Which Lotus should I buy?!?

[A17 NKP]

I have been saving hard and I am now (finally) ready to buy my first Lotus. However, as I don't know anyone who either owns a Lotus or knows anything about them, I would really appreciate any feedback / advice anyone could give me before I go blowing all my hard earned money... Should I go for the Elise 111S or 111R? I am thinking 111R at the moment - but any thoughts on this would be appreciated! (I have been to my local Lotus dealership but they were about as useful as a chocolate fireguard...)! Also, does anyone know of a cheap insurance company to use? My current insurer just laughed at me....

[seetim]

I guess the first thing is are you after a track car, everyday road car, or something inbetween?

Budget?

Have a look at

www.elise-faq.info/

and

www.elises.co.uk/models/index.html

for some background.

That should get you some more info. Good luck Andrew.

[TheYeti]

I am an S1 owner, but I would firstly say drive both!! They are subtly different. I have driven both S2 versions and I found the 111S to be set up with slightly more understeer than the 111R. I preferred the 111R myself due to the little bit more urge and the slightly more "direct" handling. The brakes make no difference either way, with the 111S having a similar set up to my own non-servoed S1, the 111R having servos and ABS. Thats all a matter of taste, but either system was good.........

Its all down to budget, condition of the car and what you want from it after that. Opinions on here are all going to be personal and no-one is right or wrong. I would suggest that you take what people have on here and then go out and make your mind up by driving a few examples. Bets way to find out really.......

What I would say though is that I would buy probably as new a car as you can afford and if you are thinking that you can afford a 111S OR and 111R, then I personally (if it was MY money) would go for the 111R. Newer, probably more reliable engine (in the long term and of course this is subjective) and probably going to hold residuals that little bit better........but it is very much horses for courses.........

[GTWayne]

Just curious,you say this will be your first Lotus,what made you decide on a Lotus?

[hbaumhardt]

What are your requirments or criteria ? Just posting "Should I go for the Elise 111S or 111R?" doesnt really give may clues as to what would make you happy; capital budget, operating budget (tyres, mpg, maintenance) usage, road miles, track use, pulling chix in the high street (lol), soft, aggressive etc etc.

[A17 NKP]

[quote=hbaumhardt]What are your requirments or criteria ?
Hi, My budget is up to about £24K, I do very low miles so MPG not a problem. I have looked at servicing costs and I was surprised how cheep they are. I haven't planed on any track days but you never know!

[A17 NKP]

GTWayne said:

Just curious,you say this will be your first Lotus,what made you decide on a Lotus?

I have decided on a Lotus because of the whole power to weight and fantastic handling, and getting super car performance for little money. Of course they look beautiful, and there is not that many about.

[A17 NKP]

[quote=TheYeti]I am an S1 owner,

Thanks for the info

[A17 NKP]

[quote=seetim]I guess the first thing is ar

Hi Andrew, fantastic links thanks. I am looking to spend about 24k, mainly a road car with super car performance.