a man of culture as well. The Lotus Elise was always one of the best handling cars in every Need for Speed game it was in.
i prefer yamaha induction sound over the K but K might have the slight durability advantage and certainly has more performance in aftermarket/modification
Some people in the comment think the K of the Elise is a Honda K-series. It's a Rover K-series, good to keep in mind...
I was in stiches for the Buzz Lightyear comment. The 2ZZ is definitely an all time great - in the my old daily (Toyota Matrix), it was actually an engine option from the factory. They made very few of them, but I always considered those special, given the Lotus connection. The idea of middle-aged parents legging out the family hatchback to 8200 RPM on the grocery run - that's good living.
Great video as always, nice meeting you guys in person at Drivefest!
Just two years ago I sold my 94' Camry with ONLY 71K miles because I knew I would have that thing the rest of my life for a Celica GT-S with twice that much. Sadly it's an auto, but a manual GT-S is REALLY hard to find, let alone with reasonable miles like mine has. 2ZZ is no joke and this car is just an INCREDIBLE daily and looks absolutely stunning with some cosmetic mods. I really don't want anything else.
Yamaha
Watching this after watching for the last time to the TRIO makes me happy and dry my tears.
I think you both are here to take over. Please do it.
Nobody will ever compare to the trio but these guys are great. As close as anyone will probably ever get. A pleasure to watch.
8:25 oh man, hearing the correct pronunciation of "chassis" makes me happy
I had this exact spec car with the sport and touring package. Drove it as my daily for a little over a year. It was amazing. Super reliable car with some interesting parts. The engine of a Toyota, front brakes the same as the rear brakes on a viper, and the battery looks like it belongs in a wave runner. People thought it was a baby Ferrari but I got it for 35k. Blast to drive, but it's closer to riding a motorcycle with two seats than driving an actual car. Unfortunately, I parted with it after a minor parking lot incident cracked both the front and rear fiberglass clamshell. I had to talk the insurance company out of totaling it. 10/10, will do again someday.
Go Noles!
Those that don't understand this car simply need seat time. Stock isn't in need of more power for road use, unlike a miata where you can find yourself wishing these was a bit more. The only major shortcoming is the clamshell construction and minor fender benders can be phenomenally expensive; maybe that's changed with time, but I doubt it. The rest is cheap and easy to work on. I hated everything about driving a S2000, but loved everything about driving an Elise. Getting in and out of the thing is another story.
"Those that don't understand this car simply need seat time."
Proceeds to crap on the S2000 not realizing the irony of her comment. 🤣
@@Huckenbacher He started out saying the car was misunderstood; as on paper the specs don't seem all that impressive. Specs vs seats time. I've had plenty of seat time in an S2000 and didn't enjoy it and would always prefer other cars. Z3M Coupe, Elise, etc. My stable is mostly vintage cars these days, but I have no interest in an S2000 and am sorry that offended you.
@@XoVoX all good my dude, just found it humorous. I'll delete it if you're offended, no problem.
The clamshells are 10k a piece, A minor fender bender at 5mph will total one of these, as insurance will total a car whose repair cost is ore than 20% of the vehicles value. Replacing one clamshell and paint matching runs about 25-28% of the total cost of a high value Elise, meanwhile the same accident in a swapped MRS will run you 150$ for the bumper skin and 200 to match the paint. But on the other hand the MRS weighs a hundred pounds more and is only worth 6-7K. Oh and the MRS doesn't have the "British charm" of being a creaky rattle-y piece of shit.
@@Huckenbacher I haven't driven an Elise, but I did own an S2000 for a couple years. As far as I can tell from the outside the Elise is VERY different to drive than the S2000. The S2000 absolutely will not tell you if you've driven over a small patch of gravel with one tire- honestly the steering feel isn't really that good. Great engine though of course. I had a LOT of fun with my S2000.
I rode in one of these at a track day down here in Texas and it was actually insane, we were passing 911's, M3's, Vette's, and it felt like we were on the limit the whole time. It was awesome.
