Looking to buy S1 in Summer....newbie research
Discussion
Hi guys,
Warming to the idea of an S1 - probably the 111s. Figure i'll have about 13K once i sell my Westfield and ATR.
Looking to use all year round and maybe 5 track days/year so ideally would like with some toys like suspension, sports exhaust, harness's. hard top etc.
Looking at the classifieds etc. 13K seems like a good target to me, but do the prices tend to appreciate dramatically during the summer months?
I'm trying to find a motor that i can jump in and out of, road, track, long distance, etc. without too much fuss. What do you guys think? Do any of you guys use an S1 all year round?
Thanks in advance
Warming to the idea of an S1 - probably the 111s. Figure i'll have about 13K once i sell my Westfield and ATR.
Looking to use all year round and maybe 5 track days/year so ideally would like with some toys like suspension, sports exhaust, harness's. hard top etc.
Looking at the classifieds etc. 13K seems like a good target to me, but do the prices tend to appreciate dramatically during the summer months?
I'm trying to find a motor that i can jump in and out of, road, track, long distance, etc. without too much fuss. What do you guys think? Do any of you guys use an S1 all year round?
Thanks in advance
Yup,
No probs at all, some nutters ride motorbikes for christ sakes. As long as you have a certain degree of anti-snobbery about misty windows and leaky roofs its fine as a winter motor. Can be a bit scary on the aqua plane and in windy weather though.
Wouldnt have thought prices would go up in the summer as there are plenty about. 13k is a good amount to spend and you shouldnt loose too much of it over the next few years (relatively speaking).
regards,
pop
No probs at all, some nutters ride motorbikes for christ sakes. As long as you have a certain degree of anti-snobbery about misty windows and leaky roofs its fine as a winter motor. Can be a bit scary on the aqua plane and in windy weather though.
Wouldnt have thought prices would go up in the summer as there are plenty about. 13k is a good amount to spend and you shouldnt loose too much of it over the next few years (relatively speaking).
regards,
pop
Yep, El Beast is a year round whip.
"Jumping in and out" only possible on days where the roof is off, otherwise you'll be using the Lotus patent Elise entrance/exit manouvre (TM)
If you're gonna buy now's probably a better time than summer but you'll still get a good deal for 13-15k then.
Fantastic cars, the thought of having to sell mine and NOT get another Lotus is frankly just
Tim
"Jumping in and out" only possible on days where the roof is off, otherwise you'll be using the Lotus patent Elise entrance/exit manouvre (TM)
If you're gonna buy now's probably a better time than summer but you'll still get a good deal for 13-15k then.
Fantastic cars, the thought of having to sell mine and NOT get another Lotus is frankly just
Tim
If you're looking to do track days then I'd suggest looking at a S1 Sport 160 as it was designed with just that in mind. It also has the normal gearbox (111s has a close ratio variant) so if you've got lots of motorway cruising ahead then bear that in mind. £13k should get you into the Sport 160 terretory but might need to spend a little more to get a lower mileage example.
CR box tended to be added to S160's aftermarket. Quite why it never came as standard (111s has it), God only knows! One look at the torque curve shows how much the S160 needs a bit of help low down.
S160 as a track weapon, yes. But questionable as a single car, daily driver as there are well-documented issues with starting, idling & driveability which of course, don't matter on track. Other issue if you plan to do a lot of road miles is 160's 6K service interval (std & 111s 9K).
Std S1 has buckets more low-end torque than 111s (or S160) so much more useable on road. A-B on-road, a 111s is unlikely to get away from a Std S1 at sensible speeds. Also, some may not be so fussy but 80mph motorway cruise in a 111s is 4000rpm but nearer 3000rpm in a std S1.
Graeme
>> Edited by gcck on Monday 31st January 04:57
S160 as a track weapon, yes. But questionable as a single car, daily driver as there are well-documented issues with starting, idling & driveability which of course, don't matter on track. Other issue if you plan to do a lot of road miles is 160's 6K service interval (std & 111s 9K).
Std S1 has buckets more low-end torque than 111s (or S160) so much more useable on road. A-B on-road, a 111s is unlikely to get away from a Std S1 at sensible speeds. Also, some may not be so fussy but 80mph motorway cruise in a 111s is 4000rpm but nearer 3000rpm in a std S1.
Graeme
>> Edited by gcck on Monday 31st January 04:57
I went through this conundrum last year and after having a chat to Miles @ Fibreglass Services am of the opinion that if you can get one the 135 is the best S1 for a bit of everything.
You don't have the potential problems of the VVC going when the miles rack up (which apparently it can do), you get the CR box, you get great power delivery, 111s looks & handling (with the slightly wider wheels which also look better), the best seats ever put in an Elise, lovely colour and great exclusivity. All IMvHO of course!
If I had the spare dough at the moment I'd be on my way to Adrian Blyth's... they've got one in which seems to be pretty keenly priced.
Whatever you choose though you won't regret it
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 18th January 12:09
You don't have the potential problems of the VVC going when the miles rack up (which apparently it can do), you get the CR box, you get great power delivery, 111s looks & handling (with the slightly wider wheels which also look better), the best seats ever put in an Elise, lovely colour and great exclusivity. All IMvHO of course!
If I had the spare dough at the moment I'd be on my way to Adrian Blyth's... they've got one in which seems to be pretty keenly priced.
Whatever you choose though you won't regret it
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 18th January 12:09
iainuk said:
If I had the spare dough at the moment I'd be on my way to Adrian Blyth's... they've got one in which seems to be pretty keenly priced.
>> Edited by S Works on Tuesday 18th January 12:09
Firstly - Hello!
and secondly I'm glad to report that they don't have it anymore!
Excellent choice sir! Nice whip, and pretty exclusive club you've joined
I've moved recently from Std S1 to a Sport135 with upgrades (170+bhp). Bit like a Super S160 but without the lumps...
I miss the std car's useability. Even with the standard gearbox, it pulls with a lot more immediacy. And on Road Runs, a std car isn't embarrassed by more powerful cars because it's so good out of corners and stop/start situations. A more powerful car only comes good when there's room to use the top end of the rev range (6000rpm+) which frankly, is not often on the road if you want to keep your licence.
Justified the changeover with the intention of doing more track days. Always a 2nd car for me, return to a company car means even fewer mid-week Elise miles so made the switch to a more extreme version more acceptable.
Each to their own - adding my decision route may be relelvent to you?
Incidentally, iainuk, welcome to Sport135 ownership - a select band: Only 85 made in 1998/9 and is the thinking man's ideal combination: best bits of standard, 111s & S160. Have a look on http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport135/ and http://uk.geocities.com/sprok135s/
Graeme
I miss the std car's useability. Even with the standard gearbox, it pulls with a lot more immediacy. And on Road Runs, a std car isn't embarrassed by more powerful cars because it's so good out of corners and stop/start situations. A more powerful car only comes good when there's room to use the top end of the rev range (6000rpm+) which frankly, is not often on the road if you want to keep your licence.
Justified the changeover with the intention of doing more track days. Always a 2nd car for me, return to a company car means even fewer mid-week Elise miles so made the switch to a more extreme version more acceptable.
Each to their own - adding my decision route may be relelvent to you?
Incidentally, iainuk, welcome to Sport135 ownership - a select band: Only 85 made in 1998/9 and is the thinking man's ideal combination: best bits of standard, 111s & S160. Have a look on http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport135/ and http://uk.geocities.com/sprok135s/
Graeme
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