RE: You Know You Want To: Lotus Elise S1
Discussion
I had custody of a S1 Elise (standard 1.8i model) for three months back in 2004 while its owner, and one of my oldest friends, was travelling. He didn't want it sitting outside his house unused, and I didn't need asking twice.
What I remember most fondly about it was the wonderful lack of inertia. Whether accelerating, braking, or changing direction, there was no sense of mass. It just responded instantly. The steering was almost kart like in its weight and instantaneous response, and the unassisted brakes were also great once familiar with them. I remember getting in my Focus at the time after a blast in the Elise, and doing a lovely emergency stop at the end of the road :-). The whole thing was so light on its feet, it was an absolute delight to drive. Very keen to slide in the wet, mind.
The Rover K-Series engine was good as well. Revved very freely and smoothly, responded instantly to the throttle, and felt very well matched to the car. People say these aren't fast, but off the mark, and up to about 50-60 mph, they go like stink, in my opinion. Even bearing in mind it wasn't my car and I didn't exactly thrash it everywhere, it was still very surprising to see over 40 mpg average from a tank of fuel as well.
What I remember not so fondly was the woeful build quality and leaky hood, but then the drive more than made up for it.
What I remember most fondly about it was the wonderful lack of inertia. Whether accelerating, braking, or changing direction, there was no sense of mass. It just responded instantly. The steering was almost kart like in its weight and instantaneous response, and the unassisted brakes were also great once familiar with them. I remember getting in my Focus at the time after a blast in the Elise, and doing a lovely emergency stop at the end of the road :-). The whole thing was so light on its feet, it was an absolute delight to drive. Very keen to slide in the wet, mind.
The Rover K-Series engine was good as well. Revved very freely and smoothly, responded instantly to the throttle, and felt very well matched to the car. People say these aren't fast, but off the mark, and up to about 50-60 mph, they go like stink, in my opinion. Even bearing in mind it wasn't my car and I didn't exactly thrash it everywhere, it was still very surprising to see over 40 mpg average from a tank of fuel as well.
What I remember not so fondly was the woeful build quality and leaky hood, but then the drive more than made up for it.
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Best post of 2012. I don't anticipate it being bettered during the remainder of the year.I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Ha, great post. I keep coming back to Elises after getting sick of them and selling - current one isn't going anywhere, though. I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Chris Harris said:
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Best post of 2012. I don't anticipate it being bettered during the remainder of the year.I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Also if your windscreen cracks if you lean on it you have to wonder why you'd keep leaning on it after you broke the first 5.
Ive driven to work today in my S1, its a lovely '49' and very original.. It should be as I've owned it since I ordered it back in November 1999. The only real changes I've made have been to change the discs to 111s drilled ones (when the originals wore out), its got a really nice Janspeed stainless steel exhaust which is nice and subdued when trundling but opens up nicely when I open the throttle, a race icon ignition timing unit which makes a differance to the way she pulls and a later K series cast ally throttle body. The only real weakness my car has is a habit of eating rear wheel bearings and shockers, usualy every 10/15,000 miles or so, but 52,000 miles in so far and still going very strong. We've just come back from a round Scotland trip and and after a week and about 800 miles or so we used about £140.00 of fuel and we did have some 'throttle poking fun' along the way too! I drove mine for two and a half years every day and just could not part with it when the time came to get a bigger car. Chris's memories are telling in that cars like this can become part of your life story, identifiable with memories both good and bad, and if like me your car is part of that.. every time you drive it your comfortable like wearing old leather. You get in and drive it and after you have set off you realise its been months since you were last here and yet it feels as if you've just got back.....Thats when you realise its more than just a car.
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Brilliant. I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
The one thing I remember is the crumbly headlamp mounting brackets, which ensure the headlamp beam goes through its entire vertical adjustment range several times a second, every time you hit a bump.
Captain Muppet said:
Chris Harris said:
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Best post of 2012. I don't anticipate it being bettered during the remainder of the year.I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Also if your windscreen cracks if you lean on it you have to wonder why you'd keep leaning on it after you broke the first 5.
at the above.Superb original post though. Basically sums up cars like this. Bought with the heart
Agree completly with Chris has to be one of the most fun cars you can buy. I do however think that the standard car is a bit under powered and suffers from poor ratios in the gearbox. I have had mine fron new since early 1997 and is in Norfolk Mustard, has the aluminium engine cover and is still on the original aluminium brakes. The ratio issue was solved in 1998 by the purchase of the Lotus close ratio transmission that later became the standard fit on the 111S. The lack of power was solved in 1999 with the K series being updated to 197 BHP. From then on the car was amazing. I originally used to sprint it until orginizers decided the Elise was too quick to compete in the standard and or modified sports car classes. It was put in the same class as the modified Caterhams and Westfields so being heavier and having less power was really out classed so I retired it from competion use.
