What do I buy a sport 160 or 111s........?

[dude1974]

Hello all,

I have previously owned a standard S1 liz and have decided to buy another as i loved it so much !

Problem is i don't know what to go for, i do know that i prefer the S1 for looks and also that my old standard liz was a bit down on power so i'd like to buy either a sport 160 or 111s.

I have done some research but would like to hear from anyone who has owned a sport 160 or 111s. Is the sport 160 ok as an everyday car, are they reliable, would it be a safer bet to go for a 111s for resale and reliability ????

Out of interest which is quicker ( on paper atleast ! ) as i may do some track days.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Matt

[malbon]

160 quicker on track. 111s quicker on road.

Its an age old arguement with no definitive winner.

111s is the heads choice and 160 is the hearts choice IMHO

[dss123]

Hi Matt,

Seems like you are in the same boat as I was a year ago.

Wanted a bit more poke for the road and thought I might do the odd track day (I haven't by the way!). Finally plumped for an S1 111S and very glad I did.

Great on twisty back roads, never missed a beat. Try and find one with a few "sensible mods" exhaust, induction, tyres, suspension etc.

Reckon you can't get more bang for your buck than a well set up S1 111S for a B road blat!

Besides, we all know that the S1 111S is the future "classic Elise" (ooops, flood-gates open!)

If on the other hand, you do plan to do more track days a 160 might be worth a look. No real advise there except be extra careful as being track oriented some do seem to have lived pretty "hard lives"!

Dunc

[dude1974]

thanks guys.

i think i am going the 111s way, the 160 does look the nicer elise, especially in black but i think as a day to day car perhaps the 111s is the best option.

i must say that prices really do seem to differ, for a 111s i have seen anything from 12k to 16.5k for a 1999/2000 s1.

what colour do think is best ? myself i'm looking for a deep purple liz as i had a silver one previously.....

cheers
matt

[dss123]

Hey Matt,

Big can of worms there!

Colour is obviously a subjective thing but there are a few practival considerations.

The darker colours are hard to keep clean. The metalic purple does look great but needs to kept nice a shiny otherwise it tends to look a bit grotty. Lighter colours - including the bright ones (yellows orange etc) seem to look great no matter how covered in crap they are!

My own personal opinion is to go for something exciting. The elise is an exciting car so the colour should be exciting to!

However, if it's going to be your daily driver you might want to be a bit more conservative - depends if you mind turning heads or not!

Others will say don't buy on colour, blah, blah, blah which I know is sensible. but all things being equal I'd say don't comprimise on either quality or colour. There is so much choice now, just hang on for the spec you want.

Hope it helps



Dunc

[ayjay]

I was seriously considering a S160 but ruled it out due to the VHPD engine, shorter servicing intervals, lumpy idle (unless fitted with driveability kit).

Ended buying a S1 111S which feels less special than the S160 (although with a sport-zorst, 160TB and Hurricane, sounds just as good!) but is soooooo much more practical as an everyday proposition.

I use mine everyday and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I made the right decision.

[Gruffy]

I drove 4 160s and 5 111s when I was choosing mine. I bought the car which drove the best and 'felt' the swiftest. That was a 111s. The 160s varied enormously! Drive as many examples of both as you can.

Gruffy

[fergusd]

ayjay said:

I was seriously considering a S160 but ruled it out due to the VHPD engine, shorter servicing intervals, lumpy idle (unless fitted with driveability kit)

. . . IIRC the S1 160 does not have a VHPD engine . . .

Fd