Buying an Elise for the First Time? Need Help!
Discussion
Hi All,
Im after some advice on buying an S1 Elise 1997/98 year model. At the moment I have an mx5 turbo which Im considering selling to either upgrade to a larger bhp turbo mx5 or to switch to an elise.
MX5s Im fine with but having never had a elise and being interested in one would like opinions on what to look for. Do they have any common faults? Is FLSH very important? What kind of money should I be looking at? Good places to get information.
Sorry for all the questions, like the look of the elise but just want to find out if my best option to upgrade to a faster mx5 or go down the route of an elise?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Im after some advice on buying an S1 Elise 1997/98 year model. At the moment I have an mx5 turbo which Im considering selling to either upgrade to a larger bhp turbo mx5 or to switch to an elise.
MX5s Im fine with but having never had a elise and being interested in one would like opinions on what to look for. Do they have any common faults? Is FLSH very important? What kind of money should I be looking at? Good places to get information.
Sorry for all the questions, like the look of the elise but just want to find out if my best option to upgrade to a faster mx5 or go down the route of an elise?
Thanks in advance for any help.
thanks.
Im after something fairly quick. The elise seems to meet that requirement from the information I have looked at.
The mx5 turbo I am running has about 170bhp so is a little different and I thinking of upgrading the turbo on this to over 200bhp.
The elise interests me as the power is already there.
Just curious to what peoples opinion are on the elise from ownership experiences, etc.
Im after something fairly quick. The elise seems to meet that requirement from the information I have looked at.
The mx5 turbo I am running has about 170bhp so is a little different and I thinking of upgrading the turbo on this to over 200bhp.
The elise interests me as the power is already there.
Just curious to what peoples opinion are on the elise from ownership experiences, etc.
Hi there. A couple of sites worth looking at are Elise-faq.info and Elises.co.uk.
The Elise is a very different car to the MX5 so definately try before making a decision. Also think about if you could live with it if its to be your only car. I actually think the car is a lot more liveable with than many would have you believe and I cover about 150 miles a day working in Cornwall. Mind you thats all B roads and sweeping A roads, if it were Motorway work it would be a different matter. I do keep a second car but thats mainly for family duties but to tell the truth if I'd realised how easy the Elise is to live with I'd have spent more on the Elise and less on the second car.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the different varients, the're all quick and the Elise really isn't about straight line speed but more to do with its handling and cornering abilities. Lotus service history isn't essential, but a full history from a recognised independant is. I'd talk to an independant, most are real enthusiasts and will happily point you in the right direction.
Happy hunting!
Lastly buy the best you can. Cheap cars are seldom the bargain they appear. I bought my Elise (first one) from a sports car specialst - glad I did as there were a few issues which have now been sorted (not at my expense !), but I'd be happy shopping in the private market now.
The Elise is a very different car to the MX5 so definately try before making a decision. Also think about if you could live with it if its to be your only car. I actually think the car is a lot more liveable with than many would have you believe and I cover about 150 miles a day working in Cornwall. Mind you thats all B roads and sweeping A roads, if it were Motorway work it would be a different matter. I do keep a second car but thats mainly for family duties but to tell the truth if I'd realised how easy the Elise is to live with I'd have spent more on the Elise and less on the second car.
I wouldn't get too hung up on the different varients, the're all quick and the Elise really isn't about straight line speed but more to do with its handling and cornering abilities. Lotus service history isn't essential, but a full history from a recognised independant is. I'd talk to an independant, most are real enthusiasts and will happily point you in the right direction.
Happy hunting!
Lastly buy the best you can. Cheap cars are seldom the bargain they appear. I bought my Elise (first one) from a sports car specialst - glad I did as there were a few issues which have now been sorted (not at my expense !), but I'd be happy shopping in the private market now.
Thanks for the advice.
I only run the mx5 as a second car and would only do the same with the elise, etc.
I have a look on those web sites. Is there any danger is looking at one with no MOT? Anything sinister that can go wrong on an elise?
I would have thought that the elise is quite a simple car so does not have some of the gizmos of other sportscars.
I only run the mx5 as a second car and would only do the same with the elise, etc.
I have a look on those web sites. Is there any danger is looking at one with no MOT? Anything sinister that can go wrong on an elise?
I would have thought that the elise is quite a simple car so does not have some of the gizmos of other sportscars.
You'll probably know me from the MX5OC forum, I went through the same thought process as you - sold a 250hp FM2 to buy an Elise, but then decided I missed the MX-5 so bought another one as well and ended up not using the Elise because the Mazda was an easier convertible to live with. I then regrettably sold the Elise and MX5 and bought another FM2. Realised I'd made a mistake, sold the FM2, bought an A3 diesel for the winter and now looking for an Elise again! At least out of my sorry tale the only car I've lost on will ironically be the Audi...
