S1 or S2 Elise as a Daily Driver
Discussion
Hi all, sure this has probably been done to death over the years, but was hoping to borrow from the collective experience to help me make a decision on my next car.
I've loved the Elise since my days as a Performance Car reading college / university student, and have decided that some form of this needs to be my next car.
To set context, I live in a village in County Durham, and the car will primarily be used for me to drive alone on my 20 mile commute. I'm very fortunate in the fact that my commute is almost entirely made of up national limit country back roads, and I like to drive a car which makes this as close to leisure time as it can be.
On occasion I may do some motorway miles (usually runs to Leeds at 1.5hrs), Worksop 2hrs 20, or Solihull at 3.5 to 4hrs)
My last sports car which was a 1992 Eunos, which was fairly modified running 174bhp & 143ft/lb - Jackson Racing S/C, Adaptronic ECU, 4-2-1 Manifold, de-cat, Gas Classic coil-overs, larger 1.8 brakes etc.
I'm used to cars which ride firmly, and also relatively low. I loved the Eunos, which was still a working project for me when and circumstances outside of my control (broken gearbox on a Cuore Avanzato TR-XX which I couldn't get repaired only 3 months after paying healthy money for it) caused my wife to put her foot down and insist we got some more modern cars.
The current drives at the moment, are a Renaulsport Twingo, and a Panda 4x4. The Twingo was supposed to be my car, but I've lost it to my better half who prefers the way it drives. I've driven about in the Panda for about two months now, and while I do think it's a cracking car it's far from what I'd be driving given the choice.
I've decided that an Elise is the way forward but, like many have got firmly bogged down in the mire of all the model options out there. Key models I think I'm torn between are S1 standard, S1 111s, and S2 111s.
Some mental pro's and cons on the two models:
S1 Pros:
- Lighter
- Cheaper to buy
- higher ride height for my poorly finished country roads
- might hold value better
- super simple styling
- prettier than the S2 for my money I think
- the original and the best?
S1 Cons:
- Roof unbelievably awkward
- roof leaks!
- heaters struggle to clear screen in the winter (the car would be used, but would be garaged at least)
- Tax more expensive than the S2
- flat rate tax means you might as well have the extra performance of the 111s...
- ...but the additional spoiler on the 111s kills the looks for me
S2 Pros:
- Better roof design means it's actually usable as a convertible
- faster
- cheaper to tax
- better mpg
- better stereo
- nicer dash
- slightly more forgiving handling
S2 Cons:
- heavier
- more expensive to buy (seems to be about +£5k at the moment)
- more likely to depreciate
- less pretty
- slightly more forgiving handling
I seem to be wavering between the fact that I definitely prefer the S1, then the S2 at 15 minute intervals, and my wife is not going to put up with me spending all my spare time attached to the computer for very much longer!
I think I know that the S2 would be a more rounded car, that would would probably be easier to live with and actually use as a convertible. I love my music just as much as I love my driving, so the stereo is more important to me than it would be to most of you Elise owners. I'd be looking at the 111s, so I'd benefit from lower tax, better MPG and a faster car than the standard S1.
That said, at present I'm leaning more towards wanting the purity of the S1 experience. In real life for the driving I do, the difference between high 5s and low 5s to 60 isn't really going to make much practical difference. On a good day I'd drive the car home from work with the roof off, garage it, then put the roof back on when I got to work the next morning.
I'm totally prepared to live with a bit of water ingress, had a mk 2.5 mohair roof on the Eunos that could drip when you did things with windows etc in the wet.
Does anyone have any experience of both?
One of the closest S2 111s to me at the moment looks like a great proposition (and has a nice Larini exhaust fitted already), that said, I'm just very aware that I could be picking up a decent S1, saving myself £5k and actually ending up with a car that I'd have more fun driving day in day out.
To clarify, I think I'm the one that's a bit more cautious in spending the cash for the S2, my wife much prefers the look of the S1 to the S2, but ultimately says; "whatever you buy, I don't want to hear you saying, 'well I got this car, but THIS is the car I should have bought' 6 month down the line." It's fair to say I have form in this area so she probably has a point...
