Looking for first Lotus

[StevieBee]

BenGB said:

Here are some of the advert pics from Barry Ely where I got it (local to me) - it's much dirtier now! Try one out - you won't regret it

Pretty certain I arrived as you were picking that up!

Was collecting my S2 (red) from Barry who'd just done a service and MOT (was with my lad who'd dropped me off in his blue Fiesta ST).

Barry's the chair of the Essex branch of Club Lotus. We meet every third Tuesday at the Duke of Wellington, Hatfield Peverel. I haven't been for a while but usually pleasant company and convivial banter.

Talking of Club Lotus, I'd recommend joining and signing up for the Castle Coombe 'fast driving track day' on the 25th May. Superb day and a track ideal for the Elise. Very well run too so no nutters trying to do a quali-lap every five minutes!

[BertBert]

StevieBee said:

Talking of Club Lotus, I'd recommend joining and signing up for the Castle Coombe 'fast driving track day' on the 25th May. Superb day and a track ideal for the Elise. Very well run too so no nutters trying to do a quali-lap every five minutes!

What on earth is that? Is there a slow driving version?

[Mr E]

BertBert said:

What on earth is that? Is there a slow driving version?

Any track day I attend.

[BertBert]

Mr E said:

Any track day I attend.

[completely off topic] I hadn't driven a trackday for many years. But I found myself recently at Silverstone at a BRDC track day. What a great day, saw many old friends, but was in the wrong car - an Audi R8 LMS Evo II GT3. I was determined to enjoy it, so did about 60 laps, but didn't get a single clear one!

There must be a sweet spot for a track day car. Not too fast so you get baulked every lap, but not so slow that you are always giving way to the cars behind. Probably a 996 or 997 GT3 or evora 410 maybe.

Bert
PS and yes I did enjoy it hugely despite the traffic what an astonishing car!

[StevieBee]

BertBert said:

StevieBee said:

Talking of Club Lotus, I'd recommend joining and signing up for the Castle Coombe 'fast driving track day' on the 25th May. Superb day and a track ideal for the Elise. Very well run too so no nutters trying to do a quali-lap every five minutes!

What on earth is that? Is there a slow driving version?

I know



Club Lotus have a very... how can I put this.... 'traditional' way of articulating and doing things. I renewed my subscription this year with a Postal Order.

I think it's their way of saying 'Come and enjoy some spirited motoring but no riff-raff'

[ChloeW2511]

Good morning,

Im currently looking to buy my 1st lotus elise, s2 or s3, i was wondering about running/ servicing costs. How much does it yearly cost you and anything to really look out for when purchasing one?

thanks so much in advance

[StevieBee]

ChloeW2511 said:

Good morning,

Im currently looking to buy my 1st lotus elise, s2 or s3, i was wondering about running/ servicing costs. How much does it yearly cost you and anything to really look out for when purchasing one?

thanks so much in advance

Have a S2 Elise S.

Annual service and MOT comes in at around £500.

Tax is £250 a year.

Insurance (57 years old, FNCB, rural mid Essex) is £190 fully comp.

Depending on how I'm driving it, £50 of fuel will last me four to six weeks. I guess I'm doing 2k miles a year.

There's not a great deal to go wrong. Usual suspects are corroded wishbones and a notchy gear change which could indicate the synchro is on its last legs. And cam belt - unless you're going for a later/ Toyota one.

Check to see what, if any, modifications have been done and how well. A few I know who've had the worse problems is where a non OEM part was badly installed.

And check underneath to spot any track day excursions. The fact that it's been used on a track day shouldn't put you off (that's where the car comes alive after all!), but evidence of many offs (dead tufts of grass, scratches and a well-used towing eye) might give you reason to look a bit deeper.

The other thing is to check that you fit one. I'm serious! They are not the easiest of cars to get in and out of and you'll find the driving position awkward if you're overly fond of pies and/or you slept in a grow bag when young. I'd say 6' is on the upper limit of what's comfortable. My lad's 6'3" and has to hunch down to avoid looking straight at the top of the windscreen.

[Mr E]

BertBert said:

There must be a sweet spot for a track day car. !

A decent Elise?

[StevieBee]

BertBert said:

There must be a sweet spot for a track day car. Not too fast so you get baulked every lap, but not so slow that you are always giving way to the cars behind. Probably a 996 or 997 GT3 or evora 410 maybe.

I think this is specific to the type of track day and the circuit, rather than the car.

I've always avoided the 'open to all' type events for the very reason you mention. No matter what you've got, there's always someone in something much faster or much slower. And at Silverstone, in any configuration, that's going to be accentuated.

The Castle Come event I mentioned is perfect. The circuit suits any Lotus, plenty of space if you are or want to overtake and mostly cars of broadly similar performance. And a nice bunch too!

[Mr E]

Have fun over Avon rise into quarry. Doubly so if it’s wet.

[StevieBee]

ChloeW2511 said:

Good morning,

Im currently looking to buy my 1st lotus elise, s2 or s3, i was wondering about running/ servicing costs. How much does it yearly cost you and anything to really look out for when purchasing one?

thanks so much in advance

My first and so far only venture in car vlogging, if you're interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M82VjXZ_7Nc

[johnraiders]

That’s a great video “better fashion…..” 😂

[StevieBee]

johnraiders said:

That’s a great video “better fashion…..” ??

...said I wearing my George at Asda t-Shirt and Blue Harbour jeans

[BenGB]

StevieBee said:

BenGB said:

Here are some of the advert pics from Barry Ely where I got it (local to me) - it's much dirtier now! Try one out - you won't regret it

Pretty certain I arrived as you were picking that up!

Was collecting my S2 (red) from Barry who'd just done a service and MOT (was with my lad who'd dropped me off in his blue Fiesta ST).

Barry's the chair of the Essex branch of Club Lotus. We meet every third Tuesday at the Duke of Wellington, Hatfield Peverel. I haven't been for a while but usually pleasant company and convivial banter.

Talking of Club Lotus, I'd recommend joining and signing up for the Castle Coombe 'fast driving track day' on the 25th May. Superb day and a track ideal for the Elise. Very well run too so no nutters trying to do a quali-lap every five minutes!

Aaah yes, I remember... small world! Funnily enough my lad had dropped me off in his Fiesta Zetec S (he can't afford to insure an ST yet!). Barry mentioned the monthly meetings - I couldn't make April but will try and get along to this month's meeting (usual work related caveats etc). I'm only in Chelmsford so it's just up the road. Hopefully I will meet you properly at one of the meetings.
Thanks for the track day info. I can't do that weekend but will hopefully be taking it to Stow Maries for the Wings and Wheels on Sunday 26th.