Discussion
Alrighty
It looks like I have just traded in my Evo VII for a 2002 Elise 111s in Cobalt Blue, fingers crossed I will pick up the Keys to it on Monday.
Now one of my main reasons for changing was running costs, I feel like the Elise should be a hell of a lot cheaper than the Evo for day to day running.
I have already saved £360 on insurance by changing and looking at the MPG it looks to be about double what I am getting at the moment, so all seems to be good!
Is there any unexpected costs that I probably have not anticipated?
Also I will be looking to carry out a few modifications to it over the next while. I am guessing there is a "plan" that most people adhere to when modifying. (Like with the Evo's it was, "do the exhaust right away, then filter, then fuel pump pressure regulator then, then then...you get the idea)
I am looking at making it a little bit faster, reducing weight a touch and also probably improving handling slightly, nothing major, just a few nice changes.
Also looking for a hard top, any suggestions on the best place to get one!
Cheers
Fraz
ps. I will post pics as soon as/if I get the one I am after!
It looks like I have just traded in my Evo VII for a 2002 Elise 111s in Cobalt Blue, fingers crossed I will pick up the Keys to it on Monday.
Now one of my main reasons for changing was running costs, I feel like the Elise should be a hell of a lot cheaper than the Evo for day to day running.
I have already saved £360 on insurance by changing and looking at the MPG it looks to be about double what I am getting at the moment, so all seems to be good!
Is there any unexpected costs that I probably have not anticipated?
Also I will be looking to carry out a few modifications to it over the next while. I am guessing there is a "plan" that most people adhere to when modifying. (Like with the Evo's it was, "do the exhaust right away, then filter, then fuel pump pressure regulator then, then then...you get the idea)
I am looking at making it a little bit faster, reducing weight a touch and also probably improving handling slightly, nothing major, just a few nice changes.
Also looking for a hard top, any suggestions on the best place to get one!
Cheers
Fraz
ps. I will post pics as soon as/if I get the one I am after!
LOL - you should have 'advertiser' under your name 
Unexpected costs - depends how you drive it/track it really - nothing worse than an EVO !
Mods - well Id do:
Exhaust
Induction
Sports cat
about £1K total
that will give you about 165bhp in a 111S
handling - Lotus Motorsport (OZ) wheel package with wider fronts, then sticky rubber for the summer - Yoko A048s ...and suspension = Nitron 2 ways...£K for the package, fitted and geo'd
thats it really, unless you want to go silly with the engine
Unexpected costs - depends how you drive it/track it really - nothing worse than an EVO !
Mods - well Id do:
Exhaust
Induction
Sports cat
about £1K total
that will give you about 165bhp in a 111S
handling - Lotus Motorsport (OZ) wheel package with wider fronts, then sticky rubber for the summer - Yoko A048s ...and suspension = Nitron 2 ways...£K for the package, fitted and geo'd
thats it really, unless you want to go silly with the engine
Cheers mate, thats what I was after!
Not wanting to go to silly, still feel a bit stung by the cash I spent on the Evo and what I got back for it!
I think 165bhp would be plenty.
Would I be right in saying that removing weight is just as good as adding bhp on these cars? I.e sticking myself on a diet (only 12 stone but every little helps). I found "light weight" exhaust systems, carbon door cards and other "weight reducing" means...are they really worth the cash? Bin the stereo system etc. or spend the money of head work and other bits and bobs. To be honest I am a complete novice when it comes to tuning them so i really dont have a clue!
AS for track days, i like and dislike them. Main problem is insurance...anyone recommend a good track day insurance company. Dont fancy a huge repair bill!
Not wanting to go to silly, still feel a bit stung by the cash I spent on the Evo and what I got back for it!
I think 165bhp would be plenty.
Would I be right in saying that removing weight is just as good as adding bhp on these cars? I.e sticking myself on a diet (only 12 stone but every little helps). I found "light weight" exhaust systems, carbon door cards and other "weight reducing" means...are they really worth the cash? Bin the stereo system etc. or spend the money of head work and other bits and bobs. To be honest I am a complete novice when it comes to tuning them so i really dont have a clue!
AS for track days, i like and dislike them. Main problem is insurance...anyone recommend a good track day insurance company. Dont fancy a huge repair bill!
I've done this too (see user name!)
A great move - you'll love it!
You *must* do some track days. They're the only way to really enjoy the car (unlike the Evo) and much more rewarding (IMO) than in an Evo - in fact that's the main reason I changed. They're also nowhere near as expensive, in terms of tyres, brakes etc, as on an Evo.
You might want to take part in the Elise vs Evo Haynes sprint - being organised by Jetskidia from the MLR.
And make sure you get on Seloc.org.
>> Edited by Stevo6 on Thursday 15th September 20:12
A great move - you'll love it!
You *must* do some track days. They're the only way to really enjoy the car (unlike the Evo) and much more rewarding (IMO) than in an Evo - in fact that's the main reason I changed. They're also nowhere near as expensive, in terms of tyres, brakes etc, as on an Evo.
You might want to take part in the Elise vs Evo Haynes sprint - being organised by Jetskidia from the MLR.
And make sure you get on Seloc.org.
>> Edited by Stevo6 on Thursday 15th September 20:12
cheers steve...that was what I was after... need a fix to replace the MLR!
Haynes is probably a bit far away from me since I am stuck up here in Glasgow. My choices are either Knockhill or Knockhill, unless I chose to make the trip to croft.
Will defo do some track days, I grew up racing Karts and I think going to the Elise is almost like going home for me!
Haynes is probably a bit far away from me since I am stuck up here in Glasgow. My choices are either Knockhill or Knockhill, unless I chose to make the trip to croft.