All I can say really is make sure you're really done with the Mazda ownership thing. I've had 4 of them now and have finally got myself free of them. Yes, the Elise is a far more hardcore car to live with, you have to be prepared for the attention that goes with them and the paranoia when it comes to leaving it anywhere.
I had a 111S, a '99V. It was quick enough for me, but motorway work was a bit of a drag. If you're after a S1 Elise, the later cars are better sorted IMO, the easy way to spot them is to have a look in the boot - the early cars have a plastic thing that covers the access to the boot just under the engine cover. If you look at both you'll see what I mean.
Handling is night and day between the Mazda and Lotus, and I always found the best fun was to be had at lowish speeds on the back roads. Make sure you go for Yokohama tyres, the original fit things are terrible in the wet.
One thing I will say is that the Elise will feel slow compared to a Turbo MX5. I still haven't lost the performance bug, which is why I'm planning to Honda transplant my next Elise, but I haven't decided if I want an S1 or S2 yet - I'm not fussed either way as they both have plus and minus points. I'll know the right car when I see it!
As others will probably tell you it's more important to buy on condition rather than colour etc. If you decide you want a certain model, colour and spec you may be in for a long wait for one that's right for you. I'm a fussy sod so it always takes me ages to find a nice car! Try and buy from an enthusiast, I always find that nice people sell nice cars!
Good luck
Phil.
All I can say really is make sure you're really done with the Mazda ownership thing. I've had 4 of them now and have finally got myself free of them. Yes, the Elise is a far more hardcore car to live with, you have to be prepared for the attention that goes with them and the paranoia when it comes to leaving it anywhere.
I had a 111S, a '99V. It was quick enough for me, but motorway work was a bit of a drag. If you're after a S1 Elise, the later cars are better sorted IMO, the easy way to spot them is to have a look in the boot - the early cars have a plastic thing that covers the access to the boot just under the engine cover. If you look at both you'll see what I mean.
Handling is night and day between the Mazda and Lotus, and I always found the best fun was to be had at lowish speeds on the back roads. Make sure you go for Yokohama tyres, the original fit things are terrible in the wet.
One thing I will say is that the Elise will feel slow compared to a Turbo MX5. I still haven't lost the performance bug, which is why I'm planning to Honda transplant my next Elise, but I haven't decided if I want an S1 or S2 yet - I'm not fussed either way as they both have plus and minus points. I'll know the right car when I see it!
As others will probably tell you it's more important to buy on condition rather than colour etc. If you decide you want a certain model, colour and spec you may be in for a long wait for one that's right for you. I'm a fussy sod so it always takes me ages to find a nice car! Try and buy from an enthusiast, I always find that nice people sell nice cars!
Good luck
Phil.
Thanks Phil for the advice.
Ive had alot of 5s like you before. The only options I have left is to upgrade the turbo kit on mine so I get close to 200bhp, or to buy a FM2/highly tuned turbo elsewhere which with have an output of approx 230-250bhp as you know.
The elise interests me as they are similar money to a nicely tuned turbo'd mx5 and are a little bit different.
I only use my existing mx5 on good days and it would be the same with an elise. Mazda reliablity is great and that is something I need to find out more about with regards the elise.
Thanks
James.
Ive had alot of 5s like you before. The only options I have left is to upgrade the turbo kit on mine so I get close to 200bhp, or to buy a FM2/highly tuned turbo elsewhere which with have an output of approx 230-250bhp as you know.
The elise interests me as they are similar money to a nicely tuned turbo'd mx5 and are a little bit different.
I only use my existing mx5 on good days and it would be the same with an elise. Mazda reliablity is great and that is something I need to find out more about with regards the elise.
Thanks
James.
Welcome James, just spent the last couple of weeks helping a friend of mine buy his first S1. The thing's I'd look for on a car is firstly how soon till the C sevice (A-£150,B-£250,C-£450) the order is A,A,B,B,C, but it should br clear in the log book. Check the body work carefully around the nose mirrors and rear wheel haunches being alow car they're prone to stone chips, also cheak for poor damage repair, such as cracking under the paint. With regards to the suspension the original Koni dampers can start to leak after a while, just see if their wet at all at the base. Also cheak around the head gaskett, older engines are prone to fail in this department. However it's only abused cars that have any drama's there are some great cars out there 
we've seen recently, if you look in Classic Cars this month there's an S1 Elise buying guid too! Happy hunting 
we've seen recently, if you look in Classic Cars this month there's an S1 Elise buying guid too! Happy hunting James, as all have said before, the Elise is a sublime drivers car, rather like a well set-up MX5.
