talon
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Fifth Gear
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Age: 37
Location: Charlotte
Name: Russ
Car #1: 2001 Lotus Esprit V8
Posts: 1696
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« Reply #195 on: April 20, 2008, 05:28:00 PM » |
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bwt - I'll post my pics tonight  |
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I put the FUN in dysfunctional!
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xeeeej
Second Gear
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Age: 33
Location: Durham, NC
Name: Adam
Car #1: 00 Honda Civic EX
Car #2: 06 CO Lotus Exige
Posts: 223
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« Reply #196 on: April 20, 2008, 06:32:34 PM » |
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well, I thought I posted pics in the galary, but I don't see them now.  |
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BobsElise
Third Gear
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Age: 30
Location: Charlotte, NC
Name: Bob
Car #1: 2005 Lotus Elise
Car #2: 2002 Civic Si
Posts: 271
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« Reply #197 on: April 20, 2008, 08:04:09 PM » |
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Agreed! we should both share a ride. Here is my review of both, having driven them back to back. I would love to hear Olivers report as well. It is actually not hard to be unbiased after driving them as they are two completely different cars. So, without further delay, here's my .02
The Esprit doesn't give up much in the corners and makes up for it with visceral, rabid acceleration. The Elise shift is much more positive, but the Esprit makes speed seem easy. At 80 in the Elise, it seemed like a lot was going on; in the Esprit you can't tell the difference between 80 and 120. The Elise provides more feedback, the Esprit more ability to drive it on the throttle. You haven't lived until you powerslide through a corner in an Esprit at 90+ balanced on the throttle. The Elise feels much more reliable, while the Esprit feels fragile. The Elise is also much better built. The Esprit feels like it will turn with the Elise, but you have to manhandle it a lot more. The Elise feels very single purpose, yet the Esprit feels like it can be more multi use - it's more comfortable, yet faster. The second cam surge from the Elise is awesome and refined, while the turbo surge in the Esprit is brutal and unforgiving. All in all, two completely different cars designed for different purposes.
If I was forced to describe each in one word, it would be hard to do. The best I can come up with will probably only relate to drag racers. The Elise is quick - the Esprit is fast, although I would apply the terms to twisties AND staight lines. The one thing both Oliver and I commented on is the fact that is was obvious to both of us that the Lotus DNA was apparent in both cars.
btw - Bobselise - methinks you need to drive the Esprit. I regret we didn't get you a chance. Next time I promise you a drive.
I definitely need to drive the Esprit! I promise to give it a good review |
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2005 Lotus Elise - Ardent Red / Black , Touring Package, Starshield, Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2 w/ RE01-Rs
2002 Civic Si
2005 Yamaha FZ6
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yellowc5
Second Gear
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Age: 50
Location: Gilbert, SC
Name: Daniel
Car #1: 2006 Lotus Elise
Car #2: 2003 Toyota MR2
Posts: 101
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« Reply #198 on: April 20, 2008, 08:38:05 PM » |
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Just got back from the gathering. Thanks for the great time and meeting fellow Lotus fanatics. All I heard both days was how everyone was supprised at how many Lotus owners showed up!!  It was great seeing the Esprits since I've never seen them up close and personal. Can I get a raincheck with someone on the driving swaps next time  Loved seeing the many personalized items on everyones cars and the overall feedback on pros & cons of upgrades. Cant wait for the next event. Wish someone else would have joined me in the autocross, it was actually nice and dry for Sundays run. Instead of Karting maybe we could sponsor our own autocross in the future? |
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Burple_X
Global Moderator
Fourth Gear
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Age: 55
Name: Gary
Car #1: 2008 Lotus Elise
Car #2: 2004 Corvette
Posts: 884
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« Reply #199 on: April 20, 2008, 08:50:31 PM » |
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I suspect the Esprit is a lot like the Corvettes. Meaning anything it gives up in a corner, it more than compensates for as soon as you can get back in the throttle. Where as, the Elise is more of a "lay a brick on the gas pedal and turn the wheel every once in a while"... ie, pretty much the same speed all the time. Driving an Elise requires developing a "Brer Rabbit" psychology... you just have to lure them into the right briar patch  |
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talon
Administrator
Fifth Gear
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Age: 37
Location: Charlotte
Name: Russ
Car #1: 2001 Lotus Esprit V8
Posts: 1696
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« Reply #200 on: April 20, 2008, 09:14:27 PM » |
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dammit - gotta figure out what is wrong with the gallery. *edit* forget the gallery for now. It's f#@$cked up and I don't have time to mess with it right now. I'm heading to Cali tomorrow, so I'll mess with it when I get back. In the meantime, just post pics here. Sorry guys.  |
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« Last Edit: April 20, 2008, 09:51:01 PM by talon »
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I put the FUN in dysfunctional!
