2016 Lotus Elise S
Discussion
So, I've been looking for a little while to move on from my S1 Elise. The car's shortcomings (gets stupidly hot inside, doesn't like cruising on motorways-5th is pretty short) were starting to get in the way of my enjoyment of it, plus my OH really wasn't a fan.
I was originally aiming for an Evora-I test drove one at Bell & Colvill and loved it, but after doing the (man) maths it was a little bit of a stretch, although do-able. Thinking about what I really wanted (a more grown up, refined, useable Elise) led me to test drive a S3-the improved refinement, little touches such as cruise control, A/C and much better seats, plus being able to afford a brand new one very quickly led to a deposit being left. Happily, B&C had the exact spec I was after in stock (Elise Grey with Touring, Sport & Black packs plus the TRD airbox).
So far I've not had the chance to really open it up (still running the car in) but the handling has lost none of the Elise brilliance (it understeers a little more than my S1, presumably thanks to a slightly less aggressive geo and thinner, more road biased tyres-Avon ZZR's are great in the height of summer but a nightmare any other time), the supercharged 2ZR-FE engine feels immensely strong but the increased fluidity of the chassis makes for a much more enjoyable car more of the time. There's an awful lot of undiscovered ability waiting to be revealed-I love the way the car rewards when you really think about how you drive and what inputs you make. Plus-new car smell!
My only plans for it at the moment are to drive it, keep it as clean as it is now (benefit of having a new car and OCD!) and order some 2Bular exhaust goodies-the S3 from the factory even with the TRD airbox is a little quiet for my tastes.
Obligatory pictures below.
The suspension is pure artwork!
I was originally aiming for an Evora-I test drove one at Bell & Colvill and loved it, but after doing the (man) maths it was a little bit of a stretch, although do-able. Thinking about what I really wanted (a more grown up, refined, useable Elise) led me to test drive a S3-the improved refinement, little touches such as cruise control, A/C and much better seats, plus being able to afford a brand new one very quickly led to a deposit being left. Happily, B&C had the exact spec I was after in stock (Elise Grey with Touring, Sport & Black packs plus the TRD airbox).
So far I've not had the chance to really open it up (still running the car in) but the handling has lost none of the Elise brilliance (it understeers a little more than my S1, presumably thanks to a slightly less aggressive geo and thinner, more road biased tyres-Avon ZZR's are great in the height of summer but a nightmare any other time), the supercharged 2ZR-FE engine feels immensely strong but the increased fluidity of the chassis makes for a much more enjoyable car more of the time. There's an awful lot of undiscovered ability waiting to be revealed-I love the way the car rewards when you really think about how you drive and what inputs you make. Plus-new car smell!
My only plans for it at the moment are to drive it, keep it as clean as it is now (benefit of having a new car and OCD!) and order some 2Bular exhaust goodies-the S3 from the factory even with the TRD airbox is a little quiet for my tastes.
Obligatory pictures below.
The suspension is pure artwork!
Fresh Prince said:
Lovely car. Also interesting to read your thoughts on comparing S1 to S3. I know the weight has crept up, seems to have made it more useable day to day.
770kgs vs 924kgs. A big percentage increase but still light, especially by modern car standards! The S1 is still the more raw choice and delivers the instant gratification adrenalin rush-it feels special and bespoke as soon as you turn a wheel. The S3 takes a little more working at to reveal the Lotus magic-initially it feels like a normal car turned up 50%-it's only when you start pushing, leaning, braking that little harder, picking off the apexes and really thinking about what you're doing the car seems to harden, roll up its sleeves and dig in. Not necessarily a bad thing, as the S3 also settles into a very comfortable and refined motorway cruise-70mph with the roof off means you can easily hold a conversation or hear the (decent) stereo. The S1 you'd be grimacing at the engine turning over at 3,700rpm, your leg would be aching from the constant throttle position and worst of all, you'd be deaf. And boiled.
FWIW said:
itcaptainslow said:
The suspension is pure artwork!]
I did the same last year, S1 to S3 Elise S, and find the new car much more useable (though it still hasn't left the garage since October...). The novelty of the S1 wore off about 20 miles into a journey whereas the S3 is a reasonably comfortable long distance cruiser, aircon/cruise control are welcome additions, and the extra power is most welcome. A higher rev limit would be good, but that's about my only gripe.
ORD said:
Not terribly usable if it won't see bad weather (two-thirds of British weather!)
You can use them in bad weather but if you've got another car then why would you? The Elise is a fun car, if the weather is bad then driving is unlikely to be much fun so my Elise stays in the garage.RYH64E said:
ORD said:
Not terribly usable if it won't see bad weather (two-thirds of British weather!)
You can use them in bad weather but if you've got another car then why would you? The Elise is a fun car, if the weather is bad then driving is unlikely to be much fun so my Elise stays in the garage.Looks fantastic OP! I ran an Elise SC back in 2008 and changed it for an Exige 240 in 2010. Whilst the Exige was great, the SC was a much better road car!
Love it in white as well. I love a bit of detailing and white is a rewarding colour when clean
Look forward to following this thread.
Love it in white as well. I love a bit of detailing and white is a rewarding colour when clean
Look forward to following this thread.
drgoatboy said:
Very interesting read. Is the s3 noticeably bigger inside?
Is it me or does the s3 have a few more hints of vx220 about its angular lines? No bad thing as I still think the vx is a great looking car...
S3 is a little roomier-the lower sill makes entry/egress much easier-however you lose the large "shelf" and luggage net behind the seats you get in the S1. Got a tent and two sleeping bags in there for Le Mans in my S1-the S3 you'd just about get a pair of pants in!Is it me or does the s3 have a few more hints of vx220 about its angular lines? No bad thing as I still think the vx is a great looking car...
Thanks for the positive comments, I'll update this as I go along.
ORD said:
Not terribly usable if it won't see bad weather (two-thirds of British weather!)
I use my S2 111S all year round and I don't have a problem with the weather. As long as you have good tyres on, and are a smooth driver theres no problem in the wet at all. The S3 should be even more comfortable to use all year round.
Fantastic car. I had an S1 and loved it until I did exactly what some here are advocating and took it out in bad weather where it duly got wiped out by a driver skidding on ice on the hills near Rochdale.
Keep it for the warm sunny days and you'll have more fun than you thought possible!
Keep it for the warm sunny days and you'll have more fun than you thought possible!
I was wondering when you would start a thread, looks lovely by the way.
I do like the SC, I had some dark thoughts on a S2 SC (Jim Clark Type 25) they look like a very very tempting package; just the right amount of comfort added to the fantastic Elise experience. Saying that I did also have thoughts about a Caterham, which leads me back to my 111s somewhere in-between them
Interesting to hear your comparisons to your old 111s once it's run in and a few road trips under your belt...ahem, North Wales would be a good tester
That suspension shot is fantastic too!
I do like the SC, I had some dark thoughts on a S2 SC (Jim Clark Type 25) they look like a very very tempting package; just the right amount of comfort added to the fantastic Elise experience. Saying that I did also have thoughts about a Caterham, which leads me back to my 111s somewhere in-between them
Interesting to hear your comparisons to your old 111s once it's run in and a few road trips under your belt...ahem, North Wales would be a good tester
That suspension shot is fantastic too!
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