I saw him today. I could see the grin through the mask. He'll have to post the pix.
Darth Vader has a new car
- Thread starter STL Mark
- Start date
Mark is correct. Darth Vader does have a new ship to transport him from place to place. The Cobra is still docked and available, but the new ship has been acquired for specialized duty - the road course.
The new ship is a 2007 Exige S. She (Lillie) rides like she's on rails, and is pretty darn quick too. A couple friends of mine that own Cobras also own the same model, so I was familiar with their performance. I started looking after Putnam in September. Ran across this one in Clearwater, FL, so Pam and I flew down there Thursday, bought the car, spent a couple beautiful days on the beach and then drove Lillie back home.
I'm looking forward to my first time at the road course.
Steve
Looks great Steve!
- Thread starter
- #4
Day-Um She sure is purtry.
TOM KEISER
Member # 012
Very nice Steve!, a great find for track duty.
And I thought you were talking about someone else Mark!
- Thread starter
- #7
True, True - many Vadar qualities from Mike D as well. Both great looking cars. Kinda makes me feel like I'm driving a Model T. Soul searching now.
Matthew 10:16
Member # 003
Sounds like a challenge/grudge match/race to me. Mikey vs Stever. 
Odds? Ummmmmmmm. 
Odds? Ummmmmmmm.
- Thread starter
- #9
Odds? To the Lotus hands down. The model that Steve bought is street legal track car, purpose built for road racing - top of the food chain for Lotus. Steve and Tim would attest that these cars chew up vehicles costing 3 times the price. Straight line - the GTM and our cars may stand a chance, but on the first turn the Lotus will take the lead.
Matthew 10:16
Member # 003
I knew that. Just razzing those guys. Course I've never been known to do that. 
Course I've never been known to do that.
- Thread starter
- #11
Personally, I can't wait to see that car in person. It looks awesome. Lotus has a special place with me. When I was 14 (that's 1976), my next door neighbor (a surgeon) bought a new Lotus Europa. That car was so small, yet so loud. He revved it like an F1 car in the neighborhood. It sounded so cool as he launched it up the street and out of the subdivision. I guess that may have been a memory that stuck with me. So very British.
mmarshall
Member #053
Hey not so fast on assuming the Lotus will take all comers. Last autocross I ran I bested a 2008 Exige S. This car was well driven by an experienced driver and was on racing slicks (I am still on street tires). Funny thing is that he weighs 500lbs less and has about the same HP I do!
I am seeing a trend as my car is also black! Maybe next year we can get the black cars together for a little supercar test in the twisties! By then I should have more HP, better brakes, and slicks to even things up a bit.
- Thread starter
- #13
You should try road racing. Get that puppy up to 140mph for the afternoon. Big fun.
Better yet - get'er out on Hwy. 94 and see how she flies through the air.
Better yet - get'er out on Hwy. 94 and see how she flies through the air.
mmarshall
Member #053
It is not quite ready for road racing yet. Right now the car is setup to turn well, but is not as good at speed in a straight line. I have had the car oversteer on me at 70 mph in a turn and would not care to see that at 120mph. I hope to do Putnam next fall.
We have an black Elise that runs at Gateway and the car really looks sharp at speed. A modified Lotus currently dominates my class (XP) at nationals. He has the engine up to 300+ hp and the weight down to 1500lbs.
http://www.blackwatchracing.com/category-s/30.htm
Here is what a 450hp Elise can do: http://www.streetfire.net/video/lotus-elise-turbo-timeattack-450hp_165674.htm
Can't wait to see Steve's new ride! It sure is purdy.
We have an black Elise that runs at Gateway and the car really looks sharp at speed. A modified Lotus currently dominates my class (XP) at nationals. He has the engine up to 300+ hp and the weight down to 1500lbs.
http://www.blackwatchracing.com/category-s/30.htm
Here is what a 450hp Elise can do: http://www.streetfire.net/video/lotus-elise-turbo-timeattack-450hp_165674.htm
Can't wait to see Steve's new ride! It sure is purdy.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #15
Really neat video. I say this every time, I know, but I wish I could drive like that. Whoa!
- Thread starter
- #16
First Drive Tonight
I went out to Steve's to inspect the new ship. Pictures don't do it justice - a very nice looking vheicle. There is not a single wasted inch. Every nook or crannie has been deleted or put to use.The 1.8 litre engine is neatly tucked right behind the passenger compartment. The supercharger gets it's air feed from a roof mounted air scoop. There's a huge intercooler that sits on top of the motor and another cooler ducted from what I think is the rear brakes hidden behind the rear valance where the license plate is held. Up front is the radiator - that's it. Inside - well, Frodo would be comfortable and Steve's frame is about the upper limit what the ideal Lotus driver be. Me on the other hand - struggled in and out - but that's okay.
Once I was tucked in, off we went. There's a neat feature on his car that will not let the driver punch the throttle until the engine oil is up to temperature. So, we drove normally down the road for these first few minutes. I took the opportunity to explore the cockpit. Calling it spartan is an understatement. Our Cobras are lavish compared to this English ride. Between the 2 seats is a piece of painted sheet metal out of which is a toaster looking housing that the 6 speed shifter sticks out of. There's basic heat and AC control unit mid-dash and a radio unit above. The driver gets 2 big gauges to look at - tach and speedo. The seats are racing style seats and there are hints of leather throughout. Folks - that's it. There's no cup holders, no glove box, just a couple of small open spaces big enough for a wallet or your cell phone and your insurance papers. It's all business. Oh - and the tach revs to 10K and there's no redline.