The ethos behind the Elise is why I am restomodding a '77 Fiat 128 Familiare with a Honda Fit powertrain. 1700 lbs wet on the road and it will carry a big shopping trip without cooking anything! Great video guys, love the spirit of your show!
I think you should restomod the Fit! The fiat is hopeless.😂
@@TML34 Hey The Real Hutch, that's cute. No thing is hopeless. Hopelessness is a human condition, easily remedied by taking a new perspective on the situation and using creativity, willpower, and the application of caring hands to rework something into something new. Best regards!
Great eggsample of the Wilhelm Scream!! 🤣
I've driven Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches.
The Lotus Elise, is still my all time favourite drivers car.
I like TVRs a lot, for the same reasons but they will kill you if you push them like an Elise.
When your car corners like it's on rails, you don't need ESC, Traction Control, etc.
They look best in yellow. IMHO.
Elise owner here. This video seems about right. Mine has even been totally reliable 😮
Seems like you've been lucky mate
@@joaquinpaul8205 I dunno. Everyone I know has been mostly fine. I had more issues with my MX5 of the same age. Not much to go wrong. I suspect owners also tend to keep up a good service schedule and stay ahead of issues. Rare to be the kind of person who bothers to own a lotus but also neglects their car
@@OurCognitiveSurplus Every friend I have had to spend bucketloads on their MX5s (especially NA, NB, NC). I owned an NC1 2.0, it was trash, too.
@@joaquinpaul8205 I've had mine 27 years and the worst part was the during the initial warranty period. It's been very solid since year 2, that includes trackdays and long European trips (3000+ miles). Impressive little cars. Mine is powered by the apparently 'weedy and flimsy' rover k
me too. step #1 - remove rear view mirror that blocks 13.8% of forward visibility. Step #2 - remove sun visors that don't block the sun, and reduce forward visibility by another 9.2%. Step #3 - never ever EVER attempt to get into the car with the roof on AND expect to do so graciously. It's impossible ever for the most dignified Cirque du Soleil star.
Agree with not needing more power. I added a supercharger thinking more power was better. A year later, I uninstalled it. The snappy response of NA on such a light car was gone, and suddenly the brakes and tires felt undersized carrying more speed. I realized how precisely balanced the stock NA car is, and what a good power level it is for road driving.
If you drive on track a lot, a supercharger may be more fun, especially on tracks with elevation. However, I'd be prepared to invest in bigger brakes and tires as well.
The 2ZZ is one of the best sounding 4Cyls ever made. Love that thing
Great and fun video as always guys... I've daily driven my 2 Elises for 175,000miles since 2002. They are great everyday toys, that make every mile count. My S2 Elise Sport 135 was only 726kg, and my current S3 Elise S Club Racer is the perfect power, weight and size for British roads (able to be driven hard regularly), unlike bigger heavy 400-600hp cars like a 911s, Cayman, etc, that feel like an inert heavy barge after driving an Elise.
7:15 I bet half the drivers in that line of supercars were wanting to drive the lotus.
They also wanted the gentlemen in the rear to take a coffee break.
Unlikely, modern supercars are a lot more comfy and theatrical than an elise (manual transmission not factored in here). If they wanted to be in something like an elise, they probably would be
I'm sorry but I'd rather have this elise over every single one of those cars ANY DAY
@@frankchoi7 100%
@@crashyyy4116 I'm not confident about that tbh
Elise drivers aren't supercar drivers and visa versa.
I've had 2 Corolla XRS' with the 2ZZ-GE motor. There is truly something special with that engine, its so much fun to rev out, light for a sedan and my last one had 205k running strong. The Elise is the king of this powerplant. 💪
Lotus made the Series 3 (S3), starting in 2011...which is also the last year they imported them into the US/Canada (due to the airbag restrictions.) I owned a 2011 S3 for several years, here in the US. Awesome car. They fixed a number of niggles that the S2 always dealt with. But they're uber-rare. Lotus imported something like 100ish of them into the US.
