I'VE WON ....I'VE WON
Discussion
unfortunately not the lottery! but something better the battle with she who must be obey'd!
I am now therefore with full blessing able to buy a 2 seat sports car without her moaning ( I would have got one anyway!!!!!)
So here I am Budget of 13-15k and what to get?
I have been lurking and reading all the posts on here over the past couple of months so have a pretty good idea of how they fair for daily use etc. I do like air con, more for winter demisting than summer cooling as thats what a soft top is for. Does this limit me to an S2 or does the s1 111s have aircon?
I do have one problem though,visually I prefer the rear of an s1 but the front of an S2 will i fall in love with half a car?
I live in essex so I know castles,sinclaires and wilsons but are there any independants or other places I should be looking at. I will strike while the iron is hot as they say.
Sorry a few q's there but want to get it right.
Hope to become an enthusiastic owner soon.
simon
I am now therefore with full blessing able to buy a 2 seat sports car without her moaning ( I would have got one anyway!!!!!)
So here I am Budget of 13-15k and what to get?
I have been lurking and reading all the posts on here over the past couple of months so have a pretty good idea of how they fair for daily use etc. I do like air con, more for winter demisting than summer cooling as thats what a soft top is for. Does this limit me to an S2 or does the s1 111s have aircon?
I do have one problem though,visually I prefer the rear of an s1 but the front of an S2 will i fall in love with half a car?
I live in essex so I know castles,sinclaires and wilsons but are there any independants or other places I should be looking at. I will strike while the iron is hot as they say.
Sorry a few q's there but want to get it right.
Hope to become an enthusiastic owner soon.
simon
Best to drive a good example of each. The S2 isn't as raw as the S1, most appreciate the fact the S2 is a bit easier to get into. Everybody will have their own (biased) opinion - personally I prefer the S1
For that sort of money you might get an S1 160, otherwise you should be able to get an S2 111s. Shop around its still a buyers market.
For that sort of money you might get an S1 160, otherwise you should be able to get an S2 111s. Shop around its still a buyers market.
simonrockman said:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/68188.htm
Nice.
I know I should look at vx220's but they dont really do it for me. I know that they are good value etc but they just dont "Float my boat"
The type 72 is lovely!
It reminds me of when I first started to get interested in motorsport watching Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson in the JPS livery F1 cars, Those were the days..
I also like the ltd edition in white with green stripes, They have one for sale at Sinclaires but 17.5k though.
The sport160 reminds me of my old java green spitfire lol
It reminds me of when I first started to get interested in motorsport watching Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson in the JPS livery F1 cars, Those were the days..
I also like the ltd edition in white with green stripes, They have one for sale at Sinclaires but 17.5k though.
The sport160 reminds me of my old java green spitfire lol
Go to a dealer and try both - then go private and buy the one you liked and save 000's.
Sport 160 is the nicest S1 but try and find one that's been fettled as they a bit lumpy otherwise. Within budget.
Air con - the very last S1's had it as an option but it's not much use. Just take the roof off and drive faster
rare option on elise's prior to 04 and the S2 111S and 111R
Few questions....
How many miles will you do - will it be your only car - any trackdays - put up with no frills ??
Sport 160 is the nicest S1 but try and find one that's been fettled as they a bit lumpy otherwise. Within budget.
Air con - the very last S1's had it as an option but it's not much use. Just take the roof off and drive faster
rare option on elise's prior to 04 and the S2 111S and 111R Few questions....
How many miles will you do - will it be your only car - any trackdays - put up with no frills ??
StuartB said:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/64026.htm
"Road miles only, never tracked." I'm sure that there is a point but not too sure if I can grasp it; serious power and suspension upgrades for pooteling on the roads ???
hbaumhardt said:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/64026.htm
"Road miles only, never tracked." I'm sure that there is a point but not too sure if I can grasp it; serious power and suspension upgrades for pooteling on the roads ???
Engine: 230 BHP Supercharged by Turbo Technics. Engine has been strengthened with larger intake valves and revs to over 7500 rpm. Excuse my ignorance but, if that is from the rover engine will it not explode???
Everything will explode, its not a question of "if" but "when". Apparently TT conversions have a longer "when" than most but bogie will be along with his experience just now.
This is a bit of an "eats shoots and leaves" job "Engine has been strengthened with larger intake valves". Does that mean that the stregthening has been effected by fitting larget valves (Errr !) or that the engine has been stregthened, and also benefits from larger valves ?
This is a bit of an "eats shoots and leaves" job "Engine has been strengthened with larger intake valves". Does that mean that the stregthening has been effected by fitting larget valves (Errr !) or that the engine has been stregthened, and also benefits from larger valves ?
Good win Simon. Having got used to the luxury of climate control on our recent cars I wondered how I would manage without it. To be honest since acquiring my Elise S1 in December its not been an issue and I've found the old fashioned heater more than adequate for demisting without overheating me.
My route to Elise heaven is being taken in stages. First was to find an unmolested S1 in first class condition (I didn't count a sports exhaust and K & N as molestation as so many cars have these). Next step will probably be S2 or similiar suspension upgrade together with a set of Advans. I'll then be looking at a trip to Dave Andrews at dva power in Milton Keynes for a 150BHP engine upgrade (circa £1500 fitted and as will as horses the mods deliver a good looking torque curve). A 4-2-1 exhaust downpipe and 52mm alloy throttle body will complete the running gear upgrades. About £150 for the ally tat on the inside together with the stereo upgrade currently in process and my Elise will be perfect (for now!).
