After being FI for over a year and a half and putting all my time into researching, saving money, and working on my car...my time with the Z might be ending. I have had ZERO problems with my Z and the twin turbos...actually I have had 0 problems with my car at all except for some tire feathering and its been a pleasure. It just seems that the next step with the car would be a huge step and would include building the motor...basically the point of no return on my only car.

So my options are...keep the car, build the motor, and drive it....keep the car, stop modifying it, and drive it...or sell the car get a new car (05 Lotus Elise) and do a little work on that, but not get to crazy. I definately have to work on something, so option 2 is out so i'm left with building the motor...or...selling. I love the power, but I want more finesse and just fun to drive factor at low speeds as well has high (seems like have have to be in 3rd gear and up for the Z to be fun, unless your sideways).

I threw up a feeler in the forsale section just to gauge interest ( https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....91#post2622491 ). So, yea...Not sure what I'm going to do yet, just weighing my options and trying to get opinions.

M-P

 

Lotus build quality isn't like it used to be. So it would be a tough decision for me as well.

 

Based upon your goals and my experience so far, I would sell it. Of course, I'd hate to see ya leave the forum cause you've always seemed to share good information and didn't engage in the usual "internet bravado."

Ron

 

Im not real familiar with the elise, but wouldnt it cost quiet a few $$$$'s to make 500 whp with that car ? I mean according to your sign you are almost there with the z. Seems like it would be alot cheaper to throw some new pistons and rods in the z and get over that 500 mark than building an elise from bone stock. I vote stay with the Z. And from what I hear around where I live people are using the k series honda motors to swap into elise's to make power, you dont really wanna get rid of nissan power for a honda motor now do ya ?

 

MP,
I am the guy from Elise-Talk. Give me a PM with your cell # if you want to discuss. Basically you are at a point where you have to decide if spending another $10k on the Z is going to get you what you want... It will get you more power but if you ever sell the car in the future you will likely get less then 20% of that money back.
On the other hand you could sell now, take that 10K and either put it towards the new car payment or use that for some good solid performance mods on the Elise. Remember the Elise is like 2/3's the weight of the Z so your HP/weight ratio is much greater when adding HP to the Elise…
--B

FYI: You can spend $8k on ForceFed’s 275 package and that will add almost 100hp to the Elise. That is basically putting the Elise in the same HP/Weight class as your now turbo’d Z and giving you all the benefits of super powered Go-Kart handling car…

 

Dave is right though, there is practically no way to get the Elise’s engine to 400+ hp… (that is not even whp by the way) without swapping engines which does not sound like something you would want to deal with. When dealing with Elise #’s you will always see hp reported as crank hp or bhp.

If you are looking for pure power (which I don’t think you are) then stick to the z or buy a Supra/Honda/STI/C06 or something of that nature. If you are looking for a stylish neutral balanced car with superb handling characteristics, then the Elise would be your better bet. Lower power, but as the track guys will tell you, less power is better in a majority of the cases.
Just my .02 worth of course.
--B

 

I would keep the Z, Elise's are tiny and I wouldnt want to live with one on a daily basis. Your a brave guy having a stock motor TT Z as a DD, but if I were you Id build the Z. Keep the power "conservative" 500whp or less and enjoy the reliability of the new motor/set-up. Regardless of what you do, good luck in whatever you decide to go with.

 

the elise would get great gas mileage and feel much much more sporty than the Z ever will.

It just won't be as fast in a straight line until you go with a forcedfed turbo or ditch the toyota engine and do a honda swap and supercharger


as a daily driver though, the elise is going to be more risky in that people can't see you on the road cause the car is so small and low. SUV's might try to back into you in the parking lot. Bodywork is really expensive and hard to get parts imported into a dealer.

tough call IMO cause I really like the elise too. If you want the best deal, keep the Z and get the elise in a couple years used for less than 30k

 

Thanks for all the thoughts. I'm definately not going for any high hp numbers if I were to get the Elise, probably never even consider FI, but who knows Lotus is rumored to be putting out a supercharger upgrade. I would never ditch the toyota motor though because it is perfectly matched in that car and thats what I want now...perfect balance of power and handling.

As far as the DD thing goes, I also plan on getting a cheap beater car (and I mean really cheap) down the road just a little bit. I figured I would get more input to keep the Z just because everyone here is a little biased toward the Z including myself (except Bambam that is, lol), but it seems that it is about 50/50 split which is pretty much where I am in my decision. I just knew how much I should ask for my car

 

I was in the same boat recently, and decided to de-mod the Z and save up for something new next year...

 

How much are you going to ask? I have an 06 and looking to mod, but for the right price, I'd take yours and leave the 06 for the wife

 

Sentry has some very valid points... an Elise is not necessarily a very good DD. People don't see you as much (the bright colors help), any damage to the front or rear clamshell will be expensive to repair (pray the guy who hit you has insurance) most importantly the Lotus has special waivers on safety requirements... There is a crumple zone on the front of the car, but if anything hits you at over 15 MPH the car will more then likely be totaled.
Because there is not real frame to speak of, any major body damage will be too expensive to fix and require a new car.
You said you were looking at a beater, and I know a few guys who do this now for their Z. If you are not driving far or don't car about going to work, this would be your best option if you go the Elise route.
Good luck with your decision man.
--B

 

MP, say it aint so! If you do decide to sell, I'll miss you as a friend and customer.

Best of luck with your decision. I still enjoying driving my Z, as much as I did when I first drove it off the showroom floor. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

 

+1. Although sometimes I feel like getting rid of my G and getting something else. What I will probably do is just buy my next car and keep the G.

 

Well, I definately still love my Z...absolutely. I just feel I don't know if I want to continue dumping money into it. I also really want a car that is more well balanced rather than just straight up powerful. If I could keep it and get another...I would in a heartbeat.

And Sharif, you have been more of a friend to me in the Z community than anyone and have always helped me along my way (even before Forged Internals I remember you coming out to my first TT dyno and then going to the Supra meet in Charlotte). So that friendship will not stop and I will not stop learning/posting in the FI section of this forum. And like I said, this is not a final decision set in stone. But even if I do sell the Z, trust that I will see everyone again in the new car at ZDayZ 07, this is a part of my automotive education that I can never forget.

 

I think the Z is a more "well balanced" car than the Lotus Elise. Certainly so... If you want it to handle better there is plenty you can do in the suspension and weight reduction area. The Z can pretty much do it all. The Elise will be a nimble track car in the twisties but will be missing the power aspect you've grown to enjoy. I'm afraid if you do buy one, that aspect may be a bit disappointing.

Well, it just sucks that you'd consider selling the Z. Your car is awesome and I really enjoyed meeting you and seeing it run at Zdayz. Hopefully we'll be seeing you next year (z or no). edit - noticed you just posted this...

 

FWIW we have MANY guys in our vette club that OWN the elise stock for stock with C5 Z06s.

 

FWIW, I also considered same switch. All that I will tell you, make sure that you test out the Elise in terms of entry/exit, ride, etc...

 

MP, you dont necessarily have to keep dumping money into your car. Just have fun and drive it. It's a safe beast on a stock block...been running trouble free for a long time. Leave it at that.

 

Very true, but I do know that if I keep it I will at least be upgrading the suspension a bit more. I test drove the Elise yesterday and it was amazing. Beautiful car that is purely mechanical (which I love). So I will def be selling my car if I get a good enough offer, but if I don't I will be keeping it. I love them both.