I always had a sneaking suspicion that the reason why the S3 wasn't as popular as the S2 was because most people didn't like the looks of the S3 compared to the S2. Not only that but the S3 came out when the first generation Toyobaru GT86/BRZ cars came out. I know comparing a mid-engined car to a front engined car isn't fair but I think the Toyobaru twins probably nabbed a few potential customers from Lotus. I especially remember Lotus kept coming up with new special edition/limited edition models like almost every week during the S3's production. Some were lighter, some just had special liveries.
What did they fix from S2 to S3?
@@crashyyy4116 - The front clam was redone. So, it got REAL (aka good) headlights, finally. LED DRLs. Rear lights were also LED. Instead of having two small access openings in the front clam (for brake fluid, fuses, etc.), it's one larger batwing-shaped opening. I think they also fixed the issue with the HVAC blower motor (which, in the S2s, when the blower motor controller went out, it was a HUGE PITA to fix). They also changed the shift lever. Trunk no longer required the key to open it - there is a latch behind the driver's seat. So, it opens more like a "normal car" trunk.
Nothing huge, just a bunch of little things like that. It was just a "facelift" - not nearly as drastic a change as from the S1 to the S2.
@@habiousI’ve got a 2011 Elise SC and the only issue I’ve got is that there is considerably less aftermarket for the S3 Elise. Stuff like diffusers, exhausts, aero bits etc are much less readily available. I also find the S2 looks nicer but that’s subjective. But the build quality is significantly better (still terrible compared to every other car though). Regardless, I love my car to bits.
@@aqwplayer222 - I had the same issue. Not only aftermarket, but just getting factory parts for the S3 is a real challenge in the US. There just aren't enough of them.
James dad spent £20'000 on a lotus in 1988
Mean while as a 23 year old single man bought my first house in derbyshire for £21'500.
We still live in the house as proud grandparents.
British man discovers how amazing British made Lotus is...not shocked... because as a former owner, and I'll regret being a former owner forever, a Lotus Elise just about cannot be matched for pure driving thrills, fun, overall experience. Quite simply, the Lotus Elise is one of the best motoring experiences a human can experience.
Fellow former s2 owner.
I fucked up and sold it and regret it so much
Ah no, don’t say that haha. I’m currently thinking about selling my 250 cup for an Alpine a110.
@@ChapHammersmith don't do it. Go buy a comfy armchair for home
Props for the wilhelm scream when James throws the egg.
My first introduction to Elise and Lotus was in the Need For Speed Most Wanted 2005. Good memories.
Owner of a 2007 exige with the 2zz atmo. I just did 8h drive to LeMans, raced on the bugatti the whole day and drove back home (8h of countryside roads attack) and not a single problem. On top of being an absolute blast to drive, this car is insanely reliable provided that:
you install a baffled oil pan (i took the moroso). Otherwise, given the lateral G force your engine will face oil starvation
A sensor for oil pressure and temperature
Nitro club sport suspension
probably some Nankan AR1 or proxes r888r (i have the Nankan NS2r and it still very capable)
Bam you have a track ready car, which is roadlegal.
Best car EVER produced
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.
Please check out the first generation Evoras too! They’re very different from the later generations and are about the same price as the Elise in the US. Definitely a hidden gem especially since people usually review the later models
No explanation for why I was not subscribed to this channel! Your content is perfect for those who will never have a chance to drive these cars.
Also appreciate the point about the transmission. I’ve always wondered if there was something I was doing wrong with my 2ZZ MR2.
I owned a Lotus 340r back in the day and it was absolutely bloody amazing!!!
No roof so you’ll get wet if it rains and it gets hot inside it if it’s ever sunny.
Absolutely LOVED it.
Bet that trunk would make a great sweater/jacket warmer to then drop the top on chilly days
Another classic opening. Whoever comes up with these gems should be a staff writer for a late night comedy show. Oh yes the car looks fun too, If it were turbocharged it would be next level impressive given its' light weight.
I had an Exige S300 from 2007 to 2024 and now own an Emira. The Exige was a blast to drive and very very fast. At wide open throttle it was like if I was seating on a bomb 💣 that were going to explode. There will never have others car as much fun to drive on the market to me.
