Nitrousbird

What hotel? I was there in Oct. 07, and for my wedding in Sept. 6th last year. Both times we have stayed at Sheraton on the Falls, with a Falls View room. Nice room, awesome view...eye level with the Fireworks on Friday nights. I love that area. You are there at a bad time; spring thru fall is the best. See if you can take a tour through any of the vineyards.

I have no idea where someone came up with it ever breaking. I never even broke my stock 10-bolt. I did blow up a clutch, and snapped a driveshaft in two, and bent the stock torque arm to shit before.

WTF are you talking about. I've never broken my 12-bolt...EVER. I've been very happy with it. I had a seal on an outer bearing start leaking...simple fix, and a new $30 bearing, never happened again.

Doc, THANK YOU for the clear headed response. Looking at your interior, it has some significant differences than the one I drove: - Your seats are WAY better than my rental's had. Not even a comparison - The center console on my rental didn't have the stiched leather on it; just silver plastic. That makes it look nicer, but also probably makes it a bit more sturdy too. - Door panels on yours look nicer as well, and the overall interior condition is nicer...but it was a 31k mile rental, after all. I could honestly live with the difficultly of entering/exiting the car. I daily drove my Formula with the 6-point rollbar for a few months, and it wasn't an issue. Trunk space, though limited, wasn't what I would even consider an issue. A couple other complaints I did have, that haven't been mentioned yet: - Gas pedal was too stiff; I found it difficult to match RPM's on downshifts. I found that odd, because the clutch and brake pedals felt spot-on. - Light switch (err...button) setup is kind of poorly designed. I found you had to individually turn the parking lights and headlights on and off. That's fine, except you had to turn the parking lights on to activate the headlights, instead of the headlight button activating both. Didn't make much sense to me, but whatever. I didn't get to try the A/C, but I thought the heat in the car worked very well (considering the car is a bit drafty at freeway speeds). I wasn't expecting that after the rental agent said the heat didn't work well in this car, and it was chilly the day it was raining. I didn't find the fuel mileage to be all that impressive; but wasn't a gas guzzler by any means, and good enough that I couldn't imagine that being a pro or con for the car. Gas tank is rather small, as expected. Your description sounds like the alarm I had on mine. I'm glad the car didn't have the hard top, but I was actually impressed with the head room, and expected less. Leg room is what I expected. As was the shoulder room. I've always been big on bang for the buck in cars, so that probably hurts the Elise in my book. I WOULD like to drive the supercharged version.

Pizza boy, can you read? I stated acceleration. Not ET's. I didn't abuse the car launching it, but I'd assume it would launch hard, especially on a soft set of tires. Acceleration would normally represent trap speeds, which everything I've read has stated are in the 100-101 MPH range, which is exactly how the car felt. That car is NEVER going to trap 110 stock without a heavy tail wind and downhill. Period. No way, shape, or form. Then you try to compare the best time you could possibly find for that car (which I don't buy at all), with the most average of times of a C5 Z06. Why not bring up the high 11's @ 119 seen from Z06's?? Oh wait, I just read that article. Are you fucking retarded? That's a different car! That Elise is an older model never sold in the US, with a more powerful motor and over 300lbs LIGHTER. Hmm, wonder why it would be faster. The question is, will you admit how wrong you are?

It's fiberglass, NOT carbon fiber.

You are on freaking CRACK. Checking online, they run trap speeds similar to a stock LT1. They don't have a prayer in hell keeping up with a Z06 in a straight line...PERIOD. Look, I could have rented a Viper. Or a Boxter. Or a Vette. Or a number of other cars. I wanted to try out the Lotus. The car was a bitch to get into and out of...how the hell does that make it a better track car? But I can easily dismiss that. I knew the ride would be stiff, and have no problem with that. I figured it would track uneven pavement a bit. But why in the hell does everyone excuse the interior on this 50k car? I knew it would be Spartan, as it should...but why does it have to be so cheap? Why does the car have to be a rattle trap? Excusable at a lesser degree, or at a lower price, but not at this price point. Why does the dash have to have 2 speakers just slapped in, instead of intergrating them into the dash? Why does the rearview mirror have to be 1/4 the side of the windshield...that sure doesn't make the car lighter. Yes, the car handles well, and is a "go kart for the street." But that's a lot of money to make that many excuses for a car. That said, for the right money, I would own one. But since I doubt that right money will ever come, I'd have to consider something else. It was clean when I got it. A lot of rain driving.

I didn't miss the point in the car at all. I miss the point of paying nearly 50k for the car. There is no excuse for the interior on that car. Light does not mean it has to be junk. I fully get the purpose of the car, but it could be better built, a hair more comfortable, less expensive, and still perform the same way it does now. Power wise, I'm sure the SC version is far better to drive. But that doesn't correct the other issues.

