which is the best Lotus for me?
Discussion
Having had Porkers for a while and latterly a purple hayabusa engined locost which I have taken to Bedford a few times this summer, I'm getting the itch (again) to buy an Elise. Last time I tried to do this was about 4 years ago and it never quite came to to fruition.
Trouble is, there seems to be so many editions that I just know I'll buy one and the very next day someone will pop up and say I should've bought something slightly different.
I've already got a road car (and have 3 whippersnappers) but would like to make the occasional trip on the of say 40 to 50 miles to visit mates etc, most of the time it will be on a track or perhaps driving to and from. So I'm not toooo bothered about road manners but I dont want it to be horrible!!
What sould I look for VVC engined? series 1? 135? 160? 190? Exige? Buy a new 111R?
I would prefer to buy it all done as a factory car than get a car to modify or even one that has been modified (I'm thinking eventaul resale).
Anyone have any ideas please?
Trouble is, there seems to be so many editions that I just know I'll buy one and the very next day someone will pop up and say I should've bought something slightly different.
I've already got a road car (and have 3 whippersnappers) but would like to make the occasional trip on the of say 40 to 50 miles to visit mates etc, most of the time it will be on a track or perhaps driving to and from. So I'm not toooo bothered about road manners but I dont want it to be horrible!!
What sould I look for VVC engined? series 1? 135? 160? 190? Exige? Buy a new 111R?
I would prefer to buy it all done as a factory car than get a car to modify or even one that has been modified (I'm thinking eventaul resale).
Anyone have any ideas please?
) Take a trip to Seloc.org
On Seloc they say that the VVC is not the best to modify.
The 111R (toyota) the Toyota engine is 140 KG more that the K.
The best options would be to go for a K series S1 or S2 and stick a Honda Civic R engine in it.
To keep it a K series and if you like playing with a car either mod the K. upto 160 bhp, without playing with the bottom end or 250bhp if you do.
Now you could buy a S1 for around £10K and put a Honda engine out of the Civic R in the back which is stock 200Bhp (conversion costs £10K) add a supercharger and stuff and that can be 300bhp (extra £3K me thinks), Calling Bogie to add comment (he has one).
Some chaps have put the Ford Duratec and others the Audi TT 1.8T.
Also Z cars have put a Hybusa in one so you can do that as well.
Me I have a S1 with a slightly ported Sabre Head (135 to 140 bhp) std induction/exhuast, had it for 6 years and is now 95,000 miles, love it.
Good luck on your choice.
Gary
On Seloc they say that the VVC is not the best to modify.
The 111R (toyota) the Toyota engine is 140 KG more that the K.
The best options would be to go for a K series S1 or S2 and stick a Honda Civic R engine in it.
To keep it a K series and if you like playing with a car either mod the K. upto 160 bhp, without playing with the bottom end or 250bhp if you do.
Now you could buy a S1 for around £10K and put a Honda engine out of the Civic R in the back which is stock 200Bhp (conversion costs £10K) add a supercharger and stuff and that can be 300bhp (extra £3K me thinks), Calling Bogie to add comment (he has one).
Some chaps have put the Ford Duratec and others the Audi TT 1.8T.
Also Z cars have put a Hybusa in one so you can do that as well.
Me I have a S1 with a slightly ported Sabre Head (135 to 140 bhp) std induction/exhuast, had it for 6 years and is now 95,000 miles, love it.
Good luck on your choice.
Gary
As your looking for a track-biased car and you don't want to modify I think your best bet would be an S1 Sport 160 or an S2 135R. Depending on funds. Both are track-biased factory cars. If it was me and I want an original car that was good out of the box for track use it would be the 135R. There's a nice one for sale in the PH classifieds at the minute. Hold their value well too.
HTH
Dan
Jude Performance Services Ltd
HTH
Dan
Jude Performance Services Ltd
slider2 said:
I've already got a road car (and have 3 whippersnappers) but would like to make the occasional trip on the of say 40 to 50 miles to visit mates etc, most of the time it will be on a track or perhaps driving to and from. So I'm not toooo bothered about road manners but I dont want it to be horrible!!
What sould I look for VVC engined? series 1? 135? 160? 190? Exige? Buy a new 111R?
I would prefer to buy it all done as a factory car than get a car to modify or even one that has been modified (I'm thinking eventaul resale).
Anyone have any ideas please?
Exige or 135R.
Mmm...tricky one...for hassle free reliable track fun then a 111R with the motorsport wheels...dont buy new - too much of a hit on depreciation when there are good cars for sale like here:
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
if the performance of that isnt good enough..then get a pre-modded converted car - its not like the general modded car market with the Elise as the Audi/Honda conversions are in big demand so hold their value well - good Audi car here:
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
fully sorted Honda car here:
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
>> Edited by bogie on Monday 14th November 06:00
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
if the performance of that isnt good enough..then get a pre-modded converted car - its not like the general modded car market with the Elise as the Audi/Honda conversions are in big demand so hold their value well - good Audi car here:
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
fully sorted Honda car here:
http://forums.seloc.org/classified.php?action=ad&
>> Edited by bogie on Monday 14th November 06:00
How do these cars with the heavier engines (toyota Honda Audi etc) handle?
I know these cars are described as mid-engined but I'm not sure of the actual weight distribution F/R and what a heavier lump might do for the cars's balance I'm thinking about, particularly, aftermarket conversions which will not have had the accompanied chassis engineering that the Lotus R&H Engineers will have put in. Although any weight in the wrong place can lead to problems - 911 anyone..?
I know these cars are described as mid-engined but I'm not sure of the actual weight distribution F/R and what a heavier lump might do for the cars's balance I'm thinking about, particularly, aftermarket conversions which will not have had the accompanied chassis engineering that the Lotus R&H Engineers will have put in. Although any weight in the wrong place can lead to problems - 911 anyone..?
gooby said:
No Question ! A S1 Sport 160 and get the head polished, pulleys with re-time and re-mapped on existing ECU and you will have a serious bit of kit !
Not that you are biased!
Roger Sabre Heads Sailsbury knows how to sort out the 160. You can contact him on 01722 332234.
Gary
slider2 said:
How do these cars with the heavier engines (toyota Honda Audi etc) handle?
I know these cars are described as mid-engined but I'm not sure of the actual weight distribution F/R and what a heavier lump might do for the cars's balance I'm thinking about, particularly, aftermarket conversions which will not have had the accompanied chassis engineering that the Lotus R&H Engineers will have put in. Although any weight in the wrong place can lead to problems - 911 anyone..?
exactly the same as the weight distribution is unaffected -the car has just gained 20-40Kg overall...and is still 120-160Kg light the official Toyota engined cars. Most people with these converted cars run uprated adjustable suspension anyway....I can assure you that my 300bhp Honda car handles better now than it did when I picked it up from Lotus 3 1/2 years ago
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff