So I’m intrigued… the +2 is one of several cars I’ve always fancied owning, and I’m wondering whether there is a certain ‘type’ of person who goes for Elans - that also have similar tastes to me - or whether the elan is just somewhere that many with very different tastes converge. So help me with a bit of research:
What other cars would you like to own (I’m talking semi-realistic here)?
Here’s mine:
Classics
BMW 3.0CSi (red)
Mk1 Espirit (red)
Mercedes W123 Estate
BMW M1 (black)
Modern
Brazillian Type 2 VW Camper
Audi R8
Europa (yes, i know they’re supposed to be junk but I LIKE them)
Is this the practical dream garage thread? Stuck here in the USA I’d go with…
Series One or Two Toyota MR2
Peugeot 505
Miata Speed
Toyota Sienna
BMW 635 five speed (even tho’ I think BM’s are the most overated car on the road today)
Lexus SC400 or 300 five speed
Hi leedsj, I’ll add that a +2 is more than worth owning. Driving them is great fun and looking at mine sitting still is almost more enjoyable!
I’ll guess the +2 is where very limited but varied divergences align. Buy one, Eric
Oooo… I have a new desktop background - Alfa Tipo 33!
We seem fairly close in taste … going truly dream I would join you with the Miura, Tipo 33, GTO and Porsche 550… but then again that’s not necessarily an Elan-ism - as who wouldn’t?
Also on my modern list would be the new Ford GT40 (RHD converted at great expense!)
I already own an Elan S4 dhc which I just love driving, in fact this is the longest I have kept a “toy” car. However if I had more garage space and money…
Porsche 964RS
Jaguar 4.2 XJC
Elan +2
Caterham 7
Ferrari Daytona
I own a bugeye 1961 --a europa 1970 a 26 R elan 1964-a lotus 7 1965 a saturn vue 2001 [to assure arrival at a given time[ a formula vee racer —and have midgets with whips scourge my body every saturday night as they wear black unmentionables and I listen to German marching bands while dressed in a Toronto Maple Leaf sweater --but would never consider owning a plus 2 -they are too kinky --ed
Michael ----trust me you really dont need a 928 unless you own an electrician ------under the passenger foot wall cover is a MAZE of wires and connectors and stuff no car should ever have in it --and when the porsche man presents you the bill the faint strains of Deutsch land Uber Allis is played in the background -----all the 2000 000 dollar houses in the hills are not movie stars —they belong to Porsche mechanics --ed
In addition to my Elan, in no particular order:
Ferrari F430 - or 360 Modena if Santa’s grouchy;
Boxster
Morris Minor “woodie” wagon
Ferrari 250 GT coupe late fifties/early sixties - I’ll know it when I see it
XK-120LM
Big Healey
Jag Mk 4 cabriolet
Alfa 8C2900
Alfa Giulietta Sprint Veloce
O, hell, why go on…
Is this from awful personal experience? I’ve often wondered about the Boxster enclosed engine. What are the service problems there? Well, you’ve talked me out of the 928, I’ll take the CL.
Older:
Lotus Elite Type 14
Jaguar XK-120
Ferrari Dino
Alfa Montreal (my wife’s dream car)
Many others
Modern:
2008 Corvette Z06
2009 Cadillac CTS V Wagon or the new Volvo V70 in top Europe trim since US doesn’t get the good one only the XC70 :-{ - (need a family hauler/tow vehicle some day to replace the Volvo 960 )
Aston Martin DBS
2008 Alfa 8C Competizione (not realistic but we both like it)
Maseretti QuatroPorte
BMW M3 for commuting
Of course right now the fleet is:
1969 Elan DHC
1972 Alfa Romeo Berlina with 1989 Alfa 2.0L TwinSpark and the need to finish the return to street car from race car
1997 Volvo 960 Wagon family hauler/tow vehicle
2002 Corvette Coupe
2003 Focus SVT
I would like a Dodge Nitro Diesel it’s a nice car, boys!I was driving it for month doing 110 miles of city traffic a day - quite sportive for an American SUV. Was one day passed by a Lotus Elise wich was followed by a Bentley Continental and then came a DBS right after (posh area…) felt no tendency to swap over…
I’ve just parted with a Subaru Legacy tourer, owned from new, and have just replaced it with an Audi A6 Avant diesel.
The Legacy was a fantastic everday car. The Audi is nicely built but utterly dull in comparison and dynamically leagues behind, it makes a great family barge tho.
Up until the day I gave it up the Legacy felt special to drive, not a trait which is easy to find in a modern car. Surpised no one else has mentioned them - Lotus people seem to ‘get’ the Legacy
…no certainly not a dream car but I didn’t think dream cars were the subject of the thread
Exotic though, in an offbeat sort of way - I can’t think of many (or any) other big family estates with a flat 4 engine, permanent four wheel drive, 10 gears (if you count both ranges), pillarless doors and above all bags of character - I rather suspect Chapman would have liked the Legacy
My wife’s 2006 Legacy Outback Wagon is the worst car I’ve ever owned. Absolutely no road feel, idiotic raised suspension that bounces over bumps and frustratingly slow acceleration. I refuse to drive it! I’d trade it in if it hadn’t depreciated so quickly. If only it weren’t so reliable…
My Prius, on the other hand, is a great car. Seriously. It’s no Lotus, but it feels light, is always in the right gear (CVT trans & electric motor) and is fun to toss around a corner.
My semi-real list, besides the Elan:
-1st generation Elise (I prefer its looks to the new one)
-1st generation BMW M3
-1984 VW Rabbit GTI (still the most fun car I’ve ever owned)
-VW Passat Clean-Diesel Wagon (to replace the dreaded Subaru)
-BMW 2002 Tii
-Lotus Cortina
-Elan +2
--ed
--ed
it’s a nice car, boys!I was driving it for month doing 110 miles of city traffic a day - quite sportive for an American SUV. Was one day passed by a Lotus Elise wich was followed by a Bentley Continental and then came a DBS right after (posh area…) felt no tendency to swap over…
