Lotus Elise Mk1 anybody got experience of these cars
Discussion
I've owned both an original 118 bhp Elise and a VX220. I currently have a 4.0 Chimaera.
The Elise handled like a go kart, the VX220 less so, because the handling was compromised a bit to make it understeer a bit more (to make it safer). I had the VX first, but sold it because the build quality was awful, and no one at a Vauxhall garage understood them, so couldn't fix the issues. (It was a new car, and so had to be looked after in the main dealer network). I sold it because the issues I had with it were driving me nuts, and also I suppose because it wasn't a Lotus. Badge snobbery matters!
I much preferred the Lotus, but it was incredibly, painfully slow with only a 118 bhp engine, even though it weighed about 2/3 of a gnat's b
k.
I ended up having it tuned by Dave Andrews, and it ended up with just under 200 bhp at the flywheel after it was mapped on the rollers.
That made it enormously quick, but pretty much undriveable on the road, simply because the combination of the noise from the exhaust and the air box made you feel anti-social when putting your foot down anywhere urban.
If I had it to do again, I'd go for a 135 or a 160 if you could find one at a reasonable price.
Getting in and out isn't an issue once you've learned the drill, even if like me, you are old and fat. Left leg in, perch bum on sill, slide bum on to seat, drag in trailing leg. Getting out is the reverse order.
A couple of gratuitous photos:
The Elise handled like a go kart, the VX220 less so, because the handling was compromised a bit to make it understeer a bit more (to make it safer). I had the VX first, but sold it because the build quality was awful, and no one at a Vauxhall garage understood them, so couldn't fix the issues. (It was a new car, and so had to be looked after in the main dealer network). I sold it because the issues I had with it were driving me nuts, and also I suppose because it wasn't a Lotus. Badge snobbery matters!
I much preferred the Lotus, but it was incredibly, painfully slow with only a 118 bhp engine, even though it weighed about 2/3 of a gnat's b
k.I ended up having it tuned by Dave Andrews, and it ended up with just under 200 bhp at the flywheel after it was mapped on the rollers.
That made it enormously quick, but pretty much undriveable on the road, simply because the combination of the noise from the exhaust and the air box made you feel anti-social when putting your foot down anywhere urban.
If I had it to do again, I'd go for a 135 or a 160 if you could find one at a reasonable price.
Getting in and out isn't an issue once you've learned the drill, even if like me, you are old and fat. Left leg in, perch bum on sill, slide bum on to seat, drag in trailing leg. Getting out is the reverse order.
A couple of gratuitous photos:
Edited by ou sont les biscuits on Tuesday 1st November 11:55
Interesting discussion. I have an S2 Exige, my logic being that I wanted the most extreme / hardcore car with a PROPER ROOF (yes, I'm talking to you Zenos and Caterham!) that I could afford. What has surprised me more than anything is how compliant the suspension is - obviously you notice really big bumps but the standard bilstein setup is very well judged for crumbly b-roads. it's very rare that it gets really uncomfortable or you have to slow down for bumpy sections. As well as the roof, the Exige has the bonus of a supercharger, which gets it to around 250bhp/ton and makes overtaking very easy.
Getting in and out is a pain in the arse, but once I'm in (I'm 6'3") it's very comfortable. I have the Race Pack on mine, which means probax buckets (more headroom as you sit lower) and four point harnesses (bigger PITA but I look cool as hell at the traffic lights, right?). It's bloody noisy, even with the standard exhaust fitted, and I wear earplugs if I'm driving to get somewhere rather than for fun. The engine sound is not a patch on a TVR or any other 5/6/8/10/12 pot - it's not even as nice as the 4AGE in my old '80s Toyota MR2 if I'm honest, but the rest of the car is so good that I'm happy to live with that.
Reliability - very good so far, only issue has been knackered rear dampers. The Exige has a Toyota engine which is very reliable. Mine is quite low-mileage and pampered though.
