Trying to talk wife into getting an M100

[mm120]

Hi everyone, new guy & current Evora owner here from the U.S. I've always loved the M100 since I first saw it brand new at a Lotus dealer in 1991. I was 15 then & the thought of paying $40k for a car in 1991 seemed insurmountable for someone who didn't have a job or any life experience. The joy of seeing that Elan never left me, & eventually led me to buying my new Evora 3 years ago. My wife has been wanting a car that is more fun/engaging to drive than her boring Lexus GS 350, & has expressed interest in a convertible. She's not a fan of the Elise, so I turned her attention to the Elan M100, & she has expressed interest. She's also looked at newer BMWs & a few other European sedans, but I am sure that if she ever drove the Elan her search would be over. It's a Lotus after all! She likes the way my Evora drives, but she's always nervous driving it (mainly because I'm pretty particular about it).

I've been lurking here at LEC quite a bit to learn more about the Elan recently. Just wondering if you all could give me some more ammo to help persuade the wife into getting one. In full disclosure I do 90-95% of the driving when she's not in her company car anyway, so it's also a good excuse for me to get to drive one too!

[Rambo]

Here are some good excuses....

viewforum.php?f=6

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24852

[HJ2]

... Let your wife talk to my wife and you're an M100 owner soon
Good luck!

[mm120]

Thanks for the replies! I've been watching a few of those in the FS section.

Yes, a woman will listen to another woman more than a man lol.

Does the Elan suffer from the same issues as the Evora with the public (i.e. can't go anywhere without people tailgating to see what kind of car it is, staying in blind spots, playing 20 questions at the gas stations, every Mustang GT wanting to race, etc.)? I would expect lots of questions since it is such a rare car, but not sure about the other issues.

[HJ2]

Thanks for the replies! I've been watching a few of those in the FS section.

Yes, a woman will listen to another woman more than a man lol.

Does the Elan suffer from the same issues as the Evora with the public (i.e. can't go anywhere without people tailgating to see what kind of car it is, staying in blind spots, playing 20 questions at the gas stations, every Mustang GT wanting to race, etc.)? I would expect lots of questions since it is such a rare car, but not sure about the other issues.

No.

At least not in the Netherlands. The more impressive your car, the more you will be ignored. The elan is at a clipping point. Envy and hostility take it over from the Elan and above. However, this should be different in the rest of the world!

[danbrown100]

If it's any help, my wife loves driving our Elan...

Get her a test drive in one and she will be sold!

Dan

[clemo]

as above ...

Same with Elaine ... however she was always worried about kerbing the s2 alloys ...

[dapinky]

I bought the first Elan to satisfy Angies mid-life crisis of owning a red soft top...... she loved it, and as I was using it at every oportunity, she told me to get my own

[lotusrepair]

My wife talked me into buying one. She read Ross Robbins book and wanted one.

Chris

[Simon_P]

mm120 You really should be more assertive!

And if that doesn't work tell her it is extremely exclusive, nobody she knows will have one, and it is cheaper than a Ferarri.

What is a sedan?
Why would you want one?

[Giniw]

it is cheaper than a Ferarri.

Well, it's cheaper for now!

[Kathryn]

Yes, a woman will listen to another woman more than a man lol

I certainly love my Elan!

I love having a rare car, it gets some admiring looks and nice comments. If anyone asks questions it's usually 'how long have you had it?' and 'do you enjoy it?' (fortunately for me no ones asked any technical questions!)

[steve matthews]

What is a sedan?

I think he means a arid place in Africa.
Sounds like a good place for an Elan.

[HJ2]

Cheaper than a Ferrari....
You obviously have not read enough of my recent contributions

[lotusflasherman]

In my experience it's not a good idea to try talking a woman into anything ... I've always found "I've bought you this, hope you like it" works a treat. Even if she doesn't really like it, she'll still think you're "a good guy" for thinking of her.

- so just find a nice Palacio Elan and you're be flavour of the month

[DeanG]

We both like our M100 (and are thinking of getting an Evora). Comfortable, swallows a huge amount of luggage, good millage, reliable and most people think it is an old Celica.

[lotusflasherman]

We both like our M100 (and are thinking of getting an Evora). Comfortable, swallows a huge amount of luggage, good millage, reliable and most people think it is an old Celica.

Doesn't say much for the people you associate with...

[steve matthews]

Oakey from Muskogie, just buy one she will forgive you after 6 months and begin telling people all about the car in your absence.
The red one's are faster.

Steve - re-living what I did.

[Rambo]

.......most people think it is an old Celica.

You're kidding ? Surely

[DeanG]

Not kidding about the old Celica reference. The Celica convertible has similar lines. The white and red is similar in both cars (covers about 80% of US M100s). Being a Lotus, convertible and being less conspicuous were major reasons we bought ours rather than a 1989 Porsche 911 (Porsche calls just about everything a 911 over here due to marketing reasons).