[asshanson]

Drove 100 miles over the past week, about half interstate and half in town roads. Took exactly 4 gallons to top it off, so I'm averaging 25mpg which is awesome. Also tells me there are no fuel leaks or anything, the car was just low on gas when I received it. I can get about 300 miles with mixed driving on a tank, not bad.

Scheides, the compression numbers seemed high to me since I was used to the DSM (175) and the Vette (195), both with big cam(s). But I compared the numbers to other 2zz-ge motors and it seems about right, variable duration cams FTW when it comes to static compression and gas mileage. VTEC WOOO!!

On another note, I think I'm going to wait for Winter to fix up the interior, like carpet, back up camera, radio, speakers, etc. Maybe some big gauges to replace the center vents which aren't hooked up anymore. I might also drop the tank to see what type of fuel system this car really has (plus check the fuel level sending unit), I can hear the fuel pump outside the car while idling, and inside the car even cruising around town, it rings in my ears for a few minutes after getting out of the car. I read that a bosch 044 is impossible to fit, but the previous owner swears it is and with the larger aftermarket tank maybe it's possible.

Edit for initial review:
As far as driving review, I still haven't been able to find the limits in a corner, it just won't slide or anything. I think I'll have to take it to a track or autox before I can feel safe about pushing it any further. I've never had really nice tires before, so star specs plus a great handling car are beyond my comfort zone on the street at this point.

For brakes, this thing is insane. I was never happy with the DSM for braking even with good pads, the CTS-V was heavy but braked decent because of the Brembo's, and the Vette was pretty good for only base brakes. But this thing will stop on a dime, again beyond my comfort zone for the street. Granted it has race pads and squeaks like a mofo at stoplights, but the few times I have pressed the brakes semi-hard to test them it's pretty scary how quick you can stop a light car. It's awesome getting weird looks from other drivers when I pull up to a stoplight in a nice car that sounds like screeching/dying cats.

I love this car, way more fun to drive than the Vette, even though it has less than half the horsepower. Maybe when I'm retirement age I'll want a comfortable cruiser again, but the Lotus is exactly what I want at this point, glad I chose it over the Viper and Vette, it is so raw and fun.