Getting in and out is a pain in the arse, but once I'm in (I'm 6'3") it's very comfortable. I have the Race Pack on mine, which means probax buckets (more headroom as you sit lower) and four point harnesses (bigger PITA but I look cool as hell at the traffic lights, right?). It's bloody noisy, even with the standard exhaust fitted, and I wear earplugs if I'm driving to get somewhere rather than for fun. The engine sound is not a patch on a TVR or any other 5/6/8/10/12 pot - it's not even as nice as the 4AGE in my old '80s Toyota MR2 if I'm honest, but the rest of the car is so good that I'm happy to live with that.
Reliability - very good so far, only issue has been knackered rear dampers. The Exige has a Toyota engine which is very reliable. Mine is quite low-mileage and pampered though.
If you haven't taken your Exige on the track then you really should. They are absolutely mental in the corners, hanging on for grim life like a possessive go-kart!
As I have told others before, when I drove my mates new Exige, he took out my chim. I didn't come in for at least 40 minutes as it was just the best drive I have ever had and he came in after one lap as he thought that my car was the worst car he had ever driven.
It is all relative, and it is also what you get used to. I can drive my car quite quickly but I could drive a Lotus even quicker.
As I have told others before, when I drove my mates new Exige, he took out my chim. I didn't come in for at least 40 minutes as it was just the best drive I have ever had and he came in after one lap as he thought that my car was the worst car he had ever driven.
It is all relative, and it is also what you get used to. I can drive my car quite quickly but I could drive a Lotus even quicker.
Many moons ago now I swapped my then Chimaera for an S1 Elise. Polar opposite car in terms of precision handling, steering feel and a lightweight little engine as against the big V8. I loved the looks of the chim and always thought the Elise looked like a squashed dune buggy but a good friend of mine had an Elise and we played cat and mouse on a few runs over the years whereby I would have him on the straights only for him to catch me on the bends.
Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
Shnozz said:
Many moons ago now I swapped my then Chimaera for an S1 Elise. Polar opposite car in terms of precision handling, steering feel and a lightweight little engine as against the big V8. I loved the looks of the chim and always thought the Elise looked like a squashed dune buggy but a good friend of mine had an Elise and we played cat and mouse on a few runs over the years whereby I would have him on the straights only for him to catch me on the bends.
Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
Yeahhh, I agree on the price front. Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
They hold there value well.
They do look better or worse dependant on the position your looking from, I'm not overly into the styling, oddly I quite like the angular look of the VX!
I've been very busy, I'll get a proper look at one, try not to drive it because only when I think of parting with the Tvr, even for a Lotus do I think of what I'd be missing.
All that engine
Considering the updates and refreshing of parts that I've put into the Tvr, the more I've been thinking about it the more I'm leaning towards putting tubular wishbones and top range shocks on the Tvr and giving it a few more years, the Lotus does one thing well, the Tvr does many things well!
ClassiChimi said:
Shnozz said:
Many moons ago now I swapped my then Chimaera for an S1 Elise. Polar opposite car in terms of precision handling, steering feel and a lightweight little engine as against the big V8. I loved the looks of the chim and always thought the Elise looked like a squashed dune buggy but a good friend of mine had an Elise and we played cat and mouse on a few runs over the years whereby I would have him on the straights only for him to catch me on the bends.
Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
Yeahhh, I agree on the price front. Drive one and you will be hooked - I had a drive and decided on the spot the TVR was being sold for an Elise.
Ironically, with classic prices doing what they have, I sold the Chim for about £15k and paid the same for the S1 Elise and both cars seem to be near as damn it the same sort of money some 15 or so years later!
They hold there value well.
They do look better or worse dependant on the position your looking from, I'm not overly into the styling, oddly I quite like the angular look of the VX!
I've been very busy, I'll get a proper look at one, try not to drive it because only when I think of parting with the Tvr, even for a Lotus do I think of what I'd be missing.
All that engine
Considering the updates and refreshing of parts that I've put into the Tvr, the more I've been thinking about it the more I'm leaning towards putting tubular wishbones and top range shocks on the Tvr and giving it a few more years, the Lotus does one thing well, the Tvr does many things well!
If, like me, you are of decidedly average ability, there ain't no substitute for horsepower. The good drivers with less horsepower go faster round the corners, but with more oomph, you get back on terms in the straights.
ClassiChimi said:
Here's a spanner in the works for those who like exotic cars of all description, I recently drove an Alpine Renault GTA turbo.
Many years ago I saw a banana yellow one Al, fell in love with it immediately and wanted one ever since (along with lots of other classic motors )I owned a Lotus 7 when I was a yoof (i'm repeating myself... its an age thing), and drove a number of other Loti, lots of 7's with different engine and transmission combinations, Elan, Elan plus 2, and a Europa... Even after the 7's the Europa was an absolute revelation in grip and balance... I'd have another Lotus in a flash if I had the cash and more garage space.... but now it would probably be a Caterham Seven rather than a Lotus Elise...
MX5 (the answer to everything) is I'm sure a good shout for a road legal (or not) track day tool.... Unfortunately my lack of any kind of feminine side has prevented me from buying one
Good luck whichever way you go....
Chilli.
A base S1 Elise is a quick car from a standing start. Certainly to 40mph. Great traction. All the big engined TVRs and Germans will be quicker in a straight line. You can't drive faster than the NSL on an interesting road without risking penalty if captured. An Elise crucially 'feels' fast and thus alive at sane road speed. In the 21st century this makes more sense than ever.
I was literally laughing out loud whilst driving mine to Goodwood early morning a few weeks ago. Proper antidote for 300bhp hot hatches
I was literally laughing out loud whilst driving mine to Goodwood early morning a few weeks ago. Proper antidote for 300bhp hot hatches
Theres a nice looking one not far from me forsale via a dealer, I might pop over in the Tvr tomorrow and check it out.
A week ago I was drawn by small engined cars,
Fired the Tvr up today and just let it warm for a couple of minutes, steady 12-1500 revs, that was an event of drama in itself
Drove a couple of miles, heaters getting warm, engine under MBE control already exhibiting a steady idle and no over fuelling, pulling out of junctions with only a few revs and always that sense of torque effortlessly moving you forward, temps are getting upto 50 degrees by now and the heaters warmed the cab nicely, the sound is just spell binding, I take it for granted as I use the car a lot, but today imagining all this in a small engined car and not having that sound track,
It's take an R111 at least to loose that.
The wishbones I've seen look similar to ours, some even have GGP shocks!
i like the later engined cars,
There's some well tuned VX 220 cars well worth considering if I really wanted a track focused car, and again plenty of cheap sub 10K VX's which could become good cars with some mods.
I prefer the MK1 Lotus Elise Body shape but the Mk2 would be faster and better to own by the looks of them.
I reckon I'll cruise over there listening to my awesome sounding engine with my big old bonet and shapely dash surrounding me with short solid gear changes and blips of the throttle as I go, slowing for roundabouts waiting for that moment when the revs have dropped to about 1700-1400 revs and you get a big pop and bang, it happens every time like clockwork, yet even after hundreds if not thousands of times I still wait with bated breath, mine sounds like a gun going off
then again lower at 1400-1000 revs when shutting off, burbles and just makes going slow a huge enjoyable event. I've got it down to a tee, I can dip the clutch and take out the back fire at 1700 then re engage clutch at 1500 revs and resume normal burble, great late at night
The only way I could get something as powerful as the Tvr would be a Turbo VX.
the video featured earlier in this thread, Look at the power that thing was displaying,
A VX would be the cost effective way to have the best of both worlds, power/handling
The Tvr with better tyres and even better shocks than I have now might still be ahead overall.
It's an interesting experience to put my car up against other marks, I thought I'd keep it for years.
So far I've been weighing up what I know with the Tiv and what I imagine with a Lotus,
If it feels to small when I'm in it then it's not happening.
If it handles like a go cart I'll want it, could I drive one across France, ear plugs, leave off
My mates Renault is right up there as a huge desire, but living with it!!!
It's the rear engine configuration that has led me to a Lotus, or this.
