2008 Lotus Elise SC: Got (Ought?) to be Committed
This is what I call a "committed car." You might think it's because the 2008 Lotus Elise Supercharged is committed to being a serious performance car with an excellent power-to-weight ratio and valid track-day yearnings. Well, that's part of it.
But it's also because, as an Elise driver and owner, you have to be committed. Putting up with the wind and road noise above 40 mph? That's a commitment. Hitting only the pedal(s) you want in that tight footwell? That's a commitment. Hell, just getting into this car with the targa top in place -- that's a major commitment. Makes my GT's entry/exit procedure feel like a minivan.
However, once you're fully ensconced in the snug bucket seats, have mastered the art of heel-and-toeing without jabbing the brake pedal, and resigned yourself to 80 dBa cabin noise, there's plenty-o-fun to be had. The supercharged 1.8-liter Toyota four easily flings the 2,000-pound Elise around like the go-cart it is.
I don't normally think of Toyota fours as torquey, and with only 156 pound-feet available I figured I'd still have to downshift for any passing manuevers. I was wrong. The Elise SC blasts past slower traffic using modest throttle work. Forced induction is so cool (even without an intercooler, as in this application). The other important numbers? Max horsepower 218. Zero-to-60? 4.4 seconds. Fuel economy (that number is probably considered important these days, even on a sports car)? 20/26.
After enjoying this car on Mulholland's twisties I came into Thousand Oaks and spotted a Porsche Cayman. It occurred to me that while the Elise is a thrill ride on canyon roads...so is the Cayman. And at a starting price of $55,000, the SC version of the Elise is within $5,000 of a Cayman S (and five grand more than a base Cayman). The Cayman can't offer the Elise's undiluted dynamic response, but the Porsche is still one of the most entertaining vehicles available for less than $100,000.
It's also quieter, comfier, roomier, plusher and up-scaler (I just made that word up). There's also no gymnastic training necessary to get into or out of the Cayman, and it has nearly four times the cargo space (15 cubic feet versus the Elise's 4). Once I started looking at the Elise in relation to the Cayman the Lotus' appeal sort of evaporated.
The Elise versus Cayman question is sort of like the Hummer H2 versus Honda Pilot query. For a tiny sliver of the population the H2 and Elise actually make sense. For everyone else there's a far more functional version that doesn't require the massive...well, commitment to ownership.
It may not be the most logical, but I think the Elise has value over the Porsche in that it is more rare, and cooler looking.
If I had money for a second car, a weekend/show off /track car, these things would affect my choices. But thats just me.
I agree with Doug. If I'm looking for something sporty I can still drive to the office every day, the Cayman would be the car. But for a weekend fun car, there's just something about the Elise.
There was an Elise at the Test'n'Tune last weekend. I tell ya, few cars look as graceful as the Elise around pylons.
How does a Miata (current or last gen) compare with an Elise? Or is it not even close?
I don't care for the "Pokemon" face the Lotus has, but otherwise it looks cool.
The current Miata is very good, and against a non-supercharged Elise around a tight road course both would be fun, though the Elise would be quicker (and a supercharged Elise would blow the Miata away).
Very different cars in terms of layout - front vs. mid-engine, convertible versus targa, etc. But the price difference is huge, and while the Elise is more fun than a Miata I don't think it's TWICE as much fun. For the guy looking to have a weekend "fun" car on a budget the Miata remains an excellent choice (and in terms of ultimate value, a used Miata is simply unbeatable).
Nice write-up, Karl. But would a Boxster S, instead of the Cayman, not be a more accurate vehicle to compare to the Elise? For my money, as a second car, I would probably forgo the Elise's rawness & athleticism for the Box S's added comfort and practicality. For a 3rd car, however, the Elise would be it. Make mine a flat mint green :-)
The Lotus Elise is a car in a different league. I think the weight of the car is less than a Miata and with a Supercharger.
The Boxster S is an open car, like the Elise, so it's more closely related on that level. But the Cayman feels like a more focused road car (though not as focused as the Elise) so there's less of a trade-off in terms of performance between Elise and Cayman.
The Exige is obviously even more focused than the Elise (or Cayman), but that car requires MAJOR compromises in terms of real-world functionality. For example, there is essentially NO rear visibility in the Exige.
Karl, what is the difference between a targa and a convertible?
Good call on the Boxster. It's cheaper than the Cayman too so there goes the price difference. I can't see myself owning a car that focused (referring to the Lotus), even if I did only use it on weekends. I'd rather have something a little more civilized.
I don’t think there’s really any car that can be compared to the Elise. It’s a pure driver’s car, and doesn’t make any compromises that hurt its performance. Hence the road noise at 40 mph. I don’t think you can buy a car that makes you feel as much attached to the road as an Elise.
If I were in the market for an Elise, I'd probably buy an Ariel Atom instead. THAT is a focused track car.
Blackadder - A convertible has a fold-down top (think Miata) whereas a targa has a removable top (think Honda del Sol). And a cabriolet (or cabrio) is a convertible specifically with 2 doors. A drophead coupe is the same thing. You can think of a targa as any drop top in which the rear window stays put.
I saw someone pull up and get in/out of a Elise (it had the hardtop on) and was hilarious. It's not worth looking that stupid unless you are at the track.
If you could see this guy try to contort himself into the car, it was like a comedy show. Most women would not subject themselves to this, especially in LA where valet parking seems mandatory.
Definitely the Elise is a great car. Definitely the Cayman is a better choice!
I just wished the Cayman looked as cool as the Elise does, now that would be a nice combination! Elise looks, Cayman interior and space.
Hey Karl,
You hit the nail on the head. While the Elise is a truly capable performance car, for an all-around, every day, fun car, the Cayman truly wins out. Especially because of its creature comforts and usable space.
Go ahead, get yourself the Porsche - and be like all those other slowly going soft in the middle, bad comb-over, too much money and not enough taste, mid-40 types in their own personal mid-life crisis. You too can be doddering, obnoxious, and boring the daylights out of every twnety-something hardbody you run across.
I'll go with the Lotus. At 58, I'm still skinny and limber enough to do whatever is necessary to get in the driver's seat, and I'm out to drive something different. Not try for a divorce over some chippy who doesn't really want me around all that much, anyway.
hmmm... someone needs a therapy session
I have a Porsche and I have a lovely head of hair thank you very much!
Thanks, estraka! :) I had always found those terms confusing.
I had a choice between a 2008 Cayman S, and a 2008 Lotus Elise SC. In the final analysis, for me, the choice was obvious. The reason I was thinking of either in the first place was that I wanted a high performance car not one that sacrifices performance for plush comfort - there are already too many of those. I chose the Lotus.
I spent a day at the track in june driving a lotus exige and the new 2008 elise sc. It took a week to get the grin off my face. I have owned Porsches including a 944, a 951(944 turbo) a Boxster and have driven many variations of the 911 and driven a Cayman as well (on the track). All wonderful cars in their own right. The Lotus Exige is amazing to drive however it is not a car I would choose to drive on the street. The Lotus Elise SC is an amazing track car with just enought refinement to consider it for the street. It is a trick to get into. It is noisier inside the cockpit but all those issiues and any other negative thing you can think of to say regarding the Lotus Elise SC dissapear when you get behind the wheel. It is, to my mind, unquestionably the most exciting, true sports car experience to be had off a showroom floor. I took delivery of mine last week.