S2 Racetech Elise

[Cobra888]

Hey Y'all looking to buy an Elise. Have seen an S2 advertised with a model as Oct/01 having done about 5000kms. Was the S2 relaeased then and what does a recetech Elise have that a standard Elise doesn't ?? Hope you guys can advice looking to make a decesion soon.

[UH-Matt]

Racetech is the base model, so it doesnt have the carpets, leather or improved sound system that the other models have.


Someone might correct me on this.

[jig]

Wrong Matt!

S2 Elise was first delivered in early '01 I think, on a Y-plate, shouldn't be many around that old though cos manufacture took a while to ramp up (I was told, while waiting for mine..)

There was the base model, with rubber mats and fabric seats; RaceTech with Alcantara trim, (fake) alloy checquer-plate floor and 2 speakers; and Sports Tourer with carpets, leather trim and 4 speakers.

Racetech and Sports Tourer also had met paint, driving lights, footrests, lumbar support, radio, alarm etc etc and each cost around £2500 more than the base model.

[mustard]

jig said:

Wrong Matt! S2 Elise was first delivered in early '01 I think, on a Y-plate, shouldn't be many around that old though cos manufacture took a while to ramp up (I was told, while waiting for mine..) There was the base model, with rubber mats and fabric seats; RaceTech with Alcantara trim, (fake) alloy checquer-plate floor and 2 speakers; and Sports Tourer with carpets, leather trim and 4 speakers. Racetech and Sports Tourer also had met paint, driving lights, footrests, lumbar support, radio, alarm etc etc and each cost around £2500 more than the base model.

[UH-Matt]

[nightmare]

pah - you forget that for your nearly 3 grand you also got (on Racetech)

black painted brake callipers (yes they claimed this as an extra)
a sex-toy alike gear knob
drilled and grooved discs (actually quite good)
a load of toher pointless junk. I had a list when mine was delivered - probably still ahd it somewhere - some of the 'aren't you lucky' entries are very funny!

Night

[gfun]

nightmare said:

pah - you forget that for your nearly 3 grand you also got (on Racetech) black painted brake callipers (yes they claimed this as an extra) a sex-toy alike gear knob drilled and grooved discs (actually quite good) a load of toher pointless junk. I had a list when mine was delivered - probably still ahd it somewhere - some of the 'aren't you lucky' entries are very funny! Night

You also got the aluminium handbrake sleeve, alarm, driving lamps, mud flaps, body colour door mirrors, sill protection tape,cd, footrest & footwell divider!

far as I can see the main difference between the race tech and sports tourer was two extra speakers, carpet, & leather seats

Coast new in standard factory trim was
standard 22995
racetech 25990
sports tourer 26190
111 25995
111s 27995

[xxplod]

I had an early S2 Racetech on a 'Y' plate. Chassis number 61 of the S2s. It's not a bad spec. Stereo is fine as the front speakers aren't that powerful. DO make sure the alcantara trim is all secure and smooth. It has a habit of crinkling up. Other than that, it's pretty much the smae as any S2. The drilled discs are for show - you will not notice any difference on the road.

[tupolev]

personally i think the alcantara trim of the race-tech is way superior to leather in terms of looks and functionality. Sliding around in the leather seats does not inspire confidence when cornering

....and anyway, anyone who has leather in their elise is totally gay -if you want that sort of thing, find a fetish dungeon


cheers

tupolev

[Cobra888]

Cheers fellows.. That was a great help ... so this being one of ther earliest S2s were there any niggles and fixes and probs with the build quality they may have rectified down the line ???

[gfun]

things to look for are on here -
www.elises.co.uk/problems/index.html

But also look on early cars for the plastic grills warping and discolouring, the metal mesh on the back rusting, the windows rattling in the doors (about to fall out but an easy fix), heater knobs jamming, leaky boot and sill damage form in-experienced mechanics not using the jacking points. (Which I believe different than the S1).

[nightmare]

if you get an early S2 (first 3/4 months) you'll have less problems than anyone - the first few hundred cars were very 'showcasey' to prove Lotus could build cars which didnt fall apart.

That said..

wing mirrors falling off is the main one- but if it was going to, it already will have and Lotus will have replaced em
Alcantara dash bubbling- crappy glue used, and will have been fixed by Lotus
Heater knob sticking as mentioned. mine still does this occaisionally. cant be bothered to fix it cos is only slightly annoying.

Night