Second-hand Sense: It is not just the comparative rarity of Lotus cars in this country that has prevented me from enjoying a greater appreciation of them. It has also been the laws of physics - big, tall people and these cars don't get on. The Lotus, coming as it does from a car racing stable, is set low on the ground, cramped, presents huge visibility problems and has more in common with motor sports pursuits than anything relating to everyday motoring.
Lotus cars are, however, great fun and it is said by those who know and love them that they are an incomparable driving experience. A friend of mine once owned a Lotus Elan and was kind enough to share the experience. My memory of the car was that it drove like a rocket, despite having only a 1.6 litre engine, left him and me with perhaps long-term back problems, and was always breaking down. The last time I saw that car was when it was headed to the ferry terminal in Dún Laoghaire on its way to a long-suffering but loving owner in England. The last time I saw my old friend he was driving a Ford Focus!
The Lotus Elise, therefore, may only be for the anoraks and I think the ads written by those selling them second-hand speak for themselves. "Awesome car. Partner and new house forces sale", reads one. Those familiar with the history of Lotus will appreciate such bonding. Graham Hill, Jim Clarke, Emerson Fittipaldi, Stirling Moss, Mario Andretti and Airton Senna are just some of the great names associated with the glory days of this British car company, founded by the legendary Colin Chapman in 1952.
It is fair to say that Lotus has probably remained truer to its racing roots than any other manufacturer might have. The Elise was only launched in 2000, but you won't be getting too many luxury extras. It is light in body, lightly equipped, has an aluminium extrusion frame and a composite body shell. It looks great but is almost impossible to get into, has a 1.8 Toyota engine and gearbox and is very fast. The ride is low to the ground and reminds one of a Spitfire on a runway but its cornering is superb. It is the driving experience that sells this car - nothing else.
You really need to be an enthusiast to appreciate this car and all its shortcomings. The Elise has been recalled for, among other problems, engine misfiring causing a fire risk, fuel leaking when filling or cornering, rear suspension problems and further fuel leakage problems. There are no EuroNCAP crash test results available for the Elise.
If you are still determined, then you can have a 1997 model from the man whose partner is having no more of it. The car, with 59,000 miles on the clock, is available for €17,500 with "new front tyres, new cooling system fitted, new head gasket, Kenwood music unit with JBL speakers and Pioneer base tube".
A 2003 model in "ocean blue" and only 4,800 miles on the clock is on sale at €39,750. "The best handling road car ever - Bar
None !!!!!", the seller states. So there you have it.
FOR: Great handling and driving experience
AGAINST: Hopelessly impractical