Can a car be too secure for normal driving and have therefore no fun.

[Ferrer]

But if he is thinking about Swift Sports and 2 1.5s, the Elise is very removed from those in terms of running conditions. Furthermore, how easy will it be to service a Lotus in New Zealand?

An MX-5 manages to be a sportscar in a more or less similar vein to the Lotus, without all the day to day incovenients.

[kiwitt]

An Elise costs about NZ$40-60,000. Well outside the NZ$15,000-25,000, I am looking at spending. Also servicing may also be more difficult here in NZ.

[FastDriver]

An Elise costs about NZ$40-60,000. Well outside the NZ$15,000-25,000, I am looking at spending. Also servicing may also be more difficult here in NZ.

I was going by USD you can get a used one for between $25,000 and $30,000 american dollars. I just looked on ebay.com

[Matra et Alpine]

Not sure of US, but over here be VERY wary of Elise on eBay
A thrashed Elise is not a pleasant drive

[clutch-monkey]

yeah pimento I agree on the reason the industry and officialdom does it BUT i do think that then we jsut end up with worse drivers.
Personally I'd put a 6 inch spike pointing up from the steering wheel for the first year of everyone driving so they concentrate and realise there ARE consequence to driving around in a dream

haha what that was my idea for dealing with new license holders great minds etc..

I had considered the Integra as well ... I give this some thought ... and that is another car like the Celica ... which in 5 years time maybe very "rough". So todays cars are the only real option.

there will always be pristine examples of older cars around if you take your time searching. a friend picked up an immaculate hardtop first gen mx5, complete with supercharger.
failing that, i do think older cars should be an option if you want something you can push harder at lower speeds.
given their classic status you'll be able to find something in pristine condition - a datsun of some type, Mk1 GTI, etc etc

hairdresser's car my ass!

[crisis]

Just asking... was the Opel Speedster/ Vauxhall VX220 sold as a Holden in Australia? If it was, I'd recommend that.

I agree, but I would.
I have never had fun in anything front wheel drive. Just sayin.

[clutch-monkey]

VX220 is rwd and lotus based iirc?
as for FWD integra typeR, mk1 GTI and mini coopers are a barrel of laughs when you hit the twisty's

[csl177]

I have never had fun in anything front wheel drive. Just sayin.

You need to drive an original Mini, dude. Or a Moke.

[henk4]

I agree, but I would.
I have never had fun in anything front wheel drive. Just sayin.

In an FWD there is so much more space to have real fun.....and as Russell mentioned, try the handbrake move in an original Mini...

[Matra et Alpine]

yah it's shame that the likes of the Clio Cup cars, Saxo and Corsa/Nova tuned/UK setup versions dont get to your shores
But Suzuki Swift Gti ?
All "fun" cars and can keep up with the best ... again light weight makes up and if you remove the extra stuff even more fun. Because of class structure I compete in the same as all those cars in the RX8 and on the sprint tracks I think they're having more fun than me

[Ferrer]

I'd add the Mk1 new Mini to the fun front drivers.

[crisis]

to each there own. I find having the tail wanting to break away one of the best feelings. I guess in a way it is the antethisis of what most people are looking forward in a car. In complete contrast to rail like handling. But to me its fun.

[clutch-monkey]

yah it's shame that the likes of the Clio Cup cars, Saxo and Corsa/Nova tuned/UK setup versions dont get to your shores
But Suzuki Swift Gti ?

clio cup 182's have quite a following here, more so than the megane sport i think!
i only just saw a swift gti with 240hp at the wheels those and the starlet gt's run rings around more powerful cars on tight circuits

[Ferrer]

to each there own. I find having the tail wanting to break away one of the best feelings. I guess in a way it is the antethisis of what most people are looking forward in a car. In complete contrast to rail like handling. But to me its fun.

The Cooper S Mk 1 felt far more tail happy than the 118d, despite being front wheel drive.

[FastDriver]

Not sure of US, but over here be VERY wary of Elise on eBay
A thrashed Elise is not a pleasant drive

I would suggest looking at it in person before buying it of course. You can look on multiple other online car buying sites as well. I like Dupont Registery personally. Good for finding cars and houses and boats...

here is one for about $35,000:
http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/...?itemid=911252