Elise S1 or S2??

[garfy]

Yep I'm a newbie and can't decide whether it would be better to buy an ultra low mileage S1 or higher mileage S2. Have around 10-12k to spend. Which is the better car and which particular model, some say 111s or 135 for S1, don't know so much about S2. Have seen 98/99 S1's with only 10k miles!!! Could such little use do more harm than good. Really would welcome your views as very confused despite reading loads on difference between S1 and S2. Which is the most ultimate all round driving experience re power, handling etc. Currently have a Mk 1 ltd ed Golf GTI Cabrio which has been 'tweaked' approx 160bhp.

[Mattt]

Honestly, take a read at past threads - this has been asked 100's of times. Also have a look at SELOC for more info.

[garfy]

Have done and spent ages wading through masses of info and got nowhere fast, so thought this would be the quickest way.

[bogie]

youre not going to get the best all round handling Elise with top power for £10-12K ...for that you will need around 350bhp via a Honda or Audi engine in the back, and fully sorted suspension, wheels etc - there are some nice sorted cars for around £25K+

£10-12K will see you a very early S2 with avg-high miles, or a later S1, maybe even an S1 111S.

So with that cash Id get an S1 111S, most will have a few mods like exhaust/induction etc and be near 160bhp, and a good spec.

Any S2 you get for that dosh will likely be near bog std 120bhp with a lot of miles on it

either way, id drive an example of each car and see what you think ...especially if its going to be a daily driver

[LivinLaVidaLotus]

Driving all the different variants is the best way to help you decide, they are all different in power, feel, creature comforts.

[malbon]

s1 111S OR 160. the only reason to get an S2 is if you take the hood on and off a lot. S1 is a pita.

[kambites]

For 12k, I'd get a VX220 turbo

well, maybe 13k

Edited by kambites on Sunday 25th May 00:31

[Hollywood Wheels]

Get a sorted S1 rather than a boggo 120bhp S2...

[mft]

If it's going to be your only car, a 111s is is a nice choice - more power than standard, but still decent reliability and civility. That's what I chose, anyway.

My only regret is the roof; the s2's roof is much quicker and simpler to remove, while the s1's is so frustrating it sometimes puts me off removing it altogether.

[kambites]

Early S2s have the same roof as the S1. I don't know if you'll get a short-roof S2 for 12k at all.

[welshclown]

kambites said:

Early S2s have the same roof as the S1. I don't know if you'll get a short-roof S2 for 12k at all.

only in the look of it, I believe, as the S2 doesnt require an allen key to remove or reattach (as my mates S1 does), just flick the clips for the tails and then clips above the window inside.

[garfy]

Thanks everyone for all your advice, sounds like an S1 111s is the way to go (apart from the roof)!! I know the VX220 is quick, but the badge puts me off (as Clarkson says, it's a Vauxhall). This purchase is not for an every day car, but a toy, I'm a community nurse and use a Peugeot 107 to visit my patients (very cheap motoring)!! However, like my golf, I'll probably want to use the Elise every day in the summer.

So a sorted 111s will have an induction kit and sports exhaust and presumably 0-60 around 5secs??? Tempted to go for a 'bold' colour such as yellow or orange, but the missus is dead against orange and likes Azure.

[lamb jiblets]

kambites said:

For 12k, I'd get a VX220 turbo

well, maybe 13k

Edited by kambites on Sunday 25th May 00:31

But dont expect anyone to wave at you !

Edited by lamb jiblets on Sunday 25th May 12:30

[garfy]

Just read one website which said the extra money for a 111s is not worth it and better to get a standard elise and spend the spare cash tuning it and it could end up quicker than a 111s?????

[Chadders]

as far as im aware the vvc has 3 cams. tuning this generally means changing it back to 2 cams i.e. like the std one.

when the car is back to 2 cams you can get upgrade cams such as piper ones, this coupled with a VVC cylinder head (which im sure you could find) and a few other bits and you'd have more power than a vvc..

personally i think the Std elise is not bad, and you'll improve the speed of the car more by fitting better brakes, and maybe improving the dampers, plus having a proper suspendion set-up!!

[bogie]

generally true if you are after big power - like 180-200bhp+ ...but if you just want 160bhp ish then a 111S is great and will make that with just exhaust/induction mods so buy one and leave it alone

[hueandcry71]

would it not be best to get used to driving a Lotus first before looking to add more power?
Power isnt everything, its how you use it that counts. My missus says something similar to me........

[miss notax]

welshclown said:

kambites said:

Early S2s have the same roof as the S1. I don't know if you'll get a short-roof S2 for 12k at all.

only in the look of it, I believe, as the S2 doesnt require an allen key to remove or reattach (as my mates S1 does), just flick the clips for the tails and then clips above the window inside.

Yep, i've got an early S2 and and the roof is dead easy to take off. Just two sprung supports, and then the soft top which is two clips at the back and the wto by the windows

[S Works]

I think you need to consider what you want from the car. The S2 is more resolved, the later cars are SO much better than the earlier ones. It's a better car for everyday use, and for around the £11k mark nowadays you can get a lot of car for your money if you shop about and take care. A decent one with the Sport 135 upgrade can be had for that money.

However don't discount an S1 111S or Sport 135 with upgraded suspension (S2 Bilsteins, or Ohlins/Nitrons if you're lucky to find one!) and other sensible induction and exhaust mods, as they'd cope just as well.

I recently picked up a superb example of a well-modded S1 for a little over your budget, which I am enjoying greatly after nearly 2 years with a very sorted S2 Honda'd car with practically every mod possible!

[welshclown]

bogie said:

generally true if you are after big power - like 180-200bhp+ ...but if you just want 160bhp ish then a 111S is great and will make that with just exhaust/induction mods so buy one and leave it alone

I have read in a previous thread that adding a hurricane and lotus sports exhaust reduces the BHP by up to 15BHP. Is this true? as I have a sports exhaust and was thinking of chucking on a hurricane but worrid about the power loss! Any ideas?