All this should come in under the £15k mark. Thats my way - whichever way you choose, have fun.
My route to Elise heaven is being taken in stages. First was to find an unmolested S1 in first class condition (I didn't count a sports exhaust and K & N as molestation as so many cars have these). Next step will probably be S2 or similiar suspension upgrade together with a set of Advans. I'll then be looking at a trip to Dave Andrews at dva power in Milton Keynes for a 150BHP engine upgrade (circa £1500 fitted and as will as horses the mods deliver a good looking torque curve). A 4-2-1 exhaust downpipe and 52mm alloy throttle body will complete the running gear upgrades. About £150 for the ally tat on the inside together with the stereo upgrade currently in process and my Elise will be perfect (for now!).
All this should come in under the £15k mark. Thats my way - whichever way you choose, have fun.
Few questions....
How many miles will you do - will it be your only car - any trackdays - put up with no frills ??
[/quote]
In answer to the above I will be using the car daily min 10mls but from what you all say I might have to leave earlier in the morning for a 20ml round trip!
It will not be our only car we have a practical family car also, as I have 2 kids
Would like to do trackdays but prob not many per annum
no frills surely its thrills i'm looking for! seriously a stereo is all i really need and enough room for a laptop.
TIPPER said:
Good win Simon. Having got used to the luxury of climate control on our recent cars I wondered how I would manage without it. To be honest since acquiring my Elise S1 in December its not been an issue and I've found the old fashioned heater more than adequate for demisting without overheating me.
My route to Elise heaven is being taken in stages. First was to find an unmolested S1 in first class condition (I didn't count a sports exhaust and K & N as molestation as so many cars have these). Next step will probably be S2 or similiar suspension upgrade together with a set of Advans. I'll then be looking at a trip to Dave Andrews at dva power in Milton Keynes for a 150BHP engine upgrade (circa £1500 fitted and as will as horses the mods deliver a good looking torque curve). A 4-2-1 exhaust downpipe and 52mm alloy throttle body will complete the running gear upgrades. About £150 for the ally tat on the inside together with the stereo upgrade currently in process and my Elise will be perfect (for now!).
All this should come in under the £15k mark. Thats my way - whichever way you choose, have fun.
Thanks for the reply you have a definate game plan which I hope comes together for you. I've never been one for modding cars greatly as I have pen pusher hands rather than mechanical ones!
Are there any other specialist indies around that I should be looking at or am I searching in the right places ie ph castles sinclaires wilsons autotrder
I Think the searching is half the fun
Simon
in the boot. BTW it doesn't take long for the upgrade bug to bite 
. siwil1 said:
I Think the searching is half the fun
Simon
Hi Simon,
I won a similar battle last september, fantastic news!
I was a little daunted by starting to look for my S1, but after visiting only a couple of dealers I felt a lot more confident about what I wanted out of the car. The first thing you usually hear from the vendor is "Have you been looking for long?" - they know that we all need to search around a bit and see what is on offer.
This is my first Lotus and I didn't feel confident about buying from a private seller (you will find a lot of bad examples out there for your budget) So I plumped for buying a beauty with a huge history file from an independent dealer and negotiated a 12 month warranty (which was handy as I've just claimed 500 quids worth of rad and heater matrix off it!)
That said, I would always go private in the future, get it checked by an independent, and stick a grand in the savings acount to cover the unexpected.
J
jcb156 said:
I Think the searching is half the fun
Simon
Hi Simon,
I won a similar battle last september, fantastic news!
I was a little daunted by starting to look for my S1, but after visiting only a couple of dealers I felt a lot more confident about what I wanted out of the car. The first thing you usually hear from the vendor is "Have you been looking for long?" - they know that we all need to search around a bit and see what is on offer.
This is my first Lotus and I didn't feel confident about buying from a private seller (you will find a lot of bad examples out there for your budget) So I plumped for buying a beauty with a huge history file from an independent dealer and negotiated a 12 month warranty (which was handy as I've just claimed 500 quids worth of rad and heater matrix off it!)
That said, I would always go private in the future, get it checked by an independent, and stick a grand in the savings acount to cover the unexpected.
J
I'm probably in a similar situation, up until a few years ago I always had company cars so have lost the knack of purchasing and a warranty for the first year will be peace of mind,That said I believe most people selling private would expect an independant inspection of a car like this so I wont be put off looking at private sales as prices do seem a lot keener.
I assume there are a few local companies that will check one out for me...any recommendations?
cheers for the replies
Simon
siwil1 said:
Few questions....
How many miles will you do - will it be your only car - any trackdays - put up with no frills ??
In answer to the above I will be using the car daily min 10mls but from what you all say I might have to leave earlier in the morning for a 20ml round trip!
It will not be our only car we have a practical family car also, as I have 2 kids
Would like to do trackdays but prob not many per annum
no frills surely its thrills i'm looking for! seriously a stereo is all i really need and enough room for a laptop.[/quote]
Based on that I'd say go for the 160
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