More pics: http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1294 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1293 http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1289

http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1287 I was out in Vegas with my wife Janet, and we wanted see Hoover Dam. Figured I might as well rent something fun while I was out there. Sadly, it was delivered @ noon on Monday...and it rained all day. Did get to take it out for a short while on Tuesday before turning it in. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1288 Interior: - CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. It makes my 15 year old F-body interior with 3x the mileage feel like a Lexus. The dash was made of a variety of textured plastics, with all the quality you'd expect in a Geo Metro. The gauge cluster plastics were super flimsy, and fit poorly. The side sill plastics were hard unattractive. Even the floor mats were cheap. You'd think the unfinished parts on the car, metal floors and such, would be the cheapest parts, but they were honestly the nicest. - Center Console - if you can call it that. It looks like metal. It is not. It sure flexes like it is not. - Car is a rattle trap. Vegas has the raised reflectors on the highway, and I swear it sounded like the car was going to fall apart changing lanes. - Radio was some cheapy Blaupunkt with a couple Infinity speakers just slapped onto the dash, in the same way you would slap some speakers in an 87 Civic you don't give two shits about. - Rear-view mirror was about twice the size it needed to be. You could see everything behind you, the roof trim, the rear trim, and both the driver and passenger's heads. Because of this, it just helps obstruct more useful views out the windshield. - I have never been in a car so hard to get into. My Formula has a 6-point rollbar, and is WAY easier. I've driven cars with full cages, and still easier. I understand I'm 6'3", 215lbs, but my small 5'2" wife had a lot of problems. The wide door sills were the main problem, but the clearance was so bad I literally had to physically pull my right leg into the car. - Foot well room was cramped, and canted inward. Needed about another 1" between the center divider and the brake pedal; with the shoes I wore on Monday, I could only use the bottom of the gas pedal, as my shoe was too wide to hit the gas anywhere else without hitting the brakes. Of course leg room was limited, but still fully driveable. My right leg did rest against the shifter. - Seats were hard, and could have easily been a bit more padded, but otherwise comfortable. Head room was fine. - Factory security system was a PITA. Just because you unlocked it, doesn't mean it decided to disarm, so when you pushed the start button (I liked that), it didn't do anything. LAME. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1295 Exterior: The car just looks good. I love the styling, and it got a lot of looks. Ground clearance was good for a car of this class. The side mirrors did not adjust very well, though. It was harder to judge the front end...more so then you would imagine (everything looked closer than it was). B-pillars caused a bit of a blind spot on the driver's side. The soft top leaked (nice) on the driver's side, but was a simple and clever design otherwise. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1292 Braking and Handling: Sadly, the best part of the car I couldn't evaluate well. The car handles like shit in the rain, I can tell you that much. Brakes wise, I never hammered into them, but I can say the pedal feel was good, and not too touchy. Steering was crisp and unassisted...I loved the feeling of it. It did track the pavement more than I would have expected for the size of tires up front. Handling was a bit of understeer on a couple of on-ramps I took, but generally netural. I'm sure the worn fronts and lower performance rear replacement tires didn't nothing for the handling. Had I more time/mileage with the car, I would have romped around Red Rock, where most of the pictures were taken. BEAUTIFUL area. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1290 Drivetrain: Loud and slower than expected. The car was hard to gauge how fast you were going; usually felt faster than you were. Acceleration felt on par, at best, with a stock LT1 F-body, and that's when it was ran HARD. It had nothing to offer under 4k, and really nothing to talk about until Toyota's version of VTEC kicked in...and I use the term kick loosley. They put these motors in Celicas...I can only imagine how much of a dog a Celica is, lol. It was loud without sounding ricey, but honestly didn't need to be that loud...it's not like a Japanese 4-banger makes a pleasant noise. 6-speed tranny shifted decently, but would benefit from an aftermarket shifter. http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=210&pictureid=1291 Would I own one? Overall...no. The getting in/out part sucked, but I can deal with that. The cost of the car vs. the general build of it, I just couldn't justify it. The first US ones (05's) go for 25-30k used. Maybe at 15k for an 05, but that's about it. The interior is way to cheap to ignore (and the outside build quality wasn't stellar either), and needs some significant power upgrades to match the rest of the car for it to be truely a well rounded, modern sports car. If this was a 35k car new, it would be a far price for what you get. But a price starting in the upper 40's...no way, too much $$ for too little in return.

I'll post my review of the Elise I rented on Monday...let's just say that interior looks like an improvement!

You aren't even on the strip. You are on Fremont street; of course it is cheaper there, because it is more desireable to be on the strip. I wouldn't stay at a place that wasn't on the strip (maybe Hard Rock, because it is so close). You are trying to compare your deal to mine, when you aren't staying at the strip. There is a BIG difference, and a good reason to pay more...I could have paid what you paid for a shitty place on the strip, but chose not to.

Fixed.

I know it is for both of you. But you can't compare the rates of the Golden Nugget to Mandalay Bay. Plus the $200 in tickets we got also sweetens the deal. As for the car, I already put a reservation in on an Elise online. I just watched a Top Gear of Jermey Clarkson driving one, and he is 6'5". I'm sure I will be fine.

Josh, I hate to tell you, but houses like yours are a dime a dozen right now, and the ones going are the short sales. The easier sells (easier being a stretch of the term in this market) are those places that don't have any competition, such as homes in desireable areas with no one else selling their stuff, unique land structures, etc. I am currently renting my Reynoldsburg house. No way could I sell it in this market and even break even, so I am better off renting the place.

I remember the days where 10% was the standard. Then 15%. Now they try to claim 18% is standard, but I don't buy into that. I start @ 15%, and go up/down from there, depending on service.

Leaving on Sunday, no Cirqe tickets, and Golden Nugget @ Fremont = if it wasn't cheaper than what we paid, you got ripped off! According to stuff I read online, I would. I'm only 6'3", 220lbs. Will be a PITA getting in/out, but can't be worse than cars with cages I've driven. I found a place that rents it for 24 hours, delivers it to your hotel, for $230. 100 miles free. .50/mile after that. The dam is 32 miles from our hotel, round trip that leaves us 36 miles. And even going 50 miles over isn't a big deal, it's only $25.

I have been to Vegas before, my wife hasn't. We booked a trip tonight for this weekend (last minute trips = good deals). Direct flights both ways, staying at Mandalay Bay for 3 nights, + 2 free tickets to Cirque De Sole for $490/each after taxes. I really want to see the Hoover Dam (and Grand Canyon). We are leaving ass crack of damn Saturday, and flying back late Tuesday, so we have the time. I'd like to rent a Ferrari 348, but the prices I've seen have been a bit much for a worn out Ferrari. I was thinking a Lotus Elise; I saw a day rental for one @ $250...seems reasonable enough to me. Suggestions, info, etc. No interest in renting a Viper (Wease did it, as did our buddy Adam when they went together, and weren't impressed). No Vette either, as my best friend's Vette is far faster than anything I can rent, and I've spent plenty of time behind the wheel. No interest in a ghetto roller either. Any info would be appreciated.

That's BS. I have: - Switched from one bad receivor to a different unit, no issue at all, no charge - Got rid of a working unit, and switch my 2nd to an OEM unit. Again, no charge. I honestly don't believe you. I pay every 3 months. And you can say "blah blah blah I am telling the truth blah blah blah." I work in a service industry, and have seen customers give the same blah blah blah, and after researching, they left out a significant detail that doesn't make it true. Just like you are.

Serious answer: 2 I am married, and some times it is nice to just snuggle up and go to bed. My wife and I are very affectionate, so just because we don't have sex on a particular night doesn't mean we don't do other intimate things that evening. Hell, last night, we went to bed a bit early, both snuggled up and read books (I was reading Artie Lange: Too Fat to Fish), then fell asleep. No sex, awesome evening. But I am one of those lucky people who loves being married.

My link got edited out from Amazon.

I am almost wanting to start looking into building. The wife and I can't find anything we want. Too many "family" style homes. We really just want 2500-3000 sq/ft, at least a 3 car garage, full basement (that we can convert to a theater room), 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, vaulted ceilings with an open floor plan similar to our condo, and not be a big fixer-uper, on at least .75 acres in the Dublin/Powell/south of Delaware City area. And we can't find shit. Sure we can, with a 4k+ sq/ft house @ 400k plus...no need to spend that much for what we want. Otherwise, a bunch of fixer-upers, cramped neighborhoods, weird floorplans, small 2-car garages with no way to build another, etc. What we are wanting shouldn't be that hard to find in the 200-300k range, but at that point it's all about as many bedrooms as possible in a little neighborhood, to be "family friendly." So what's the cost of building something on an acre of Delaware land?

At least not everyone in this thread is stupid. Do you really think a company taking in 2 BILLION+ in SUBSCRIPTION income anually is going to just go away?

If any of you need a special online calculator to figure out simple percentages...let me know, so I can be sure to have you banned. We don't need your stupid rubbing off on the rest of us. If you can't do 2nd grade math, your time would be far better spent elsewhere.

Heroes (well, I just erased tonights after watching it) Top Gear Mythbusters Top Chef (wife likes it, and isn't too bad to watch) Dr. G CSI Vegas Family Guy Luckily my wife likes all of the above shows as well, so we always watch stuff together. Hell, she is the one that got me to start watching the Band of Brothers series (oddly I've never watched it, as I like WWII stuff).