I have the 111S model, one of the earlier Rover-engined models that didn't make it to North America. I love it. It's pure escapism. I love watching Elise reviews and seeing others fall in love too.
A bonded plate tend to be stronger than a welded one as the bonded surface is the entire surface area of the plate whereas the weld is only along the outer perimeter of the plate edge.
Don't let facts get in the way of a BS UA-cam video.
Maby my favorite throttle house video ever
Boys - you are killing it with these videos. Keep it up! The Elise drifts in and out of my mind from time to time. Think I’d rather make a friend that owns one.
15:39 "That's storm titanium, actually" 🤓☝️
Love you guys! Watch every time you post asap!! Thank you for all yall do!
Great review! You captured everything that's wonderful about the Elise. I've driven my '05 Bordeaux red Elise since new. It's my daily unless it's snowing. If you own one for any length of time, you can't help but modify it. There's a great community of owner/engineers who take the already great foundation and incrementally improve everything. Companies like Inokinetic and BOE here in the U.S. have great replacement parts for them. When we wear something out, we always put a better version of that part back in. And, for me, a massive supercharger was a must, since I track it at altitude. Two-piece slotted rotors (lighter and cooler), billet aluminum shift linkage instead of the stamped steel wobbly original (lighter and stiffer), uprated toe links ( a noted weak point), a rear clam hinge, a Harrop supercharger and air to water intercooler, upgraded brake lines and Pro Alloy radiator-you don't have to do any of those things to enjoy it, but drive an Elise long enough and you'll want to. I'm closing in on 90k miles on mine.
You guys finally reviewed an Elise!! Watching the Alpine A110 review yesterday, I was thinking, "These guys would really love an Elise, I wonder when they'll finally drive one." Have owned mine for 6 years and it's been absolutely fantastic.
This toyota 2zzge engine is actually pretty mint. Super reliable high revving 4 cylinder with good performance with the lift at 6k rpm
Just sounds so bad unfortunately.
The V6 in the Exige sounds much better. The V6 Exige is arguably the best Lotus out of them all.
Is that the same block as the mr2 Spyder?
@@nickpaolantonio6974 same block, different head, mrs has the 1zz with an economy head same as corolla. 2zz has a Yamaha head.
@@dlh53231zz and 2zz are totally different engines, down to the bore and stroke. The only things they have in common is some minor stuff like mounting points.
James' dad part was wonderful
It was also crap as the Excel bonnet is front hinged therefore cannot open when moving.
@@andrewgreen7778you think he lied?
Having your windshield pop up is bad. Happened in my Dodge Ram at a faster speed. Cracked my windshield, and took some effort to wrestle it back down with bent hinges.
@@yungrawiAs what he said is not possible yes.
And when comparing to Uk prices they are looking at a 111s which are 20% cheaper than the 111r in the video shows how much artistic license they are using.
I own a S220 Exige, and it is the one of the best cars I've ever owned. The car communicates everything it's feeling on the road. It's like a go-kart for the streets.
I put that same 2ZZ engine in my 900kg MRS and when it hits 6000 rpm, it is utterly intoxicating. Same recipe … for £5000. A £50k lotus is fantastic, but you can get something nearly as good for a fraction of that price.
Did the same. Was a fantastic car for five years and numerous trips to the Nurburgring.
Shhhhhhhhh
But have you driven a lotus or not? The engine is just one piece. We keep on repeating that the steering is what makes the Elise special.
I own an Exige, i ve driven pretty much all sport cars on the market and nothing comes close to the feeling of a lotus. The MR2 is not the speedster.
@@mattaulb We're not saying it is buddy. We're saying you can experience that same engine in a sub 1 tonne mid engined platform for 1/10th the price. And yeah, I've driven Elise's and currently have a Cayman.
I have a supercharged Elise on super wide tires, full cage, carbon clamshells, and it's amazing. Still slow in a straight line, but the most enjoyable connected drive I've ever had. I've had a GenV Viper, 991 Carrera 4s, S2000s, Supra, Miata, Civic Type R, etc, and none compare.