So, by now the engine is up to temp and we are on some curvy bits of the road. He punches it and off we go. I watched the tach and listened to the supercharger. This thing really wakes up around 7000 rpm. You can tell this is where it likes to be. The ride is solid without even a hint of bounce or sway. The grip - shes - he was taking corners marked 20mph at 60 safely. And the brakes - anitlock - are awe inspiring. Nothing dangerous - just very smooth, very straight, and stops very fast. Then we made it out to the highway. He punched it at 50 mph (I think he may have spun the tires a bit) and we were at 100 easily within a few seconds and back down again just as quickly. I felt safe the whole time and could easily imagine moving to 140 or better. The front of the car has a Gurney lip and a few cooling scoops, there's brake scoops on the side, a rear wing that provides 100 pounds of down force, and the under carriage is a single smooth piece of sheet metal to remove any hint of drag.
So, I giggled a few times - just like so many of the passengers have in our cars. We made it back and I folded my self out of the seat. I talked for a minute and then climbed into my Cobra for the ride home - that bouncy, loud and dare I say almost sluggishly slippery ride.
That Lotus was fun. A real driver's car. I hope Steve doesn't forget about his Cobra. Thanks for the ride Steve.
I went out to Steve's to inspect the new ship. Pictures don't do it justice - a very nice looking vheicle. There is not a single wasted inch. Every nook or crannie has been deleted or put to use.The 1.8 litre engine is neatly tucked right behind the passenger compartment. The supercharger gets it's air feed from a roof mounted air scoop. There's a huge intercooler that sits on top of the motor and another cooler ducted from what I think is the rear brakes hidden behind the rear valance where the license plate is held. Up front is the radiator - that's it. Inside - well, Frodo would be comfortable and Steve's frame is about the upper limit what the ideal Lotus driver be. Me on the other hand - struggled in and out - but that's okay.
Once I was tucked in, off we went. There's a neat feature on his car that will not let the driver punch the throttle until the engine oil is up to temperature. So, we drove normally down the road for these first few minutes. I took the opportunity to explore the cockpit. Calling it spartan is an understatement. Our Cobras are lavish compared to this English ride. Between the 2 seats is a piece of painted sheet metal out of which is a toaster looking housing that the 6 speed shifter sticks out of. There's basic heat and AC control unit mid-dash and a radio unit above. The driver gets 2 big gauges to look at - tach and speedo. The seats are racing style seats and there are hints of leather throughout. Folks - that's it. There's no cup holders, no glove box, just a couple of small open spaces big enough for a wallet or your cell phone and your insurance papers. It's all business. Oh - and the tach revs to 10K and there's no redline.
So, by now the engine is up to temp and we are on some curvy bits of the road. He punches it and off we go. I watched the tach and listened to the supercharger. This thing really wakes up around 7000 rpm. You can tell this is where it likes to be. The ride is solid without even a hint of bounce or sway. The grip - shes - he was taking corners marked 20mph at 60 safely. And the brakes - anitlock - are awe inspiring. Nothing dangerous - just very smooth, very straight, and stops very fast. Then we made it out to the highway. He punched it at 50 mph (I think he may have spun the tires a bit) and we were at 100 easily within a few seconds and back down again just as quickly. I felt safe the whole time and could easily imagine moving to 140 or better. The front of the car has a Gurney lip and a few cooling scoops, there's brake scoops on the side, a rear wing that provides 100 pounds of down force, and the under carriage is a single smooth piece of sheet metal to remove any hint of drag.
So, I giggled a few times - just like so many of the passengers have in our cars. We made it back and I folded my self out of the seat. I talked for a minute and then climbed into my Cobra for the ride home - that bouncy, loud and dare I say almost sluggishly slippery ride.
That Lotus was fun. A real driver's car. I hope Steve doesn't forget about his Cobra. Thanks for the ride Steve.
Matthew 10:16
Member # 003
Great story. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy Stever. 
Mark:
Thanks for stopping by and the kind words (and not mentioning that I did manage to get the ass end to come out a bit on one of those 20 mph turns). It's always fun getting to show off a new toy.
Kate will never be forgotten. Lillie is just the new baby that's getting all of the attention right now.
Steve
mmarshall
Member #053
Steve how is the Exige set up? I have heard of them pushing, but have also witnessed them spinning in a high speed turn at the track. Just trying to figure out when it does what.
My Coupe oversteers in nearly every situation and I have been searching for more traction in the rear. I have put a 1" sway bar up front and it did nothing.
I am looking forward to seeing the new ride. I hope you will bring it to the track sometime.
Mike
My Coupe oversteers in nearly every situation and I have been searching for more traction in the rear. I have put a 1" sway bar up front and it did nothing.
I am looking forward to seeing the new ride. I hope you will bring it to the track sometime.
Mike
Mike:
I don't know anything more about the set up other than it came equipped with the track pack and limited slip differential.
Visits to the track are guaranteed; that's why I bought the car. If the Pumpkin run was next weekend instead of this one I'd be there.
Steve