Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Americans are ruining sports cars!
Crap. I am almost, almost ready to place an order for my Exige S, but all this talk about the end of the US Federal Exemption for bumpers is making me nervous. What if all the rumors on E-Talk are for real and I get an Europa S-looking Exige. YUCK! Crap. If that happens, I am getting a used one from Italy or Germany. Ferrari owners in the US also complain about how much better Euro Models are. Ferrari is also loosing its exemption there: No more sports seats. Geez!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Your average Elise / Exige owner
A member of teh EliseTalk community posted a really interesting profile of the typical lotus owner. See the discussion here.
1. This may seem obvious, but perhaps the single greatest thing we are likely to have in common is a passion for sports cars.
This may not seem like something unusual, but it is. Few people can
identify, let alone have any knowledge about, the broad range of sports
cars that so many folks here are aware of.
2. Although they are passionate people, Elise/Exige owners are more
likely to be led by their heads than their hearts. Logic comes before
emotion.
These owners are more likely that the average person to be excited by
and be able see beauty in mechanical design, not just physical form.
While the mass public defines “function” as a minivan or a Toyota
Camry, Elise/Exige owners might argue that they have confused the term
“function” with “utility”. Even when compared to other sports cars,
this Lotus has sacrificed utility for function.
3. By and large, Elise/Exige owners are very independent thinkers.
These owners are much more likely to have participated in individual
activities and individual sports. They are confident in their own
ability to make reasoned decisions. They are more likely than the
average person to cast aside convention if it suits them.
This car is tiny. It has a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine. It only puts
out 190 horsepower. And women almost invariably agree that the car is
adorable. For a man, driving this car should, by all rights, be a
statement on par with admitting that one doesn’t like beer. But, they
don’t see it that way.
4. Ironically, Elise/Exige owners aren’t likely to be attention seekers.
In fact, it would seem that the large majority of owners are quite
unaccustomed to being the center of attention. Although though they
don’t necessarily seek the attention that their vehicle unavoidably
garners, they do enjoy the respect they receive.
5. Elise/Exige owners are more likely to be willing to take risks.
They aren’t necessarily adrenaline junkies, but they are more likely
than most people to make bold moves and take calculated risks.
6. Even when burdened with the full responsibility of adulthood, the average Elise/Exige owner is still able to nurture the inner desire to experience childlike joy.
It seems a shame that when we reach adulthood that we lose so much of
the desire to play like a child. When was the last time that you pulled
out the Hot Wheels and the old action heroes (dolls) and just played?
Really played?
Although many reject the idea that a Lotus could be considered a toy, don’t you feel like a kid playing with your toy when driving it?
7. Most people will assume someone driving an Elise or an Exige must be wealthy. Unlikely.
It seems to me that this vehicle is most often purchased by the
upper-middle class. People with middle-class values who work for a
living. People who don’t have a sense of superiority or entitlement.
People who are concerned about having enough money to retire
comfortably once they reach the normal age for retirement.
8. Although, in my experience women find this car to be more
interesting and appealing than any other sports car I am aware of, the
Elise/Exige is still purchased almost exclusively by men. But it must
be said that the women here who have purchased this vehicle are amazing!
1. This may seem obvious, but perhaps the single greatest thing we are likely to have in common is a passion for sports cars.
This may not seem like something unusual, but it is. Few people can
identify, let alone have any knowledge about, the broad range of sports
cars that so many folks here are aware of.
2. Although they are passionate people, Elise/Exige owners are more
likely to be led by their heads than their hearts. Logic comes before
emotion.
These owners are more likely that the average person to be excited by
and be able see beauty in mechanical design, not just physical form.
While the mass public defines “function” as a minivan or a Toyota
Camry, Elise/Exige owners might argue that they have confused the term
“function” with “utility”. Even when compared to other sports cars,
this Lotus has sacrificed utility for function.
3. By and large, Elise/Exige owners are very independent thinkers.
These owners are much more likely to have participated in individual
activities and individual sports. They are confident in their own
ability to make reasoned decisions. They are more likely than the
average person to cast aside convention if it suits them.
