Interesting in this test that the R&T editors actually toted
up more for the 911 Turbo. It was Brian Herta who
uprated the Ferrari a lot -- high marks on Balance,
Throttle Response, and Gearbox. The Elise won in
objective performance, but the Modena was second
and close to it.
True that if you set up a set of criteria or sabotage cars
you can get the results you want. But I think Road & Track
does not do that, except to let editors' subjective judgements
count somewhat. But if you read the details you have
information to make your own mind up. I always enjoy their
comparison tests, and find them valuable.
Jerry
Jerry Mouton "Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
----- Original Message -----
From: "james creasy" <Black94PGT@pacbell.net>
To: "Michael R. Clements" <mrclem@telocity.com>; "'John F. Kelly Jr.'"
<76067.1750@compuserve.com>; "'John J. Stimson-III'" <john@harlie.idsfa.net>
Cc: "'BayArea Team.Net'" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: Lotus
> yes, but ferrari (and apparently mazda just to be included) have big
> advertising budgets. ever notice how the final scores often dont jive
with
> the reviewers comments and how the same cars can finish first or last
> depending on who is paying for the test?
>
> sure formula to make Car X win any road/handling test: over or
underinflate
> the tires of all the other cars in the test.
>
> -james c
> OSP #74
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael R. Clements" <mrclem@telocity.com>
> To: "'John F. Kelly Jr.'" <76067.1750@compuserve.com>; "'John J.
> Stimson-III'" <john@harlie.idsfa.net>
> Cc: "'BayArea Team.Net'" <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 9:09 AM
> Subject: RE: Lotus
>
>
> > Does a 3,000 lb. Ferrari actually outcorner a 1,500 lb. Elise? I'll bet
> > the Elise actually runs circles around any Ferrari on a tight course...
> >
> > Most magazines have a strongly pro-Ferrari bias. I've driven Ferraris
> > owned by a couple friends of mine and was underwhelmed. They were nice
> > cars, with handling and acceleration similar to a 3rd generation RX-7.
> > All the hype from everything I'd read about Ferraris had me expecting
> > more.
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
> > > [mailto:owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of John F. Kelly Jr.
> > > Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 08:39
> > > To: John F. Kelly Jr.; John J. Stimson-III
> > > Cc: BayArea Team.Net
> > > Subject: Re: Lotus
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------
> > >
> > > Message text written by "John J. Stimson-III"
> > >
> > > "The Esprit certainly is not. However, the Elise and its
> > > variants sold by Lotus can only be registered for the street
> > > by dodging around the laws. I guess that is what Scot
> > > probably meant. "
> > >
> > >
> > > -------------------- End Original Message --------------------
> > >
> > > I think you're correct. But a "gray market" I'm more familar
> > > with concerns cameras purchased overseas and for which the
> > > manufacturer will not honor any warranties.
> > >
> > > In the Elise's case, the sale is direct from the
> > > manufacturer. Their web page is pretty specific that you
> > > can't drive it on the street. Oh, BTW, did you see the June
> > > issue of Road & Track which ranks the Elise second only to a
> > > Ferrari as a good handling car?
> > >
> > > --John Kelly
|