Newbie Question.....S1 vs S2
Discussion
I do apologise up front for what I am about to ask. but here goes. I am about to hit the button and finally purchase an Elise. This has been a long hard road for me to actually step up and buy one of these things. I have put it off and put it off over the years with poor excuses such as buying an MR2, having a family, buying a house etc... however, the time has come and I have finally found a pair of nuts to make this jump into driving manhood....
Here is the bit I am stuck with... I have about 11K to blow on this thing (not a lot I know but enough to get my feet wet). I have read buyers guides and advice from the site etc (thanks) and I think I am up to speed on what to look out for.. I am also pretty nimble with a set of spanners and have a double garage (essential for a lotus I think). However, I would be interested on the view on my price - should I go for old or new shape? it seems that 11K hits the point where I can pick up either S1 or S2? The purpose of this is as a play thing for weekends and chasing mates with motorbikes. The series 2 does score higher with the misses though as it looks amazing. Any comments welcome (if this has been debated before please cut and paste the link as I have searched but did not find it). Cheers.
Here is the bit I am stuck with... I have about 11K to blow on this thing (not a lot I know but enough to get my feet wet). I have read buyers guides and advice from the site etc (thanks) and I think I am up to speed on what to look out for.. I am also pretty nimble with a set of spanners and have a double garage (essential for a lotus I think). However, I would be interested on the view on my price - should I go for old or new shape? it seems that 11K hits the point where I can pick up either S1 or S2? The purpose of this is as a play thing for weekends and chasing mates with motorbikes. The series 2 does score higher with the misses though as it looks amazing. Any comments welcome (if this has been debated before please cut and paste the link as I have searched but did not find it). Cheers.
If its as you've said, a plaything for weekends, I'd have thought a good s1 would be the answer..
..however (from my experience
) take the other halfs opinion very seriously, so that could mean an s2 as a compromise, if you dont you'll be in for a lifetime of moaning, excuses not to go out, no interest, and generally not wanting to use the car.
..however (from my experience
) take the other halfs opinion very seriously, so that could mean an s2 as a compromise, if you dont you'll be in for a lifetime of moaning, excuses not to go out, no interest, and generally not wanting to use the car.S1 and S2 have been debated for about eerrrr 8 years now 
get whichever you prefer the most ...if I was buying again and it was predominantly a toy weekend car for trackdays and suchlike then Id get the cheapest S1 I could and mod the crap out of it
otherwise, just get the newest car you can, with most mods already...as you will save money in the long run when you starting tinkering yourself
get whichever you prefer the most ...if I was buying again and it was predominantly a toy weekend car for trackdays and suchlike then Id get the cheapest S1 I could and mod the crap out of it
otherwise, just get the newest car you can, with most mods already...as you will save money in the long run when you starting tinkering yourself
Sure you'll be happy with either to be honest - at that price point though you're looking at either a good S1 e.g. 17k, '98 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/916409.htm or a 120bp S2 e.g. 27k, '01 http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/941862.htm - top end of one market and middle of another.
Horses for courses of course, but as a w/e toy which will hold its value well and at least catch your biker mates on the bends I'd go for an S1. (And that's from a bottom fancying S2 owner). If the looks and arguably better build quality are important factors then you'd still be hapy with a S2.
The old cliché; 'try each', will undoubtedly appear soon, but they are wise words.
Horses for courses of course, but as a w/e toy which will hold its value well and at least catch your biker mates on the bends I'd go for an S1. (And that's from a bottom fancying S2 owner). If the looks and arguably better build quality are important factors then you'd still be hapy with a S2.
The old cliché; 'try each', will undoubtedly appear soon, but they are wise words.
Edited by andy_s on Monday 16th March 14:20
village idiot said:
very simple really.
if you a partial to mens bottoms, you buy a s2
if you are a proper man, you buy a s1
if you are a woman and are not busy in the kitchen, you can buy whatever your husband lets you
and if you are a proper woman, you dump the husband, and use his money to buy a nice S1!if you a partial to mens bottoms, you buy a s2
if you are a proper man, you buy a s1
if you are a woman and are not busy in the kitchen, you can buy whatever your husband lets you
If your partner is going to go in the car, getting in and out of the car might influence which one you go for - the S1 has higher sills which might mean your partner doesn't even want to get in (not sure how much easier the S2 is to access though). I guess you will have to try them both!
Brad
Brad
braddo said:
If your partner is going to go in the car, getting in and out of the car might influence which one you go for - the S1 has higher sills which might mean your partner doesn't even want to get in (not sure how much easier the S2 is to access though). I guess you will have to try them both!
Brad
good advice and remember to try a good few times, everyone struggles at first, but now I hop in and out of my s2 without giving it a second thought.Brad
the double d said:
I do apologise up front for what I am about to ask. but here goes. I am about to hit the button and finally purchase an Elise. This has been a long hard road for me to actually step up and buy one of these things. I have put it off and put it off over the years with poor excuses such as buying an MR2, having a family, buying a house etc... however, the time has come and I have finally found a pair of nuts to make this jump into driving manhood....
