I have this 'friend' with a TT who likes to track it.
He's really needing a sedan now, and doesn't want to spend a lot more, get a car note, or use savings for one. The TT is paid for, and is thinking of selling the TT for around $80k, getting a Lotus Elise for the track and a decent sedan (TBD which one) for the remaining $30k plus maybe 20 more.

The Lotus is attractive to track because of reliability, inexpensive tires, brakes, etc. Also it's one heck of a car.

It's no TT however!

Is my friend crazy??

 

not crazy at all. i did basically the same thing and don't regret it for a second.

 

2nd that

 

How 'bout the E60 M5?
If your "friend" can live with the looks that is.

 

sounds like you are talking about yourself...

 

I am.

 

Let's see...
Robert traded his C4S in for a Murci.
So with the same logic a tt should be traded in for no less than a...CGT/Enzo?

 

Basically, I'm thinking....

I can sell for ~$80k (not sure I even want to do this, but I'm just brain storming).

Then get an Elise for $48K or so... is that realistic?
Then a sedan for $30-$40k.

I don't need an uber-sedan like the M5, but something like either a 3 series, new TL (really like those for some reason), pre-owned 5 series E39, or something else along those lines.

I just also HATE the idea of not having my TT, but for my reasons of owning, this may be a good switch for me.

In reality, I probably won't do this, but I'm just thinking...

 

I have another suggestion - there's a great fun track car that you are forgetting about - the Boxster S. You can get an '01 - '03 S for about 25k - 35k with low miles and have a fun track car that is also fun to drive around town (not so sure about how fun the Elise is to drive on regular roads). If you get good at the Boxster, you can upgrade to another class (improved or production) and put some slicks on there, an ROW030 suspension, lightweight modifications, etc. - I can't think the Elise is more reliable than the Boxster. This leaves you about 50k for a really nice sedan, a la the new 5-series, new GS, new M45 - lots of choices. Or get a used sedan and buy your wife a new ring or a vacation.

By the way, I thought you had a C2, not a TT - when did you get the TT??

 

Good thoughts. Now the wheels are really turning.
The thing is, I don't want to spend too much on a nice sedan because in the end, I get bored with sedans anyway. I think I'd be just as happy with a $30k TL as I would a $50k new 5 Series in the long run. They'll both get boring.

OTOH, getting a Boxster S vs. an Elise is a very attractive option just from a cost perspective, but plus it may be more fun on the street. I dont' know because I dont' have any real experience with the Elise.

Any Elise owners? What do you think about driving it around town, etc? Can you take road trips in it ever? (Like 3-4 hours)

 

Oh, and I got a Turbo about 1.5 years ago.

 

I can only speak to what I read as I don't own an Elise, but it would be fun to...

I'm finding a LOT of Elise owners are selling their cars because they are simply TOO raw - it's essentially a track only car unless you are 20-ish and can handle the rough ride. It's not a car you'd take out on a spin, or to take your wife out on a date, whereas the Boxster is. Also, I'd say this - the Boxster you can drive the 100 miles or so to the track, drive it on the track, then drive home. I think you'll make yourself impotent if you did that much driving on an Elise.

A properly equipped 'improved' Boxster is only about a second behind an improved TT on a short track with a lot of turns (the stuff I like - I'm not a high speed straights guy), and with the records I've seen at Willow Springs, many of the TT's are far outpaced by a Boxster S.

I'm still deciding what to do about my next car, and while I'm thinking the opposite of you, I'm back to probably getting another Boxster S. It has so much fun factor in so many ways - the feel of the mid-engine balance, the drop top, the great track handling, and the fact that I can just as easily drive it on a long road trip as I can on the track. Obviously the TT has that factor too, and is damn fast to boot, but doesn't have the drop top aspect (if that's important to you) and is significantly more expensive.

You could sell the TT, get a Boxster S, a used TL, and have 20k to blow.

 

I really need to drive the Elise I know.
I don't mind 'rawness'. I wish the TT were more-so.

 

I find the ride in the Elise to be just as comfortable as the TT. The seats are great. Access is the big issue with the Elise - it's a real pain. With the top on - forget it. It's not something you want to get in and out of multiple times a day. It's really a street legal go-kart.

 

Scott,

the Elise is FANTASTIC. it is a blast to drive and really feels like you're driving a high priced exotic. In fact, to me it feels much more exotic than even our GT2 did. A Boxster S really can't compare in that area.