RE: Lotus Elise Sprint: Review
Discussion
Just chanced upon this thread and thought I'd add my experiences as a relatively poor person (compared with some on here) who has never owned a really fast or expensive car. I hired a brand new Elise in 1997 for a day in February when the weather was absolutely awful. I had the time of my life (although you had to watch the back end on roundabouts) and its been my ambition to own one since. I have subsequently driven or been a passenger in 911s, Boxsters, M3s, Subaru Imprezas and did a driving experience in an Audi R8 at Thruxton, but the Elise was the most fun and the only one really that I'd want to own. Once the kids have flown the nest and university support isn't needed, I think I'll get one.
FocusRS3 said:
which model elise ?
vast power not essential imo. 160 often thought to be a sweet spot.S1 - pure & light. harder to live with. often cared for and appreciating (always nice)
S2/3 - Toyota reliability, easier to live with. keep it nasp with appropriate mods to make engine more responsive.
personally i don't think FI necessary at all. keep it simple.
CABC said:
vast power not essential imo. 160 often thought to be a sweet spot.
S1 - pure & light. harder to live with. often cared for and appreciating (always nice)
S2/3 - Toyota reliability, easier to live with. keep it nasp with appropriate mods to make engine more responsive.
personally i don't think FI necessary at all. keep it simple.
Something like this ?S1 - pure & light. harder to live with. often cared for and appreciating (always nice)
S2/3 - Toyota reliability, easier to live with. keep it nasp with appropriate mods to make engine more responsive.
personally i don't think FI necessary at all. keep it simple.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
FocusRS3 said:
SidewaysSi said:
Do it - they are wonderful things. I maintain that for the driving enthusiast they are probably the best useable real world do-it-all cars for reasonable money. If you can live with 2 seats of course.
which model elise ?Mine is an S1 Sport 160 so pretty hardcore. And it has all sorts of modifications like a LSD, Nitron dampers, Larini Club Sport exhaust, ultra close ratio straight cut Quaife gearbox etc. So I do need to use ear protection.
Personally I have no problem with it, although having done a trip to Wales it did start to grate even on me after 14 straight hours behind the wheel!
I would think that a nice 111R may not be a bad option. Relatively modern and comfortable and available for less than £20k.
And like all Elises they hold their money.
It does depend on your budget but I would recommend trying a few. Maybe get along to Bell and Colvill and ask them for some opinion and a test drive. Also a local SELOC etc meet maybe worth a shot.
Unfortunately it is one of those that entirely depends on your use, budget and what you personally find acceptable.
FocusRS3 said:
yes.personally i don't like vtec second cam in an Elise, which is what the R has. i prefer progressive power, especially as this car will be at high revs through a corner. others love it.
CABC said:
FocusRS3 said:
yes.personally i don't like vtec second cam in an Elise, which is what the R has. i prefer progressive power, especially as this car will be at high revs through a corner. others love it.
SidewaysSi said:
CABC said:
FocusRS3 said:
yes.personally i don't like vtec second cam in an Elise, which is what the R has. i prefer progressive power, especially as this car will be at high revs through a corner. others love it.
itcaptainslow said:
FocusRS3 said:
Digging up an old thread but anyone use an Exige S3 as a daily ?
Compared to my old S1 the S3 is very useable. Compared to most other things, the S3 is still raw, a pain to get in/out of, cooks your luggage and NVH isn’t great for something you’d use everyday.It may annoy some people in some circumstances but it is very personal as to whether you will get on with it.
Whereas everyone will be able to live with a BMW, Porsche etc.
There is someone on SELOC who has used a 135R everyday, clocking up around 230k miles I believe. The car is still probably worth £10-12k.
I have a VX220 and although not exactly the same, the similarities outweigh the differences. I've owned it for 7 years ish and done 40k miles in it. I've driven it as a daily and I've gone to the south of France in it, 2 up with camping gear. There are some compromises of course but every time you drive it, it's an experience. Some people will like that and others won't. Some people buy them thinking they will be like other cars and keep them for a short period of time due to how different they are. Some people get it and some don't. It's not to say one or the other is wrong, just different. With regards to prices, when a hot Golf of Ford costs as much as they do these days, the Elise is a breath of (20 year old) fresh air. In fact, I bet the design ethos of adding lightness to other manufacturers would go a long way to fixing some of the usual moans people have. Mine's been heavily modified now but there is little better than a 150bhp NA VX220 and a quiet country road.
I won't be selling my VX any time soon. I don't daily it any more but pulling it out of the garage and going for a blat, there's nothing better.
These newer models must be even more refined and everything I've ever read from actual owners that get them point to them being great.
I won't be selling my VX any time soon. I don't daily it any more but pulling it out of the garage and going for a blat, there's nothing better.
These newer models must be even more refined and everything I've ever read from actual owners that get them point to them being great.
SidewaysSi said:
itcaptainslow said:
FocusRS3 said:
Digging up an old thread but anyone use an Exige S3 as a daily ?
Compared to my old S1 the S3 is very useable. Compared to most other things, the S3 is still raw, a pain to get in/out of, cooks your luggage and NVH isn’t great for something you’d use everyday.It may annoy some people in some circumstances but it is very personal as to whether you will get on with it.
Whereas everyone will be able to live with a BMW, Porsche etc.
There is someone on SELOC who has used a 135R everyday, clocking up around 230k miles I believe. The car is still probably worth £10-12k.
greenarrow said:
Just chanced upon this thread and thought I'd add my experiences as a relatively poor person (compared with some on here) who has never owned a really fast or expensive car. I hired a brand new Elise in 1997 for a day in February when the weather was absolutely awful. I had the time of my life (although you had to watch the back end on roundabouts) and its been my ambition to own one since. I have subsequently driven or been a passenger in 911s, Boxsters, M3s, Subaru Imprezas and did a driving experience in an Audi R8 at Thruxton, but the Elise was the most fun and the only one really that I'd want to own. Once the kids have flown the nest and university support isn't needed, I think I'll get one.
If you can look past the badge, VX220s are spectacular value and are virtually the same.I always had my heart set on a Elise/Exige but after passing a VX on my commute I looked into them and the price meant I could get into one a lot sooner than the Lotus badged brothers.
8 years on I'm smitten with it and I'm looking at bringing it to NZ with me rather than buying a Lotus out there
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff