Lotus Elise Mk1 anybody got experience of these cars

[ClassiChimi]

^^^^^^^^ and have a similar power to weight ratio as the Tvr, well mine anyway, I couldn't make a dent into one when challenged at Bedford Peter.
The owner was a gent and we shared our joy of each others cars.

[ThePrisoner]

I've been around TVRs for the last 25 years and decided to try something different. I have a 2003 Elise 111S ( 160 BHP) and i have to say they are brisk but not fast. ( 0-60 mph in 5.5 secs Hmmmm ,i don't think so ). To be fair that was not the reason i bought one , you just feel part of the car when your driving one. If you do try one , remember to warm the brakes up first before you stamp on them . Most of the early cars like mine have non assisted brakes.

[pwd95]

Had a VX220 Turbo for 3 months between Chims. The Turbo made every TVR I've ever owned feel like an old boat in every respect. How Lotus mananged to produce a car that can simply defy the laws of physics is beyond me completely!!! The coilovers are very easily swapped for the Exige ones... (top bolt & bottom bolt!!) which transforms the car again.
Stopped at a set of temporary lights in the Brecons & a biker pulled up in front of me. Whithin 1/2 mile he was waving me past!!
That would never happen in a TVR.

They are absolutely awesome..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvxzvXmKKOU

[ClassiChimi]

Is that you driving Wyn, that's one very fast VX, I can almost feel the G's, poxy Porsche driver should have got out the way miles before. What tyres is the Vauxhall on, I'd discounted the VX as I don't like the styling so much but who gives a hoot when it goes like that.
Expert driving whoever it was.

I noticed many small but very decisive hand movements, what a car and driver.

That's just thrown a spanner right into the works
Those hand movements completely remind me of very fast cart driving.
That's what it's all about, speed of thought and anticipation, i'm in awe.

[pwd95]

Not me but this illustrates their ability. Genuinely stupid fast. Try & get a good drive in one before you decide.

[ClassiChimi]

That's a pity.

Yes I need to find someone who owns one and start with a passenger ride, see if I like the base feel of it on the road.
Here's an interesting one


A young chap I know who works selling second hand Lotus parts showed me this.
A Lotus chassis, not sure of its age but mid nineties I think, he's going to put and Eagle SS body on it once it's been re built.
The body is ready and already painted and it's got a fully rebuilt race engine going it it, all sorts.

Edited by ClassiChimi on Sunday 30th October 17:07

[mikeock64]

If you put a post on seloc, someone will be only too pleased to give you a run out.

ClassiChimi said:

That's a pity.

Yes I need to find someone who owns one and start with a passenger ride, see if I like the base feel of it on the road.
Here's an interesting one


A young chap I know who works selling second hand Lotus parts showed me this.
A Lotus chassis, not sure of its age but mid nineties I think, he's going to put and Eagle SS body on it once it's been re built.
The body is ready and already painted and it's got a fully rebuilt race engine going it it, all sorts.

Edited by ClassiChimi on Sunday 30th October 17:07

[ClassiChimi]

mikeock64 said:

I've just joined.

Had a quick flick through, really good looking site and easy to navigate. Excellent
Cheers,

[phazed]

I am often caught browsing and this has caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Sometimes you just feel like a change ,................

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[griffdude]

I investigated an Elise Mk1 last month & really, really wanted to part with the £££££. However, being a lanky streak(6'3"), when I put my helmet on I just couldn't fit. Gutted as it was a good one too.

Gonna have to stick with the MX5 for track fun...

https://youtu.be/Q5QIBh2zZu0?t=51s

[phazed]

griffdude said:

I investigated an Elise Mk1 last month & really, really wanted to part with the £££££. However, being a lanky streak(6'3"), when I put my helmet on I just couldn't fit. Gutted as it was a good one too.

Gonna have to stick with the MX5 for track fun...

https://youtu.be/Q5QIBh2zZu0?t=51s

I am 6'-3" as well and head helmet issues in the Exige as well but if someone gave me one I could overcome the problem and grit my teeth!

[ClassiChimi]

phazed said:

I am often caught browsing and this has caught my eye.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Sometimes you just feel like a change ,................

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I flicked on to that, instantly closed it, then thought I'd give it a chance, bloody nice looking car that, love the rear boot lid and access, Turbo, not my bag but flat out it makes little difference!

