Tiny Screamer, the 2008 Lotus Elise

My friend has wanted one since they debuted, so when he found out he could rent a 2008 Lotus Elise from a local Enterprise Rent-a-Car, he was ecstatic. For a sticker of around $50k, and interior space just slightly over that of a go-kart, the Elise is a seriously tough sell. It's cumbersome to get in and out of, but once you shoehorn yourself into one...it's on.

Extremely easy to drive, the Elise offers very few creature comforts, in fact, looking back, I'm almost surprised it even had a radio. The foot rest for the passenger is merely a bent piece of aluminum sitting loose on the floor for Pete's sake! Even it's powerplant is skimpy, a Toyota 4-cylinder eeking out about 200 horsepower. As wholly unimpressive as that sounds for a sports car, the Elise's feather-light body makes it more than enough.

When launching the Elise off the line, it's practically impossible to tell if the guy in the next lane is racing you. You simply blast off like a well-aimed bottle rocket, and everyone else simply vanishes into the rearview with a blip. It's so empowering. The engine's variable valve set-up gives you a strange, sudden boost of power at about 4500 RPMs, as if the blue log just ignited in the steam-engine furnace. It's a bit unsettling and strange, but the only odd characteristic of the taught and agile little coupe. The ride is a little rough, as the suspension of the ground-hugging Elise is tuned for cornering and agility. And let me tell you it handles like the rail-bound bobsleds on the Matterhorn at Disneyland. The seats are only slightly more padded than the bobsled too, ensuring that this won't be your commuter car. No, this car is built for speed, cornering, and mad-scientist-cackle inducing fun.

I really can't say enough about this rad little racer. My friend keeps a vigil eye out for any Elise that dips into the low $30,000's, and I can't wait for the day when he gets one, cause that is one fun little ride!!!