Best Elise for a newbie to the marque
Discussion
Stu C sums up the consensus nicely.
As all above, best to try the various models. IMO though, you'll find you'll easily grow into the more powerful versions in your price bracket, i.e. 111S and 111R, so personally I'd discount the S.
I found the need for an Elise last year and took a chance on a local 2003 111S, even though my head said going K-series was a bad idea. The more I've read, the more I see some folks have a love for the purity and rawness of the K-cars. If you go that way, accept the HGF risk. It's probably the most expensive risk in the car, though it's perhaps rather less costly than the bills you'll read of elsewhere for supposedly properly engineered mainstream marques.
I've not driven a Toyota car, so can't offer any comparion. In any case, you'll find any Elise an enlightening experience.
As all above, best to try the various models. IMO though, you'll find you'll easily grow into the more powerful versions in your price bracket, i.e. 111S and 111R, so personally I'd discount the S.
I found the need for an Elise last year and took a chance on a local 2003 111S, even though my head said going K-series was a bad idea. The more I've read, the more I see some folks have a love for the purity and rawness of the K-cars. If you go that way, accept the HGF risk. It's probably the most expensive risk in the car, though it's perhaps rather less costly than the bills you'll read of elsewhere for supposedly properly engineered mainstream marques.
I've not driven a Toyota car, so can't offer any comparion. In any case, you'll find any Elise an enlightening experience.
The head gasket really isn't that expensive. When mine went I think I paid about £600 for a full belt service and head gasket replacement; the belt service would have been £400 on its own. Next time it goes (if it ever does) I'll do it myself, it's really not a difficult job and the parts cost is trivial.
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