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xeeeej
Second Gear
Offline
Age: 33
Location: Durham, NC
Name: Adam
Car #1: 00 Honda Civic EX
Car #2: 06 CO Lotus Exige
Posts: 223
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« Reply #201 on: April 21, 2008, 12:21:51 AM » |
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No worries mate....
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xeeeej
Second Gear
Offline
Age: 33
Location: Durham, NC
Name: Adam
Car #1: 00 Honda Civic EX
Car #2: 06 CO Lotus Exige
Posts: 223
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« Reply #202 on: April 21, 2008, 12:25:22 AM » |
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lotuschick
Third Gear
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Age: 32
Location: Charlotte
Name: Lisa
Car #1: 1983 Chevette
Car #2: 1985 Yugo GV
Posts: 261
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« Reply #203 on: April 21, 2008, 10:24:48 AM » |
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That's not funny the car is dirty again.
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lotuschick
Third Gear
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Age: 32
Location: Charlotte
Name: Lisa
Car #1: 1983 Chevette
Car #2: 1985 Yugo GV
Posts: 261
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« Reply #204 on: April 21, 2008, 10:29:16 AM » |
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Btw it was great meeting the folks up north and seeing everyone. Russ and I were pleasantly surprised with the turnout considering the weather condition. I can't wait until next month.
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Kjakk
Second Gear
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Location: Mount Holly, NC
Name: Chuck
Car #1: 93.5 Lotus Esprit SE
Posts: 219
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« Reply #205 on: April 21, 2008, 10:48:51 AM » |
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On 77 S on the way back, did that silver Camry make off with Russ' front end? It looked pretty close from where I was.
Great turnout, great event, great cars, ( love that California Elise!), and some pretty good wine too! Looking forward to the next one!
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lotuschick
Third Gear
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Age: 32
Location: Charlotte
Name: Lisa
Car #1: 1983 Chevette
Car #2: 1985 Yugo GV
Posts: 261
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« Reply #206 on: April 21, 2008, 12:00:24 PM » |
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Oh he was not happy at all. There were some choice words spoken.
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Burple_X
Global Moderator
Fourth Gear
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Age: 55
Name: Gary
Car #1: 2008 Lotus Elise
Car #2: 2004 Corvette
Posts: 884
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« Reply #207 on: April 21, 2008, 12:45:54 PM » |
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Oh he was not happy at all. There were some choice words spoken.
Choice words... Russ... surely you jest???  |
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Burple_X
Global Moderator
Fourth Gear
Offline
Age: 55
Name: Gary
Car #1: 2008 Lotus Elise
Car #2: 2004 Corvette
Posts: 884
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« Reply #208 on: April 21, 2008, 01:33:09 PM » |
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lotuschick
Third Gear
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Age: 32
Location: Charlotte
Name: Lisa
Car #1: 1983 Chevette
Car #2: 1985 Yugo GV
Posts: 261
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« Reply #209 on: April 21, 2008, 04:39:18 PM » |
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Daniel,
I saw your post in spotted. How was the autocross?
Great pics, is the gallery still not working?
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