I've loved the Elise since my days as a Performance Car reading college / university student, and have decided that some form of this needs to be my next car.
To set context, I live in a village in County Durham, and the car will primarily be used for me to drive alone on my 20 mile commute. I'm very fortunate in the fact that my commute is almost entirely made of up national limit country back roads, and I like to drive a car which makes this as close to leisure time as it can be.
On occasion I may do some motorway miles (usually runs to Leeds at 1.5hrs), Worksop 2hrs 20, or Solihull at 3.5 to 4hrs)
My last sports car which was a 1992 Eunos, which was fairly modified running 174bhp & 143ft/lb - Jackson Racing S/C, Adaptronic ECU, 4-2-1 Manifold, de-cat, Gas Classic coil-overs, larger 1.8 brakes etc.
I'm used to cars which ride firmly, and also relatively low. I loved the Eunos, which was still a working project for me when and circumstances outside of my control (broken gearbox on a Cuore Avanzato TR-XX which I couldn't get repaired only 3 months after paying healthy money for it) caused my wife to put her foot down and insist we got some more modern cars.
The current drives at the moment, are a Renaulsport Twingo, and a Panda 4x4. The Twingo was supposed to be my car, but I've lost it to my better half who prefers the way it drives. I've driven about in the Panda for about two months now, and while I do think it's a cracking car it's far from what I'd be driving given the choice.
I've decided that an Elise is the way forward but, like many have got firmly bogged down in the mire of all the model options out there. Key models I think I'm torn between are S1 standard, S1 111s, and S2 111s.
Some mental pro's and cons on the two models:
S1 Pros:
- Lighter
- Cheaper to buy
- higher ride height for my poorly finished country roads
- might hold value better
- super simple styling
- prettier than the S2 for my money I think
- the original and the best?
S1 Cons:
- Roof unbelievably awkward
- roof leaks!
- heaters struggle to clear screen in the winter (the car would be used, but would be garaged at least)
- Tax more expensive than the S2
- flat rate tax means you might as well have the extra performance of the 111s...
- ...but the additional spoiler on the 111s kills the looks for me
S2 Pros:
- Better roof design means it's actually usable as a convertible
- faster
- cheaper to tax
- better mpg
- better stereo
- nicer dash
- slightly more forgiving handling
S2 Cons:
- heavier
- more expensive to buy (seems to be about +£5k at the moment)
- more likely to depreciate
- less pretty
- slightly more forgiving handling
I seem to be wavering between the fact that I definitely prefer the S1, then the S2 at 15 minute intervals, and my wife is not going to put up with me spending all my spare time attached to the computer for very much longer!
I think I know that the S2 would be a more rounded car, that would would probably be easier to live with and actually use as a convertible. I love my music just as much as I love my driving, so the stereo is more important to me than it would be to most of you Elise owners. I'd be looking at the 111s, so I'd benefit from lower tax, better MPG and a faster car than the standard S1.
That said, at present I'm leaning more towards wanting the purity of the S1 experience. In real life for the driving I do, the difference between high 5s and low 5s to 60 isn't really going to make much practical difference. On a good day I'd drive the car home from work with the roof off, garage it, then put the roof back on when I got to work the next morning.
I'm totally prepared to live with a bit of water ingress, had a mk 2.5 mohair roof on the Eunos that could drip when you did things with windows etc in the wet.
Does anyone have any experience of both?
One of the closest S2 111s to me at the moment looks like a great proposition (and has a nice Larini exhaust fitted already), that said, I'm just very aware that I could be picking up a decent S1, saving myself £5k and actually ending up with a car that I'd have more fun driving day in day out.
To clarify, I think I'm the one that's a bit more cautious in spending the cash for the S2, my wife much prefers the look of the S1 to the S2, but ultimately says; "whatever you buy, I don't want to hear you saying, 'well I got this car, but THIS is the car I should have bought' 6 month down the line." It's fair to say I have form in this area so she probably has a point...
Thanks for all the insight everyone. Must say, the favoured car I can see listed is an s2 111s 29k miles 1 owner fsh and a Larini exhaust (which I remember as bwing very well regarded in the mx5 circles).It's of that age where you got Touring pack, but still manual windows.
Still can't fully shake the notion that I don't want an S1.
I reckon cars at about £16k are at the to of what I'm comfortable spending, but would prefer to part ex at that point given the choice.
Oh, and build #110 of the 135rs is one of the closer sub £20k cars to me. Two things worry me though - 1) I'd be putting the miles on it that might kill it, and 2) the place selling it seems to mainly do fibreglass repairs first, and also sells a few cars on the side (pistonheads / ebay trader tvrglen anyone?).
Probably nothing suspicious, but given my recent luck with cars, I'm worried I'd end up buying a money pit!
Still can't fully shake the notion that I don't want an S1.
I reckon cars at about £16k are at the to of what I'm comfortable spending, but would prefer to part ex at that point given the choice.
Oh, and build #110 of the 135rs is one of the closer sub £20k cars to me. Two things worry me though - 1) I'd be putting the miles on it that might kill it, and 2) the place selling it seems to mainly do fibreglass repairs first, and also sells a few cars on the side (pistonheads / ebay trader tvrglen anyone?).
Probably nothing suspicious, but given my recent luck with cars, I'm worried I'd end up buying a money pit!
Golly - thanks for that, already had them filed in my 'not to be trusted' category, and that confirms the gut instinct.
To be honest, the other thing about the 135r that made me think it wouldn't be right for my intended use was that it's got lower firmer suspension. There's some decidingly interesting bits of tarmac around where I live that mean's something with a slightly taller / softer setup is more useable.
I am still completely torn. Really do need to test drive a couple to get a feel, but the problem is I'm looking at at least a 3hr round trip to get to a garage that's got both an S1 and an S2 I could compare. The S2 111s that I think is still sitting as favourite option would be more like 5hrs round trip.
We're busy at the moment in my house, so I'll seriously struggle to get that time in.
I do a good line in getting over-excited and buying the first thing I look at, but am going to be firm with myself and take time to find the right car this time out!
To be honest, the other thing about the 135r that made me think it wouldn't be right for my intended use was that it's got lower firmer suspension. There's some decidingly interesting bits of tarmac around where I live that mean's something with a slightly taller / softer setup is more useable.
I am still completely torn. Really do need to test drive a couple to get a feel, but the problem is I'm looking at at least a 3hr round trip to get to a garage that's got both an S1 and an S2 I could compare. The S2 111s that I think is still sitting as favourite option would be more like 5hrs round trip.
We're busy at the moment in my house, so I'll seriously struggle to get that time in.
I do a good line in getting over-excited and buying the first thing I look at, but am going to be firm with myself and take time to find the right car this time out!
Hoping to!
Car will be garaged yes.
MPG is something my wife takes note of to be honest but for something I'll be using regularly it makes sense to me too - it's the closest I'll get to being ecologically aware until all cars are replaced by Tesla Roadsters.
Bottom line that I think I've got to: I absolutely love the s1, am terrified the roof will be a nightmare, and can't see one for sale within several hundred miles of me that's looking to be THE car for me at the moment.
The flip is that my budget looks to be stretching to a k-series S2, but then sounds like I'd have to be prepared to do work on the head etc. too.
I continue to scour the classifieds...
Car will be garaged yes.
MPG is something my wife takes note of to be honest but for something I'll be using regularly it makes sense to me too - it's the closest I'll get to being ecologically aware until all cars are replaced by Tesla Roadsters.
Bottom line that I think I've got to: I absolutely love the s1, am terrified the roof will be a nightmare, and can't see one for sale within several hundred miles of me that's looking to be THE car for me at the moment.
The flip is that my budget looks to be stretching to a k-series S2, but then sounds like I'd have to be prepared to do work on the head etc. too.
I continue to scour the classifieds...
