RE: Lotus Elise S1: Spotted
Discussion
When the Elise S1 first appeared my car history only consisted of a few decent '80's hot-hatches and an S13 200SX. I read the road tests in Performance Car and then EVO and tried to get my head round what that next-level driving experience would be like. I found myself sitting in an S1 Sport 135 rather more quickly than I'd expected, with the owner in the passenger seat. I still remember the details, on the back roads near Edinburgh airport. The steering was sooooo direct and high-geared, sitting on the floor with legs outstretched, thinking the gearbox wasn't nearly as crap as the mag testers had written (turns out this particular 135 had a Quaife shift fitted). I didn't think it felt particularly quick 2-up (I know, that's not the point).
The unservoed brakes were just great. I locked-up braking for a corner, but just reduced the braking pressure by a nanobollok and was sorted. So easy to modulate. Sorry if it all sounds a bit Troy Queef, but it was everything I'd reckoned it would be to drive. I bought loads of cars in the years to follow, with a phase of V8 RWD blunt thuggery, but eventually decided it was time for the Elise I'd always wanted.
It has a Vauxhall badge
The unservoed brakes were just great. I locked-up braking for a corner, but just reduced the braking pressure by a nanobollok and was sorted. So easy to modulate. Sorry if it all sounds a bit Troy Queef, but it was everything I'd reckoned it would be to drive. I bought loads of cars in the years to follow, with a phase of V8 RWD blunt thuggery, but eventually decided it was time for the Elise I'd always wanted.
It has a Vauxhall badge
CABC
I looked at Elise S1, S2 and the VX220. I did tend towards the S1 from a 'purity' standpoint, but I prefer the looks of the VX. Despite being slightly heavier, the VX power/weight is about the same as a standard S1 due to the 145bhp. If I'd found the 'right' Elise I'd have bought one, but my VX appeared for sale locally in my preferred colour (Europa Blue) and with a hardtop for less money than an equivalent S1.
The VX is setup to be slightly less edgy and a tad more understeery than the Elise. I've fitted wider front tyres and had the geo settings changed to those of the Elise S2 to make the car a little bit more pointy.
I drove a couple of turbos but didn't reckon the extra performance made the car any more fun to drive, hence bought an NA. I'd also just sold a 400BHP Monaro largely because I reckoned the performance was largely wasted in the south of UK and wanted a car where I could use all of the performance most of the time without reaching crazy speeds..
Future car plans may well be Elise, Exige or Evora shaped.
I looked at Elise S1, S2 and the VX220. I did tend towards the S1 from a 'purity' standpoint, but I prefer the looks of the VX. Despite being slightly heavier, the VX power/weight is about the same as a standard S1 due to the 145bhp. If I'd found the 'right' Elise I'd have bought one, but my VX appeared for sale locally in my preferred colour (Europa Blue) and with a hardtop for less money than an equivalent S1.
The VX is setup to be slightly less edgy and a tad more understeery than the Elise. I've fitted wider front tyres and had the geo settings changed to those of the Elise S2 to make the car a little bit more pointy.
I drove a couple of turbos but didn't reckon the extra performance made the car any more fun to drive, hence bought an NA. I'd also just sold a 400BHP Monaro largely because I reckoned the performance was largely wasted in the south of UK and wanted a car where I could use all of the performance most of the time without reaching crazy speeds..
Future car plans may well be Elise, Exige or Evora shaped.
Love the S1 Elise and the subsequent derivatives.
Reason this article drew fewer comments I think may be due to the fact the Elise is not attainable for a lot of people. Most folk can and will be able to lease a new 318d. However, few are able to stump up the money needed for an Elise, especially when for many it will be a second car.
Personally I've considered an Elise on a few occasions, but living in central London, motorbikes and V8s all got in the way of ownership at one point or another. I still like to own an Elise, but that will have to wait till I have a driveway, and till I've got a TVR out of my system
Reason this article drew fewer comments I think may be due to the fact the Elise is not attainable for a lot of people. Most folk can and will be able to lease a new 318d. However, few are able to stump up the money needed for an Elise, especially when for many it will be a second car.
Personally I've considered an Elise on a few occasions, but living in central London, motorbikes and V8s all got in the way of ownership at one point or another. I still like to own an Elise, but that will have to wait till I have a driveway, and till I've got a TVR out of my system
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff