I like this car because it is efficient and it rides smoothly. It is great to pick up friends in and it is very comfortable inside to the point where I feel liek driving it every single day for the rest of my life byotch.
Upon introduction, the Convertible is equipped with a standard 1.8-liter, I4, 189-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. The Convertible SC is equipped with a standard 1.8-liter, I4, 218-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
The Lotus Elise is a two-seat midengine roadster available in one trim level. The interior is understandably spartan, and the standard air-conditioning can be deleted to save even more weight. Several options packages, such as the Touring Package and Sport Package, offer a bit of customization. To maximize protection, a hardtop roof is available as a stand-alone option.
Power for the Lotus Elise comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Toyota-sourced engine benefits from Lotus-designed intake and exhaust components and a tweaked engine controller. The result is a broader power band and an increase in output to 189 hp at 7,800 rpm and 133 pound-feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. Should the standard Elise be inadequate, there's always the supercharged Elise SC, boasting a 218-hp version of the standard Elise's engine.
As far as safety equipment, don't expect much more than federally mandated items -- antilock brakes are included and traction control is optional, but neither stability control nor side airbags are offered.
Forget what you hear about "getting in" or "getting out" problems, nothing feels like a Lotus once you are in. This is a car for those you love Formula 1 (acceleration, ability to make sharp turns at high speeds) and not Nascar (muscle cars).
I have not regreted purchasing this car. No matter what kind of day of week you had, the weekend is great when you drive this car.