Anyone have thoughts on the S1 for sale from here?
www.allonwhite.co.uk/Used-Lotus-Cars-for-sale/
On phone and had to type that link so apologies if that's duff btw.
Its a colour I lile, clearly has the 111s engine fitted. Dealer seems to be a morgan dealer that also does lotus - enough to be approved re-upholsterers for them.
Literally the only fault I could pick with it at face value is that the offside (driver's side) rear 3/4 shot appears to show window glass sits nowhere near where it looks like it should do - could this just be fouling on hood seals, or does it seem like a problem to anyone?
Exciting times.
www.allonwhite.co.uk/Used-Lotus-Cars-for-sale/
On phone and had to type that link so apologies if that's duff btw.
Its a colour I lile, clearly has the 111s engine fitted. Dealer seems to be a morgan dealer that also does lotus - enough to be approved re-upholsterers for them.
Literally the only fault I could pick with it at face value is that the offside (driver's side) rear 3/4 shot appears to show window glass sits nowhere near where it looks like it should do - could this just be fouling on hood seals, or does it seem like a problem to anyone?
Exciting times.
Anyone have thoughts on the S1 for sale from here?
www.allonwhite.co.uk/Used-Lotus-Cars-for-sale/
On phone and had to type that link so apologies if that's duff btw.
Its a colour I lile, clearly has the 111s engine fitted. Dealer seems to be a morgan dealer that also does lotus - enough to be approved re-upholsterers for them.
Literally the only fault I could pick with it at face value is that the offside (driver's side) rear 3/4 shot appears to show window glass sits nowhere near where it looks like it should do - could this just be fouling on hood seals, or does it seem like a problem to anyone?
Exciting times.
www.allonwhite.co.uk/Used-Lotus-Cars-for-sale/
On phone and had to type that link so apologies if that's duff btw.
Its a colour I lile, clearly has the 111s engine fitted. Dealer seems to be a morgan dealer that also does lotus - enough to be approved re-upholsterers for them.
Literally the only fault I could pick with it at face value is that the offside (driver's side) rear 3/4 shot appears to show window glass sits nowhere near where it looks like it should do - could this just be fouling on hood seals, or does it seem like a problem to anyone?
Exciting times.
I don't know enough to tell unfortunately. possibly another car to rule out?
Have a friend who lives locally to that so was hoping to borrow his eyes and do AA check if that seemed positive.
Basically i do a good line in buying cars which immediately break, and have no use for a 10k paperweight.
For context, I think my heart is in the S1, but my head is saying (as is everyone else) that the s2 is a better proposition.
This s1 once the trim was tidied up seems like exactly what I was looking for. Garage is a good dealer per my local info - so looking to get in touch with them and see what they say about the possible engine swap.
Have a friend who lives locally to that so was hoping to borrow his eyes and do AA check if that seemed positive.
Basically i do a good line in buying cars which immediately break, and have no use for a 10k paperweight.
For context, I think my heart is in the S1, but my head is saying (as is everyone else) that the s2 is a better proposition.
This s1 once the trim was tidied up seems like exactly what I was looking for. Garage is a good dealer per my local info - so looking to get in touch with them and see what they say about the possible engine swap.
Thread resurrection - after what feels like a lifetime of reading holes in the internet amd 3 months driving a 944 - I've managed to find myself an Elise.
After about a weeks worth of discussion, I ended up sending payment for a S1 111s in Spice Yellow - car needs a little recommissioning to get it to where I'd like, but it seems to be mechanically sound.
Will be driving this back home from North Wales tomorrow afternoon, with a boot and passenger seat full of parts.
Looking forward to getting to know the car - now I'm off to go and to a few hours of Twister to get myself ready.
Pretty excited.
After about a weeks worth of discussion, I ended up sending payment for a S1 111s in Spice Yellow - car needs a little recommissioning to get it to where I'd like, but it seems to be mechanically sound.
Will be driving this back home from North Wales tomorrow afternoon, with a boot and passenger seat full of parts.
Looking forward to getting to know the car - now I'm off to go and to a few hours of Twister to get myself ready.
Pretty excited.
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