9 replies to this topic

[zambaretzu]

I'd never even heard of these cars before yesterday. And it seems the only dealers are around London. Is there any way to get one to the US? Do you know anyone who's done it? Do the dealers ship here / how much would it cost?

I'm intrigued.

[Mutt & Jeff]

Find a posting by Turboman & pm him. He's our friendly dealer & I'm sure he'll be able to sort you out. I'm sure a Manderin one was used in some film over in the States so it should be possible. Hope that helps cheers

[minime]

i think they used a couple of speedies in the fast and furious 2 movie!

[Beergut]

I'd never even heard of these cars before yesterday. And it seems the only dealers are around London. Is there any way to get one to the US? Do you know anyone who's done it? Do the dealers ship here / how much would it cost?

I'm intrigued.

Cost shouldn't be too extortionate, around 400 GBP to ship if my memory serves but not sure about the paperwork needed for the states.

Figure you might be better off with the Opel Speedster European version with the steering on the right side for you guys over there.

[speedyK]

Figure you might be better off with the Opel Speedster European version with the steering on the right side for you guys over there.

Here's the link for the left hand drive version, the Opel Speedster:

Opel Speedster

Of course, they're all built in England, so you might be best off ordering one in LHD through a competent and accomodating dealer – suppose GM would allow a Yauxhall dealer to supply an Opel if it means another sale.

[earlystock]

This could be hard...the car is not type approved in the USA. Lotus got round that by importing the car as a competition only vehicle. Chris

[BogBrush]

Lotus do have a federalised elise coming out. Would be interesting to hear what they had to do to it. AFAIK It's got a toyota lump instead of the K-series, has a drivers airbag (exactly the same wheel as the vx) and a bigger cup holder Seeing as the Ecotec 2.2 is used in the states already it should pass the emissions tests.

Edited by BogBrush, 20 October 2003 - 03:32 PM.

[speedyK]

toyota lump

190bhp for US

Here's the relevant Lotus page from their Website:

US Elise

Aircon is also offered for USA.

[zambaretzu]

190hp as opposed to how much for the European version? What would differ between an American Elise and a turbo VX? Will the Elise even be available as turbo? That link isn't working...

Edited by zambaretzu, 21 October 2003 - 09:01 AM.

[KJE]

Welcome to the club Zam. I'm an American living in Germany for 3 years, and also have been recently introduced to the the VX220/Speedster/Elise phenomenon. Rented a Speedster in August and had an absolute ball on the nurburgring with some friends. The US Elise should be virtually the same as the UK Elise/VX/Speedster in the suspension/steering/braking dept. With 190 hp it will be very fast. But at a street price of $38,500+, I won't be buying one. Especially since almost new Speedsters a year or two old are selling for 20,000 Euros or less now in Germany. I'm holding out a bit of hope that by the time I return to the states in '05, 1) the US dollar will be stronger 2) somebody in the states has successfully certified a Honda VTec conversion for older (pre-US) Elises, which will also fit into VXs and Speedsters. There are 2 separate people seriously working on this now - Lotus has supposedly already received a waivor on the bumper height infraction, the glass is already US legal, Speedsters already have an airbag, the last hurdle (not a low one either) is getting it past the EPA standards. Euro Speedster: 15-20,000 (less with blown or no motor) shipping/customs to us : 1500+ Honda S2000 motor and conversion kit: 12,500 or less Conceivably under $30,000 for a VX/Speedster with 240 hp. Keep your fingers crossed with me!!!!! cheers Kurt