Lotus Elise Stories - where did yours start?
Discussion
I've had a bit of a winding path with Elises I got hooked via numerous VX220s and only actually originally got an Elise as we were developing parts and needed a demo car
Enter the Blue meanie. This was a stock Sport tourer when I got it still one of my favourite models to this day. As has happened so many times since it was sold because the head gasket was on the way out (I'm better at spotting this now than I was back then!) We put a 111S engine in it with LSD and full exhaust it was a great car that one. Had it back a couple of times but not for about 5 years now.
Having had pretty much every variant pass through the business I had a Sport 190 and wow yes this is quite a special thing the VHPD screaming at 8000RPM is a rare treat just a few times a year when the weather allows due to it being fully restored underneath it never sees rain. I have owned this for over 4 years which is a record for me.
In 2021 I also got a final edition cup 250 a car that sadly has been somewhat neglected over the last year due to purchase of a S2 Exige but great cars I got a unique PTS Viper Green after a lot of lobbying Lotus and carbon aero pack.
To me theres still nothing that drives like these cars even after nearly 20 years I'm still peeling back those onion layers and you can never get bored of the steering.
Enter the Blue meanie. This was a stock Sport tourer when I got it still one of my favourite models to this day. As has happened so many times since it was sold because the head gasket was on the way out (I'm better at spotting this now than I was back then!) We put a 111S engine in it with LSD and full exhaust it was a great car that one. Had it back a couple of times but not for about 5 years now.
Having had pretty much every variant pass through the business I had a Sport 190 and wow yes this is quite a special thing the VHPD screaming at 8000RPM is a rare treat just a few times a year when the weather allows due to it being fully restored underneath it never sees rain. I have owned this for over 4 years which is a record for me.
In 2021 I also got a final edition cup 250 a car that sadly has been somewhat neglected over the last year due to purchase of a S2 Exige but great cars I got a unique PTS Viper Green after a lot of lobbying Lotus and carbon aero pack.
To me theres still nothing that drives like these cars even after nearly 20 years I'm still peeling back those onion layers and you can never get bored of the steering.
steve_n said:
Thanks Mike, confirms my thoughts. I miss cable throttles, they just do what you ask, no more, no less. I've got a 535i for refinement.
How do you find the S1 compared to the S2 111S?
Haven’t really had a chance to drive it properly. The S1 feels sharper than the s2. May will be the wider front wheelsHow do you find the S1 compared to the S2 111S?
It’s loud, it’s brutally uncomfortable, I can hardly get in and out of with the roof on (at my age), it vibrates like hell, the brakes need a heluva push, it’s hardly got any suspension, the gear selection isn’t great and sometimes it terrifies an old man like me!
But when you get it on some fast bends and the road is clear.
There is nothing like it.
The bark from the exhaust and induction note is intoxicating.
First run out in it since August last year. I was a gibberish wreck for a good hour afterwards.
But when you get it on some fast bends and the road is clear.
There is nothing like it.
The bark from the exhaust and induction note is intoxicating.
First run out in it since August last year. I was a gibberish wreck for a good hour afterwards.
I love this thread, so many stories where it’s clear a stupid little plastic (and aluminium) car has meant so much to so many. How cool must it be to have been behind the creation of such a thing.
I am at a complicated stage of my own Elise story so I will hold fire for now, but will write it up in good time
I will say though that similar to a few others here, Tickle’s one man Campaign for the Elevation of the Elise, through the medium of T33KLE (the medium is the message, remember), played a central role in spurring me on to properly pursue my longstanding desire to have and drive an Elise.
I am at a complicated stage of my own Elise story so I will hold fire for now, but will write it up in good time
I will say though that similar to a few others here, Tickle’s one man Campaign for the Elevation of the Elise, through the medium of T33KLE (the medium is the message, remember), played a central role in spurring me on to properly pursue my longstanding desire to have and drive an Elise.
keo said:
Jim H said:
Oh yeah, and my back is absolutely killing me today.
You really aren’t selling this Lotus ownership Jim 
Car looks ace, my Elise was red.
Let’s call it perseverance
I’m a silly old sod. Let’s just say it’s strangely pleasing to have something wrong in your life on a number of levels - yet so right…
Edited by Jim H on Sunday 7th April 11:45
The story goes something like this. My 30th was coming up, and I had a bit of a hump on about it - I saw myself leaving my twenties and I wasn’t happy about it. A good mate of mine lived right in the centre of Milan and I liked to jet off out there for the weekend often. My 30th, off to Milan it was, we had a right blast! Gig on the Saturday night (The Flaming Lips). Awake sharpish Sunday morning very hungover and we were off up to my mates other place at Courmayeur for a bit of Snowboarding. Which I’d never done before….!
My mate was injured (so he maintained) and couldn’t Snowboard but he laughed so much at me trying - and failing. Jeez did I hurt myself.
I got back to the UK and I still needed something else. And that’s when I stumbled upon the Elise, by absolute chance. I just had to buy it.
21 years later.
I’ve been whatsapping my mate today (Milan). He lives in Norway now.
