Considering an SC
Discussion
Haven't been around for a while, so this may have been done several times.
My 111s is 5 years old and I've loved every minute. But I've been working hard and I think I deserve a new car.
Anyone here running an SC could give an opinion?
Who makes a great sounding exhaust? I have a Larini on the current car which I love.
Comments welcome!
My 111s is 5 years old and I've loved every minute. But I've been working hard and I think I deserve a new car.
Anyone here running an SC could give an opinion?
Who makes a great sounding exhaust? I have a Larini on the current car which I love.
Comments welcome!
I think if you test drive an SC you'll find its basically more of the same.
Very grunty power delivery and much more linear than a 111R (just like the 111S really).
Overall you should find it a bit more refined too. As with most cars coming out of Hethel recently, the build seems to have improved too.
Very grunty power delivery and much more linear than a 111R (just like the 111S really).
Overall you should find it a bit more refined too. As with most cars coming out of Hethel recently, the build seems to have improved too.
Was very impressed when I had an SC to play with last year, but to be fair I'm not an Elise owner so a basic model would probably have ticked many of the boxes too. The comments I would make:
- The standard exhuast/induction made a desperately boring sound
- It didn't feel quite as fast as the figures suggested. Not claiming it was slow, just that the perception of speed wasn't quite up to the near supercar pace suggested by a sub-5 second 0-60 time.
Test drove one against an Exige S with PP recently
Power was pretty good in the SC, suspension was softer and more compliant.
Nice SC whine!
Also tried one with uprated (much harder suspension). (not sure of the spec, though.
If you want it as a day to day car, you may not prefer the harder ride of the Exige.
Also, *NO* rear vision on the exige, due to the intercooler (don't have that on the SC)
If you're near B&C, get them to let you drive it down Long Reach - nice and bumpy - they'll have to come with you, though since it's not on their test route, so you can't go unnacompanied. (Yes, B&C do unnacompanied test drives!)
That way you can see how it might handle the crap roads you'll have to go on day-to-day.
I'm going for the Exige (with PP if I can afford it) (2010 MY, though).
Trouble is, I want AC + Metallic paint + Sport pack + some of touring pack as well)
Probably want rear park sensors as well, due to the lack of rear vision!
Power was pretty good in the SC, suspension was softer and more compliant.
Nice SC whine!
Also tried one with uprated (much harder suspension). (not sure of the spec, though.
If you want it as a day to day car, you may not prefer the harder ride of the Exige.
Also, *NO* rear vision on the exige, due to the intercooler (don't have that on the SC)
If you're near B&C, get them to let you drive it down Long Reach - nice and bumpy - they'll have to come with you, though since it's not on their test route, so you can't go unnacompanied. (Yes, B&C do unnacompanied test drives!)
That way you can see how it might handle the crap roads you'll have to go on day-to-day.
I'm going for the Exige (with PP if I can afford it) (2010 MY, though).
Trouble is, I want AC + Metallic paint + Sport pack + some of touring pack as well)
Probably want rear park sensors as well, due to the lack of rear vision!
I compared one back to back with my 111S recently, with a view to buying one. I preferred the control balance and feel of my 111S, but the SC was a great car and it's the next best Elise I've driven. Everyone's priorities are different though, and I reckon most people would prefer the SC.
Edited by RobM77 on Saturday 30th May 14:30
HI Wendy
I test drove an R 2006 plate in Cannock in April, two weeks later I went up north to test drive the 'as seen in Holyoaks' white SC and the difference for me was enough to buy from Ben at Castle Lotus a Type 25 SC no:20. I picked it up two weeks ago and I've put a 1000 miles on it already, I've owned two TVR Griff's one an HC and while they are fast and very powerful, the Elise SC is much more fun and I can brake later and come out quicker. To be honest, I would have been disappointed if I had have brought the R then test drove the SC. The SC is the one to have if you can budget for it, you won't be disappointed. Good Luck.
Bebee
I test drove an R 2006 plate in Cannock in April, two weeks later I went up north to test drive the 'as seen in Holyoaks' white SC and the difference for me was enough to buy from Ben at Castle Lotus a Type 25 SC no:20. I picked it up two weeks ago and I've put a 1000 miles on it already, I've owned two TVR Griff's one an HC and while they are fast and very powerful, the Elise SC is much more fun and I can brake later and come out quicker. To be honest, I would have been disappointed if I had have brought the R then test drove the SC. The SC is the one to have if you can budget for it, you won't be disappointed. Good Luck.
Bebee
Oh I am so sorely tempted!!
Had a real crawl around one today, checking details.
Blimey the storage space in the back (I won't call it a boot) has gone from 'not much' to 'yikes'. We just about managed a weekend away in the 111S, but we'd have no chance fitting the same gear in the SC's shallower boot (storage space)!
It seems like a bit of a rip-off that really basic stuff like carpet is STILL an option for Lotus, the non-Touring pack version is considered an unre-sellabble car.
Is the £300 traction control worth it?
