I think it might be time for a change...but what?

Back in about 2007, I attended the national Lotus meet in Colorado and ended up eating dinner with none other than Peter Egan. He and his wife drove from Wisconsin to the event in... a Porsche Boxter S. He had only good things to say about it, and given who he is, that's a pretty impressive endorsement. I've never sat in one but keep eying them.

Somewhat related, his wife was saying that Peter's back had been acting up and "he isn't getting any younger," so apparently the Boxter was the then solution. Wonder what he's driving now.

While eastsideWife's 2015 GTI has not been perfectly reliable in the 90K she's had it, I will admit nothing went wrong with it that kept it from being drivable.  I'd consider it better than the Abarth in every way, except noise and looks.  Ease of parking is a toss up, as while the Abarth is smaller, I think the GTI might be able to turn a bit tighter.  The DCT shifts way faster than I ever could.  If you are willing to take a risk on German "engineering", and you want something that is more than just a nice weather/trackday toy, I'd suggest looking at the GTI or Golf R.  If you want something kind of extreme, I'd pass on it.

I'd be happy to be a Lotus enabler. I'm in Yellow Springs (east of Dayton) and have an Elise that you could try on for size, or more accurately find out if ingress/egress works for you. I've just learned to accept that I'm going to look silly getting in and out because the driving experience is worth it. I found my car on LotusTalk and it's worth spending some time doing some research to understand their quirks. If you go down the Elise/Exige path, be sure to budget for Penske shocks because they will make the car better on track and easier to live with on the road. If/when the weather clears, we can go for a drive in the twisties nearby. 

FWIW, the only Boxster I've driven was a friends' 2008 Boxster RS60 Spyder that I drove back-to-back with the Elise. The Boxster is certainly more refined and definitely the one I would choose for a cross-country trip, but it feels numb and lacks driver engagement compared to the Lotus. I would own both if I could, but I only have space (and budget) for one toy. Also, I sold an S2000 to make room for the Lotus. I used the S2000 as my daily for 2 years and miss its relative practicality, but it never felt truly special and I never 'clicked' with it. In contrast, I clicked with the Lotus almost immediately. 

I'm in the Elise camp. Never driven nor ridden in one but they are special. I don't get the same feeling about cayman nor booster even though I like them. 
 

 And now I'm shopping. Haha 

Also in the Elise camp. It's one of the few things I could imagine replacing my Mk1 MR2.  I got a chance to ride in one in at Petit in one of those tire promos they do at turns 6 & 7 so we'll call it an "autocross-like" experience. It was eye-opening to say the least.  Can confirm you'll never look elegant getting in or out of one though. If your date is wearing a dress they're probably going to hate you.

maisgelb said:

I'd be happy to be a Lotus enabler. I'm in Yellow Springs (east of Dayton) and have an Elise that you could try on for size, or more accurately find out if ingress/egress works for you. I've just learned to accept that I'm going to look silly getting in and out because the driving experience is worth it. I found my car on LotusTalk and it's worth spending some time doing some research to understand their quirks. If you go down the Elise/Exige path, be sure to budget for Penske shocks because they will make the car better on track and easier to live with on the road. If/when the weather clears, we can go for a drive in the twisties nearby.

Good sir, I would love to make your acquaintance when the weather gets better.  It doesn't even have to be a spirited drive, if a normal around the neighborhood drive works for me I'm sure it will be fun at all extremes.  I really need to sit in one, see how the layout feels, a small drive, and how much I will hurt getting back out.  (For reference I live near the Dayton Mall.)

Jerry said:

maisgelb said:

I'd be happy to be a Lotus enabler. I'm in Yellow Springs (east of Dayton) and have an Elise that you could try on for size, or more accurately find out if ingress/egress works for you. I've just learned to accept that I'm going to look silly getting in and out because the driving experience is worth it. I found my car on LotusTalk and it's worth spending some time doing some research to understand their quirks. If you go down the Elise/Exige path, be sure to budget for Penske shocks because they will make the car better on track and easier to live with on the road. If/when the weather clears, we can go for a drive in the twisties nearby.

Good sir, I would love to make your acquaintance when the weather gets better.  It doesn't even have to be a spirited drive, if a normal around the neighborhood drive works for me I'm sure it will be fun at all extremes.  I really need to sit in one, see how the layout feels, a small drive, and how much I will hurt getting back out.  (For reference I live near the Dayton Mall.)

I sent you a DM. We can work out the details so you check it out.

...and the Abarth left with a new owner from the Dayton Airport yesterday.  Time to revisit this.  I joined Lotustalk.com forum and have seen a few I like, there's a red one in Newport KY that's close, but I'm trying to hold out for a chrome Orange model.

In reply to Jerry :

I know where there is a vintage German masterpiece for sale, that ticks all the boxes of rally pedigree, forced induction, wonderful noises, AND station wagon.  Owner is willing to sell in trade for buying some new Toyota E36 M3box.

(aka, "Pete realizes for the fifth time that he probably should sell the Quantum instead of using it as a dust collector")

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

In reply to Jerry :

I know where there is a vintage German masterpiece for sale, that ticks all the boxes of rally pedigree, forced induction, wonderful noises, AND station wagon.  Owner is willing to sell in trade for buying some new Toyota E36 M3box.

 

(aka, "Pete realizes for the fifth time that he probably should sell the Quantum instead of using it as a dust collector")

I've noticed Jerry's too smart to buy something he'll spend more time working on than driving