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    Jun 28, 2006 2:07:31 AM

    lemansbluem5
    Newbie
    lemansbluem5
    Loc: Ilinois
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    Registered on: Dec 18, 2004

    Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    Guys and gals, I recently sold my '05 Boxster S, stupidly, because of a couple of small fender benders/cosmetic issues, and now have the "itch" again. However, I'm torn between another Boxster S (probably the 07) vs a 07 Lotus Elise. The Elise will be about $12-15K cheaper, but it's a much more bare-bones car that lacks a lot of the creature comforts of the 987S. On the other hand, it is a razor sharp surgical scalpel compared to the butter-knife drive (relatively speaking) of the 987S. Don't get me wrong, I love the 987S, but would you guys give up the comforts of Boxster S for the inconveniences of the Elise? Any opinions from those who have driven or considered both? The Elise has no storage capacity, is hard to get in and out of, and is just "rawer" all around. BTW, This would be a secondary, summer vehicle, driven abot 4K miles/yr- Thanks!

    Jun 28, 2006 2:55:17 AM

    schao
    Co-Pilot
    schao
    Loc: CT, USA
    Posts: 185, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 12, 2005
    Reply to: lemansbluem5

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    As a secondary car, would the obvious practicality advantage of the Boxster vs Elise be totally negated in your view? If not, then stay with the Boxster, but if so, then an Elise would be a blast. Also, you can find barely used '05 and '06 cars for mid-$30k. As I'm sure you have already discovered, the Elise is a real pain to get into and out of, has a terrible blind spot in rear quarter, and is totally raw fun car otherwise. Try to find one with optional LSD. Good luck.

    Jun 28, 2006 2:59:50 AM

    cookie monster
    Senior
    cookie monster
    Loc: US , United States
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    Registered on: Dec 8, 2005
    Reply to: schao

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    I was running up against an ELISE one night going home and the car was a BEAST. It was raw as hell and you could imagine driving simply a bare shell. I mean it really depends... did you have a 987s before? If so buying a 987s back may be a bit repetitive. However, I would go for a Porsche. A Porsche is a different experience plus you can attend any serious function in a suit and a tie without looking like someone who just jumped out of the Fast and The Furious. Anyone watched the TOKYO DRIFT MOVIE YET? I am kindda looking forward to it but it's not out yet in HK.

    Jun 28, 2006 3:27:49 AM

    lemansbluem5
    Newbie
    lemansbluem5
    Loc: Ilinois
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    Reply to: cookie monster

    Tokyo Drift- good flick-

    F&F2- Tokyo Drift- was a fun movie; great cars, great drifting, not much plot or character development. My wife enjoyed it as well. Definitely worthwhile-

    Jun 28, 2006 4:19:10 AM

    jlr
    Junior
    jlr
    Loc: Birmingham, Alabama
    Posts: 123, Gallery
    Registered on: May 15, 2005
    Reply to: lemansbluem5

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    I've had a Boxster S and an Elise, am a dyed in the wool Porschephile so my vote goes with the Boxster. The Elise has incredible steering feel and is a blast driven near its limit, but everything else was far from perfection -- egress/ingress, pedal placement, brake feel, fit and finish, the buzzy engine, lack of torque, etc, etc. The Elise is definitely an interesting car, and I cannot say that I'm not happy I owned one for a little while but it just doesn't compare with the overall satisfaction I've had with Porsches. Also, if you do track events, the Elise will not be any faster around most circuits. It's sharper steering will not help it on anything but an autocross course, and it is not as well balanced as a Boxster or Cayman. Lotus's marketing campaign suggests the Elise is a good candidate for a third car, and I think that's largely true -- good at providing thrills on extremely twisy roads that are curvier than most road courses, when you are going really insanely fast. Also good as a decent track day car if you value feel and the experience above all else (but I'd spring for the Exige as a track day car).

    Jun 28, 2006 4:57:17 AM

    M3Armand
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    M3Armand
    Loc: Boston, MA
    Posts: 69, Gallery
    Registered on: Apr 2, 2006
    Reply to: jlr

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    "..., is hard to get in and out of,..."

    This quote should be in CAPS. I'm 5'5" and even I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IN AND OUT OF IT that I nixed it immediately from contention. It was such a PITA. Also, the pedals were so close that my foot (8.5 US size) could actually touch both clutch and brake pedal at the same time - it was annoying. I would have to be wearing "Piloti" shoes all the time (not a bad idea, actually) to be able to drive this thing. Does it drive great? SURE. But it gets old after a while and I want to be able to enjoy some auto creature comforts...