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/Dm6gqxB4[/url
A week ago I was drawn by small engined cars,
Fired the Tvr up today and just let it warm for a couple of minutes, steady 12-1500 revs, that was an event of drama in itself
Drove a couple of miles, heaters getting warm, engine under MBE control already exhibiting a steady idle and no over fuelling, pulling out of junctions with only a few revs and always that sense of torque effortlessly moving you forward, temps are getting upto 50 degrees by now and the heaters warmed the cab nicely, the sound is just spell binding, I take it for granted as I use the car a lot, but today imagining all this in a small engined car and not having that sound track,
It's take an R111 at least to loose that.
The wishbones I've seen look similar to ours, some even have GGP shocks!
i like the later engined cars,
There's some well tuned VX 220 cars well worth considering if I really wanted a track focused car, and again plenty of cheap sub 10K VX's which could become good cars with some mods.
I prefer the MK1 Lotus Elise Body shape but the Mk2 would be faster and better to own by the looks of them.
I reckon I'll cruise over there listening to my awesome sounding engine with my big old bonet and shapely dash surrounding me with short solid gear changes and blips of the throttle as I go, slowing for roundabouts waiting for that moment when the revs have dropped to about 1700-1400 revs and you get a big pop and bang, it happens every time like clockwork, yet even after hundreds if not thousands of times I still wait with bated breath, mine sounds like a gun going off
then again lower at 1400-1000 revs when shutting off, burbles and just makes going slow a huge enjoyable event. I've got it down to a tee, I can dip the clutch and take out the back fire at 1700 then re engage clutch at 1500 revs and resume normal burble, great late at night The only way I could get something as powerful as the Tvr would be a Turbo VX.
the video featured earlier in this thread, Look at the power that thing was displaying,
A VX would be the cost effective way to have the best of both worlds, power/handling
The Tvr with better tyres and even better shocks than I have now might still be ahead overall.
It's an interesting experience to put my car up against other marks, I thought I'd keep it for years.
So far I've been weighing up what I know with the Tiv and what I imagine with a Lotus,
If it feels to small when I'm in it then it's not happening.
If it handles like a go cart I'll want it, could I drive one across France, ear plugs, leave off
My mates Renault is right up there as a huge desire, but living with it!!!
It's the rear engine configuration that has led me to a Lotus, or this.
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/Dm6gqxB4[/url Edited by ClassiChimi on Wednesday 2nd November 23:04
Just been to see one that's been sat on a Garage forecourt for a couple of months.
Hoped to hear it start up from cold, just popped in on the off chance sort of thing,
Sold!
Lots of condensation on the inside 2002 Mk1, very low Milege and looks like a nice car, a lot of money for what you get though.
I had a proper hoon about in the Tvr, roof off, country lanes, loud and very fast, i don't think the Lotus is the one for me right now, maybe 10 years ago.
The owner of the garage liked the Tvr more than I liked the Lotus, asked me to make some noise as I left, his two mechanics came from the garage to watch me rip and rasp away with a flame fire and a bang in between gears :hehe, I was gone in less than 5 seconds but I made sure they heard me for about a mile.
Says everything really, a good Tvr friend recently said, you can't get better bang for your buck and He's right.
After some serious thought and a couple of very enjoyable drives in the Chim, I'm still hooked, The torque, I went through a village at 30mph in 4th onto the open road and back upto almost 3 figures within no time and without lifting a hand.
Found some fun corners and it still handles better than most cars.
It engages you in the small things that modern driving smooths out for you, getting your braking points and gear changes and engine revved marched perfectly, slotting yet another gear and controlling the throttle with just the right amount of power, good Brembo brakes making me feel calm after huge acceleration, the noise when on the pipe.
I'll be sticking with it for some time longer me thinks
Thanks for the input on this thread, Lotus rock TVR rumble
Hoped to hear it start up from cold, just popped in on the off chance sort of thing,
Sold!
Lots of condensation on the inside 2002 Mk1, very low Milege and looks like a nice car, a lot of money for what you get though.
I had a proper hoon about in the Tvr, roof off, country lanes, loud and very fast, i don't think the Lotus is the one for me right now, maybe 10 years ago.
The owner of the garage liked the Tvr more than I liked the Lotus, asked me to make some noise as I left, his two mechanics came from the garage to watch me rip and rasp away with a flame fire and a bang in between gears :hehe, I was gone in less than 5 seconds but I made sure they heard me for about a mile.
