Any other cars to shortlist? S1 Elise.

[911pleb]

Budget 20k (doesn't mean i have to spend it all though!)
Looking for reasonable mpg (30+?)
Driving involvement paramount
2nd car so practicality/daily driverness unimportant.

I keep coming back to an S1 Elise. Probably just the 118bhp version, though the 111s does appeal.

Just wondering if im missed anything obvious off my list?
It'll be on the driveway uncovered so I feel like a Caterham will be at the mercy of both the weather and knob heads moreso than the slightly more secure Elise.
A Porsche of any type in this bracket is more of a fancy daily than a special event car, if you know what I mean. Also mpg will suck. Same can be said for M3's amd M'5s.

Looked at a zenos but not keen for multiple reasons. Vx220 Ive never got on with. Had 3 mx5s in various model years.

Is there anything else I should think about test driving before I go full bore on Elise shopping, or have I covered most of my options above?

Thanks.

[selym]

Why have you never got on with the VX220? Badge, looks, or something more substantial?

[911pleb]

I just prefer the Elise. In the same way I prefer the brz over the gt86. A little bit badge, a little bit looks (shallow) but they've just never grabbed me as an 'I want one' type car.

Im sure they are just as wonderful to drive, but I just don't like them.

[selym]

911pleb said:

I just prefer the Elise. In the same way I prefer the brz over the gt86. A little bit badge, a little bit looks (shallow) but they've just never grabbed me as an 'I want one' type car.

Im sure they are just as wonderful to drive, but I just don't like them.

Yeah, you'd never get over those issues and wouldn't enjoy the car, great drive or not. Which they are.....
Just get an Elise, I'm sure you won't regret it at all.

Myles - VX220 SC owner.

[lj04]

On my third Elise now used as daily drivers, I still miss my S1. See Jon Seal or Will B on SELOC if you need help getting a good one

[DoubleD]

Why the need for 30+ mpg for a fun "toy" car? I understand not wanting to throw money away, but the mpg thing in this instance just seems a bit odd.

[Jamescrs]

I've been looking on similar criteria myself with a view to purchasing next year as a present to myself for my 40th. I've considered loads of options but currently keep coming back to the Porsche Cayman S as a 987.2 version. it's going to be at the top of the budget.

I too currently have an MX-5 on my drive as a bit of a toy.

[griffter]

S2000? Good one at half your budget.

[andburg]

park and forget you might be able to haggle down a Ginetta G40 into budget, practically a race car for the road

Devils advocate....
you discounted a Caterham\westfield on weather but you could quite easily buy an enclosed trailer to put it in, also means you can take to and from track days.


Oddballs - storage needed
Can-am spyder (trike, again need a place to keep it)
Ginetta G20

[Johnniem]

Cayman 987.2 The end.

[AndyD360]

S2 elise? Purely on the basis it’s parked outside and the S1 roof isn’t the best at keeping the elements at bay.

[DoubleD]

Johnniem said:

Cayman 987.2 The end.

The start.

He mentioned Porsche in his 1st post.

The end.

[Nyloc20]

If you're fit and nimble get an Elise, there's nothing like them for driver involvement, handling and steering feel. Not too refined for long journeys of course and obviously the interior's a bit spartan.
I had to sell my Elise S2 last year as I'm old and couldn't get out over the sill. Now got a Boxster 981PDK, good car for long distances but dull and heavy for short trips and for a two seater it seems unnecessarily wide and long to me.

[Johnniem]

DoubleD said:

Johnniem said:

Cayman 987.2 The end.

The start.

He mentioned Porsche in his 1st post.

The end.

He also mentioned 30 mpg +, which is very unlikely with an S1 Elise and distinctly possible with a Cayman 987. I've owned 2 so am perfectly able to confirm that.

[selym]

Johnniem said:

He also mentioned 30 mpg +, which is very unlikely with an S1 Elise and distinctly possible with a Cayman 987. I've owned 2 so am perfectly able to confirm that.

Is the Elise a <30mpg car? I never knew that - my Vx220 is more frugal, even with a supercharger.

[james_gt3rs]

Johnniem said:

He also mentioned 30 mpg +, which is very unlikely with an S1 Elise and distinctly possible with a Cayman 987. I've owned 2 so am perfectly able to confirm that.

Sure you got that the right way round?

[DoubleD]

Johnniem said:

DoubleD said:

Johnniem said:

Cayman 987.2 The end.

The start.

He mentioned Porsche in his 1st post.

The end.

He also mentioned 30 mpg +, which is very unlikely with an S1 Elise and distinctly possible with a Cayman 987. I've owned 2 so am perfectly able to confirm that.

Even if thats true, which I would be surprised, he said that a Porsche isnt a special enough car for him.

[CABC]

the mpg diversion is plain silly.

back on topic. for a fun car why not a Toyo Elise? and 40mpg?

The S1 is clearly a modern classic. even appreciating, but it also comes with more maintenance.
a newer car is same price, more practical blah blah and 99% of the fun.

[Nyloc20]

I had my 2008 Elise S for four years and I can't remember it ever doing less than 40mpg.