    I just picked up my 06 Boxster S (sans 15hp) last Saturday. I just finished hardwiring the Valentine 1.

    Jun 28, 2006 6:11:46 AM

    MtnMac
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    MtnMac
    Loc: Roseville, CA, USA
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    Registered on: Feb 25, 2006
    Reply to: lemansbluem5

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    Would you drive an Indy car to the 7-11? The Boxster is made for the world we actually live in. No contest here.

    Jun 28, 2006 8:00:21 AM

    cookie monster
    Senior
    cookie monster
    Loc: US , United States
    Posts: 564, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 8, 2005
    Reply to: MtnMac

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    leman, drifting is a form of art in the FAR EAST and we have classes teaching it. The are class D races in Tokyo and it originated from Japan so it's also huge in Tokyo. I'd agree with everyone else... it's unreal and it looks like a cockroach to me. I am 6"2 shoe size 13 New Balance and I really couldn't sit in it at all. I ain't that chubby mind you around 148-150 lbs and more along the typical Asian bodytype ectomorphic. Heck the last time I tried out the Z4 Roadster I felt tight and the only thing I felt reasonably comfy is the SLK so I bought it in 2005. I fell asleep behind the wheels and the 987s felt great with loads of headroom. For some reason I find the 997 a bit tight as well and it is supposed to offer more. So I'd say if it's your 3rd car go for it and if you have $$$ to throw go for it. 987 is your perfect everyday car with 2 trunks.

    Jun 28, 2006 10:00:28 AM

    GR
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    GR
    Loc: S Bucks, England , United Kingdom
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    Registered on: May 17, 2005
    Reply to: cookie monster

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    I had an S1 Elise (don't think it made it to the US) for 2 and a half years as a daily driver and have had 986S Boxsters (2) for over 5 years now. The steering/brakes on the Elise are better, the handling about the same and for everything else, the Porsche wins hands down. The Elsie also suffered lots of minor niggly faults. There's an art to getting in and out, which you'd pick up quickly enough so don't worry about that.

    What really made the difference for me was in performance delivery. The Elise was very rapid to 60mph but then quite slow. Compared to the Boxster it has much lower power and inferior aerodynamics so high speed acceleration will always suffer, even though the latest Elise has improved.

    If you simply want a car to enjoy twisty roads/tracks go for the Elise. If you want something that can be used more generally or for long trips, has better top end performance, better quality but still cuts the mustard on steering/brakes/handling, go for the Porsche.

    Jun 28, 2006 11:08:18 AM

    GaussM
    Rennteam Moderator
    Gauss
    Loc: Luxembourg , Luxembourg
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    Registered on: Jun 3, 2003
    Reply to: lemansbluem5

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    As a secondary car I would suggest the Elise. However, the car design is like 7-8 years old, and there might be coming out something new in about 2 years (now they are focusing on the introduction of the Europa S and the new Esprit models)?
    Maybe another Lotus fan (Justin) knows more?

    Jun 28, 2006 4:56:37 PM

    percymon
    Senior
    percymon
    Loc: Chester
    Posts: 765, Gallery
    Registered on: Aug 23, 2005
    Reply to: GaussM

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    I know two UK elise owners who have switched to 987S - one on safety grounds (friend killed in 30mph accident when elise chassis failed in crash), and the other on practicality grounds.

    ITs not as fast, but the pleasure is from the all round package, the quality of the materials and controls and its useability.

    Elise is fine for short runs on sunny weekends.

    Jun 29, 2006 1:47:13 AM

    M3Armand
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    M3Armand
    Loc: Boston, MA
    Posts: 69, Gallery
    Registered on: Apr 2, 2006
    Reply to: cookie monster

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    Quote:
    ptcja said:... it's unreal and it looks like a cockroach to me. ..



    THAT's what it looks like!!! It's been bugging me for the longest time but I just couldn't place it! Thanks!

    Jun 29, 2006 6:01:43 AM

    nachi
    Junior
    nachi
    Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 128, Gallery
    Registered on: Nov 23, 2005
    Reply to: GaussM

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    lol, funny to ask here... but 987 is a everyday car, vs. elise = track car...

    if you track a lot then elise... if not, 987

    Jun 29, 2006 6:04:41 AM

    cookie monster
    Senior
    cookie monster
    Loc: US , United States
    Posts: 564, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 8, 2005
    Reply to: nachi

    Re: Boxster S vs Lotus Elise- what to do?

    nachi never really saw a 987 in real person but yours in the garage looks wonderful. I was from Toronto before. A white is perfect for any girl as well to wanna go softer.
     
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