Says everything really, a good Tvr friend recently said, you can't get better bang for your buck and He's right.
After some serious thought and a couple of very enjoyable drives in the Chim, I'm still hooked, The torque, I went through a village at 30mph in 4th onto the open road and back upto almost 3 figures within no time and without lifting a hand.
Found some fun corners and it still handles better than most cars.
It engages you in the small things that modern driving smooths out for you, getting your braking points and gear changes and engine revved marched perfectly, slotting yet another gear and controlling the throttle with just the right amount of power, good Brembo brakes making me feel calm after huge acceleration, the noise when on the pipe.
I'll be sticking with it for some time longer me thinks
Thanks for the input on this thread, Lotus rock TVR rumble
Mmm, for the road you are probably right. A standard Elise will be clinical and capable but the inner hooligan in you, (and me) enjoys our tivs.
TBH, I fancy a change. What I would like is;
The looks of a T350
A removable Targa panel
The torque of my 5.5
More power at the top end
0-60 in sub 4 seconds
Top speed immaterial
Switchable traction for those wet/damp/leaves on ground days
ABS for the same
Less heat in the cabin
Better sound proofing
Better MPG, (mine averages about 12!)
All the above for £20K, is that asking for too much?
TBH, I fancy a change. What I would like is;
The looks of a T350
A removable Targa panel
The torque of my 5.5
More power at the top end
0-60 in sub 4 seconds
Top speed immaterial
Switchable traction for those wet/damp/leaves on ground days
ABS for the same
Less heat in the cabin
Better sound proofing
Better MPG, (mine averages about 12!)
All the above for £20K, is that asking for too much?
Shnozz said:
I can't make out from your post if you got to drive the Elise?!
It's a car that once you drive, you'll want. As far as aesthetics, features, noise etc were concerned I would have entirely overlooked the Elise. I am so glad I didn't as they are magical.
Sorry Shnozz, I wasn't very clear, no I didn't drive it, if I had the last post would probably read very differently. It's a car that once you drive, you'll want. As far as aesthetics, features, noise etc were concerned I would have entirely overlooked the Elise. I am so glad I didn't as they are magical.
The sellor had agreed terms with a buyer.
i will probably go to a main Lotus dealer and take a look at a few, maybe even drive one but regardless of that, getting in and outs going to be a major stumbling block, I use my Tvr for local stuff a lot and just imagining the same thing in a Lotus, hmm!
It's sinking in just how good my Tvr is regardless of outright handling,
This has made me look at the Tvr more subjectively and with softer tyres, slightly higher side wall, and the best shocks I can get my hands on I think it might still be the best car for my needs.
Phew, I've only sunk nigh on 20 thou in too her already.
phazed said:
Mmm, for the road you are probably right. A standard Elise will be clinical and capable but the inner hooligan in you, (and me) enjoys our tivs.
TBH, I fancy a change. What I would like is;
The looks of a T350
A removable Targa panel
The torque of my 5.5
More power at the top end
0-60 in sub 4 seconds
Top speed immaterial
Switchable traction for those wet/damp/leaves on ground days
ABS for the same
Less heat in the cabin
Better sound proofing
Better MPG, (mine averages about 12!)
All the above for £20K, is that asking for too much?
And then..... TBH, I fancy a change. What I would like is;
The looks of a T350
A removable Targa panel
The torque of my 5.5
More power at the top end
0-60 in sub 4 seconds
Top speed immaterial
Switchable traction for those wet/damp/leaves on ground days
ABS for the same
Less heat in the cabin
Better sound proofing
Better MPG, (mine averages about 12!)
All the above for £20K, is that asking for too much?
yoda said:
Much confusion here there is...
Darth Vader said:
What you would like and what is out there cannot be reconciled, you must accept this, get over it, and move on Luke...
Chilli said:
FFS get a 911 turbo and stop pussying about.......
everyone else said:
Chilli is spot on, stop fecking about and buy what your heart tells you to... unless it's an MX5.... obviously....
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