I am glad that I am not alone on this one. I am also a prevues Lotus owner. I had a 2011 Evora for 5 years, and a 2005 Elise ( I gave it to my daughter). both great cars. Both I purchased new, the Evora was the best all around sports car. But the Vantage is just a bit more special.
Ron

 

Its amazing how may of us are/were Lotus owners. I feel like we are at an LOA (Lotus owners Anonymous)

HI, My name is NCAMV8 and I too have a Lotus, an Elise Sport.

Compared to the Aston, they are worlds different. When I drive the Lotus, with the it's light weight and manual steering, it's like that girlfriend that had that would constantly talk to you. The Lotus is continually telling me about the road. "The asphalt is about 4 years old, oh that was a June Bug you just ran over, hmmm male, yes definitely male, and so on..."

I agree that car feels like one part everything was designed to work as a whole, and not a bit more. Also like the Aston, I love to look to at the extruded parts the craftsmanship is amazing, and so much better than the plastic dash. I'd have it wrapped in leather, but I'm afraid the leather would be about 5% of the Lotus's weight

 

I don't understand the desire to add luxury touches to an Elise. The car will never be comfortable and luxurious. Even worse, it dilutes the car's personality. Owning another car that actually is comfortable and enjoying the lotus for what it is is the best solution. It's like having a beautiful woman who loves walking around the house naked and asking her to put something on.

 

I almost can't imagine an owner of a Lotus to ever want an Aston and vice versa. There can't two brands more at opposite ends of the spectrum. Well maybe Bentley is further to one side than Aston. It's hard to imagine an owner of one would appeal to the other.

 

Why is it hard to imagine? Cars at different ends of the spectrum are bound to interest those with eclectic tastes, and those who appreciate something built to a specific purpose.. It would be like saying: you can't possibly enjoy rock if you like classical, or single malt scotch if you like vintage port.

 

I can imagine it. If you have multiple cars it is nice to have different driving experiences rather than have them all be the same.

 

You don't wear the same shirt to work, out to dinner, and while working out, right?

 

To me it's like owning a car and a motorcycle, or pickup truck. Each has purpose and all are fun when used in their element. On a tight winding road on a sunny day, there is nothing like the Elise. While if I have a longer trip or a fancy date with my Lovely wife, the Aston is the way to go. LIkewise if I'm going to the track for a HPD event, I'll take the Cobra as the power to weight is like nothing else.

 

Adding the Leather was meant as a joke... Since Lotus is all about adding lightness

 

Some add leather covering to the dash, console, sill covers, ect. Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

Yes, I have seen on lotus talk some the things folks do. Personally I think it would have been better if Lotus had not chosen to cut cost on such a visible part of the car.

Every time I open the door I have to look at the hinges, they are an amazing work of art that is basically hidden 90% of the time. Then the dash, that you look virtually 100% of the time is a collection of poorly fitting plastic, with an array of textures and materials.

Don't get me wrong I love the car and would not try to make a luxury car out of it, it's a street legal track toy.