Tough decisions - input needed
Discussion
Hi all. Need some help/opinions on a choice I'm struggling with but first some context. I currently drive an mk2 MR2 turbo that has a custom built 420bhp+ 3SGTE engine. I've spent a small fortune on the car and it is damn fast. For a number of reasons I have to sell it and am pottering around in a 1.4l Seat Ibiza at present 
Anyway when the dust settles in 6-8 weeks I'm going to need a new car. I've been thinking about an Elise for a long time. Totally different to the crazy MR2 I know but somehow it seems like more of a natural choice.
What I need help with is this. I'm going to have between 10-12k to spend and will be looking at this car as another project. While I plan to run it as standard as it comes for approx 12 months, given that for my price range I'll end up with a k-series, an upgrade plan including KA20 swap is already being formualted.
As such I can't make up my mind as to which elise to buy. I discounted a VX220 as I want to push the low weight mantra. I can live without sound deadning etc. As such I guess an S1 is probably the way to go. Is there really a lot of weight difference between an S1 and S2? I've heard so many differing numbers. Further to that there's the price advantage. Given I'm likely to swap the motor I could look at a slightly higher mileage car for £8-9k that also is cheaper to insure.
Problem I have with this is I'm not sure if I'm keen on the S1 looks. The VX and S2 are both much sexier. A Reasonable S2 looks to be in the £11-£12k area which is fine but I'm still woundering what will make the better (i.e. more fun) car in the long run. To complicate things still further I had a poke around a mint S1 111S the other day and was really tempted by it. At £11k it was afordable but I wonder if the extra money is worth it as bits will eventually come out.
I've never driven an early S2, only an S1 so as yet don't have any basis for comparision around feel on sensation so I guess I'm looking to those who've driven both to pass comment.
As well as being my daily drive this car will end up on track approx 4 times a year.
Appreciate this isn't the most focussed post so apologies. Just looking to get thoughts...
Anyway when the dust settles in 6-8 weeks I'm going to need a new car. I've been thinking about an Elise for a long time. Totally different to the crazy MR2 I know but somehow it seems like more of a natural choice.
What I need help with is this. I'm going to have between 10-12k to spend and will be looking at this car as another project. While I plan to run it as standard as it comes for approx 12 months, given that for my price range I'll end up with a k-series, an upgrade plan including KA20 swap is already being formualted.
As such I can't make up my mind as to which elise to buy. I discounted a VX220 as I want to push the low weight mantra. I can live without sound deadning etc. As such I guess an S1 is probably the way to go. Is there really a lot of weight difference between an S1 and S2? I've heard so many differing numbers. Further to that there's the price advantage. Given I'm likely to swap the motor I could look at a slightly higher mileage car for £8-9k that also is cheaper to insure.
Problem I have with this is I'm not sure if I'm keen on the S1 looks. The VX and S2 are both much sexier. A Reasonable S2 looks to be in the £11-£12k area which is fine but I'm still woundering what will make the better (i.e. more fun) car in the long run. To complicate things still further I had a poke around a mint S1 111S the other day and was really tempted by it. At £11k it was afordable but I wonder if the extra money is worth it as bits will eventually come out.
I've never driven an early S2, only an S1 so as yet don't have any basis for comparision around feel on sensation so I guess I'm looking to those who've driven both to pass comment.
As well as being my daily drive this car will end up on track approx 4 times a year.
Appreciate this isn't the most focussed post so apologies. Just looking to get thoughts...
for a daily driver Id go with an S2 ...just on the basis that the roof is easier and the seats are more comfy as std 
weight wise theres not much in it on late S1/early S2 - the real weights were around 750kg for the S1 and about 770Kg for the lightest S2s (wet weights) ...by the time youve Honda'd either one should be about 780-800kg for either car depending on other bits you have
weight wise theres not much in it on late S1/early S2 - the real weights were around 750kg for the S1 and about 770Kg for the lightest S2s (wet weights) ...by the time youve Honda'd either one should be about 780-800kg for either car depending on other bits you have
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