Cerbera to Elise

[leszekg]

I currently have a 4.5 Cerbera which I bought 3 and a half years ago after selling my Lotus Excel. It's been a good 'family car' with it's 2+2 arrangement but now that the kids are growing out of it thoughts are turning to replacing it with a 2 seater and the Elise is on the list. I have a few questions which maybe you can help me with:

- The Cerbera has been quite expensive to run. Am I being naiive in thinking the Elise will be kinder on the wallet?

- I am 6' 5" tall and quite long in the leg. The Cerb fits me perfectly with the drivers seat all the way back. What's the Elise like for leg room?

- I'm based in Cambridgeshire. Are there any convenient specialists for Elise servicing in the area?

[tuscan_thunder]

yes 6ft 5 should fit in an Elise but climbing in will take a bit of getting used to. (i'm 6 1 and have a few clicks left in seat adjustment)

My 135 Elise returns around 30-40mpg day to day and has been as high as 52mpg on a particularly dull trip. Hoofing it does take it down a bit but it's still pretty good.

There are a lot of things to look at when you go to view especially re suspension (assuming 2nd hand)

What kind of Elise are you interested in?

[bogie]

Much cheaper to run ...like 1/2 the cost (my other half runs a Tuscan as her daily drive)

service every 9k miles
A service - £180
B service - £250
C service (cam belt on K series cars) £450

in order AABAACAABAAC etc

all above at specialist prices - add 30-100% for dealers !

consumables are also much cheaper

I know owners that are similar height - you get used to getting in/out - 2 things help - a motorsport removable steering wheel and a short shift gearstick (that you can adjust left to right also to clear your leg)

Lots of info here www.elise-faq.com and www.seloc.org technical forum

Not sure about specialists in Cambridge - there is at least one, but cant remember the name

[leszekg]

tuscan_thunder said:

What kind of Elise are you interested in?

Thanks for that feedback. I haven't narrowed down my choice yet. Probably a late S1 or an early S2 based on budget but other than that I don't have any strong feelings yet about the model. An early 111S would be nice but not essential.

I'm still at the stage of talking my other half into the idea of moving from a moderately practical 2+2 car to a strictly 2 seater. Also don't plan to sell the Cerbera until Autumn 2005 or Spring 2006 so I have plenty of time to research ... and persuade the wife (as well as justify to myself that it's the right move)!

[jig]

I went from a Griffith to an Elise - I know it's not a great comparison on the practicality front, but I certainly did the right thing.

The Elise is cheaper to run (the exhaust was half the price!), for sure, and mine's been very reliable (the important bits are well built too, IMHO). I'm 6'4" and find the Elise very roomy (wider footwell for one thing) although, like everyone says, getting in and out takes some getting used to!

[Gruffy]

As everybody has mentioned, the Elise is almost 'roomy' once you're in - it's just getting in. It takes some getting used to, but you learn the knack pretty quickly and at 6'4" I can jump in as quickly as any car now.

Running costs are reasonable assuming you invest your time in a through check of the car and don't get caught out. Take somebody who knowsElises or insist that the seller allows you to have the car inspected properly by an expert. It's worth the expense at the start!

The real costs occur when you realise how easy they are to fettle with. It's an addiction that will consume you.

Gruffy

One last (controversial) point: if you want it to drive buy and S1 (I'd recommend a 111s), if you want it to look pretty buy an S2

[gooby]

Gruffy said:

One last (controversial) point: if you want it to drive buy and S1 (I'd recommend a 111s), if you want it to look pretty buy an S2

There are a few of us who would dispute that "statement".

[bogie]

and if you want to look good and drive..with better build quality, buy an S2 and just change the wheels LOL

[DanH]

Gruffy said:

if you want it to experience HGF, hideous on limit handling, poor build quality & the legacy of under maintenance buy an S1 (I'd recommend a 111s), if you want it to look pretty and have a decent car buy an S2

Couldn't agree more!

[theRossatron]

If you'd rather not listen to a "mine's better than your's" arguement - drive both and see which one is for you.

[bogie]

LOL at all the above

here we go again...in fact its not S1 vs S2 anymore..its S1 (original) vs S2 (the best compromise) vs S2 'Yota (fat boy federal version to tempt poofy 'normal' sportscar owners)

do you want:

lightweight @ 725-750kg (s1- S1 111S
middleweight @ 775-815Kg (S2 - S2111S with options)
heavyweight @ 875-930Kg (base Toyota car + options)

[S Works]

...or you could get a 340R

[Gruffy]

theRossatron said:

If you'd rather not listen to a "mine's better than your's" arguement - drive both and see which one is for you.

I'm sorry - perhaps I shouldn't have posted that. However, that is my personal opinion after having driven 10+ examples of S1 and S2 cars. I'd recommend doing exactly the same. Let's leave it at 'the 111s best suits my driving style'.

Gruffy

[gooby]

bogie said:

lightweight @ 725-750kg (s1- S1 111S middleweight @ 775-815Kg (S2 - S2111S with options) heavyweight @ 875-930Kg (base Toyota car + options)

I prefer to think of it as
Fast
Faster
Fastest

[bogie]

gruffy - dont worry about it, the Elise fraternity has been arguing about it since the S1 135 came out...every model that comes out spurs a new debate

Gooby - that depends on which engine option you have fitted...S1 Sport 190s were much quicker than 111Rs ...and thats before we go to aftermarket cars ........

[Buster44]

I'm currently on my 3rd Elise, an early S1 and also ran a 4.2 Cerbera for 12mths.

The Elise is extremely wallet friendly unless you go the main dealer route for everything including trivial stuff.

I once heard Cerbera ownership described as 'driving a hand-grenade with the pin-out.'

The Cerbera had awesome straight-line performance, but can't touch the Elise for cornering ability, feedback & smiles per mile.

Now I'm back in an early Elise I can't believe I ever sold it.

[leszekg]

Whoops, didn't mean to start an argument!

Thanks for the feedback. Will definitely be considering and trying out the Elise when I come to part with the Cerbera.

[Buster44]

bogie said:

lightweight @ 725-750kg (s1- S1 111S middleweight @ 775-815Kg (S2 - S2111S with options) heavyweight @ 875-930Kg (base Toyota car + options)

Crikes, I didn't realise the Toyota Elise was such a porker! What adds the bulk of the weight - toys & soundproofing?

[rjben]

I went from 4.5LW to S1 Sport 160 - not the quickest car in the world but the handling is superb. Build quality and reliabilty seem much better (touch wood) but it is very noisy / rattly for everyday use. Mine is used for trackdays and will run rings around my old Cerbera. It is up there with the other 'best' car I have ever bought - Evo6 - but for very different reasons.

Mail me if you want any further help,

Regards,

Rob

[shnozz]

Not quite the same but I went from TVR S3 to Chimaera to Elise. Chuffed to bits with it. Totally different but fantastic.