Slow in what sense? Compared to something with 400hp+? An NA 2zz Elise will do 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. That super charger only improves that 🔥
@@Lobo_Argent Most of that sub-5 second 0-60 is due to the launch, after 1st gear they're no faster than a Honda S2000 (minivan slow). I have two S2000s, and my 221 wheel horsepower Elise barely feels faster than my bone stock S2000.
Just picked up a BOE supercharged Elise pushing 300 wheel horsepower. I'd guess from a roll it'd give my 4 Blackwing some serious competition. The clutch drop to get a good launch makes me a bit concerned even with a stage 1 clutch. It's absolutely bonkers. Screaming towards 9k rpm (some engine work has been done) feels positively unsafe in a car this raw in the best of ways.
@@Uegwen I'm sure it's fast, but I bet you'd be surprised. I ran my 450whp S2000 against my JB4 Supra, and after about 90mph my Supra runs away. Supra does 8.5 seconds from 60-130, S2000 does 12 seconds, but from about 15-80mph they're pretty close. Something to be said about average horsepower over a gear and modern automatic transmissions. Really peaky motors like the 2ZZ and F22C don't pull as hard as the power-to-weight ratio suggests. That being said, the Supra is boring and I am selling it, and the S2000 and Elise will never be sold.
@@Uegwen Also, please post a video walk through and some content to your channel, share that car with the world... please!!🙏
Top notch production, every time💯. You guys are the reason i use UA-cam
The first rule of Elise/Exige club is you do not use the windshield for ingress/egress.
(Lower yourself to sit on the door sill, slide downward toward the seat in a trust-fall, then pivot your legs into the footwells).
Love Throttle House - hoping they'll edit this vid in post to caution against mis-using the windshield.
As a Lotus Elise owner, it's not practical, it's not a daily driver - but it's a joy to own. It's affordable and I can perform most of my own maintenance (along side my wife's Toyota Matrix). The bonus is the low production numbers and it's rare to see more than 1 on the road at the same time.
a major reason they are so expensive is ...there are only 3 official Lotus dealers in Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). When you throw into the equation that you cannot import the exact same (and cheaper) model from the USA, and you may - just maybe - have a monopoly in Canada when it comes to Lotus.
It's a perfectly fine daily I think. Did it for years. While having a Seat Leon Cupra 300 manual wagon as well.
purchased a RHD s1 last year. Best / Worst financial decision I have ever done. Immediately had to replace the head gasket and chase further coolant leaks but the driving oh my, I have never driven anything that handles like it, just pure joy! I will never sell this little nugget
Younger or not sore back version of me would LOVE the Elise! I spoke with a man at a car meet that had a k20 swap on his Elise and in his own words “I like this Elise better than my R8 V10!” Pretty high bar to clear and I believe him. My 91 NA Miata will have to make do for now. 😅
I'm almost 67 and will "suffer" through the sore back and ungraceful exit and entry of my Elise for as many years as possible. Then maybe my kids can lift me in and out and take me for a drive. Hope to never part with it.
@@davidroush1224I can see why, amazing car!
@@CruiseControl1 I got mine in my mid sixties as I figured if not now, then when ? Guys my age are supposed to be in BMWs, Porsches, Vettes, Caddy V series etc. but I'm a driver ar heart and this is my favorite car ever from that perspective. I have driven much faster - Porsches check that box for me but modern ones seem almost numb/sterile to drive and isolate one from the road. Your Miata would be more fun to me than that on my local curvy country roads - enjoy your car !
@@davidroush1224 I could not agree more. I love taking the Miata out for a nice mountain drive here in Colorado.
I bet your Elise loves mountain roads as well. Cheers and have a good one.
I own an 2007 Elise since new. Even though the red line is 8000 rpm, you can actually rev it to 8500 rpm for a limited time of maybe 20 seconds. Also the last year in Canada, 2011, had the different front. Mine has been incredibly reliable. Great review ! Spot on! Greatest toy ever!
