I Saw It, Sat In It, I Want It.

CompTrex said:

I somewhat agree, but will say, even if I buy into the concept, if I go to Richmond in December to see / sit in the prototype and it ' look and feel like sh-t', that may turn me off enough to regret my all-in. Ok. It won't do that to ME, but maybe others who aren't so emotionally invested. They better have a fairly decent car if they want to sell the concept, otherwise it will be worse than if they had no car at all.

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You had me going right up to the OK. Knowing the level of your other post, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Your primes has merit, but, I think that's where the saying "You have to break a few eggs" comes in. I think if you compare the numbers turned off by the numbers that will see the actual for sale car in the 60+ showrooms and take in the the numbers that may take a second look and change there minds, it's all most a non issue. JMO

CompTrex said:

I somewhat agree, but will say, even if I buy into the concept, if I go to Richmond in December to see / sit in the prototype and it ' look and feel like sh-t', that may turn me off enough to regret my all-in. Ok. It won't do that to ME, but maybe others who aren't so emotionally invested. They better have a fairly decent car if they want to sell the concept, otherwise it will be worse than if they had no car at all.

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With all the favorable comments from people that have done a prototype see and sit test........I have never heard a looks & feels like shit comment. Matter of fact people are even more excited after seeing and sitting in it, so the prototype meets or beats expectations The production Elio will boast design and spec improvements providing for a more fit, finish, and comfort feel. The production Elio will only get better IMO.

Craig said:

You had me going right up to the OK. Knowing the level of your other post, I couldn't believe what I was reading. Your primes has merit, but, I think that's where the saying "You have to break a few eggs" comes in. I think if you compare the numbers turned off by the numbers that will see the actual for sale car in the 60+ showrooms and take in the the numbers that may take a second look and change there minds, it's all most a non issue. JMO

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Have no fear. I have not wavered in my enthusiasm, and don't intend to! But if I did, I would certainly hope that you all would correct me post-haste and get me back on track.

Durk Jenkins said:

Now I have gone as far as I can go until I get mine. It looks just like you all have seen in photos and videos. But it was nice to see it in person. The seat seemed to be very low, even lower than my BMW coupe add it's low to me. Only thing I did not like was the interior door panel seemed to be cheap and not very strong. I know this is a prototype but hope they improve it.
There was a long line to sit in it so there was many persons interested in it.

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When I sat in it on July 11, the seat could be raised and lowered with a manual crank. Of course it has been sat on by thousands more since then so who knows what kind of beating it has taken. I know in Portland they were having a little problem with the door. It is a hand built vehicle and the constant use has meant a lot of stress on parts a normal vehicle would never have to face. Their tight schedule also hasn't given them much opportunity to keep everything in perfect shape even though it is obvious they work on it constantly. And that is, as always, my very biased and not the least bit humble opinion. Z

If the P4 gets near my area, I will certainly make the trek just to sit in it once! That said, I feel there are two sides to the issue of touring with a prototype:
Eliomaniacs like us would be thrilled to sit in it if it was made of cardboard with a battery-powered engine sound, maybe not exactly THRILLED, but you get the idea.
Folks who are on the fence about it will definitely be turned off by a prototype with cheap door panels, Geo engine, lots of noise, maybes about exactly what the final version will even look like, etc.
So, the Elio touring team are doing their best to excite folks about the concept, someone said. Maybe another tour should begin with the first actual final Elio x3 out the door. THAT would excite lots more folks about the actual vehicle. I hereby officially volunteer for the driving position.

How about 25 of them, running the elio motor....no trailers, drive it there...wash off bugs and show it.
Now that would sway many.
And take less resources to do so.

harlan stephens said:

How about 25 of them, running the elio motor....no trailers, drive it there...wash off bugs and show it.
Now that would sway many.
And take less resources to do so.

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The impact of several brightly colored Elio x3s cruising together from city to town to state fairs would really raise awareness. It amazes me how few people have even heard of an Elio.
Paul, you have my permission to use the name x3 for the 2016 Elio, destined to be the Car of the Year.

As I have mentioned before, I have sat in P-3 once and P-4 twice and all three times I have been very impressed with the level of quality and fit. The dash looks like it was custom made and the seats and interior look like a ready to go production car.
If the P-4 was sitting in a show room priced at $6800 plus tax, options, and delivery you would buy it in a heartbeat.

Dooltd said:

As I have mentioned before, I have sat in P-3 once and P-4 twice and all three times I have been very impressed with the level of quality and fit. The dash looks like it was custom made and the seats and interior look like a ready to go production car.
If the P-4 was sitting in a show room priced at $6800 plus tax, options, and delivery you would buy it in a heartbeat.

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I am very glad to hear that. Some posts I have read made it seem a bit rough around the edges.

I thought I heard someone say that the dash was "Geo Metro" and I suppose the door panel were too, I dunno. When I was at the Rome Air Show in Georgia, I thought the door shut with a bit of a shudder... I suppose the fact that it is custom and that it has been open and shut so many times would be a good reason for that. I am really looking forward to seeing the P5 when they get it made, as I am certain it will have the Elgin dash and body modifications, and... the motor!

I for one think the interior was a little rough. Block-y, retro and rough.