I've bought a Sport 160!
Discussion
Oh My God! What a car. In fact it's an isult to describe it as a 'car'. It's a scary, manic, animal of a thing. If the Lord of Darkness, Satan himself, owns a car, i bet it's a black 160!!! 
After spending many many months looking at S2's and VX220's, i've gone and bought a S1 Sport 160! 2000 X-reg in black. 32K, one owner, main dealer history, cambelt done 4K ago. It's getting an A service and years ticket with the sale.
I'd done a lot of digging around various forums, and was well aware of the potential downsides to 160 ownership. It still didn't stop me though, the test drive saw to that. Yes it was bit jumpy and jerky at very low speed, but it never felt like it was going to stall or anything. What a sound! Like a motorbike at high revs and like a bloody Spitfire at lower revs! The brakes were a BIG shock though, SO much force was needed to get it to stop. Unless the wool was being pulled over my eyes (disks and pads looked fine to me), i guess thats just what non-assisted brakes feel like. Will take some getting used to....
First mods? I'm having some stripes put on the car (jury is out on the colour, open to suggestions...) which will hopefully also improve my visibility to others, people just don't seem to see such a small low dark coloured car. The interior is pretty much sorted as it is, with red alcantara and carbon fibre door inserts. It has cat replacement pipe, janspeed box, LSS, Victories etc. Looking at an induction kit to aid the sound even further, as if it needs it!
When funds allow i'll look at the recommended verniers and re-map etc. Think i'll just enjoy it as it is for a while though. Picking it up at the end of the month, counting the minutes....
Stand by for my first 'My car has died, can someone help' thread...
HW
After spending many many months looking at S2's and VX220's, i've gone and bought a S1 Sport 160! 2000 X-reg in black. 32K, one owner, main dealer history, cambelt done 4K ago. It's getting an A service and years ticket with the sale.
I'd done a lot of digging around various forums, and was well aware of the potential downsides to 160 ownership. It still didn't stop me though, the test drive saw to that. Yes it was bit jumpy and jerky at very low speed, but it never felt like it was going to stall or anything. What a sound! Like a motorbike at high revs and like a bloody Spitfire at lower revs! The brakes were a BIG shock though, SO much force was needed to get it to stop. Unless the wool was being pulled over my eyes (disks and pads looked fine to me), i guess thats just what non-assisted brakes feel like. Will take some getting used to....
First mods? I'm having some stripes put on the car (jury is out on the colour, open to suggestions...) which will hopefully also improve my visibility to others, people just don't seem to see such a small low dark coloured car. The interior is pretty much sorted as it is, with red alcantara and carbon fibre door inserts. It has cat replacement pipe, janspeed box, LSS, Victories etc. Looking at an induction kit to aid the sound even further, as if it needs it!
When funds allow i'll look at the recommended verniers and re-map etc. Think i'll just enjoy it as it is for a while though. Picking it up at the end of the month, counting the minutes....
Stand by for my first 'My car has died, can someone help' thread...
HW
Hiya Richard. No, i'm an Essex boy i'm afraid! I was actually going to visit Dream Machines because they did have a green 160 which i fancied. However my other half, upon seeing the pictures, stated that it "looks like Kermit the frog", so i decided to cross that one off the list!!!!
Hi chaps...
The scandal green S160 is now mine...
The black S160 at Dream Machines was with me.. we were heading off to view the black S160 advertised on here with Fletcherdale Cars,,,, unfortunately the black car didn't even come close... list of issues as follows:-
needs new hood
no cat (there isn't one with the car)
running P-Zeros
brake discs and pads required
faded red alcantara
other than that,,, it is quite clean
The Scandal car on the other hand was formerly owned by one of the SELOC brigade and was originally the Lotus showcar... it is also the car from the Evo magazine test. I'm still trying to work out what all the mods are, but so far I've worked out:-
ITG Maxogen carbon induction kit
S160 TB
Supersport zorst with sports cat
Braided hoses with EBC green stuff pads
Quickshift with linkage kit
340R geo
new Advans throughout
The cost to change (from my Saab 9-3 cab) was actually the same as with the black car, but here i get a 1yr Lotus warranty also.
A very happy man am I.... and a big thumbs up to the chaps at Dream Machines
The scandal green S160 is now mine...
The black S160 at Dream Machines was with me.. we were heading off to view the black S160 advertised on here with Fletcherdale Cars,,,, unfortunately the black car didn't even come close... list of issues as follows:-
needs new hood
no cat (there isn't one with the car)
running P-Zeros
brake discs and pads required
faded red alcantara
other than that,,, it is quite clean
The Scandal car on the other hand was formerly owned by one of the SELOC brigade and was originally the Lotus showcar... it is also the car from the Evo magazine test. I'm still trying to work out what all the mods are, but so far I've worked out:-
ITG Maxogen carbon induction kit
S160 TB
Supersport zorst with sports cat
Braided hoses with EBC green stuff pads
Quickshift with linkage kit
340R geo
new Advans throughout
The cost to change (from my Saab 9-3 cab) was actually the same as with the black car, but here i get a 1yr Lotus warranty also.
A very happy man am I.... and a big thumbs up to the chaps at Dream Machines
I presume that was the car up at the Essex dealer with the hardtop?... it sounded really good... i called them up about the Fletcherdale S160 and they mentioned theirs... Fortunately, my other half has given up with me and my car buying antics so i was free to go down the Scandal route...
Have fun with it... they are excellent cars (I've had a standard S1 and a modded S1 111S and I've always wanted a S160... so here goes!)
Have fun with it... they are excellent cars (I've had a standard S1 and a modded S1 111S and I've always wanted a S160... so here goes!)
Hollywood Wheels said:
Oh My God! What a car. In fact it's an isult to describe it as a 'car'. It's a scary, manic, animal of a thing. If the Lord of Darkness, Satan himself, owns a car, i bet it's a black 160!!!
After spending many many months looking at S2's and VX220's, i've gone and bought a S1 Sport 160! 2000 X-reg in black. 32K, one owner, main dealer history, cambelt done 4K ago. It's getting an A service and years ticket with the sale.
I'd done a lot of digging around various forums, and was well aware of the potential downsides to 160 ownership. It still didn't stop me though, the test drive saw to that. Yes it was bit jumpy and jerky at very low speed, but it never felt like it was going to stall or anything. What a sound! Like a motorbike at high revs and like a bloody Spitfire at lower revs! The brakes were a BIG shock though, SO much force was needed to get it to stop. Unless the wool was being pulled over my eyes (disks and pads looked fine to me), i guess thats just what non-assisted brakes feel like. Will take some getting used to....
First mods? I'm having some stripes put on the car (jury is out on the colour, open to suggestions...) which will hopefully also improve my visibility to others, people just don't seem to see such a small low dark coloured car. The interior is pretty much sorted as it is, with red alcantara and carbon fibre door inserts. It has cat replacement pipe, janspeed box, LSS, Victories etc. Looking at an induction kit to aid the sound even further, as if it needs it!
When funds allow i'll look at the recommended verniers and re-map etc. Think i'll just enjoy it as it is for a while though. Picking it up at the end of the month, counting the minutes....
Stand by for my first 'My car has died, can someone help' thread...
HW
More people turning to the dark and Kermit side
Nice one lads
As a tip, check what pads you're running if it feels like it's not pulling up smartly. I recently changed from EBC Greens (crap) to Mintex 1144's for fast road and occasional track use. The difference is extraordinary. Really lean on them and the car literally stops in a heartbeat.
Nice one lads
As a tip, check what pads you're running if it feels like it's not pulling up smartly. I recently changed from EBC Greens (crap) to Mintex 1144's for fast road and occasional track use. The difference is extraordinary. Really lean on them and the car literally stops in a heartbeat.
S Works said:
More people turning to the dark and Kermit side
As a tip, check what pads you're running if it feels like it's not pulling up smartly. I recently changed from EBC Greens (crap) to Mintex 1144's for fast road and occasional track use. The difference is extraordinary. Really lean on them and the car literally stops in a heartbeat.
Definately gonna change 'em then, already checked out prices on Eliseparts. I really was shocked by the brakes, but as i say i just presumed that non-assisted feel like that...
Well done, a really nice looking car.... Hollywood Wheels said:
More people turning to the dark and Kermit side
As a tip, check what pads you're running if it feels like it's not pulling up smartly. I recently changed from EBC Greens (crap) to Mintex 1144's for fast road and occasional track use. The difference is extraordinary. Really lean on them and the car literally stops in a heartbeat.
Definately gonna change 'em then, already checked out prices on Eliseparts. I really was shocked by the brakes, but as i say i just presumed that non-assisted feel like that...
If you've not had an Elise before it will take you a little time before you get used to it. About an hours good rag will do you. Then you'll get in a servo'd car again, forget you're not in the Elise anymore and lock up all 4 wheels on the approach to a roundabout (which I didn't do in the Old Man's Berlingo
honest Dad). If you still feel they're shite, check the receipts and find out if they've ever been changed. Could be that they're still on the originals and they just need replacing. Any decent garage should be able to tell you how much they've got left in them.
