s2000 to Lotus - what's going to hit the spot

[NJS25]

I've had my 2001 120bhp K-series Elise for over 12 years. On days like today and the local roads (50-60 country lanes) I cannot think of a better car to drive.

This has to be one of the most usable drivers cars on the planet for this type of driving. Ferrari's, Lambo's, Astons etc are too heavy, too fat and too powerful. Their outright power is compromised by the combination of keeping things safe and the corners. The light and nimble Lotus will corner as quick as anything (leaving more powerful cars behind), is small enough to pass any larger vehicles safely (tractors, buses, wagons etc.), and stop on sixpence should you need to. This means that you can actually enjoy the car at perfectly legal speeds, if you wish, in fact I quite enjoy driving pootling along the straights and accelerating as you flick the car through the corners, after all they're what a Lotus is all about.

Happy hunting. Regards, Neil

[RobM77]

All Elises are indeed so full of feedback they're a joy at any speed.

I also drive on a lot of twisty country roads, and with speed limits of 50 and 60 everywhere and the slowest corners being about 40mph, you don't really need much power.

Point 2 above is highly personal and location dependant, but point 1 is very commonly said and the OP may find he's ok with a slower Lotus.

[istoo]

NJS25 said:

I've had my 2001 120bhp K-series Elise for over 12 years. On days like today and the local roads (50-60 country lanes) I cannot think of a better car to drive.

This has to be one of the most usable drivers cars on the planet for this type of driving. Ferrari's, Lambo's, Astons etc are too heavy, too fat and too powerful. Their outright power is compromised by the combination of keeping things safe and the corners. The light and nimble Lotus will corner as quick as anything (leaving more powerful cars behind), is small enough to pass any larger vehicles safely (tractors, buses, wagons etc.), and stop on sixpence should you need to. This means that you can actually enjoy the car at perfectly legal speeds, if you wish, in fact I quite enjoy driving pootling along the straights and accelerating as you flick the car through the corners, after all they're what a Lotus is all about.

Happy hunting. Regards, Neil

utterly concur with this. I also considered an S2000, 111R might be worth a look. I have had fast RWD cars but wanted to go as driver assitance free as possbile so have a 111S. Tried both, prefered the S. Horses for courses!

[andy_s]

Amen to the above comments.

I'd say maybe take a look at the 111S, it really is a beautiful thing to drive with - the steering/feel will be light-years off the Honda (which is a fab car of course!) and it has enough poke and poise to satisfy immensely through the sweeps and curves of real world roads. It's probably the last completely analogue sports car and if you enjoy that directness it's very, very satisfying.

[devi1sadvoc8]

hi

i had a 2002 120hp k series S2 elise, it was somewhat unreliable so i did a 2.0L duratec(ford) engine conversion last year, i have about 190hp now on throttle bodies, the car revs to about 7500rpm and sounds fab with the throttle bodies and decent exhaust, so now i have the go and handling in one small package. The conversion cost about 5.5k with me doing most of the work. this engine conversion sort of keeps the character of the old k series but i have about 70 more hp.

[Lofty999]

Just to throw in a thought,how about a noble gto3!I sold my 111s to get one and although you may need another 5k to get one the difference is stunning although a similar experience.insurance is cheaper too,go and have a go in one!

[JohnT993]

Hi there o/p...
I spent a little bit more on an n/a Exige s2 and I absolutely love it! Have a mate with an S2000, yet to drive it, but believe his engine is a step up from the Toyota unit, but the 189 Toyota is still a cracking engine, and the sensory experience of a lotus is just something else... GO FOR IT!
JT

[robinandcamera]

otolith said:

If you like the S2000 power delivery, you might like an Elise R.

I just did this.

I had a supercharged s2000 a few years back (about 425hp), then a standard s2000 I was going to NA tune but decided the money would be better spent on an S1 K20 Elise.

I only have the car for fun and the s2000 just wasn't occasion enough. This certainly is. Certainly supercharged s2000 pace until 80mph. After 100 it slows down a bit.

But make sure the conversion was well done. I just got stung £1500 having to have a complete engine re-wire/fresh loom after the Elise being converted 5 years ago. The conversion was good, a DIY Stark conversion, however wiring was not his strong point and after 5 years, non optimum wiring in places, and the use of poor connectors it was playing up a lot. Essex Autosport have sorted it out now thankfully.

Still, I don't regret the swap even if it is a bit kit car and rattles with the stiffer engine mounts, it adds to the event and the 'becauseracecar' feel. I can't wait to get it on track.

[bordseye]

On a circuit looking for a lap time, bhp/tonne really matters. Out on the roads it doesnt really matter in terms of the fun you can have. For road use, 240 bhp in an Elise cannot be used more than very briefly unless you are happy to risk your licence / have a death wish. But tuning the engine, getting more power gives bragging rights. Nothing wrong with that if thats the way your mind works.

I have an R. I did the Lotus academy bronze day in one of their standard lower powered toyota models and was really surprised by how well it went. Eminently thrashable if like me you dont have a lot of driving talent. I would not think twice about buying one if some scrote nicked my present car.

The big difference between the lotus and your S2000 isnt in power output or straight line speed - its round the corners and the purity of the feel of the car. Any Lotus will give you that so work out how you will use the car ( roads or tracks or both) and buy accordingly.

[Shnozz]

bordseye said:

On a circuit looking for a lap time, bhp/tonne really matters. Out on the roads it doesnt really matter in terms of the fun you can have. For road use, 240 bhp in an Elise cannot be used more than very briefly unless you are happy to risk your licence / have a death wish.

I disagree. 240bhp in an Elise/Exige is hardly supercar bhp/tonne and usable performance. Not only that, but the supercharger fills the acceleration voids lower down the rev range making overtaking less arduous on a steady run on dual carriageways/m'ways as well as offer that extra oomph when on the fun roads.