Here is the bit I am stuck with... I have about 11K to blow on this thing (not a lot I know but enough to get my feet wet). I have read buyers guides and advice from the site etc (thanks) and I think I am up to speed on what to look out for.. I am also pretty nimble with a set of spanners and have a double garage (essential for a lotus I think). However, I would be interested on the view on my price - should I go for old or new shape? it seems that 11K hits the point where I can pick up either S1 or S2? The purpose of this is as a play thing for weekends and chasing mates with motorbikes. The series 2 does score higher with the misses though as it looks amazing. Any comments welcome (if this has been debated before please cut and paste the link as I have searched but did not find it). Cheers.
suggest a look here for even more advice. www.seloc.orgHere is the bit I am stuck with... I have about 11K to blow on this thing (not a lot I know but enough to get my feet wet). I have read buyers guides and advice from the site etc (thanks) and I think I am up to speed on what to look out for.. I am also pretty nimble with a set of spanners and have a double garage (essential for a lotus I think). However, I would be interested on the view on my price - should I go for old or new shape? it seems that 11K hits the point where I can pick up either S1 or S2? The purpose of this is as a play thing for weekends and chasing mates with motorbikes. The series 2 does score higher with the misses though as it looks amazing. Any comments welcome (if this has been debated before please cut and paste the link as I have searched but did not find it). Cheers.
But essentially only you can decide. £11k gets you a MINT series one, or an older series two.
t to hit the slower fan in europe before jumpin in...s2 is only good if it has honda power..Just go and look at both.
When you fall in love with a car (and take the missus with you 'cos her opinion will make a diference to your view of the car), buy it.
My guess....you'll see an immaculate S1, running no more than 140mm ride height, in a dark metallic colour with nice wheels (S160 wheels maybe)....
and both fall in love.
Don't underestimate the change in appearance that comes with different paint. For some reason, I find the Elise to be particularly sensitive.
When you fall in love with a car (and take the missus with you 'cos her opinion will make a diference to your view of the car), buy it.
My guess....you'll see an immaculate S1, running no more than 140mm ride height, in a dark metallic colour with nice wheels (S160 wheels maybe)....
and both fall in love.
Don't underestimate the change in appearance that comes with different paint. For some reason, I find the Elise to be particularly sensitive.
With £11k in your pocket I'd look for a good S1 (not neccessarily the lowest miles) with some mild mods.
You want S2 suspension, most have a sports exhaust and some sort of induction kit which add a smile if not power. Look for a complete service record: Specialist or main dealer or increasingly with older cars DIY (as long as you're comfortable with that). The Elise is a simple car and generally very reliable. You tend to get niggly faults rather than major ones but with older cars these will probably have been ironed out.
The best peeps to buy from tend to be enthusiast as the cars tend to get more love. Don't be put off by track miles: the Elise was designed to be used on track, as long as oil changes in particular have been done more frequently then there should be no problem.
Worth keeping some money in your pocket for any wear/tear items that need replacing (applicable to both an S1 or S2), some time with Walshy so you can get the best from the car with confidence, and also for the unforeseen bit of bad luck.
As its a second car it would be worth talking to people like Heritage for insurance.
FWIW the S1 is turning into a classic and in a few years time tidy ones will be sought after. There's also less about than the S2 so I think prices will rise in the longer term.
You want S2 suspension, most have a sports exhaust and some sort of induction kit which add a smile if not power. Look for a complete service record: Specialist or main dealer or increasingly with older cars DIY (as long as you're comfortable with that). The Elise is a simple car and generally very reliable. You tend to get niggly faults rather than major ones but with older cars these will probably have been ironed out.
The best peeps to buy from tend to be enthusiast as the cars tend to get more love. Don't be put off by track miles: the Elise was designed to be used on track, as long as oil changes in particular have been done more frequently then there should be no problem.
Worth keeping some money in your pocket for any wear/tear items that need replacing (applicable to both an S1 or S2), some time with Walshy so you can get the best from the car with confidence, and also for the unforeseen bit of bad luck.
As its a second car it would be worth talking to people like Heritage for insurance.
FWIW the S1 is turning into a classic and in a few years time tidy ones will be sought after. There's also less about than the S2 so I think prices will rise in the longer term.
Gavola said:
Why is it so fashionable to hate S2? I've owned both a S1 & S2 and both have their good/bad points.
Is it just a 'cool' thing to say you prefer the original? :-)
For me the S1 comes across as a break from the norm. I know of no other car that you specifically go shopping for the older shape. I also know of no other car that you still have to spend 50% of its original value after it is 10 years old in order to get one. They are, however, both stunning cars and I would actually dare to say that on looks the back of the S2 is a lot nicer. My hunt continues for one...Is it just a 'cool' thing to say you prefer the original? :-)
Your right better to own both in fact ideally would have -
Elise S1 Sport 160 - Sunday drives/some track days
Elise S2 111R - European long trips
2-11 - Keep at the ring
Exige S1 (Honda power) - For some more track days
Old Europa - Classic nice to look at
I am getting carried away now.......
Elise S1 Sport 160 - Sunday drives/some track days
Elise S2 111R - European long trips
2-11 - Keep at the ring
Exige S1 (Honda power) - For some more track days
Old Europa - Classic nice to look at
I am getting carried away now.......
the double d said:
Gavola said:
Why is it so fashionable to hate S2? I've owned both a S1 & S2 and both have their good/bad points.
Is it just a 'cool' thing to say you prefer the original? :-)
For me the S1 comes across as a break from the norm. I know of no other car that you specifically go shopping for the older shape. I also know of no other car that you still have to spend 50% of its original value after it is 10 years old in order to get one. They are, however, both stunning cars and I would actually dare to say that on looks the back of the S2 is a lot nicer. My hunt continues for one...Is it just a 'cool' thing to say you prefer the original? :-)
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