Which model Elise should I go for?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm new. I'm in the process of selling my TT180 and I'm looking to replace it with something a little more "hard core" for trackdays/sprints/hillclimbs next year, but I still need some practicality as it'll be my daily driver too.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Budget is about 16 to 18 K.
Cheers - Alun
I'm new. I'm in the process of selling my TT180 and I'm looking to replace it with something a little more "hard core" for trackdays/sprints/hillclimbs next year, but I still need some practicality as it'll be my daily driver too.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Budget is about 16 to 18 K.
Cheers - Alun
should be able to get you a nice S1 111S or a Sport 160. The 111s Should be a little more refined for everyday use.
That sort of money may also stretch to a S2 but probably only the standard which has less grunt than the S1 111s or 160.
Plenty of cars around so go and see a few and get some test drives
That sort of money may also stretch to a S2 but probably only the standard which has less grunt than the S1 111s or 160.
Plenty of cars around so go and see a few and get some test drives
i have recently had this exact dilemma and the same budget - i test drove loads of cars and decided to go for a S2 elise, limited edition type 72, with 2k miles on it. this ewas my thinking..
resale on s2's is easier and stronger residuals due to the fact that it is a newer model!
The s2 is simply a better looking car than an s1
the base level elise gets to 60mph in 5.6 secs....the more expensive 111s and r gets there about .5 of a second quicker...is it that important..?? if you want to track it and win the day then it is...if you want to track it and have fun i guess both will bring a smile to your face.
i am using mine as a day to day car - i think the s2 is more comfortable...you may disagree...but obviously neither are a mondeo!
ultimately it is a what do you get for your money...if you want a newer car that you can get rid of easier, with less miles on the clock then s2.....if you want to shave 2 secs off a lap time then get an s1 and take the hit when you sell it as a tracked old shape car...
darren
resale on s2's is easier and stronger residuals due to the fact that it is a newer model!
The s2 is simply a better looking car than an s1
the base level elise gets to 60mph in 5.6 secs....the more expensive 111s and r gets there about .5 of a second quicker...is it that important..?? if you want to track it and win the day then it is...if you want to track it and have fun i guess both will bring a smile to your face.
i am using mine as a day to day car - i think the s2 is more comfortable...you may disagree...but obviously neither are a mondeo!
ultimately it is a what do you get for your money...if you want a newer car that you can get rid of easier, with less miles on the clock then s2.....if you want to shave 2 secs off a lap time then get an s1 and take the hit when you sell it as a tracked old shape car...
darren
darren1976 said:
i have recently had this exact dilemma and the same budget - i test drove loads of cars and decided to go for a S2 elise, limited edition type 72, with 2k miles on it. this ewas my thinking..
resale on s2's is easier and stronger residuals due to the fact that it is a newer model!
The s2 is simply a better looking car than an s1
the base level elise gets to 60mph in 5.6 secs....the more expensive 111s and r gets there about .5 of a second quicker...is it that important..?? if you want to track it and win the day then it is...if you want to track it and have fun i guess both will bring a smile to your face.
i am using mine as a day to day car - i think the s2 is more comfortable...you may disagree...but obviously neither are a mondeo!
ultimately it is a what do you get for your money...if you want a newer car that you can get rid of easier, with less miles on the clock then s2.....if you want to shave 2 secs off a lap time then get an s1 and take the hit when you sell it as a tracked old shape car...
darren
Darren I would disagree that an S2 will be easier to sell on simply because it is an S2. There a re a lot of people who prefer the more rounded looks of the S1 over the more angular S2 (I like the S2 from the rear but not so much from the front).
If someone is looking for an Elise as an everyday car then the S2 would be a better bet. Lots of people still have them as 2nd cars though and for that a well speced S1 will be more attractive.
Also S1's are sure fired classics and the depreciation on them has almost stopped.
darren1976 said:
resale on s2's is easier and stronger residuals due to the fact that it is a newer model!
You reckon? I'd say S1 residuals have flattened out and are pretty solid now. Over the last year they've checked a little as S2 prices have dropped, but I'd say now's probably the best time to get a really stonking S1.
darren1976 said:
The s2 is simply a better looking car than an s1
Get your flamesuit on dude! Both are very attractive cars (IMHO) but the S2 isn't a classic yet - the S1 most def. is!
darren1976 said:
the base level elise gets to 60mph in 5.6 secs....the more expensive 111s and r gets there about .5 of a second quicker...is it that important..?? if you want to track it and win the day then it is...if you want to track it and have fun i guess both will bring a smile to your face.
Standard Elise (S1 and S2) pushing 118bhp from the K-Series lump will hit 60 in 6.1 secs (in the pub at least), 111s is quoted at 5.1 secs and the 111r 5.6 secs (all from EVO).
I think the thing about the 111s is that it's got the 6spd CR 'box which keeps you on cam more readily and thus makes it a more tractable track weapon. The 111r as we all know is quick until you hit 6k RPM at which point its a complete nutter and throws you at the horizon like the world's just hit FFWD.
