s1 or s2 Elise

Author
Discussion

ds666

Original Poster:

2,605 posts

178 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
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I had an s1 new in 1999 , sold 4 years later . I am looking at buying another . However s2's are around the same price for an older one - what are the pros and cons of each version ? ( in both cases I'd be looking at a basic k series )

AndrewGP

1,976 posts

161 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
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Having just put a deposit down yesterday on an S1, this was a question I have literally obsessed over for the last 6 weeks. After a tonne of reading, speaking to people and researching, I came to the conclusion there's not *that* much different per se, ie an Elise feels like an Elise whether S1 or early S2.

Now, I love to get in to the details, hence I obsessed over it, changing my mind frequently until I finally made a decision biggrin I chose an S1 because I wanted it to be as raw as possible and I preferred the shape. I also wanted it to as cost neutral as possible (I want to get another Caterham eventually and this is a 2-3 year stop-gap) and S1's are more likely to do that than S2s because fewer S1s were made and I got a lovely condition Norfolk Mustard car.

The S2 is slightly heavier than the S1, but as you're just looking at early K series S2s, the difference is minimal and the S2s have the close ratio box so performance is pretty much identical. The S2's handling was more biased to understeer but this can be dialled out easily with a geo setup.

I'd say for you, it comes down to looks, whether you want any touring creature comforts vs rawness and what you can find for sale within spec and budget. Finally have a look at Elises.co.uk to get all the details of each model.



ds666

Original Poster:

2,605 posts

178 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
I didn't see any Norfolk Mustard cars for sale - where did you get yours ?

Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
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I have owned both; early S2 K (Long Tail Roof) and currently a S1 (111s).

I don't think there is much between the two for rawness, the early S2's were still basic (no abs, non-servo brakes and pretty close in weight).

I do prefer how the S1 drives though, I can't really describe why I just prefer it.

As you will know the S1 roof is not the greatest, even the long tail roof on the S2 is better.

Try and get a test of good examples of both before buying, get a feel for them.

AndrewGP

1,976 posts

161 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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ds666 said:
I didn't see any Norfolk Mustard cars for sale - where did you get yours ?
I put a wanted ad up on SELOC and it was answered by a chap who was just about to list it in the for sale section. I put the ad up on the day he'd decided to sell, however the weather was so bad he didn't want to take it out the garage to take photos. He got in contact on the off chance and the rest is history. Suffice to say, it's exactly what I was after so I'm pretty happy.

Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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AndrewGP said:
ds666 said:
I didn't see any Norfolk Mustard cars for sale - where did you get yours ?
I put a wanted ad up on SELOC and it was answered by a chap who was just about to list it in the for sale section. I put the ad up on the day he'd decided to sell, however the weather was so bad he didn't want to take it out the garage to take photos. He got in contact on the off chance and the rest is history. Suffice to say, it's exactly what I was after so I'm pretty happy.
I got mine through a wanted on SELOC too, worth doing OP...it works!

Altrezia

8,517 posts

210 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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S2 for road use, S1 for track use.. imho

alanS1

12 posts

95 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Both great cars.

Both can be track biased and both can be road biased.

So really really depends on the particular car you look at and what you want from one.

Good luck with your search

ds666

Original Poster:

2,605 posts

178 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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Thanks for the feedback - I've put an ad on SELOC .
I want a car purely for road use and very happy with bog standard s1

Cheers

lj04

371 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
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On my third Elise S1 ,S2 111s, and s2.5 sc all as daily drivers. The S1 was more enjoyable except in rain and snow

ds666

Original Poster:

2,605 posts

178 months

Saturday 4th February 2017
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s1 bought - forgotten how hard it is to get in and out of them - last one I had was 18 years ago...

robpeacey

63 posts

217 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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Obligatory pictures......

Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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robpeacey said:
Obligatory pictures......
Pics please!

ds666

Original Poster:

2,605 posts

178 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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Will do but not collected it yet . Titanium with red seats

Tickle

4,879 posts

203 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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ds666 said:
Will do but not collected it yet . Titanium with red seats
Superb colour combo, the greatest infact thumbup

lj04

371 posts

190 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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The same as my old one. When I came home after collecting it I had the hardtop on, the kids thought it was a space ship.