Doing the looking thing..

[BermudaBob]

Hi,
I just realised that I can afford an Elise (£18,000 being my top limit, if I really push it).

I'm wondering which is more sensible, a higher spec late S1 or an S2 with perhaps less grunt/toys.

Basically, What are the main differences between the S1 & S2 and which would be better to get?

I've decided to take my time over this!

Rob

[thub]

The S2 is a little more refined (that is a relative term ) and easier to get into. Try both types in their different versions and see what you think. £18k should certainly get you a very good Elise.

There has been some discussion on this board about the pros ands cons, and you might want to look at seloc, mloc and the Lotus bbs for more information.

www.seloc.org
www.midlandslotus.co.uk
www.british-cars.co.uk

[mustard]

£18k is going to buy you a nice Series 2 car, it will most probably be one of the first (Y or 51 Reg) and of the 118bhp variety (Sports Tourer or Race Tech)

For less than £18k you will struggle from a dealer.

The other option (and far more exciting) is either a Series 1 111S or Sport 160

Benefits of S2 over S1, yes they are slightly easier to get in/out of, hood is simplier and a smoothier ride.

Drawbacks... its only 118bhp against 150/160bhp

S2

S1

Two ways to spend your budget!

[BermudaBob]

Cool - Certainly very helpful, thanks guys.

I should have mentioned that as I don't currently have a garage (rebuilding my driveway at the moment)
I would probably want one with a hardtop, and I'd also get myself a car cosy to mollycoddle it during winter.

I'm guessing that the hardtop requirement will limit choice a bit!

[thub]

Hardtops aren't too difficult to get hold of but they're not cheap - £500 plus for S1. Not so sure about S2.

[Turnamere]

Admittedly I've only owned my S1 for a couple of months (wettest on record), but the hard top that came with it has been in storage ever since. I also don't have a garage so I bought a lightweight breathable cover from covercraft of europe; it is fully fitted and takes just a couple of minutes to fit, packs up small enough to fit in the pasengers footwell and goes into the washing machine when dirty. I bought it direct but found them cheaper at hangar111 shortly after taking delivery. One other option (not factory) for driving in the wet is a kitchen roll in the net behind the seats! We used a full one during our Scotland trip.

[BermudaBob]

I'm just a bit paranoid, as my last convertible (dead cheap mx-5 8 years ago) had a soft top that went all manky on the inside over winter. So I thought a hard top would be useful for avoiding that.

[Lawrence5]

If you are on a budget bear in mind a s160 is group 20 but a std S2 is 18......

S2 is easier to leave with as a daily driver. S160 is a bit lumpy unrefined and harder to get in and out of.

You pays your money.....

[arlo]

Personally I wouldn't bother with a hardtop unless you don't drive it very often. Admittedly I only have one winters worth of experience and I drive it every day, but mine sits on the drive; wife's bike lives in the garage!

Also, not sure whether you're budget will stretch to it but the short roof on the S2 is ridiculously easy to put on/off compared to S1 (is the long S2 roof the same as the S1, anybody?).

Finally, for me the S2 is a much nicer looking car, but that is just down to personal preference.

[BermudaBob]

Certainly a lot to think about, thanks again... I'm currently going through all the adverts and pleasantly surprised at how many of them I can afford.

You'll know when I've got one - there will be a loud whooping noise from the direction of Nottingham...

Rob