ALL Elises will be good around a track, the 111's will beat of most cars due to their nature, but a well driven standard car will whip the bollocks off many far more expensive and powerful cars lap for lap.
darren1976 said:
i am using mine as a day to day car - i think the s2 is more comfortable...you may disagree...but obviously neither are a mondeo!
Agreed.
darren1976 said:
ultimately it is a what do you get for your money...if you want a newer car that you can get rid of easier, with less miles on the clock then s2.....if you want to shave 2 secs off a lap time then get an s1 and take the hit when you sell it as a tracked old shape car...
darren
As above, don't be so sure that an S2 will be 'easier' to get rid of... as with all used cars it's a "horses for courses" kind of thing - IMveryHO, there will always be a strong and healthy market in both variants.
Cheers, Tim
Hi Alun,
Another vote for the S1!
For me it will always be "the" elise and a true design classic.
S2 looks better? not to me it doesn't, slightly camp if anything (IMOH), but hey, in the eye of the beholder and all that!
On a less subjective note, If it's a weekender, track / hillclimber you are after, with 16k you could really get a well sorted 111s with lots of nice upgrades, 'zorst, induction, suspension etc.
I'm dead chuffed with my 111s, all the toys and well under 16k. So you could spend a little less and put the money you saved towards, tyres, track days, insurance! Those costs certainly mount up!
You say you are after something hardcore so all that "comfort" and "newer car" nonsence goes out the window! And don't worry about resale, when you've got a higher spec model you'll always find a buyer.
Hope that's helped
DSS
Another vote for the S1!
For me it will always be "the" elise and a true design classic.
S2 looks better? not to me it doesn't, slightly camp if anything (IMOH), but hey, in the eye of the beholder and all that!
On a less subjective note, If it's a weekender, track / hillclimber you are after, with 16k you could really get a well sorted 111s with lots of nice upgrades, 'zorst, induction, suspension etc.
I'm dead chuffed with my 111s, all the toys and well under 16k. So you could spend a little less and put the money you saved towards, tyres, track days, insurance! Those costs certainly mount up!
You say you are after something hardcore so all that "comfort" and "newer car" nonsence goes out the window! And don't worry about resale, when you've got a higher spec model you'll always find a buyer.
Hope that's helped
DSS
Top Man,
I did the same thing a few weeks ago, I also had a Audi TT180 brought it new last December and to be honest it was a load of rubbish, it felt very heavy in and out of corner's didn't seem to want to accelerate that quick, the rear seat's were worst than useless
After lot's of begging the other half and a quick chat with the old Bank manager I went for a New 111R. I got it from Stratton's of Norfolk and It's superb, better in everyway apart from build quality but you expect that from a specialist car, good luck with your choice but if you want to know what I'd go for it would be an early S2 there's plenty of choice 
Boggy
I did the same thing a few weeks ago, I also had a Audi TT180 brought it new last December and to be honest it was a load of rubbish, it felt very heavy in and out of corner's didn't seem to want to accelerate that quick, the rear seat's were worst than useless
After lot's of begging the other half and a quick chat with the old Bank manager I went for a New 111R. I got it from Stratton's of Norfolk and It's superb, better in everyway apart from build quality but you expect that from a specialist car, good luck with your choice but if you want to know what I'd go for it would be an early S2 there's plenty of choice Boggy
I won't comment on looks since I think its a bit pointless - the only opinion that matters is yours.
For what its worth the official S1 figures for 0-60 are 5.7 and 5.4 (111S), although you'll probably never do much better than 6.0
The only car with a 6 speed box is the S2 111R. The S1 111S has a CR 5 speed which is certainly a good thing when pushing on and definitely adds some pace around a track. Motorway cruising in top will be raised by 500rpm.
For you budget you could get a really nice S1 111S, plus fit Nitron suspension for £1k which will dramatically improve it on track (better than the LSS fitted to the S160 etc) while still being comfy on road. A few simple mods like filter and exhaust bits should easily take the power > 150bhp.
An alternate plan if you want to have a monster car:
Buy the cheapest high milage S1 you can find for <£10k, disregarding drivetrain & suspension condition since the idea is to replace those bits. For about £7.5k Auto-Technix will fit Audi 1.8T with 6speed box delivering 250bhp and supercar performance.
Then as cash allows add Nitrons, harness, and the other goodies.
Alternatively drive the cheapy until you have a couple more thou and get Blink or Maidstone to fit the Honda conversion for £10k. 200bhp, 8000+ rpm and 6speed.
Check the insurance costs though...
Dave
For what its worth the official S1 figures for 0-60 are 5.7 and 5.4 (111S), although you'll probably never do much better than 6.0
The only car with a 6 speed box is the S2 111R. The S1 111S has a CR 5 speed which is certainly a good thing when pushing on and definitely adds some pace around a track. Motorway cruising in top will be raised by 500rpm.
For you budget you could get a really nice S1 111S, plus fit Nitron suspension for £1k which will dramatically improve it on track (better than the LSS fitted to the S160 etc) while still being comfy on road. A few simple mods like filter and exhaust bits should easily take the power > 150bhp.