We’ve been reminiscing about that mad weekend of my 30th.
His words: “Jim, you did the right thing getting through your mid-life crisis 21 years ago”.
My mate was injured (so he maintained) and couldn’t Snowboard but he laughed so much at me trying - and failing. Jeez did I hurt myself.
I got back to the UK and I still needed something else. And that’s when I stumbled upon the Elise, by absolute chance. I just had to buy it.
21 years later.
I’ve been whatsapping my mate today (Milan). He lives in Norway now.
We’ve been reminiscing about that mad weekend of my 30th.
His words: “Jim, you did the right thing getting through your mid-life crisis 21 years ago”.
I’ve always been an admirer of lotus cars and the Elise was very much a list object.
In 2011 I moved to Dubai and started earning decent money, enough to have multiple cars, do regular track days and even a bit of racing.
In 2015 I was looking for a 3rd car and had settled on either a phase 1 clio v6 or an s54 swapped e30. In some respects (certainly values!) I wish I’d gone for the Clio, but on the day I was due to do the deal saw an ad for a Canadian imported 2006 111r and the rest is history.
Owned it 8yrs now which is by far the longest I’ve owned a car. It’s completely unsuited to Dubai’s roads and I regularly say I’m going to sell it but never do. I’ve been daily driving it over winter, but need has replaced want in the sales proposition so it’s being prepped for sale once I get back from holiday. Main reason is that it doesn’t have a euro CofC so I can’t take it with me when I leave.
My elan’s also going, but hopefully there’s other lotuses in my future!
In 2011 I moved to Dubai and started earning decent money, enough to have multiple cars, do regular track days and even a bit of racing.
In 2015 I was looking for a 3rd car and had settled on either a phase 1 clio v6 or an s54 swapped e30. In some respects (certainly values!) I wish I’d gone for the Clio, but on the day I was due to do the deal saw an ad for a Canadian imported 2006 111r and the rest is history.
Owned it 8yrs now which is by far the longest I’ve owned a car. It’s completely unsuited to Dubai’s roads and I regularly say I’m going to sell it but never do. I’ve been daily driving it over winter, but need has replaced want in the sales proposition so it’s being prepped for sale once I get back from holiday. Main reason is that it doesn’t have a euro CofC so I can’t take it with me when I leave.
My elan’s also going, but hopefully there’s other lotuses in my future!
PlywoodPascal said:
f
kcing hell, flaming lips , rare to find a Lotus owner/enthusiast with decent taste in music. Over on SELOC right now they are going on about Jamiroquai ffs.
'I stood up and I said yeah'kcing hell, flaming lips , rare to find a Lotus owner/enthusiast with decent taste in music. Over on SELOC right now they are going on about Jamiroquai ffs. Edited by PlywoodPascal on Monday 8th April 01:45
Seen them 3 times over the years, Wayne Coyne, a mesmerizing front man!
The want for one first started in my teens - saw a Norfolk Mustard one on the front cover of Car/Autocar. Sure I’ll still have it somewhere…
Fast forward a few years and the opportunity arose - no kids / could walk to work / OH had a more sensible car when needed…
306GTi6 sold to be replaced with a new aluminium S1 with red seats 🥰. What a joy to drive - until it wasn’t! Had an early interface with some scenery as I found out quite how snappy they could be compared to a fwd hot hatch…
no real harm done though - new set of boots and a Walshy day booked at North Weald to learn how to drive all over again… (saw Michael’s photo earlier in the thread - if you haven’t done one or something similar you really should) always remember it - he jumped in a promptly revved it harder and had the thing turning in miles quicker than I thought possible.
Done a few miles - had HGF, tinkered with it a bit and owned it for about 4 years before wanting something different.
Looked at a 111R as they were new out - really enjoyed it and ready to swap when I saw I could buy a 993 for the same money. Had never driven one but the seed was sown and purchased a dark blue manual targa. Beautiful thing that made a lovely noise etc but, for a 2nd car / Sunday morning b-road run out just not as engaging for me. Sold it when daughter was young as was hardly driving it.
Move on a few years and wanted something fun again - found another S1 (new aluminium again which was probably the one colour I didn’t want 2nd around) and have now owned it approaching 10 years.
I sorn’d it over the winter - retaxed it in the week and drove it for the first time in 4 months yesterday. Burnt forehead from being out most of the day and smitten all over again - won’t make the mistake of selling one twice.
Fast forward a few years and the opportunity arose - no kids / could walk to work / OH had a more sensible car when needed…
306GTi6 sold to be replaced with a new aluminium S1 with red seats 🥰. What a joy to drive - until it wasn’t! Had an early interface with some scenery as I found out quite how snappy they could be compared to a fwd hot hatch…
no real harm done though - new set of boots and a Walshy day booked at North Weald to learn how to drive all over again… (saw Michael’s photo earlier in the thread - if you haven’t done one or something similar you really should) always remember it - he jumped in a promptly revved it harder and had the thing turning in miles quicker than I thought possible.
Done a few miles - had HGF, tinkered with it a bit and owned it for about 4 years before wanting something different.
Looked at a 111R as they were new out - really enjoyed it and ready to swap when I saw I could buy a 993 for the same money. Had never driven one but the seed was sown and purchased a dark blue manual targa. Beautiful thing that made a lovely noise etc but, for a 2nd car / Sunday morning b-road run out just not as engaging for me. Sold it when daughter was young as was hardly driving it.
Move on a few years and wanted something fun again - found another S1 (new aluminium again which was probably the one colour I didn’t want 2nd around) and have now owned it approaching 10 years.
I sorn’d it over the winter - retaxed it in the week and drove it for the first time in 4 months yesterday. Burnt forehead from being out most of the day and smitten all over again - won’t make the mistake of selling one twice.
Saw an S1 at the motor show in 1997. Knew I’d buy one. Had an MX5 at the time, when they were still rare and desirable. Before all the grey imports flooded in. I took out a loan for £1k to fund the deposit. Calypso with radio kit, driving lights and alarm. I could afford leather or metallic paint. At the time I wanted azure but I was absolutely maxed out.
When I went to collect it, the paint down one side was mottled,
like orange peel. It looked absolutely awful, like it had been poorly repaired. Frosts, the supplying dealer agreed. I bought it, because I’d waited a year and was desperate for it, on the basis they would order me another, identical car from Lotus and when that arrived, I’d swap mine in for it at no charge!
Looking back, the cars were selling for a premium- March 98. They convinced Lotus to supply an extra new car and I’m sure they sold ‘my’ first car at overs. Even though the paint was awful.
It broke down leaving me unable to get any gear due to the clutch pipe issue. Had to get recovered. I was 23.
Frosts invited me to a track day at Goodwood. Most of the guys there were much older than me and the Elise was a third or fourth car for them.
Mine represented all my worldly wealth. Think I had less than £50 to my name that month till I got paid.
Got taken out for a sighting lap with another Elise owner who clearly knew how to extract performance from the car. He made it look easy.
After 3 laps my ego was whispering that I was pretty good at this and it was actually pretty easy. I remember looking at the speedo and seeing an indicated 110mph in 4th. Because you don’t pass buildings or anything to give perception of speed and because I was wearing a helmet in car for the first time and because I was young, I’d really let the speed creep up. The car hadn’t done 1k miles.
At seeing 110, I lifted. Whilst cornering. A long left hander. The back stepped out quickly, too quickly. I floored it, got some lock on and for a few glorious seconds I held it like Steve Austin at the beginning of the Six Million Dollar Man. I had a mate sat next to me. I remember, in uncanny slow motion, him shouting “BRAKE!!” I knew that wasn’t good advice, but my nerve broke. I hit the middle pedal, the MMC’s locked up and the spinning started. Three full rotations. Off the track, onto short grass, then long grass, like bull rushes. I stopped, facing oncoming traffic. I could have wound down the window and touched the tyre wall.
I remember feeling like physically ill afterward.
I didn’t do a track day for 5 years after that.
Bought a final edition last month. My ninth and Final Elise.
When I went to collect it, the paint down one side was mottled,
like orange peel. It looked absolutely awful, like it had been poorly repaired. Frosts, the supplying dealer agreed. I bought it, because I’d waited a year and was desperate for it, on the basis they would order me another, identical car from Lotus and when that arrived, I’d swap mine in for it at no charge!
Looking back, the cars were selling for a premium- March 98. They convinced Lotus to supply an extra new car and I’m sure they sold ‘my’ first car at overs. Even though the paint was awful.
It broke down leaving me unable to get any gear due to the clutch pipe issue. Had to get recovered. I was 23.
Frosts invited me to a track day at Goodwood. Most of the guys there were much older than me and the Elise was a third or fourth car for them.
Mine represented all my worldly wealth. Think I had less than £50 to my name that month till I got paid.
Got taken out for a sighting lap with another Elise owner who clearly knew how to extract performance from the car. He made it look easy.
After 3 laps my ego was whispering that I was pretty good at this and it was actually pretty easy. I remember looking at the speedo and seeing an indicated 110mph in 4th. Because you don’t pass buildings or anything to give perception of speed and because I was wearing a helmet in car for the first time and because I was young, I’d really let the speed creep up. The car hadn’t done 1k miles.
At seeing 110, I lifted. Whilst cornering. A long left hander. The back stepped out quickly, too quickly. I floored it, got some lock on and for a few glorious seconds I held it like Steve Austin at the beginning of the Six Million Dollar Man. I had a mate sat next to me. I remember, in uncanny slow motion, him shouting “BRAKE!!” I knew that wasn’t good advice, but my nerve broke. I hit the middle pedal, the MMC’s locked up and the spinning started. Three full rotations. Off the track, onto short grass, then long grass, like bull rushes. I stopped, facing oncoming traffic. I could have wound down the window and touched the tyre wall.
I remember feeling like physically ill afterward.
I didn’t do a track day for 5 years after that.
Bought a final edition last month. My ninth and Final Elise.
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