Do lots of research in the FAQ and info sites, and by searching through here. They can go wrong, and can cost a lot of money to sort out. However, get a good one and you'll be fine.
Have you considered supercharging your 5? The EVO article a while ago seemed to think that the kit offered (I can't remember by whom) made compelling sense.
Do lots of research in the FAQ and info sites, and by searching through here. They can go wrong, and can cost a lot of money to sort out. However, get a good one and you'll be fine.
Have you considered supercharging your 5? The EVO article a while ago seemed to think that the kit offered (I can't remember by whom) made compelling sense.
I went out on a big lotus drive the other day, we had everything from standard S1 to exige 240R, up on the mountain type roads, small straights, lots of corners. I couldnt believe how fast the standard elise is. I have a sport 160 and drive the nuts off it, but the guy driving the standard 160 is a better driver and I could'nt pull up on him at all !!! Sure on a long straight after 70 I can reel it in a bit but the difference is small.
MX5 is fun and practical. Elise is just more focused but can you live with it. I use my everyday as my only car and love it, only thing you can do is try one. If you are a hand on type as well, the elise is a piece of cake to work on.
MX5 is fun and practical. Elise is just more focused but can you live with it. I use my everyday as my only car and love it, only thing you can do is try one. If you are a hand on type as well, the elise is a piece of cake to work on.
I bought my first car (an Elise) about a month ago.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=252239&f=15&h=0&hw=zippee
It's the best thing since sliced bread.
My parents have an MX5 admittedly not a silly, one but they both were badgering me to bring the car home, despite the fact that my mother can't actually reach the pedals. She drove it with her handbag stuffed behind her!
Drive an Elise, you won't regret it. One of the best thing being, joining the club and having every Lotus wave as you pass (that makes me smile almost as much as the car).
You don't get that in an MX5, even a very quick one.
And don't worry about motorways, that's what ear plugs are for!
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=252239&f=15&h=0&hw=zippee
It's the best thing since sliced bread.
My parents have an MX5 admittedly not a silly, one but they both were badgering me to bring the car home, despite the fact that my mother can't actually reach the pedals. She drove it with her handbag stuffed behind her!
Drive an Elise, you won't regret it. One of the best thing being, joining the club and having every Lotus wave as you pass (that makes me smile almost as much as the car).
You don't get that in an MX5, even a very quick one.
And don't worry about motorways, that's what ear plugs are for!
Thanks for all the advice and comments. Well from next week I will have this:
Its got FLSH, its a 1998 with 47000 miles, last year all the suspension was upgraded to lotus sports suspension.
Really looking forward but wish I could keep the 5 as well.
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:15
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:16
Its got FLSH, its a 1998 with 47000 miles, last year all the suspension was upgraded to lotus sports suspension.
Really looking forward but wish I could keep the 5 as well.
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:15
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:16
MadaboutMX5s said:
Thanks for all the advice and comments. Well from next week I will have this:
Its got FLSH, its a 1998 with 47000 miles, last year all the suspension was upgraded to lotus sports suspension.
Really looking forward but wish I could keep the 5 as well.
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:15
>> Edited by MadaboutMX5s on Thursday 13th April 23:16
Looks great. Congrats man
TIPPER said:
Nice one! Welcome to the club.
Don't want to sound like your Dad but early days of ownership are the most dangerous. Take it easy for a while and always in the wet.
Have fun and be safe
thanks. yeah got to give the car some respect. I used to have a mr2 turbo and they could be a handful in the wet.
James, nice choice mate, I'm sure you'll fall in love pretty quickly. There's a great Sussex crew on SELOC and you're very welcome to come and meet other like-minded owners from the Kent group at one of our meets or runs any time you like.
www.kentlotus.org for details
www.kentlotus.org for details
S works said:
James, nice choice mate, I'm sure you'll fall in love pretty quickly. There's a great Sussex crew on SELOC and you're very welcome to come and meet other like-minded owners from the Kent group at one of our meets or runs any time you like.
www.kentlotus.org for details
Thanks. Im looking forward to getting it. The guy Im getting the car recommended me to have a look on SELOC before I came round to see the car. I save the kent link as sometimes I know with mx5s, that the kent meets are nearer to me then the sussex meets.
Thanks everyone for the advice and links. These helped with my final choice of car. It was a bit more then I wanted to spend but has FLSH, low mileage for year and the factory Konis that I know can be a problem have been replaced with Lotus Sports Suspension and have all been set up.
Thanks. James.
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