Advantages: Puts a smile on your face
Disadvantages: Some say its uncomfortable and impractical - not me

...wait for my car. We also go to the Top Gear show at Silverstone and I get a passenger ride in an elise with a Lotus test driver, WOW. Another great day. Approx 3 months prior to delivery I have to go in and finalise my car, I can't decide what to have so I take all the options (in for a penny in for £26 200), leather seats, radio pack, driving lights and the hard top (this is a must if you intend to drive it every day like me). After my day at Lotus and seeing all the colours available I have two colours in mind, red or yellow. I choose the pearesent yellow with green hood, Lotus racing colours. We agree a trade in for my trusty MX5 and it's a deal. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOME INFO ON THE CAR Years of production 1996 - 2000 Introduced at 1995... Read review

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Advantages: It's a Lotus, looks amazing, is a true drivers car
Disadvantages: They had to help Vauxhall build the VX220. No creature comforts. Has Lotus really sorted out the reliability probs and build quality???

...The new Elise took everyone by surprise when it came out, so soon after the VX220. As I first clambered into the drivers seat, there was nothing vastly different from the old Elise. However their was a weird sensation that this car had grown up. I have experienced the old Elise on the Silverstone race track, where I could use the car to its full potential. It seems that Lotus have taken a look at the Germans for build quality, it actually feels very well built! The switch gear, which is borrowed from GM again, feels good to touch, and the main buttons are neatly stacked up on the right side of the wheel. Lotus have extended the "pure driving experience" to include a stereo and some speakers, which is kind of comforting. The hood is easier to get on and off. Still a bit of a fiddle, but a darn sight easier then the old one... Read review

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Advantages: fast sexy looking car
Disadvantages: body damage will cost a lot to repair

...will take a beating as you realise the upgrades you can do to it 3)i belive its only a weekend car really as it doesnt have much boot space an its always best to keep the milage down 4)your other half will probably say things like "you love that car more than me" followed by sleepin on the sofa 4 a few night!! but over all i would say this is a dream car to have and i was always intuduced as that guy with the lotus wich after a while a started to like an all the cons are deffinatly worth it i hope iv bin of a help to you i could easly tlk all day about the elise (as my girlfriend know) an i hope you find what you are lookin for in a car... Read review

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Advantages: It's a Lotus, looks amazing, is a true drivers car
Disadvantages: They had to help Vauxhall build the bar of soap. No creature comforts. Has Lotus really sorted out the reliability probs and build quality???

...This was the best way the Elise could go. Lotus will have to be careful of their build quality.... Read review

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Advantages: see opinion
Disadvantages: see opinion

...Affairs of automobile compartment Lotus in the beginning of 90th years when it was developed Elise, went completely not excellent. By then in Norfolk two models - by road of super penalties Lotus Esprit and appeared in 1989 Lotus Elan with four-cylinder turbo motor Isuzu, the first in a history of the company 1 the automobile were issued. But Elan, despite of warm reception of press, "has not gone", and it have removed from manufacture. The companies were necessary the new automobile - original and rather inexpensive, designed in the best British racing traditions. With small-displacement motor, but very easy. With excellent road ability and stylish appearance... So in 1995 also has appeared Lotus Elise. Just at that time Lotus constantly passed from hands in hands. Its masters were both General Motors, and Bugatti... Read review

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Advantages: Low emissions, affordable sports dream car, award winning design, sexy, curvy and beautiful
Disadvantages: None - blasphemous!!

...OBSESSION: Okay, so admittedly I am not David Schumacher, I will never be a formula one driver and moreover I can’t even drive. This car, fathomed by Lotus has held me in a complete Tantalus for years now – as a graphic design student I’ve even wrote a 3000 word essay, visited the factory in Hethel, Norfolk and no doubt I have this car on my mind too much it’s very unhealthy. SEXY: The Elise to my mind has turned out to be a bigger sex icon than Bridgitte Bardot by a long shot, now guys, if you have no girlfriend I would strongly advise buying this car, not only has it sweet curves, it would definitely be a babe magnet and if you are really desperate you could say your girlfriend’s called Elise. Your friend(s) would be wildly envious as you have a girl friend with an exotic name (honest!) Right... Read review

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Advantages: Myriad.... but here are a few. Looks gorgeous, goes like XXXX off a shovel, has suede upholstery, driving it is about the best fun you can have on your own.
Disadvantages: Hmmm, let me see... nope, none.

...When I was 9 I saw my first "GROWN UP" film at the Cinema - the Spy Who Loved Me. When I got home I wrote "LOTUS" on an old biscuit tin and started putting pennies in it. Originally I wanted the early 70s SE2 sprint which was 20 grand..... Spool forward 25 years or so and along comes the Elise, a car that could hardly have been more perfectly suited to my needs if they'd built it to my specifications and called it the Lotus Sweary.... and finally I own one. All women should buy this car, words cannot describe what fantastic fun it is! Here's Why. PRINCIPLES I like things that are properly designed with their specific function in mind, the Lotus Elise is entirely conceived to deliver maximum enjoyment to people who like driving. I had to drive about 1000 miles a week when I first got mine and I loved every minute of it... Read review

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Advantages: Priced well, great sports all-round.
Disadvantages: Not really a 'super-car' and becoming quite commonplace.

...This car was released to critical acclaim some few years back, with the Lotus' chairman's niece, funnily enough named 'Elise', sitting in the car. Having driven one of these, I can honestly say I was impressed. The car is basic inside, no doubt, but this is a sports car! The floor is bare, you'll be sitting so low you'll think you're on the ground, but the drive is truly breathtaking. Whilst not what I'd call 'super-quick', that in itself depends on your point of view; I found cornering in this car very easy. It is responsive and sharp; a real quality drive. It's quite small, too, both in terms of body and engine, so it won't drink petrol and it won't be a pain to park. It looks very impressive, too - although not as impressive as my own car (I had to sneak that in, sorry!), but will certainly get a few looks if that's your thing... Read review

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Advantages: Supercar looks and performance at a reasonable price
Disadvantages: Entirely impractical for everyday use

.... Deep front air splitter and high level fixed rear wing facilitates balanced aerodynamic downforce characteristics of 35 kg (front) and 45 kg (rear) at 100 mph, increasing cornering grip and high speed stability whilst retaining the same drag coefficient as the standard Elise. Cold air intake integrated in the roof for engine bay forced cooling, combines with tailgate central exit duct for hot air extraction. New opening polycarbonate tailgate glass for baggage stowage access and increased rear vision. Chassis: Lotus designed lightweight structure of epoxy bonded aluminium alloy extrusions with integral steel rollover structure. Suspension: Fully independent front and rear double wishbone systems with co-axial coil springs mounted on adjustable platforms to Koni monotube racing dampers, adjustable link front stabiliser bar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Pure driving pleasure
Disadvantages: No roof, doors - not the most practical car in the world!

...It is terribly unfortunate that I don't own one of these amazing cars. however I have had the pleasure of using one on some rather good roads in Warwickshire. I loved it so much that I need to post a comment on Ciao. The 340r is a thoroughbread Elise, it is the Elise with out the finesse - it is just a totally pure drivers car. I love the looks, but many don't, it is often compared to a dune buggy. No doors is probably the first thing you notice. Who needs doors? it is not part of the driving experience, so it doesn't need them. The first task is to clamber over the sills housing the really cool translucent panels. Sitting in the sports seats on the floor, you realise just how low you are actually sitting. Flick the key in the ignition, and a beautiful tuned 1.8l Rover K series engine splutters into life. The car I took out had... Read review

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