I can't afford an Elise...
Discussion
I think the MR2 has a worse power to weight ratio than any Elise, albeit not by much.
The MR2 weighs around a tonne and has 138bhp. The worst Elise would probably be the very last 120bhp K-series powered S2s, which weighed a little under 800kg. So ~138bhp/tonne vs ~150 for the slowest Elise.
The MR2 weighs around a tonne and has 138bhp. The worst Elise would probably be the very last 120bhp K-series powered S2s, which weighed a little under 800kg. So ~138bhp/tonne vs ~150 for the slowest Elise.
kambites said:
I think the MR2 has a worse power to weight ratio than any Elise, albeit not by much.
The MR2 weighs around a tonne and has 138bhp. The worst Elise would probably be the very last 120bhp K-series powered S2s, which weighed a little under 800kg. So ~138bhp/tonne vs ~150 for the slowest Elise.
I corrected it as you posted. Oops.The MR2 weighs around a tonne and has 138bhp. The worst Elise would probably be the very last 120bhp K-series powered S2s, which weighed a little under 800kg. So ~138bhp/tonne vs ~150 for the slowest Elise.
Bill said:
I corrected it as you posted. Oops.
Still, not a huge amount in it. Neither car is really about straight line speed. Perhaps somewhat ironically, I know a couple of people who were planning to buy MR2s, but ended up stretching to an Elise instead for the extra luggage space.
Pearcyy said:
I've seen a few 6k elises and theres quite a few for 7, why not stretch your budget a little and get what you want?
Apparently early Elise models are even more unreliable than Lotus' in general - so I'd be a little concerned about the condition of a "cheap" Elise, especially where the K-Series engine is involved! Are my concerns unfounded perhaps?No they aren't, although they're for the wrong reasons.
There is very little you can do to assess the likelihood of the head gasket going on a K-series unless you have evidence of what components have been used and what tests done in a previous repair and few cars will have that at any price point. Otherwise the major mechanical components of an Elise are pretty reliable. The problem with a cheap car will usually be that the more major consumables will be reaching the end of their lives; for example Elises eat suspension components (dampers and bushes) at an alarming rate if you're trying to run one on a budget.
There is very little you can do to assess the likelihood of the head gasket going on a K-series unless you have evidence of what components have been used and what tests done in a previous repair and few cars will have that at any price point. Otherwise the major mechanical components of an Elise are pretty reliable. The problem with a cheap car will usually be that the more major consumables will be reaching the end of their lives; for example Elises eat suspension components (dampers and bushes) at an alarming rate if you're trying to run one on a budget.
Vladimir said:
MR2 handles on a par with an Elise. If they'd stuck the 190 VVTi unit for the Celica in (WHY didn't they?!) it would have been an Elise beater.
Extremely well made and reliable but terrific handling.
It certainly gets remarkably close, considering its price. The steering isn't as good (neither as precise nor a feelsome) and the brakes are softer (since they're servo assisted). You can feel the extra weight, too - it's not quite as quick to turn in or to settle into corners. Still a very, very impressive car, though. It would have been a truly formidable car with the 190bhp engine, if the price still came in at a sensible level. Extremely well made and reliable but terrific handling.
Mr2 roadster fits the bill of baby Elise on the cheep very under rated and much closer to the feel of an Elise than the mk2 mr2 was.
Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Westfield, should be able to get an older car for that. I did 38,000 miles in my first one, a 1.6l Pinto engined SE. Roof was only on when parked or if it was torrential rain when I set off. The only weather that gave me problems was hail ('cause it hurts!) and freezing fog (with ice on both sides of the windscreen).
Get a higher mileage one rather than a garage queen and it will more likely have all the niggles sorted and be a reliable daily runner.
Get a higher mileage one rather than a garage queen and it will more likely have all the niggles sorted and be a reliable daily runner.
rallycross said:
Mr2 roadster fits the bill of baby Elise on the cheep very under rated and much closer to the feel of an Elise than the mk2 mr2 was.
Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Wow, I had no idea the MR2 Mk3 was so highly rated. I mean, looks wise it's a little bland, but I can deal with that if it's got handling and performance akin to the Elise. I've seen quite a few around at very reasonable prices. This would leave me with cash and the possibility of trading in for an S2 Elise (which I would ideally own) at a later date should I wish. More time to save too! Leave some budget aside to get a decent exhaust and induction kit to give a bit more personality (standard sound like a corolla) and a set of springs / adjustable anti roll bars will transform it into a more precise toy if you can live with that upgrade for every day use?
Some of them have an LSD (MRS model) but with only 140 bhp not sure if you will notice on the road.
Drive one and see what you think, plenty available at sensible
Money.
Edited by Biccaroo on Thursday 28th April 10:50
Get the very best 2.5 Boxster you can, in silver, with red leather interior - future classic.
It won't be the fastest car around, but I can tell you as an ex-Elise owner, and current Boxster S owner, that the feel between the two cars is very similar.
The Boxster will be much more comfortable and practical though.
It won't be the fastest car around, but I can tell you as an ex-Elise owner, and current Boxster S owner, that the feel between the two cars is very similar.
The Boxster will be much more comfortable and practical though.
Chainguy said:
Those are lovely indeed. I see one every now and again near a friends place, and it just looks so right. Do they go as well as they look?
They're pretty good yeah. Not quite a well resolved in the handling department as an Elise, but certainly in the same ballpark. Of course being a kit car, the quality of everything depends on the skill of the person who built it and/or set it up. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff