That’s exactly why they exist. Not to make the window look smaller, of course, but to preserve the designers’ intent. It’s like an iPhone case with an 1/2" wide camera hole; the actual lens takes up half that space, but the hole is larger to maintain some design agenda in the case and/or make the lens look larger.…

Quite the contrast between this and the donor car’s painfully simple door hinge:

This one’s based on the Elise. Early model US Elises weighed in at ~1,950 lbs. Based on the interior shots, not much is changed except for a new dash and a smattering of leather and carpeting. The exterior has new body panels, but the aluminum chassis looks unchanged (windshield/roof/hard points are identical). I…

I may end up swapping in a new steering rack into an Elise this month. The irony is unbearable.

Civility is certainly hard. Indeed, it might always be the hardest way. However, what is war, but the easy way out of an issue? I don’t disagree with your general sentiment, though, that blind hate and ignorance need to be challenged somehow.

Sort of* like being the only religious person in a [place] full of militant atheists. Literally every single aspect of my belief system is assumed incorrectly by those I work with, because I keep very quiet. I’m spoken to as if I’m in full agreement with everyone’s opinion, so I’m privy to hearing their true opinions…

Definitely COTD

I agree, though of the recent crop of SUV “coupes,” I’d only call the original X6 beautiful. Their large, swept forms and pointed headlights evoke a snarling cat (tiger/jaguar, not domestic). At least this one has a gen. 1 Grand Cherokee SRT8 vibe with its wheels and calipers.

YES! THANK YOU, TORCH! Whenever I give anatomy/paleontology lectures, I always relate the topics to cars because there are so many helpful analogies to be made (e.g., I just used slides with air-cooled engines and various Ford GTs on a vertebrate swimming class). Everybody gives me weird looks at first, but then it…

Don’t miss the two behind-the-scenes videos, on BMW’s Youtube channel. Amazing practical effects.

Ford Freestyle. I’m not convinced, but it seems more plausible than other Ford SUVs save for the ride height. The license plate recess matches up, though I’m not sure of the brake light pattern. I can’t tell if the apparent center logo in the right image is an artifact. I reject the Highlander because the lower edge…

Ah, now I see that the X5's plastic “grilles” are inspired by BMW’s GT cars #Mpower #streetlegal #trackready #bimmerlife #Mnation #ultimateerrandmachine

CP: I spent about 5 years searching for an Elise before pulling the trigger, so I’ve seen all sorts of examples in varying condition. The price is great, sure, but keep in mind that the new owner will need to shell out an additional $2000-$5000+ to fix the problems listed in the ad. And all this on a car with 60000…

While I won’t say buy the Elise without more info, you shouldn’t discount it for the oft-heard complaints (loud, uncomfortable, stupid clam repairs, etc.). About a year ago I stupidly — but, in retrospect, brilliantly — bought an Elise having never even sat in one. I can’t speak to an 11 year old Cayman/Boxster as I…

Lotus Elise. A terrible, terrible car to learn in, especially without a teacher, but infinitely rewarding once mastered.

I will say that I just test drove a 4C two days ago, and the fully closed and latched trunk lid was in even poorer alignment than the author’s example. I tried closing it several times before realizing that another 4C on the showroom floor had the same issue. I like to think that it lets out more engine noise.

I just attended a Lotus club track day — one that also included non-Lotus makes — followed a 4C test drive, and I don’t believe that the 4C could pass any current Lotus with good drivers behind the wheels. I certainly disagree on comfort and quality. I really expected the 4C to be incredibly more comfortable than an…