12:25 - James I have an apartment in Bristol- one of my best mates is currently renting the spare room but I'd kick him out if you needed it. I'd also give you the parking space as long as I got a go in whatever you parked there...
I bought a brand new never driven 2009 Elise SC in 2015. Wonderful car. Paid $60K CAD and sold it for just as much a few years later.
Do I regret it? Yes, sort of. It’s not the car to drive in Toronto, where drivers are angry and terrible and are all in much higher SUVs. The Elise is not really a safe car.
The supercharger belt needs to be changed ANNUALLY or you risk it breaking (don’t ask me how I’m sure). It’s not easy to do without a lift, and even then it’s so tough that my Lotus dealer hated doing it.
The car is really fairly underpowered unless you get the SC, or mod the engine. You need the power to match to the great chassis.
The 2ZZ is a legendary engine made in collaboration with Yamaha. You know what other engine Toyota collaborated with Yamaha on? The 1LR in the Lexus LFA.
ALL of Toyota's G-designated heads were designed by Yamaha. Virtually ALL of Toyota's sports cars from the early 80's onwards have a G-head, Exceptions are the 5s-fe in the base US MR2 and anything sporty with a 2GR in it. For some reason there has never been a 2GR with a G head.
New levels of comedic cuteness with James swiping right and left on that line of cars 😂
Do a video with all 3...lotus...4c and alpine
never drove elise, but i had a Yaris GRMN, that had lotus elise engine in it, it was toyota 1.8l 2ZR-FE magnusson-eaton supercharged engine with 212hp... best engine i have ever driven...
Throttle House is the modern era Top Gear of UA-cam and that is the highest compliment that I can possibly give. Fantastic work as usual
Lotus Elise / Exige is my apex halo car! I always wanted one in Chrome Orange, or Magnetic blue or Persian Blue. But honestly I’d take any. They’re just the ultimate drivers car bar none! Glad you guys finally got to review one. 👍🏻👍🏻
I had this 2ZZGE engine in my first ever car, an 09 Corolla CE. Good lord I miss how much it revved out.
Kind of Madness but I get it. Putting 2ZZ in a base base base Corolla.
Just bought an Exige S in Salt Lake City and drove it from Seattle., surprisingly comfortable the whole drive except for cabin noise thanks to a whole list of mods on my spec. Love this car.
Anybody, did Peter Rabbit come to mind when James did that “whaaaaaaat”?? 😂😂
Guys, I waited now to watch this one because I know it would make me sad. See, I had 2005 Lotus Elise for 8 years - it was Starlight (metallic) black with Biscuit (tan) interior and had the Lotus Stage II exhaust (which sounds phenomenal). In 2015 I foolishly sold my Elise to get an Alfa 4C Spider, which you rightly say is a bit crap when it comes down to the drive. I no longer have this car either and instead have a ‘71 Triumph Spitfire as my “toy” car. You are right though, the N/A Elise is the best of the best. Your video makes me happy and sad at the same time… glad you got to enjoy an unmodded version of this driver’s masterpiece..
Was hoping the “and I’m James” was going to be in helium voice.
Just bought a 06 Elise. As a current owner of a couple air cooled 911s this is right up there with those 2 for fun factor. So visceral and raw. I keep catching myself grabbing the keys for the Lotus over the 911s. This is a must have sports car if your a purist.
You guys should try and MR2 spyder. It's the cheap Elise. That's what I tell myself at least.
If it ever came with the 2ZZ it would be quite close, only about 200 pounds heavier (I owned one). I still don't love the Spyder's looks compared to the Elise, but value for money, definitely
It doesn't have that rigid aluminium chassis or double wishbone suspension all round, which is a big part of the Elise. It also produces downforce all round (it has a flat underside), which is rare for a road car.
