Elise Decisions

Author
Discussion

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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After bottling it last year and buying a c class, I am again in a position to look at an Elise. Which model would people recommend? I loved the purity of the 1.6, and the fact that it was enjoyable, but would I get frustrated with the relative lack of power. Bell and Colvill have the sprint tested by PH a few months back for sale, Not really sure what to look at or go for as I'm new to the sports car market!

Composite Guru

2,205 posts

202 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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I test drove a 1.6 and then a 220 Sport and it was a clear winner what I was going to buy.
Originally I wanted a mint S2 Exige S but could not find one for live nor money in the right condition.
Decided on a 220 Cup in the end as they are a limited run car and just something a bit more special than the standard spec Elise.



The car is a real head turner.

deltashad

6,731 posts

196 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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I bought an Elise in 2012. Its the poultry 1.8 134bhp spec. I use it as a daily in my time off, we regularly do long European road trips in it and at the age of 44 still think its relatively comfortable. I made a luggage rack for the trips, you can pick up a second hand engine cover for peanuts and drill holes with no worries about resale, the extra space gives you somewhere to put a small overnight case and the soft top. The boot space is surprisingly big you just have to buy squashy bags to maximise it.
The power is a little off though but after driving a friends 220sc I wasnt too impressed and think my choice wasn't too bad.
Since owning it i've done a few mods, TRD airbox, 2bular exhaust was worth every penny, sounds much much better than before, the hard top was a blessing, slightly less interior noise, no leaks and makes it look much better imo.
I also upgraded the sound system with a flat bass box, amp and bigger speakers so I can hear my music now smile
Great little car and have no intentions of selling it.
The only downside is having a small boot opening, but take off the roof and its surprising what you can fit from Ikea.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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Are we talking new or used here? If used, how old?

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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I'm not really sure, The 1.6 at Bell and Colvill is 4 months old, it was the sprint used by all of the motoring magazines (and PH). If I was going for a 220, it would probably be 2-3 years old, But I also have a soft spot for the 111r.

The big thing attracting me to the 1.6 model is the fact that it is a lot of fun at legal speeds

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Sunday 13th August 2017
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If you want "fun at legal speeds" and aren't intending to use it daily, I'd argue you should be looking at S1s or possibly early (K-series) S2s. The Toyota cars with their extra weight, assisted brakes, etc. feel considerably more... grown-up.

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Sunday 20th August 2017
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kambites said:
If you want "fun at legal speeds" and aren't intending to use it daily, I'd argue you should be looking at S1s or possibly early (K-series) S2s. The Toyota cars with their extra weight, assisted brakes, etc. feel considerably more... grown-up.
How reliable is the K series? One thing I'd like to try is track days, So I can definately see the logic of the S1/S2 Elises, but looking at prices, the VX220 NA and Turbo seems like much more value for money. I know that this debte has came up before, but is the extra money for the Elise justifiable over the Vauxhall?

CABC

5,529 posts

100 months

Sunday 20th August 2017
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VXs are fine cars, and don't necessarily assume turbo. many argue the delicate chassis is best enjoyed with NA, and the VX has enough power and good torque.

You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.

the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Monday 21st August 2017
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CABC said:
VXs are fine cars, and don't necessarily assume turbo. many argue the delicate chassis is best enjoyed with NA, and the VX has enough power and good torque.

You need to try S1s to compare with the civility of the Toyo cars. Head gaskets aren't a problem - fix it if it happens for a few hundred £ and treat it right (warm up, cool down properly). K series is actually a classic engine imo.

the 1.6 is a fine car for momentum drivers. The S is a lot of power for the public road if you like driving a car at 9/10s+.
1.6 really benefits from a TRD airbox and sports exhaust (dealer fitted as Power Pack), more lively noise, more responsive and maybe few more ponies.
Thanks for this. I've been looking at a few cars. I want to use what ever I get as much as possible, and one thing that detracted from the 1.6 Elise, was that it felt significantly underpowered on the motorways. I've narrowed my list down to the following. There are 2 Elises, 1 VX....Opinions would be much appreciated!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Havoc856-S

2,072 posts

178 months

Monday 21st August 2017
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The VX220 Turbo looks nice, aside from the missing sill panel in the photo (or might be the light) - plus has the added benefit of being able to pop to Courtenay Sport and grab the Stage 3 Klassen map in the future should you 'need' more power for minimal outlay.

The Elises are ok, but look a bit ropey.

This is just down the road from me, probably a bit of flex and haggling on the price to bring it closer to what your suggested budget may be:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Alternatively an S1:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
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Thanks for those....I'm going to have a look at the VXT, and the blue S1.....the red s2 looks like a nice car, so am going to call te owner, who seems like a genuine guy and see what he will take for it. Also need to look at insurance, wondering if i can get a limited mileage policy

keo

2,021 posts

169 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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I have put my 111R if it is if any interest to you? Red, touring pack, full service history last service two weeks ago. 49k

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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Thanks Keo, In it on Pistonheads I went to see the S1 this evening. Beautiful car, needs a bit of tidying round the interior, but the S1 is something special. Going to sleep on it tonight.....How much is your 111R?

Edited by ColinMacC on Sunday 27th August 06:37

keo

2,021 posts

169 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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HI Colin

No its not on PH but is on AT, don't think i am allowed to put a link on here. I have advertised it at £17500

ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Monday 28th August 2017
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I went to see the blue s1 yeaterday. It is stunning. Seats and sill padding need refurbished. Do you think its a good investestnent?

smiles1

543 posts

221 months

Monday 28th August 2017
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ColinMacC said:
I went to see the blue s1 yeaterday. It is stunning. Seats and sill padding need refurbished. Do you think its a good investestnent?
The Blue S1 is owned by a friend of mine and is a very genuine and mecahnically good car. Rob the owner knows Elise's inside and out (you will have seen he owns two himself) and knows that Blue S1 inside and out and has made sure it is mechanically sound before selling.

Sill pads can be bought cheap enough from ebay and a seat retrim is par for the course on most Elise's as it usually wears every few years. With the way the S1 market is going I'd say it's a good investment with the miles and condition of the car and you get a good S1 to enjoy in the meantime smile

Hope that helps.


ColinMacC

Original Poster:

96 posts

103 months

Monday 28th August 2017
quotequote all
smiles1 said:
The Blue S1 is owned by a friend of mine and is a very genuine and mecahnically good car. Rob the owner knows Elise's inside and out (you will have seen he owns two himself) and knows that Blue S1 inside and out and has made sure it is mechanically sound before selling.

Sill pads can be bought cheap enough from ebay and a seat retrim is par for the course on most Elise's as it usually wears every few years. With the way the S1 market is going I'd say it's a good investment with the miles and condition of the car and you get a good S1 to enjoy in the meantime smile

Hope that helps.
That's a lot of help. I loved the car,. To be honest, it exceeded my expectations. It's at the top end of my budget, and I was hoping to find an excuse to negotiate downwards, but I'm going to try to do a deal on it

england_r

32 posts

188 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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It's a pretty little thing wavey

robpeacey

63 posts

217 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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Correct colour combo in my opinion

Here's mine (Just because)


england_r

32 posts

188 months

Monday 4th September 2017
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If anyone is interested the blue car sold at the weekend.