changing Tiv for Elsie?

changing Tiv for Elsie?

Author
Discussion

GasBlaster

Original Poster:

27,427 posts

280 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Hello

I am toying with the idea of changing my current car - a Griffith - and possibly going for an Elise. I would be interested in anybody's opinion on this. Thing is I have had the griff for about three years and while it still gives me a thrill life is too short not to experience as many sports cars as possible.<>maybe like sha..gging Cameron Diaz, would be great for three years, then maybe you'd want to try someone else....<>

As I understand it, and based on a short test drive in an Elise, the trade off is between gut-wrenching acceleration and more nimble handling. I would like to hear from anyone with experience of both if possible. If not, then any two p's worth welcome!

Cheers

GB

Bonce

4,339 posts

280 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Well, I've never driven a Griff but been in one a few times and they are completely different cars. But I'm sure you know that already.

If the Elise suits your driving style and you're not going to grumble about the lack of major grunt or V8 burble then I say go for it! I approve of your "sample as many fine cars as possible" philosophy.

As far as leaving Cameron Diaz for another woman goes... sheer madness. Stick with Cameron.

unless Kylie comes to you begging for it.

Dick135

10 posts

253 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Mate at work had a Griff, then changed to an Elise....he misses the raw power I think, so go for a higher powered Liz, eg 111s or Sport135..

overall he is very happy though. elise is a cool car, and cheaper to run!

Dick135

chimburt

751 posts

260 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
pondered this myself. my motivation was originally running costs, but by the time i'd changed cars, etc. it soon became obvious that it wasn't going to work out on that basis.
still have a hankering for a liz tho.
i had completely discouted the base model elise, because of the lack of grunt, and had been thinking 135 or 111 ( as someone suggested ). i've never driven one though so i don't know how well they take off in-gear. it's all very well having a sweet handling car, but if you don't have the grunt to overtake..
the s2 looks like a proper car.
i also have to do miles for work on occasion ( so mpg attracted me ), but from what a lot of people say they are not too comfy on a long run, and there is no room for kit.
why i ended up with the tvr i s'pose ( the practical choice! )
still want an elise tho - did i mention that?


Felix7

464 posts

261 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Chimburt have a look at TT www.turbotechnics.com/cars/elise.htm I have just posted virtually the same on the Elise-R thread (and am begining to sound like a typing TT advert) - may be the power you are looking for.

TT did say that they are seeing some second hand cars come thro, they may know of some that are for sale.

hungryjim

883 posts

266 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Felix is not just a renamed me i still exist.Turbo Technics is the way to go if you want the power and the pace and the handling.
You should sample as many sportscars in your life as possible.
Swapping the TVR will be heart breaking as it is so powerfull and sounds too good to get rid but an Elise is very different and after a while you will hardly be able to give up the fine handling ,drive ect without heartache - Cameron may be good,big,powerfull but put next to Avril Lavigne who would be more fun? - [your predicament reworded]

K1 CERB

579 posts

259 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
I have the perfect answer! By a Cerb The Griff is loverly & noisy & powerful, with refinement. The Elise is like a turbo charged Roller skate. The Cerb mixes both! But seriously, a drive to the bottle bank in an Elise will Get you reaching for the cushions

K1 CERB

nubbin

6,809 posts

279 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Or a Tamora. Not quite in the handling category of the Elise, but it is immensely powerful, outguns Griffs, Tuscans, Chimps by miles, handles amazingly well, and is easy to get into, and has carpets too! And a radio. And a boot. And a decent roof. And it is reliable. And it is STUPID fast!!!

Bonce

4,339 posts

280 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Oi you lot, stop polluting the Elise forum with all this talk of V8 engines and padded seats!

clanger

1,087 posts

259 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
Total Horses 4 Courses - TVR is a dragster - in a straight line Liz can't live with it, bendies - TVR can't live with Liz - really depends what you want from car - driven both - my Griff owning matey thinks I'm pappy, but won't come on track day with me.. IMHO both cars are the biz - behind Griff at lights in Glossop and ground was literally shakin!!

tja

1,175 posts

255 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
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VX220 Turbo instead of an Elise?

:ducksandruns:

alunr

1,674 posts

265 months

Tuesday 15th April 2003
quotequote all
160 elise is probably enough for most to play with esp with todays speed kills nonsense.

Elise is comfortable and you won't miss all the gadgets after about 10 minutes.

GasBlaster

Original Poster:

27,427 posts

280 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for all the input -
Any views on practicality of Liz for a 50 mile round trip daily commute?


alunr

1,674 posts

265 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
quotequote all
I do all sorts of different journeys in mine but find it practical enough in general.

I do Thame to London a couple of times a week - 96 mile roundtrip mostly motorway/queuing. Not the most involving drive but the car handles it nicely

DanH

12,287 posts

261 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
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50 mile round trip is nothing, but be careful if you buy a sport 160 if you plan lots of traffic negotiation in it. You need one which has verniers and thus properly timed cams, most don't have this by default although you can add it. IIRC B&C 160 on the S1 isn't particularly well regarded (or believed to put out 160).

Might be worth considering an S1-111S or S2-111(S) for general driveability if you don't want to have to fit verniers etc. Does limit future upgrades in some respects, but you can still improve the power if you want to, and in honesty putting a k series beyond 180 bhp isn't likely to give you the best reliability. A 190TT would perhaps be a good option, although if something goes wrong and its out of warranty, there may be some nasty wallet opening involved.

For long drives, the S2 is more civilised but depends a bit on whether its in your price range/and or pushes your buttons. It just has better padding on seats, and the standard suspension setup is miles better (although lots have replaced this on the S1 now).

bogie

16,418 posts

273 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
quotequote all
I do 150 - 300 miles a day sometimes in my S2, carry a weeks worth of luggage, plus kit for work. No probs at all really. You have to be a bit creative with the packing if theres 2 of you though

Fuel economy on the motorway is excellent - around 35-40mpg, so the small 8-9 gallon tank averages around 220-250 between fills.

The seats are very comfy, along with the driving position. In hot weather with a shirt/tie on and roof off I wish Id gone for the aircon option though...other than that no moans.

chimburt

751 posts

260 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
quotequote all

Bonce said: Oi you lot, stop polluting the Elise forum with all this talk of V8 engines and padded seats!


that's another reason

bogie - you say the tank lasts 220-250 miles. how much to fill up?

edited to add that the supercharger looks superb , and just the ticket, but i'm not liking the figures!

>> Edited by chimburt on Wednesday 16th April 22:42

bogie

16,418 posts

273 months

Wednesday 16th April 2003
quotequote all
on std unleaded about £25 - £27

chimburt

751 posts

260 months

Thursday 17th April 2003
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wow!

that's 13-15 quid a tank!

jesus!

@ 1.5 tanks a week...

oh crikey.

alunr

1,674 posts

265 months

Thursday 17th April 2003
quotequote all
I get about 250 out of mine (S1) which holds about £25-£30 (the fuel guages are'nt too accurate!)