I have only ever used it for sunny day use and as a result it has only covered 36,000 miles. This has included many continental trips inculuding down to Naples in 1997, and more recently 3 trips down to the island of Corsica (the ultimate Elise destination IMO). The Elise currently shares the toy box with an LP560-4 and a 430 spider. In the past it has shared it with an Esprit Turbo, Esprit V8GT and a 997 Turbo. These have all come and gone but the Elise stays. The Elise even was used as car of preferance over the LP560 on a Corsican trip 2 years ago as it is so much fun in the sun. As Chis said it is the ideal beach car in the Mediteranean sun. As the Elise is getting old now the 430 Spider is getting used for the long continental trips as it has the same fun elements as the Elise but at a cost! As others have said (and I feel exactly the same) the Elise will never go.
I have only ever used it for sunny day use and as a result it has only covered 36,000 miles. This has included many continental trips inculuding down to Naples in 1997, and more recently 3 trips down to the island of Corsica (the ultimate Elise destination IMO). The Elise currently shares the toy box with an LP560-4 and a 430 spider. In the past it has shared it with an Esprit Turbo, Esprit V8GT and a 997 Turbo. These have all come and gone but the Elise stays. The Elise even was used as car of preferance over the LP560 on a Corsican trip 2 years ago as it is so much fun in the sun. As Chis said it is the ideal beach car in the Mediteranean sun. As the Elise is getting old now the 430 Spider is getting used for the long continental trips as it has the same fun elements as the Elise but at a cost! As others have said (and I feel exactly the same) the Elise will never go.
Scuffers said:
RobCrezz said:
A S1 with a Honda k20a engine and 6 speed gearbox would be simply perfect.
then add a supercharger and they become manic!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_WbFBwBrE
Quote said:
It's noisy, difficult to get into, uncomfortable, the paint fades, the front numberplate gets knocked off all the time, the windscreen cracks if you lean on it, the windscreen wiper is useless, the washer jets even more so, the towing eye post rusts away, the engine blows up every now and again, you can't get anything bigger than a sports bag in the boot, it leaks, the carpets are made out of the same stuff they make j-cloths with, the speakers are from a 1950's dancette but more crackly, the radio only works if you are outside the BBC, the windows fall out of the frames, the roof requires prestuds allen keys guy ropes and clips, the heater only works in the summer, the clutch hose fails, the rad fan fails, interior storage is a fishnet stocking and the horn sounds like a wet fart.
I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
Couldn't have summed my S2 up any better. You have to take the front panel off to top up with waher fluid.I've had mine for 3 engines, 6 windscreens, 8 numberplates, 2 retrims, 120,000 miles, 20 countries and 13 years.
IMO, a rubbish car.
Chris Harris said:
This is making me want my old car back.
Azure blue, black leather, front-plate as a sticker, R181 JHW.
Anyone?
If it's any help Chris, you're more than welcome to have a go in my '07 S2 111R. Not an S1 I know, but the best I can offer.Azure blue, black leather, front-plate as a sticker, R181 JHW.
Anyone?
All I'm asking in return is a go in your new purchase. Deal?
Thought not...
Scuffers said:
then add a supercharger and they become manic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_WbFBwBrE
Smooth driving!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq_WbFBwBrE
The car must be very well sorted; it looks so well planted and not much opp-lock required. It doesn't look like it's going to bite the driver's head off without warning.
Whereas this one seems a bit more feisty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94obv0IEPwA
tomtom said:
wy906 said:
I would love an Elise, but not before getting myself a garage. 'Parking the car outside' / 'having to defrost inside and outside of the windscreen' would be quite a pain.
inside of the windscreen defrosts quicker if you take the roof off...I know the K-series has it's faults, but it makes a damn good kettle and mine starts blowing warm air about a mile from my house, which is quicker than my MX5 starts warming up.
Captain Muppet said:
tomtom said:
inside of the windscreen defrosts quicker if you take the roof off...
My daily driven Elise is left outside all year. The inside of the windscreen doesn't frost up if you leave a caravan dehumidifier in the car. That way you can leave the roof on and stay warm too.I know the K-series has it's faults, but it makes a damn good kettle and mine starts blowing warm air about a mile from my house, which is quicker than my MX5 starts warming up.
I had a VW Corrado which wasn’t 100% watertight and it was very annoying whenever I washed the car or when heavy downpour.
wy906 said:
Does this apply to both S1 and S2 Elise? Are S2 more watertight than S1?
They got gradually more water-tight over the years. The S2 certainly is easier to keep dry than the S1 but there were improvements later on as well, the last of which was in MY04 (some funny little cups to catch drips from the top of the A-pillars).Mine (an MY04 S2) has never leaked a drop but if I was getting an Elise to keep outside, I'd want air-conditioning for dehumidifying. I know someone who used an S1 kept outside as an only car, and it did tend to mist up rather.
wy906 said:
Captain Muppet said:
tomtom said:
inside of the windscreen defrosts quicker if you take the roof off...
My daily driven Elise is left outside all year. The inside of the windscreen doesn't frost up if you leave a caravan dehumidifier in the car. That way you can leave the roof on and stay warm too.I know the K-series has it's faults, but it makes a damn good kettle and mine starts blowing warm air about a mile from my house, which is quicker than my MX5 starts warming up.
I had a VW Corrado which wasn’t 100% watertight and it was very annoying whenever I washed the car or when heavy downpour.
S2 Elises are much better, and later S2 Elises better still - anything with the "elephant ears" on the seal at the top front edge of the side window should be water tight with no bother at all.
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