@@BlatentlyFakeName I agree with most of your point but the MR2 spyder is still lighter than a NB MX5 Miata (and every EUDM car had a Torsen LSD as standard)
@@technosworld2 I have one now. Really needs a 6 speed to be useful
@@themoyouknoww2zz swap with the 6 speed transmission swap. It literally fits like a glove. I recommend it
I have an 05 Elise and an 08 S240... spot on, the connection is unbelievable. The center rear view mirror is non OEM and smaller than original by half at least.
BUT, I had to stop in to say PLEASE DON"T use the windshield to get in and out! More than a few have suffered cracked windshields due to this...."add lightness" you know...
Lack of mass = surplus of joy. I wholeheartedly agree James. That's why i bought a bike 😅 Takes that to a new level.
this is one of my all-time favourite car. Ieven looked for many ways of getting myself into an S1 in Canada, which was difficult to do. I ended up going with an NB2 Miata and I'm super happy with it.
...but I'd be lying if I said I don't think about Lotuses from time to time. What a perfect little sports car.
Hear me out, MR2 Spyder. With a few mods. Get the power up a bit and put it on coils
Or swap in a 2zz. Fairly easy and inexpensive to do.
@@mischievouself8047what are the differences? Cams and a few other things or is it more?
@nickpaolantonio6974 1zz-fed in the mr2 makes 138 hp and revs to 7k 2zz-ge is a direct swap into the mr2 except for needing a bracket for the right motor mount and a few other bits. 2zz-ge makes 180-ish hp and revs to 8.2k ( might rev lower depending on what ecu you get)
My friend had one about 15 years ago. I could barely get in. 6 feet, normal weight. With the roof on, it was a misery and a bit of gymnastics/yoga. A true sports car. Very satisfying to drive. I hate heavy sports cars. Great review.
I think you're not supposed to use the A-pillar or windshield to climb in. Maybe it was another car but I remember that causing an issue for Elise owners.
yep this is correct, you can crack the windscreen in an Elise very easily doing that and its an expensive repair!
Fantastic. You have articulated the spirit of lightweight sports cars and what makes a Lotus so special.
21:28 yea poor buzz, just mind your own business 🤬
I have wanted one of these for almost 2 decades now. I first drove on in NFS as a kid and was immediately hooked. Its been on my wall for upwards of 15 years and even though I own a car now that is Faster, quicker, and easier to drive, This one holds a special place in my heart and someday will have a spot in my garage.
isnt the S in the uk ad, the 1zz engine, though?
Yep the S from this era is a 1zz, less Hp but more torque low down. There isn't much of a price difference between them.
@@BlatentlyFakeNameIn North America we got the 2ZZ 😎
Owner of a 2005 Lotus Elise with a Turbo. What a 275hp JOY!
Now Hennessey Venom said that 190hp was not enough and fitted a 1225hp engine.Nice💪🏻
Always look forward to your reviews you crazy Canucks! Hands down one of the best channels. Keep it up, no pressure!!!
“…cop? No.” 7:25
lol I can’t tell if that outlay of superstars was planned or not, but it was perfect with the cop at the end 😂.
It’s a local exotic car tour business. You buy a 6 hour package and drive each car for an hour. The cop car is their car as well, probably being used as a camera car. Gta exotics
Having driven both I can say the later S versions or ones with superchargers added are really where the ticket is. For the NA ones the 2ZZ really wakes up with some cams and a tune for it rev to 9,000+ no problem and really sings.
Love the wilhelm scream!
Guys, you should get Lotus Elise. It is just the perfect project car for the series on the channel, great video keep it up :)
As a former Torontonian in London with a Series 1 Elise, 12:00 resonated with me… Great review, as always!
I had the same ADO8 neovas on my Evo X gsr. Best street tire I’ve ever had. Definitely helps you defy the laws of physics. As soon as I saw the tread pattern, dead giveaway.
"I'm Thomas. I'm James,
And this is Lotus Elise"
Almost poetry!
I’ll say it -- Lotus Elise is the best car ever made for a proper car enthusiast.. a proper drivers car! $60k is decent price given this will be worth serious money in the future!
I had a go in one of these some times ago, I remember it as if it was yesterday and the expirence above 6k was like nothing I've had the joy of since.