Best Elise for a newbie to the marque
Discussion
Right - first post in this part of the forum as I don't, yet, have a Lotus...
Long story short I had a couple of 987 Porsches, then set up a business and so have been running a Mk.1 MX5 for a while. Business seems to be going OK now, and so it's time to change the Mazda for something a bit more special. I've always fancied an Elise ever since I saw an S2 at the NEC Motorshow (back in 2001 maybe?) and so the time is approaching for me to take the plunge - probably early next year.
The thing is, now I come to start looking, I realise just how many Elises there are! My budget is around £15k, but might stretch to £18k ish, so I've been looking at standard S2's, 111S, 111R and 2006 - 2009 'S' models.
I'll be doing almost exclusively road miles on holidays and high days, so don't want or need anything too track focused. I also have precious little spare time, so is one more reliable than another? Less time fixing and more time driving would be good (hence the inclusion of the 'S' model, which seems to be the latest car in budget, and from what i gather better built?).
Finally, I'd really love to take my little boy out in it, but he's only 2 (and car mad already) - will any of the seats take a child seat?
Any words of wisdom gratefully received - and yes, before you ask, I am registered at SELOC too, but I've been on PH for ages so thought I'd ask here first. I don't live far from Castle Sports Cars so might pop along there for some views, but Will Blackham seems like a good place to shop too? Again, any advice in that direction also appreciated.
Cheers!
Long story short I had a couple of 987 Porsches, then set up a business and so have been running a Mk.1 MX5 for a while. Business seems to be going OK now, and so it's time to change the Mazda for something a bit more special. I've always fancied an Elise ever since I saw an S2 at the NEC Motorshow (back in 2001 maybe?) and so the time is approaching for me to take the plunge - probably early next year.
The thing is, now I come to start looking, I realise just how many Elises there are! My budget is around £15k, but might stretch to £18k ish, so I've been looking at standard S2's, 111S, 111R and 2006 - 2009 'S' models.
I'll be doing almost exclusively road miles on holidays and high days, so don't want or need anything too track focused. I also have precious little spare time, so is one more reliable than another? Less time fixing and more time driving would be good (hence the inclusion of the 'S' model, which seems to be the latest car in budget, and from what i gather better built?).
Finally, I'd really love to take my little boy out in it, but he's only 2 (and car mad already) - will any of the seats take a child seat?
Any words of wisdom gratefully received - and yes, before you ask, I am registered at SELOC too, but I've been on PH for ages so thought I'd ask here first. I don't live far from Castle Sports Cars so might pop along there for some views, but Will Blackham seems like a good place to shop too? Again, any advice in that direction also appreciated.
Cheers!
111R is the Toyota engine (189bhp) and likes to rev - 111S is the K-Series (about 160hp?) and is lighter and more linear.
The 'S' is also a Toyota, but only 135hp or so.
Standard car is K-series and 120hp. I'd not really ever sit in traffic, so could probably live without A/C. Am colour sensitive too, to add to the mix - orange, yellow and the brighter blues all look good to me.
But which is gonna suit me best? Would I miss the extra poke of the 111R if I got a standard car?
ETA: And what about a PTP upgrade? What on God's earth is that? So many choices and options on these cars.
The 'S' is also a Toyota, but only 135hp or so.
Standard car is K-series and 120hp. I'd not really ever sit in traffic, so could probably live without A/C. Am colour sensitive too, to add to the mix - orange, yellow and the brighter blues all look good to me.
But which is gonna suit me best? Would I miss the extra poke of the 111R if I got a standard car?
ETA: And what about a PTP upgrade? What on God's earth is that? So many choices and options on these cars.
Edited by Actus Reus on Wednesday 21st September 17:50
Thanks for the answers so far chaps - appreciated.
I can't avoid the feeling that I should have a 111S or 111R rather than a standard car or an 'S', so I think I'm going to narrow my search down to them. I'm only casting an eye around at the moment, as I want to put a few quid away over the next couple of months (how very PH, no finance for me!). Then it'll be a case of testing one of each, and then deciding.
Bit of a shame about the child seat thing, but not totally surprising - he's two now, so not THAT long to wait. He's happy for now just sitting in my cars on the drive making engine noises (hell, so am I).
Thanks again and do keep 'em coming - all help really appreciated.
I can't avoid the feeling that I should have a 111S or 111R rather than a standard car or an 'S', so I think I'm going to narrow my search down to them. I'm only casting an eye around at the moment, as I want to put a few quid away over the next couple of months (how very PH, no finance for me!). Then it'll be a case of testing one of each, and then deciding.
Bit of a shame about the child seat thing, but not totally surprising - he's two now, so not THAT long to wait. He's happy for now just sitting in my cars on the drive making engine noises (hell, so am I).
Thanks again and do keep 'em coming - all help really appreciated.
Thanks all - looks like I need to try a 111R and a 111S and see how I get on. I have an Audi for my daily so I know all about over-servoed brakes. Looks like the plain old 'S' is not owned by many on here, so will likely discard that model from my search.
Thanks again - very helpful replies.
Thanks again - very helpful replies.
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