Lotus Elise S1 - PH owners speak

Elise-owning PHers offer first-hand insight into why the S1 is more than worthy of PH Heroes status

When we sought a nice example of an S1 Elise to star in the 20th anniversary special PH Heroes we put out an appeal in the Lotus forum of the site ... and loads of people came forward. Having chosen one in a suitably bright colour to liven up an autumnal photoshoot we didn't want all those additional offers of help wasted though. So we wanted to share the ownership experiences and impressions of these Elise-loving PHers. Many thanks to all the owners who took part and for telling their stories of life with an Elise.

Name: Iain Turner
Car: Elise 111S
Owned since: April 2013
Previously owned: "Another S1 Elise! Plus too many MG Rovers and a line of hot hatches ... the Elise's current stablemate is a MG ZT V8 - perfect opposites."

Why an Elise? "It's the epitome of fine handling - it puts the driver in the middle of everything it does. For me, it's a childhood dream car. I was eight when the Elise was launched in 1995. All the other kids at school wanted Ferraris and Lamborghinis - I was the weird one who lusted after a pretty little car from Norfolk. Who can now say they've achieved their dream out of all of us?"

Things I love: "How you can really sense how every input affects what the car does, the clarity of the steering and the total lack of inertia. It thrills at 30mph and still has the ability to humble much more powerful machinery at a track day. I'm pleased it looks reasonably original but has the Bell & Colvill Sprint 170 engine upgrade kit. It really makes the engine fizzier without compromising driveability. Meeting Martin Donnelly and getting him to sign under the engine cover was also a highlight."

Things I hate: "My other half is probably better placed to fill this section in! She hates the draughts, the discomfort and the noise to name a few. My biggest bugbear is how hot it gets inside in summer. Stuck in traffic in the August sun, it's a pretty hideous place to be. A set of half-Alcantara seats are planned to combat sweaty back (and yes, the other two) syndrome."

Costs/major work: "I was lucky to buy a pretty well-sorted and loved Elise from Bell & Colvill - they spent serious money preparing the car and it shows. The biggest thing I've had to do is replace the radiator. Fortunately I'm able to DIY everything (although it gets services at a specialist to keep up the history) which keeps costs very low for a car of its ability."

Most memorable drive: "Most of them - it's a toy so only comes out as a treat. However, to pick one... On my last trip to the Nurburgring we took the cross-country route back. The sun was setting, the roads perfect, and the car just felt utterly wonderful. It was a special moment."

Name: Philip Dalton
Car: MY2000 Elise
Owned since: About two weeks ago!
Previously owned: Mazda MX-5

Why an Elise? "It felt like the logical next step for me after 26,000 miles and two years in the Mazda. As much as I loved it, I just fancied a change, and now that I won't be driving to the office I thought that my car could become a more special weekend toy!"

Things I love: "The looks, the sounds and, best of all, the raw driving experience. I thought the MX-5 was fantastic, but this is just on another level. I'm completely smitten. Reactions to the car are brilliant. People give it the second look, or come to chat to me at the petrol station. I've already promised a few mates drives in the car, and those who have been for rides have come back beaming. Oh, and the economy is significantly better than the Mazda."

Things I hate: "Hate is a strong word, but getting into and out of the car with the roof on does have a knack. The roof as well takes me about 10 minutes to take on or off, as opposed to the five seconds of the Mazda."

Costs/major work: "Only petrol so far, but that's still relatively cheap. However, it does need new tyres (probably about £300 fitted). I plan to book the car into a local Lotus specialist for a thorough inspection. I want to make sure it's mechanically A1 before moving onto cosmetics."

Most memorable drive: "Again, I've not had much of an opportunity to stretch the car's legs or take it anywhere particularly interesting. But I did pick it up from south Wales and took an extended rural route to the motorway. It was a great first experience in the car, despite feeling that I've only scratched the surface of the performance that the car can offer."

Name: Andy 'Bibs' Betts
Car: MY2000 S1 Elise
Owned since: 2014
Previously owned: 2x Esprits, 5x Evoras (on loan, not owned!)
Why an Elise? "Purity."

Things I love: "It's the embodiment of the Lotus ethos in every respect. Performance through light weight."

Things I hate:"The soft top!"

Costs/major work: "I needed other than upgrading the suspension to S2 Bilstein dampers/Eibach springs as the original Konis were 'end of life' and a set of AD08R tyres all round."

Most memorable drive: "The week before I bought my Elise funnily enough. A good friend gave me the keys to his Norfolk Mustard S1 Elise while on a track day at Goodwood and I was hooked, what a drive! Within a week, I had my own..."

Name: Sam Baldwin
Car: MY1998 Elise
Owned since: Aug 2015
Previously owned: VW Polo G40, Porsche 924S

Why an Elise? "I have wanted an Elise since they came out. I like small, lightweight cars and to me the Elise is the ultimate realisation.

Things I love: "The driving experience, the whole 'go kart' cliche is so true!"

Things I hate: "If pushed on this, the roof is pretty bad. Generally I just leave it off."

Costs/major work: "Nothing so far, I've treated it to some new carpets and it will be getting a good service and cambelt change soon."

Most memorable drive: "I've not had it long so far so picking it up was pretty cool. Driving to the petrol station after picking it up in my own Elise after years of wanting one was great."

Name: Chad Giussani
Car: Elise S1
Owned since: March 1998
Previously owned: "Lots of Fiats and Alfas. A modified Uno Turbo Mk1 Phase 2 was the highlight."

Why an Elise? "Alternatives considered at the time were the Peugeot 306 GTI6 and the Impreza. Other convertibles included the Z3 2.8 and the MGF. I chose the Lotus because of the rave reviews and innovative construction - the aluminium tub and brakes, the lightweight design principles."

Things I love: "That it still looks great; it's ageing like a classic."

Things I hate: "I swear it gets lower and wider to get into the older I get!"

Costs/major work: "None."

Most memorable drive: "A spirited drive out of Kingston on Thames towards Hampton Court in 1999 alongside one in identical Nautilus blue."

Read our celebration of the Elise's 20th birthday in our PH Heroes feature here!

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Maldini35

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