Im slightly concearned it will feel very small on our busy roads, The Tvr is probably not much bigger in truth but when in it, it feels meaty!

The more I look at the VX the better it appears, more research required.

Only by doing this exercise do I then re appreciate many aspects of the Tvr though, it's shape for one thing

[phazed]

What about this non-turbo cheapie Al?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[ClassiChimi]

phazed said:

What about this non-turbo cheapie Al?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Sell the Tvr and I'll have 3' start a team

So I need to buy one from a woman hair dresser cos surely blokes don't buy these cars to tootle about!

It's only because I know of this pearler Mk1 Elise sat in a garage that has had me thinking.

I'm hoping this wave of indecision will fade away and l'll carry on with the Tvr.

But a little Elise or VX cheapie as a project car might be a buzz for a few years?

I'd rather have sorted example and just get on enjoying it.

Drove the Tvr earlier for nothing but to hear it, that will never be beaten, mine has its own distinct sound, it's cost a lot to get it, I need to enjoy it for longer to be honest.
Trouble is I am going to go see the old gent with the MK1 ELise and have a really close look at the engineering etc,
I think I might fall for it!

Edited by ClassiChimi on Monday 31st October 21:55

[ClassiChimi]

griffdude said:

I investigated an Elise Mk1 last month & really, really wanted to part with the £££££. However, being a lanky streak(6'3"), when I put my helmet on I just couldn't fit. Gutted as it was a good one too.

Gonna have to stick with the MX5 for track fun...

https://youtu.be/Q5QIBh2zZu0?t=51s

I've got a very good idea of how well one handles when on the limit,
What are they like on anything but a smooth road, (bumps) at normal driving speeds,
Is it hard as I'd imagine, but at the same time does it feel rigid, no rattles ?
I don't mind hard as long as everything feels tought

I have a 125cc 6 speed gearbox cart, on a race track it's awesome, I once took it up a road, it wasn't awesome then

See my point, I'm answering my own question I think.
You can't get that good handling unless you forsake comfort.

Saying that at 6 K I could afford a van and trailer.

ETA
I should just get the cart running and do a practice day, all I wanna do is rag something, the Tvr's just to fast for that

Edited by ClassiChimi on Monday 31st October 21:51

I've just remembered watching the Elise racing at Donnington when the race series first started up, fierce drivers,
I knew a really talented gearbox cart racer got in one and didn't win straight away, hardcore racers in a hard core car, very tough series.

Rear engined, that's what I get excited about,
Here's a spanner in the works for those who like exotic cars of all description, I recently drove an Alpine Renault GTA turbo.

Rear engined, and what fantastic soft yet firm when needed suspension.
The handling, nothing to aggressive but it felt brill, front light but grippy and turned in like a race car, then the weight at the back actually pushing down and giving good grip and felt totally planted. Long wheel base, very interesting car.
Except for the electrics that look horrific.
This chaps also got the later GT6 version and it's even better. Both built from the ground up.

I digress.
I better see if I can get in and out of the Lotus before going much further.

Edited by ClassiChimi on Monday 31st October 22:14

[phazed]

Give me his number Alun if you bail out

Back to reality, I can't tell you how good this Exige was that I drove. I know it was new but it was the best ever, it was fantastic.

[phazed]

Last one.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-VX220-Superchar...

Edited by phazed on Monday 31st October 22:19

[ClassiChimi]

It's that driving purity that Lotus and the VX are famous for.

The old chap does'nt want to sell it yet I have to approach him very sensitively.
He's not far away, I'd just like to use his as a chance to look closer at the car Peter, maybe see how he feels about the car, he's got OCD bad, it's engineered off the planet.
It's his pride.

It's green too, hahah.

[ClassiChimi]

It's just dawned on me that the Tvr is also known and can be when set up right and on the best tyres be a very effective pure driving experience.

Nothing's more extreme for a start!
And as said earlier on this thread, the Tvr can do dosile pretty darn good, long journeys are ok, big boot. More comfortable.

The engine is simple. It's got so much going for it.

[griffdude]

ClassiChimi said:

I better see if I can get in and out of the Lotus before going much further.

Edited by ClassiChimi on Monday 31st October 22:14

Yeah, I didn't mention this bit..... The sill width/height makes it decidedly ungracious!!