ELISE TYPE 72

[DBSV8]

Looking at Buying a type 72 as a new owner up 2 20k
really like the colour

Have seen several in classified, would apreciate advise on Hard / soft tops , Would prefer a hard top variety, extra security etc.

being black and reading a few posts regarding paint problems , stone chips etc.
how much would it cost to fit an Armourfend kit?
and is it worth the extra for one fitted with air con.
finaly is there quantum leap in performance upgrading to 160 spec

much apreciated

DBS

[bogie]

DBSV8 said:

Looking at Buying a type 72 as a new owner up 2 20k really like the colour Have seen several in classified, would apreciate advise on Hard / soft tops , Would prefer a hard top variety, extra security etc. being black and reading a few posts regarding paint problems , stone chips etc. how much would it cost to fit an Armourfend kit? and is it worth the extra for one fitted with air con. finaly is there quantum leap in performance upgrading to 160 spec much apreciated DBS

Ive had a 72 since new (2 years ish/55K miles) - didnt go for the hardtop/aircon option. Not bothered about the hardtop (if youve played with the window mechanism on an Elise you will understand why it dosent give much more security - 10 mins with a coat hangar an youre in) The door locks are from a 1980s Vauxhall and offer no protection either....so dont go for one for security purposes A hardtop is a pain to fit/store and you will have to have your windows adjusted each time yo go from hardtop to softop..otherwise it will leak.

So votes for hardtop - no ! ...well not unless you want it permanently on that is...but then why buy a convertible?

Aircon - get this if you can, the std S2 heater is poor, but on aircon cars is much better...it actually demists the windows

There was an offer on the T72 just after I got mine - think it was hardtop and aircon for only £1500 more...wished Id gone for it - could have kept the aricon and sold the hardtop ...so I guess this option is worth £1K on a used car if it has both

Armourfend...mmm..Ive got it on my car and it works well..you have to be careful when polishing not to go too mad near the edges - otherwise you will spend hours trying to get the polish out and stop seeing a white line etc...other than that its great...but theres no point in fitting it on a car thats been driven for 10K miles....it will look aweful if there are any existing chips...it has to be fitted from new, or after a re-spray.

160bhp is an Elise is quite a nice increase - about .5 sec quicker to 60 (not that it matters) but more importantly about 4secs quicker to 100mph....over 60mph is where you notice it most. A std Elise is a little breathless at motorway speeds - another 40bhp at least allows you to keep up with the repmobiles !

Just make sure that if the car you are looking at has some sort of aftermarket conversion then do your research on reliability and performance...not all '160' conversions out there actually make 160bhp...in fact most are like 150bhp...etc

cheers

bogie

>> Edited by bogie on Sunday 24th October 11:00

[grahaminusa]

Hi there,

Have you considered a Type 25? Or more specifically a Type 25 111S. 156bhp, electric windows, central locking, carpets, a hard top, red leather seats, black alloy wheels AND an awesome paint job (amongst many other things).

BTW - I have a March 2004 one with only 3,500 miles for sale! What a coincidence! So, if you can stretch to 25K you will get an almost unique Elise (there were only 25 of them built).

Just a thought,

Graham

[DBSV8]

Cheers,

Bogie, am going to book a test drive when i get back to the uk

dbsv8