This car is tiny. It has a 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine. It only puts
out 190 horsepower. And women almost invariably agree that the car is
adorable. For a man, driving this car should, by all rights, be a
statement on par with admitting that one doesn’t like beer. But, they
don’t see it that way.
4. Ironically, Elise/Exige owners aren’t likely to be attention seekers.
In fact, it would seem that the large majority of owners are quite
unaccustomed to being the center of attention. Although though they
don’t necessarily seek the attention that their vehicle unavoidably
garners, they do enjoy the respect they receive.
5. Elise/Exige owners are more likely to be willing to take risks.
They aren’t necessarily adrenaline junkies, but they are more likely
than most people to make bold moves and take calculated risks.
6. Even when burdened with the full responsibility of adulthood, the average Elise/Exige owner is still able to nurture the inner desire to experience childlike joy.
It seems a shame that when we reach adulthood that we lose so much of
the desire to play like a child. When was the last time that you pulled
out the Hot Wheels and the old action heroes (dolls) and just played?
Really played?
Although many reject the idea that a Lotus could be considered a toy, don’t you feel like a kid playing with your toy when driving it?
7. Most people will assume someone driving an Elise or an Exige must be wealthy. Unlikely.
It seems to me that this vehicle is most often purchased by the
upper-middle class. People with middle-class values who work for a
living. People who don’t have a sense of superiority or entitlement.
People who are concerned about having enough money to retire
comfortably once they reach the normal age for retirement.
8. Although, in my experience women find this car to be more
interesting and appealing than any other sports car I am aware of, the
Elise/Exige is still purchased almost exclusively by men. But it must
be said that the women here who have purchased this vehicle are amazing!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Clarkson Quote
Here's Clarckson speaking about the Caterham, but this is how I feel about the Lotus.
"I’ve always assumed that a car like this would feel like an extension of your hands and feet, but it’s the other way round.I felt like a part of it, an organic component but a component nevertheless. You use a normal car to take you somewhere and it tries to make that journey as pleasant as possible. But you would never use a Caterham as a means of transport because this is driving for the buzz of it, and as a result you’re not a passenger. You are there to do a job, which means you are no more and no less important than one of the pistons or the windscreen wipers."
"I’ve always assumed that a car like this would feel like an extension of your hands and feet, but it’s the other way round.I felt like a part of it, an organic component but a component nevertheless. You use a normal car to take you somewhere and it tries to make that journey as pleasant as possible. But you would never use a Caterham as a means of transport because this is driving for the buzz of it, and as a result you’re not a passenger. You are there to do a job, which means you are no more and no less important than one of the pistons or the windscreen wipers."
Monday, December 11, 2006
Songs that make me sigh for the Lotus!
Madonna: Sorry
Madonna: Hung up
Bodyrockers: I like the way you move
Gnarls Barley: Crazy
Benny Benassi: Satisfaction
Nelly Furtado: Maneater
U2: Vertigo
US: Discotheque
Pedro Abrunhosa: Estrada
Pedro Abrunhosa: Outra noite perfeita
Madonna: Hung up
Bodyrockers: I like the way you move
Gnarls Barley: Crazy
Benny Benassi: Satisfaction
Nelly Furtado: Maneater
U2: Vertigo
US: Discotheque
Pedro Abrunhosa: Estrada
Pedro Abrunhosa: Outra noite perfeita
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Ferraris on fire
I am not one to complain about Ferraris spitting fire out of their exhaust. I for one think it's really cool, but when a number fo them starts blowing up, well that's kind of scary!
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Sunday, December 10, 2006
Great site selling amazing classics
Holy mother of classics, Batman! This site has a number of classics such as two Carreras RS, a Renault 5 Turbo and two Reneualts Alpine and a Lotus Elan.
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Friday, December 08, 2006
Lotus videos
Check out this video of the Lotus Elise, with great Lotus Classic Team footage at the end. There is also a great companion video of the Lotus Exige. These cars are so special!
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