That time of year again!
Discussion
I've got itchy feet for a new car but don't see anything I like, currently have a 111r which is my 2nd Elise, having all the power up over 6,100rpm is great on the track if a bit tricky to get the right gears, but hard work on the road. So i want something that handles like a 'liz but has more grunt/torque!
I don't really want to spend anymore than what the 'liz is currently worth. I Keep looking at TVRs they're cheap to buy but they are sooo expensive to run. Older NSX's are in the price range but they're mostly autos. Caterhams and the like are a bit to hard-core.
So...
I've come full circle back to the Elise, as they are great on track and practical enough for day to day road use I've been toying with an S2 Elise that's had the Honda conversion done, what do they tend to go for? Anyone got other options?
I don't really want to spend anymore than what the 'liz is currently worth. I Keep looking at TVRs they're cheap to buy but they are sooo expensive to run. Older NSX's are in the price range but they're mostly autos. Caterhams and the like are a bit to hard-core.
So...
I've come full circle back to the Elise, as they are great on track and practical enough for day to day road use I've been toying with an S2 Elise that's had the Honda conversion done, what do they tend to go for? Anyone got other options?Edited by beez on Monday 7th January 13:01
depends on the car, but most S2 Hondas go for low to mid 20's depending on spec/age/mileage
I think a Europa would make a great daily drive if you like the styling - stick some wider fronts on there and get a remap/exhaust = plenty of power/torque, more comfy/practical etc
if I was in the market for an only car, Elise derivative then id certainly be looking at a Europa...then mod the crap out of it
I think a Europa would make a great daily drive if you like the styling - stick some wider fronts on there and get a remap/exhaust = plenty of power/torque, more comfy/practical etc
if I was in the market for an only car, Elise derivative then id certainly be looking at a Europa...then mod the crap out of it
Good point I hadn't really thought of the Europa, I see there's one on Piston Heads for £22500 with a stage two Thorney upgrade, 255bhp sounds pretty good considering its not much heavier than the 111r.
The Europa would be more practical on the road, but if the same money could get me a Honda Elise i guess that would be more suited to doing a few track days and around 10 sprints a year.
Decisions decisions!
The Europa would be more practical on the road, but if the same money could get me a Honda Elise i guess that would be more suited to doing a few track days and around 10 sprints a year.
Decisions decisions!
tricky 100 said:
Noble gto3 ?, higher running costs but depends how much work you can do yourself to keep the costs down , its only a 3.0 ford at the end of the day .
For a good GT0-3 you would be looking at £30k though, there are plenty of cheaper ones out there but generally for good reason!Another option would be to get the Lotus Sport ecu upgrade done to the 111R to being the cam change down?
If not then a Europa is well worth a look. There are plenty of armchair experts on here who will tell you that they are not worth even considering but I doubt very much whether they have actually driven one themselves.
I have tracked a moddified Europa on many occasions and it is an absolutely stonking road come trackday car. 240bhp and more torque than you can shake a stick at and it absolutely flies, the handling is superb too and the on road comfort is notably improved over an Exige.
Well worth considering.
Although I'm sure snapper will be along in a minute to say how I am wrong.
That was my thoughts on the Nobles too, although apparently they do go like stink and handle like a bigger 'liz. A friend of mine has just bought one for just over the 30k mark which is more than I want to spend but I might have to try sweet talking him into a test drive. I may find a few more pennies after that! 
Does the Ecu remap make that much difference? I've heard it can actually reduce power changing the cam profile lower in the rev range?
Does the Ecu remap make that much difference? I've heard it can actually reduce power changing the cam profile lower in the rev range?
beez said:
That was my thoughts on the Nobles too, although apparently they do go like stink and handle like a bigger 'liz. A friend of mine has just bought one for just over the 30k mark which is more than I want to spend but I might have to try sweet talking him into a test drive. I may find a few more pennies after that!
Does the Ecu remap make that much difference? I've heard it can actually reduce power changing the cam profile lower in the rev range?
You're absolutely right about the big Lotus feeling of a Noble, they go like a bigger/harder/faster Exige. Running costs are a tad higher than the Loti but what a car! They are oh so usable on the road too although the lack of stowage space can put some off. Drive one, you'll ove it!Does the Ecu remap make that much difference? I've heard it can actually reduce power changing the cam profile lower in the rev range?
GT0-3 is the pick of the bunch im my humble opinion, useful amount more grunt than the 2.5 although I wouldn't personally pay extra for the 6 speed box or lsd.
From what I know the cam change has no effect on outright power of the Elise.
Edited by L100NYY on Monday 7th January 14:32
If your going to the trouble of selling your R to fund something else and suffering the almost inevitable bid/offer spread... you probably want to consider what upgrades could do for your current car.
As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
subaqua said:
If your going to the trouble of selling your R to fund something else and suffering the almost inevitable bid/offer spread... you probably want to consider what upgrades could do for your current car.
As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
Thats what id be doing As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
Talking to Sincs about an upgrade the 111R that or trade in for a Honda 
miro said:
subaqua said:
If your going to the trouble of selling your R to fund something else and suffering the almost inevitable bid/offer spread... you probably want to consider what upgrades could do for your current car.
As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
Thats what id be doing As was mentioned earlier... the ECU upgrade is a cheap way of making the torque curve a bit more linear, but I always quite enjoyed the hyperspace button nature of the cam change. Alternatively you could look at the s/charger upgrade options, which are still a bit of a risk, but no more so than exchanging your car which you know the history of, for one that you don't. Will sincs fit their kit to an elise... or is it exige only atm?
Talking to Sincs about an upgrade the 111R that or trade in for a Honda If you're serious, a Honda'd car is the way to go. One just sold for about £22k which was a nice spec. If you really want one, I'm considering selling mine at the moment. Details in profile. Just come back from a full service, and I'll be looking for similar money. Email me if you're interested.
S Works said:
If you're serious, a Honda'd car is the way to go. One just sold for about £22k which was a nice spec. If you really want one, I'm considering selling mine at the moment. Details in profile. Just come back from a full service, and I'll be looking for similar money. Email me if you're interested.
Thanks SWorks, I think I'm going to go down the ECU remapping route 1st see if that makes the difference everyone says. Then maybe look for Honda'd Elise later in the year.beez said:
I've got itchy feet for a new car but don't see anything I like, currently have a 111r which is my 2nd Elise, having all the power up over 6,100rpm is great on the track if a bit tricky to get the right gears, but hard work on the road. So i want something that handles like a 'liz but has more grunt/torque!
I don't really want to spend anymore than what the 'liz is currently worth. I Keep looking at TVRs they're cheap to buy but they are sooo expensive to run. Older NSX's are in the price range but they're mostly autos. Caterhams and the like are a bit to hard-core.
So... I've come full circle back to the Elise, as they are great on track and practical enough for day to day road use I've been toying with an S2 Elise that's had the Honda conversion done, what do they tend to go for? Anyone got other options?
Why don't you get the ECU upgrade that drops the second cam. it transformed my ExigeI don't really want to spend anymore than what the 'liz is currently worth. I Keep looking at TVRs they're cheap to buy but they are sooo expensive to run. Older NSX's are in the price range but they're mostly autos. Caterhams and the like are a bit to hard-core.
So...
I've come full circle back to the Elise, as they are great on track and practical enough for day to day road use I've been toying with an S2 Elise that's had the Honda conversion done, what do they tend to go for? Anyone got other options?Edited by beez on Monday 7th January 13:01
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