Buying an S!

[R9TUS]

Seriously considering buying a good S 1-4 as a summer car for my nearly wife.
Drive T350C at moment and "nearly wife" is pissed off about no roof down availability.
What is your advice?
Budget 5-7K
Considered a mark 1 elise but TVR S seems better value.
What do you think?

[S3 Kieran]

I think the looks go to the S corner in most people's eyes (I'm biased of course) and rarety value is higher. Listen to an Elise and an S - no contest - EVER! I imagine the Elise will probably have it on the handling, but do you want a track car or a roof-down poser?

I went into Castle's yesterday (TVR & Lotus) and a new Elise started up next to my 12 yr old car - I still wouldn't swap - they sound like any other 4 cylinder car and I cannot get in one with the roof on. (actually that's not quite true - I got in, but couldn't get out again - oh the pain!)

When I was a kid, I dreamed of owning a Lotus.... until I saw/heard my first TVR!

If you do buy an S, the later the better, and check that chassis - massive loads of advice on Pies' new site - TVRSSeries.something - see adjacent thread!

[stephen pook]

I've recently bought an S3 myself. Whilst gathering opinions and looking at looking quite a few it seemed that sourcing a car that has all the critical things well maintained or recently sorted is of paramount importance.

I bought mine from a trader who sourced the car for someone else but the prospective new owner moved abroad. The chap who sold it to me was very honest and no hard sell and the car is superb. No serious teething problems whatsoever. You may wish to contact him in case he has anything suitable. (Philip Reygate at www.rhinomotorsport .co.uk ) By the way I am not on commission but nevertheless apologies for the ad.

Whatever you decide do research the achillies heel of these cars ie the chassis. Have a good look around.. and good luck. If you get a decent one you'll not regret it. I've been grinning ever since!!

Best of luck,

Pookie.:

[mustard]

May I suggest a compromise...

Lotus Elan SE avaliable for circa. £7k ish for a good one

I was considering an S when I got mine, but got the jitters about rusting chassis and things

:divesforcoverandrunsoutofforum:

[stephen pook]

You may wish to look at my previous thread: 'Potential new owner'

Pookie.

[RichardR]

mustard said:

May I suggest a compromise...

[shnozz]

mustard said:

May I suggest a compromise... Lotus Elan SE avaliable for circa. £7k ish for a good one I was considering an S when I got mine, but got the jitters about rusting chassis and things :divesforcoverandrunsoutofforum:

good car (for a shortarse) but still sounds shite next to an S

[mustard]

shnozz said:

[quote=mustard]May I suggest a compromise... Lotus Elan SE avaliable for circa. £7k ish for a good one I was considering an S when I got mine, but got the jitters about rusting chassis and things :divesforcoverandrunsoutofforum:

good car (for a shortarse)...... fine for bigger people to!


but still sounds shite next to an S.... not gonna argue with that statement!

But i'll have you around the twisties!

And the roof comes off alot easier... 120mph with the roof down is quite agreeable (private roads only of course!)

[shnozz]

mustard said:

shnozz said: [quote=mustard]May I suggest a compromise... Lotus Elan SE avaliable for circa. £7k ish for a good one I was considering an S when I got mine, but got the jitters about rusting chassis and things :divesforcoverandrunsoutofforum: good car (for a shortarse)...... fine for bigger people to! but still sounds shite next to an S.... not gonna argue with that statement! But i'll have you around the twisties! And the roof comes off alot easier... 120mph with the roof down is quite agreeable (private roads only of course!)

bigger people. you are having a laugh. I fancied one of these before I grew up and it was the most tiny interior I have ever sat in. At 6'3" my knees were around my chin. I can fit comfortably in an elise but not even close in the elan