I think the Scandal car is running green stuff pads... but i think it also has braided hoses and there is plenty of wear left in the discs... it could be better (perhaps with pagids) but it is WAAAAAAAAY better than my previous two S1's which were totally standard.
Not much point in going quickly if you can't slow down for the corners!
Not much point in going quickly if you can't slow down for the corners!
hi,
congrats - how much did you pay for it if you don't mind?
Had a look at a black 160 today, but not enough time for test drive. Cat D repaired, 14k, FLSH, from an indie dealer, 2001 Y, they want £12990. What do you think ?
Haven't had an elise yet (yeah I know) but it's the only sports car I've ever wanted and now got some cash, about bloomin time I got on with buying one.
Am i right in thinking the 160 needs servicing every 6000 miles ?
congrats - how much did you pay for it if you don't mind?
Had a look at a black 160 today, but not enough time for test drive. Cat D repaired, 14k, FLSH, from an indie dealer, 2001 Y, they want £12990. What do you think ?
Haven't had an elise yet (yeah I know) but it's the only sports car I've ever wanted and now got some cash, about bloomin time I got on with buying one.
Am i right in thinking the 160 needs servicing every 6000 miles ?
siwil1 said:
Ayjay,
I'm looking to buy an Elise next month after my Hols and will be trading in a 9-3 cab also. Couple of q's if you dont mind
1. was the trade in painful?! Mines a 99T lpt se
2. What was the first drive like going from fwd power everything to back to basics?
First off,,, you will be well and truly kippered on the Saab. Being the UK's most popular convertible means that there is a significant over supply of the damn things. I'm quite possitive that they are currently trading about £1k behind book (ie. you will not get what the Glasses guide suggests!). Mine was a 2001 2.0LPT SE with 32k on the clock. The dealer has got a trade bid around £7,500. To be honest I was only concerned with the "cost to change" number. By tweaking the figures about, the end result was approx £8,245 for the Saab.
As for going from Saab to Lotus... well it's as different as night and day. Fortunately, I've already had two Elises or varying descriptions (standard S1 and modded S1 111S) so it's more of the same. If you haven't had one before BE VERY CAREFUL. The Saab is a big old wafty barge that drives like a bowl of jelly. The Elise is likes a surgical instrument... razor sharp and clinical... Hugely rewarding to drive but will very easily put you backwards into a hedge! (hence why the S160 is a group 20 insurance).
If you take it carefully and perhaps invest in some driver training (the very best upgrade for an elise... trust me!), it'll be the best change you have ever made.
Good luck
jasondixon02 said:
Had a look at a black 160 today, but not enough time for test drive. Cat D repaired, 14k, FLSH, from an indie dealer, 2001 Y, they want £12990. What do you think ?
Junks is selling a similar car for £10,800. The one you're talking about is overpriced. If you do consider getting one Cat D remember that the resale will be hit, some people won't touch them with a bargepole. If you do consider it make sure you have documented (photo if possible) evidence of the damage and get the whole car inspected with a fine toothed comb by a reputable Lotus specialist.
jasondixon02 said:
Haven't had an elise yet (yeah I know) but it's the only sports car I've ever wanted and now got some cash, about bloomin time I got on with buying one.
Am i right in thinking the 160 needs servicing every 6000 miles ?
Try a few variants before you make your mind up. Yes the 160 is a 6k interval instead of 9k.
Hollywood Wheels said:
Just thinking about fuel. I presume an engine like the 160 is gonna need Optimax or other premium fuel? I can't imagine it liking Tesco......
I run my 160 on Tesco superunleaded 99Ron, which is cheaper than optimax. Seems to go like a missle after its been in there a while. The ECU seems to reset itself after a hard blat and the engine just pulls like a train. It may be placebo, but its worth it !
[quote=ayjay]Hi chaps...
The scandal green S160 is now mine...
ayjay have you pulled out as the car is readvertised on ph classifieds?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/65760.htm
I'm not trying to look until after my hols as i know if i get near one i'll buy it!!
I'm also trying to re jiggle the finances to see if i can afford a type 23
>> Edited by siwil1 on Thursday 23 March 17:05
The scandal green S160 is now mine...
ayjay have you pulled out as the car is readvertised on ph classifieds?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/65760.htm
I'm not trying to look until after my hols as i know if i get near one i'll buy it!!
I'm also trying to re jiggle the finances to see if i can afford a type 23
>> Edited by siwil1 on Thursday 23 March 17:05
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