Had a real crawl around one today, checking details.
Blimey the storage space in the back (I won't call it a boot) has gone from 'not much' to 'yikes'. We just about managed a weekend away in the 111S, but we'd have no chance fitting the same gear in the SC's shallower boot (storage space)!
It seems like a bit of a rip-off that really basic stuff like carpet is STILL an option for Lotus, the non-Touring pack version is considered an unre-sellabble car.
Is the £300 traction control worth it?
wendyg said:
Oh I am so sorely tempted!!
Had a real crawl around one today, checking details.
Blimey the storage space in the back (I won't call it a boot) has gone from 'not much' to 'yikes'. We just about managed a weekend away in the 111S, but we'd have no chance fitting the same gear in the SC's shallower boot (storage space)!
It seems like a bit of a rip-off that really basic stuff like carpet is STILL an option for Lotus, the non-Touring pack version is considered an unre-sellabble car.
Is the £300 traction control worth it?
Depends on how attuned your right foot is - taken as a percentage of a new SC I'd say it's negligible and would opt for it - it allows a fair amount of slip so it's more interactive than Porsche's systems and you can switch it off. Had a real crawl around one today, checking details.
Blimey the storage space in the back (I won't call it a boot) has gone from 'not much' to 'yikes'. We just about managed a weekend away in the 111S, but we'd have no chance fitting the same gear in the SC's shallower boot (storage space)!
It seems like a bit of a rip-off that really basic stuff like carpet is STILL an option for Lotus, the non-Touring pack version is considered an unre-sellabble car.
Is the £300 traction control worth it?
RobM77 said:
I'm glad the Touring Pack is optional. I like it, because I use my Elise as an everyday car, but for a weekend car I expect a lot of people wouldn't want it, so it's nice that those people don't have to pay for it.
I've been told that the Touring Pack, while an Option on the price list, is considered to be BASIC, so that if you order a car without it, Lotus ask you to sign a disclaimer saying that you understand that the car will be hideous without it. Fine for those who plan to strip and modify the car for track use, extra pennies for the rest of us.wendyg said:
I've been told that the Touring Pack, while an Option on the price list, is considered to be BASIC, so that if you order a car without it, Lotus ask you to sign a disclaimer saying that you understand that the car will be hideous without it. Fine for those who plan to strip and modify the car for track use, extra pennies for the rest of us.
Well... an Elise is hardly a Bentley!Touring pack consists of some driving lights, iPod connector (stereo is pretty much useless in any case), cheap thin carpet glued to the floor (!!) a bit of soundproofing between the firewall and cabin and a cup holder. Not sure it makes a huge difference or why a car without it would be hideous??
Stripes are ok if it leaves the factory with them a la your Type 25, and the new Jim Clark.
The SC is a lovely car - I have the same car as you, and if I was looking for a new Elise the SC is the car I'd have. Defo not an R, don't like the power delivery, and never wanted an Exige as I like to get the top off. And yes I know you can, but I don't tlike the look of the Exige roofless, and even less with the soft top conversion, before anyone starts........
Have done lots of miles is all Elise derivatives and the SC is the pick imho
The SC is a lovely car - I have the same car as you, and if I was looking for a new Elise the SC is the car I'd have. Defo not an R, don't like the power delivery, and never wanted an Exige as I like to get the top off. And yes I know you can, but I don't tlike the look of the Exige roofless, and even less with the soft top conversion, before anyone starts........
Have done lots of miles is all Elise derivatives and the SC is the pick imho
wendyg said:
RobM77 said:
I'm glad the Touring Pack is optional. I like it, because I use my Elise as an everyday car, but for a weekend car I expect a lot of people wouldn't want it, so it's nice that those people don't have to pay for it.
I've been told that the Touring Pack, while an Option on the price list, is considered to be BASIC, so that if you order a car without it, Lotus ask you to sign a disclaimer saying that you understand that the car will be hideous without it. Fine for those who plan to strip and modify the car for track use, extra pennies for the rest of us.wendyg said:
RobM77 said:
I'm glad the Touring Pack is optional. I like it, because I use my Elise as an everyday car, but for a weekend car I expect a lot of people wouldn't want it, so it's nice that those people don't have to pay for it.
I've been told that the Touring Pack, while an Option on the price list, is considered to be BASIC, so that if you order a car without it, Lotus ask you to sign a disclaimer saying that you understand that the car will be hideous without it. Fine for those who plan to strip and modify the car for track use, extra pennies for the rest of us.
ks??What total,utter misinformation-they were winding you up surely?
I ordered my car without Touring,went for the Sport pack only = cloth seats,no sound deadening,no cup holder nowt.
I also have a friend who has an SC without Touring,no issues from him either.
You're basically paying £2k for leather seats and some noise deadening...my Lotus dealer told me the same and said not to bother with it.
Of course you will pay a penalty when you come to sell,it wont be £2k though....you pays your money and takes your choice as they say.
Suggest you visit a different dealer too
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