An alternate plan if you want to have a monster car:
Buy the cheapest high milage S1 you can find for <£10k, disregarding drivetrain & suspension condition since the idea is to replace those bits. For about £7.5k Auto-Technix will fit Audi 1.8T with 6speed box delivering 250bhp and supercar performance.
Then as cash allows add Nitrons, harness, and the other goodies.
Alternatively drive the cheapy until you have a couple more thou and get Blink or Maidstone to fit the Honda conversion for £10k. 200bhp, 8000+ rpm and 6speed.
Check the insurance costs though...
Dave
Dave45 said:
The only car with a 6 speed box is the S2 111R. The S1 111S has a CR 5 speed which is certainly a good thing when pushing on and definitely adds some pace around a track. Motorway cruising in top will be raised by 500rpm.
DOH! I sit corrected, you're absolutely right Dave.
Hello all,
S2 has CR box as well, as in S1 111s.
Key difference between S1 & S2, other than looks, is the suspension.
Many S1 owners are now fitting S2 suspension. This is probably the main element of the car which makes the S2 more 'comfortable' (slightly lower sills, and a fraction more padding on the seats the only other real difference).
As I've said many times before, finding the right car is best achieved by driving as many cars as possible.
You will soon find that the diffences in performance levels are relatively small between the models, and that the most significant variable will be how the car drives and handles. Some S1s are extremely crashy on the suspension, some are much more solid. S2 is generally much better, in this respect, but if you find a well sorted S1 and won't be disappointed.
In terms of power & performance, you will always want more whichever variant you buy. This will lead to one of two conclusions, either a basic car to modify, or the most powerful you can afford. I have a standard K series S2, and have found the more you drive the car, the more will want more power. It's not that the car is slow, you just get used to it. A remedy for this is to spend a couple of weeks driving a rep mobile and on returning to the Elise you will appreciate the performance of even the basic car.
Remember that the elise is all about handling, and a reasonable power to weight ratio, not huge power.
Driving the standard S1, and 111s, I found very little differnce in performance. The main advantages with the S1 111s were the better seats and the CR box. On driving the S2 the improved ride was very noticeable. These cars have better seats and CR box in standard form.
For me a standard S2 was the best solution.
Sorry for length of the reply hope you find it useful. The nub of my advise is drive as many different cars as possible, you will know when you find the right one for you.
Get a good car and it won't matter which variant it is, you won't be disappointed. I'm not
Regards, Neil
S2 has CR box as well, as in S1 111s.
Key difference between S1 & S2, other than looks, is the suspension.
Many S1 owners are now fitting S2 suspension. This is probably the main element of the car which makes the S2 more 'comfortable' (slightly lower sills, and a fraction more padding on the seats the only other real difference).
As I've said many times before, finding the right car is best achieved by driving as many cars as possible.
You will soon find that the diffences in performance levels are relatively small between the models, and that the most significant variable will be how the car drives and handles. Some S1s are extremely crashy on the suspension, some are much more solid. S2 is generally much better, in this respect, but if you find a well sorted S1 and won't be disappointed.
In terms of power & performance, you will always want more whichever variant you buy. This will lead to one of two conclusions, either a basic car to modify, or the most powerful you can afford. I have a standard K series S2, and have found the more you drive the car, the more will want more power. It's not that the car is slow, you just get used to it. A remedy for this is to spend a couple of weeks driving a rep mobile and on returning to the Elise you will appreciate the performance of even the basic car.
Remember that the elise is all about handling, and a reasonable power to weight ratio, not huge power.
Driving the standard S1, and 111s, I found very little differnce in performance. The main advantages with the S1 111s were the better seats and the CR box. On driving the S2 the improved ride was very noticeable. These cars have better seats and CR box in standard form.
For me a standard S2 was the best solution.
Sorry for length of the reply hope you find it useful. The nub of my advise is drive as many different cars as possible, you will know when you find the right one for you.
Get a good car and it won't matter which variant it is, you won't be disappointed. I'm not
Regards, Neil
I had the same dilemma. I tested a standard, a 340R a Sport 160 and an Exige, but in the end plumped for an S1 135.
This engine is quicker than standard, but not as stressed or lumpy as a 160/190, so should hopefully be reliable. I'd recommend it
And its an S1 - I just think the S2 is overstyled.
This engine is quicker than standard, but not as stressed or lumpy as a 160/190, so should hopefully be reliable. I'd recommend it
And its an S1 - I just think the S2 is overstyled.
I've just gone through the same process (with the same budget). Drove an S2, 3 x Sport 160s and 3 111s. As soon as I drove the thrid 111s I knew that was the one.
My advice is to test as many as possible until you find one that suits you best. The examples I drove varied so much - every one was different.
Gruffy
My advice is to test as many as possible until you find one that suits you best. The examples I drove varied so much - every one was different.
Gruffy
megster
mk1 111s addresses the arguable niggles with the standard car - gears, grunt and grip
if you want to come and have a look at mine, you're welcome to - it's outside Banbury
cheers
toad
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=28282&s=12
mk1 111s addresses the arguable niggles with the standard car - gears, grunt and grip
if you want to come and have a look at mine, you're welcome to - it's outside Banbury
cheers
toad
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=28282&s=12
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