Will defo do some track days, I grew up racing Karts and I think going to the Elise is almost like going home for me!
try Competition Car Insurance for the Elise - usually 4 trackdays included in the price, then £25 perday or something like that.
165bhp is pretty useful in an Elise..the tyres/suspension/brakes makes more difference...although to need to be pretty good on track to exploit it all, its fun learning
If youve never driven RWD mid engine before, and are used to having lots of electrickery/fancy diffs etc then Id recommend spending £150 on an airfield training day with www.1stlotus.com to familiarise yourself with the way the car handles on the limit...in safety...lots of first time Elise owners end up in the hedge during their first winter
165bhp is pretty useful in an Elise..the tyres/suspension/brakes makes more difference...although to need to be pretty good on track to exploit it all, its fun learning
If youve never driven RWD mid engine before, and are used to having lots of electrickery/fancy diffs etc then Id recommend spending £150 on an airfield training day with www.1stlotus.com to familiarise yourself with the way the car handles on the limit...in safety...lots of first time Elise owners end up in the hedge during their first winter
Another plug for Andrew Walsh (Carlimits/1stLotus) driver training - essential first port of call pre-mods. You have to set these toys up for a bend, no more trailing throttle laziness. And no active yaw control.
Forget weight saving - most of it has already been done - you'd do better on your diet! However, swapping the mild steel exhaust & cast iron manifold will save a reasonable amount as well as the performance / noise benefits. Minor handling benefit too, as all that weight is behind the rear axle.
Nitrons better than LSS but std S2 suspension pretty good anyway but by your 3rd track day you'll be itching for more stiffness.
Just renewed my insurance. Only looked at 3: Esteem (special Lotus policy at Aon), THB Egger Lawson (aka Competition Car Insurance) and Autotorque. Used Esteem last time, now going to Autotorque. All 3 bundle free track day cover for up to 5 events. Forget the big name & online insurers, with an Elise, it pays dividends to speak to a specialist on the phone who knows cars & mods. If you're a memeber of SELOC or LCI, they offer a further discount too.
Forget weight saving - most of it has already been done - you'd do better on your diet! However, swapping the mild steel exhaust & cast iron manifold will save a reasonable amount as well as the performance / noise benefits. Minor handling benefit too, as all that weight is behind the rear axle.
Nitrons better than LSS but std S2 suspension pretty good anyway but by your 3rd track day you'll be itching for more stiffness.
Just renewed my insurance. Only looked at 3: Esteem (special Lotus policy at Aon), THB Egger Lawson (aka Competition Car Insurance) and Autotorque. Used Esteem last time, now going to Autotorque. All 3 bundle free track day cover for up to 5 events. Forget the big name & online insurers, with an Elise, it pays dividends to speak to a specialist on the phone who knows cars & mods. If you're a memeber of SELOC or LCI, they offer a further discount too.
Welcome, and nice purchase. It wasnt bought from Falkirk by any chance? Was up there a few weeks ago and saw a cobalt blue 02 plate at a garage there.
Also, get yourself over to www.scottishelises.com for some scottish elise forum-ing...
Also, get yourself over to www.scottishelises.com for some scottish elise forum-ing...
A friend of mine runs both an Elise S1 and an EVO VI Monte Carlo. The Elise is the cheapest car he has to run, and the EVO the most expensive!
I would imagine that the biggest differenes you'll notice are tyre wear and service intervals. If your EVO is anything like my friend's one, it'll have been in for a service every 4,500 miles and cost about £700 each time!! :-o
Sadly, the next biggest difference you'll notice is an extreme lack of power in the Elise. For an Elise to be 'fast' in the way that an R400 is, it would need about 400bhp, which isn't gonna happen sadly (even to equal an R300 it would need 300bhp). Instead, just enjoy the delightful steering feel and amazing ride and handling - Lotus are almost magicians when it comes to these things!.
I would imagine that the biggest differenes you'll notice are tyre wear and service intervals. If your EVO is anything like my friend's one, it'll have been in for a service every 4,500 miles and cost about £700 each time!! :-o
Sadly, the next biggest difference you'll notice is an extreme lack of power in the Elise. For an Elise to be 'fast' in the way that an R400 is, it would need about 400bhp, which isn't gonna happen sadly (even to equal an R300 it would need 300bhp). Instead, just enjoy the delightful steering feel and amazing ride and handling - Lotus are almost magicians when it comes to these things!.
yeah 4500 mile services is a complete nightmare!
Tyres have not been bad on the Evo to be honest, and I am lucky that I am in a position to get cheap tyres anyway! On that note, whats seen as the best tyre, cash no object, for the Elise?
One step closer to owning it now, just got the call to say that the finance is through, so all i need to do is go and do the trade!
As for the driving tuition, don't want to sound big headed (and I know I will probably jinx myself by saying this) but I grew up driving tail happy RWD karts, formula fords and other racing cars so hopefully the Elise should not be too different. I will however take part in one of Knockhill's "beginner" track days, not because I have never done one before, but because I will get on the track for a decent price with only about 8 other cars which should be perfect for testing its limits!
Tyres have not been bad on the Evo to be honest, and I am lucky that I am in a position to get cheap tyres anyway! On that note, whats seen as the best tyre, cash no object, for the Elise?
One step closer to owning it now, just got the call to say that the finance is through, so all i need to do is go and do the trade!
As for the driving tuition, don't want to sound big headed (and I know I will probably jinx myself by saying this) but I grew up driving tail happy RWD karts, formula fords and other racing cars so hopefully the Elise should not be too different. I will however take part in one of Knockhill's "beginner" track days, not because I have never done one before, but because I will get on the track for a decent price with only about 8 other cars which should be perfect for testing its limits!
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